Acts 11:21 - The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
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What does "Acts 11:21" mean?
Acts 11:21, "The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord," is a powerful statement about the evident divine blessing and resulting conversion that occurred among those who were spreading the Gospel. Let's break it down:
"The hand of the Lord was with them..." This is a figurative expression that signifies God's active presence, power, favor, and blessing upon the people (in this context, the believers who were scattering and preaching). It implies that their efforts were not merely human endeavors but were guided and empowered by God himself. Think of it as God giving them special abilities, opening doors, and preparing hearts to receive the message. It also can refer to God giving them protection from harm, giving them miraculous power, and anointing them.
"...and a great number believed..." This indicates that the message they were preaching (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) was resonating with people. "Believed" means more than just intellectual assent; it signifies a deep trust, acceptance, and commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior. They are willing to give their life to following the teachings of Jesus.
"...and turned to the Lord." This phrase describes the result of their belief. "Turned" implies a conscious decision to change direction. It's a turning away from their previous way of life (perhaps idolatry, self-reliance, or a life apart from God) and a turning toward Jesus. It signifies repentance, a turning away from sin, and a commitment to follow God's ways. Turning also means submitting to God, and recognizing Jesus as their Lord.
In summary, the verse means:
Because God's power and blessing were evident in their lives and ministry, a large number of people heard the Gospel, believed in Jesus, and made a conscious decision to change their lives and follow Him as Lord.
Important Considerations:
Context is Key: Acts 11:21 is part of a larger narrative about the early church spreading beyond Jerusalem. These believers had been scattered due to persecution and were now sharing the Gospel with new audiences, including Gentiles (non-Jews). This marked a significant expansion of the early Christian community.
Divine Initiative: The verse emphasizes that conversion is ultimately God's work. While the believers were faithful in sharing the message, it was God who opened hearts and enabled people to believe.
Active Faith: The verse highlights the importance of both belief and action. It's not enough to simply believe something in your head; true faith leads to a transformed life, a turning away from sin and a turning towards God.
In essence, Acts 11:21 is a concise yet profound description of the power of the Gospel and the transformative effect of encountering God. It showcases that when God is at work through his people, lives are changed and faith grows.
Acts 11:21 - The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
What does "Acts 11:21" mean?
Acts 11:21, "The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord," is a powerful statement about the evident divine blessing and resulting conversion that occurred among those who were spreading the Gospel. Let's break it down:
"The hand of the Lord was with them..." This is a figurative expression that signifies God's active presence, power, favor, and blessing upon the people (in this context, the believers who were scattering and preaching). It implies that their efforts were not merely human endeavors but were guided and empowered by God himself. Think of it as God giving them special abilities, opening doors, and preparing hearts to receive the message. It also can refer to God giving them protection from harm, giving them miraculous power, and anointing them.
"...and a great number believed..." This indicates that the message they were preaching (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) was resonating with people. "Believed" means more than just intellectual assent; it signifies a deep trust, acceptance, and commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior. They are willing to give their life to following the teachings of Jesus.
"...and turned to the Lord." This phrase describes the result of their belief. "Turned" implies a conscious decision to change direction. It's a turning away from their previous way of life (perhaps idolatry, self-reliance, or a life apart from God) and a turning toward Jesus. It signifies repentance, a turning away from sin, and a commitment to follow God's ways. Turning also means submitting to God, and recognizing Jesus as their Lord.
In summary, the verse means:
Because God's power and blessing were evident in their lives and ministry, a large number of people heard the Gospel, believed in Jesus, and made a conscious decision to change their lives and follow Him as Lord.
Important Considerations:
Context is Key: Acts 11:21 is part of a larger narrative about the early church spreading beyond Jerusalem. These believers had been scattered due to persecution and were now sharing the Gospel with new audiences, including Gentiles (non-Jews). This marked a significant expansion of the early Christian community.
Divine Initiative: The verse emphasizes that conversion is ultimately God's work. While the believers were faithful in sharing the message, it was God who opened hearts and enabled people to believe.
Active Faith: The verse highlights the importance of both belief and action. It's not enough to simply believe something in your head; true faith leads to a transformed life, a turning away from sin and a turning towards God.
In essence, Acts 11:21 is a concise yet profound description of the power of the Gospel and the transformative effect of encountering God. It showcases that when God is at work through his people, lives are changed and faith grows.