Acts 13:32-33 We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus….

Paul and his traveling companions were in Antioch on the Sabbath day. The synagogue rulers asked them to bring a word of encouragement to the people in attendance. Paul took the floor and addressed them “Men of Israel and you Gentiles, who worship God, listen to me…” Immediately it hits you – the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ is for everyone regardless of ethnicity.

Paul continued to give a recap of 450 years of the history of the people of Israel, chosen by God, went into slavery in Egypt and finally delivered into Canaan. He outlined the historical thread through the time of the judges up to Samuel and then from King Saul up to the time of David whom God called “a man after my own heart.” It was in the line of King David that Jesus was born.

Jesus was preceded by a man named John who preached repentance and baptism.  John   proclaimed that Christ would come, but Paul pointed out that when he came the people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets. But God raised him from the dead.

The history of man is not what man determines it to be. All along events are conforming to the divine will and purpose of God. This is mind-blowing because we listen to the news and see each event in isolation. What is even more amazing is that in the process of time, God chooses people to be conformed to his will and purpose. In John 6:44 Jesus said: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” Do you feel that pull from God to be conformed to his purpose? Answer immediately, humble yourself. It is a supreme privilege that God should single you out.