After the reading from the Law of Moses and from the writings of the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message: "Friends, we want you to speak to the people if you have a message of encouragement for them."

The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors and made the people a great nation during the time they lived as foreigners in Egypt. God brought them out of Egypt by his great power,

But Paul and Barnabas spoke out even more boldly: "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we will leave you and go to the Gentiles.

And so God chose his Servant and sent him to you first, to bless you by making every one of you turn away from your wicked ways."

You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs forever.

(SEE 105:5)

He gives his message to his people, his instructions and laws to Israel.

He has not done this for other nations; they do not know his laws. Praise the LORD!

"But you, Israel my servant, you are the people that I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham, my friend.

Listen to this, people of Israel, you that are descended from Judah: You swear by the name of the LORD and claim to worship the God of Israel--- but you don't mean a word you say.

The LORD says, "Listen to me, you that want to be saved, you that come to me for help. Think of the rock from which you came, the quarry from which you were cut.

Think of your ancestor, Abraham, and of Sarah, from whom you are descended. When I called Abraham, he was childless, but I blessed him and gave him children; I made his descendants numerous.

And don't think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham!

Instead, you are to go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

and in his name the message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.

Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: "Fellow Israelites and all Gentiles here who worship God: hear me!

After the people had left the meeting, Paul and Barnabas were followed by many Jews and by many Gentiles who had been converted to Judaism. The apostles spoke to them and encouraged them to keep on living in the grace of God.

Those who fear him and do what is right are acceptable to him, no matter what race they belong to.

She followed Paul and us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God! They announce to you how you can be saved!"

And Paul concluded: "You are to know, then, that God's message of salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen!"

I am bringing the day of victory near--- it is not far away at all. My triumph will not be delayed. I will save Jerusalem and bring honor to Israel there."

He has provided for us a mighty Savior, a descendant of his servant David.

to tell his people that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven.

I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles.

Our message is that God was making all human beings his friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends.

Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.

And you also became God's people when you heard the true message, the Good News that brought you salvation. You believed in Christ, and God put his stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit he had promised.

When the true message, the Good News, first came to you, you heard about the hope it offers. So your faith and love are based on what you hope for, which is kept safe for you in heaven.