“A Light for the Gentiles!” Acts 13:47
The promise of the Messiah, the light, began with God’s blessing to Abraham, “In you all the families of the earth will be blest.”
Genesis 12:3 Isaiah later brings the words of God writing, “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Simeon, in the Temple, holding and blessing his long awaited Messiah, the light, exclaims to God, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32
Years later Paul, who after being angrily confronted and denied by Jews at Pisidian Antioch, turns to the Gentiles and tells them, “For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 13:47 The Gentiles “rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord.” Why the joy? What just happened?
Question: When does the Scripture first reveal God’s calling for Paul as an apostle with a special ministry to the Gentiles?
Answer: After Paul was struck down and confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus he was led blinded to Damascus. There God appeared in a vision to a disciple of Jesus called Ananias and told him to go to Paul. Ananias, knowing Paul’s hatred toward Christians protested. God reassured Ananias explaining His plan for Paul. “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” Acts 9:15