Acts 26:20 - but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
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What does "Acts 26:20" mean?
Acts 26:20 summarizes Paul's mission and the core message he preached. Let's break it down:
"but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles..." This outlines the scope of Paul's preaching. He started in Damascus immediately after his conversion, then went to Jerusalem, spread throughout Judea, and finally reached out to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). This progression is significant because it shows how Paul's ministry expanded from initially focusing on Jewish communities to a broader global mission.
"...that they should repent and turn to God..." This is the heart of Paul's message.
Repent: This means to have a deep sense of remorse and regret for past sins, acknowledging that you have acted wrongly and turning away from that behavior. It's not just feeling sorry; it's a decision to change.
Turn to God: This is the positive action that follows repentance. It means to reorient your life towards God, placing your faith and trust in Him, and seeking to follow His will. It's about changing your allegiance and your direction.
"...doing works worthy of repentance." This emphasizes that true repentance is not just a feeling or a spoken confession. It must be demonstrated by one's actions. These "works" are not a way to earn salvation, but rather evidence of genuine conversion. They are outward manifestations of an inward transformation. What these "works" might look like depends on the individual's past sins and current circumstances, but they would likely include things like:
Treating others with love and compassion.
Living an honest and upright life.
Making restitution for past wrongs (where possible).
Showing concern for the poor and marginalized.
Generally living a life that reflects a changed heart.
In essence, the verse means: Paul preached everywhere (to both Jews and Gentiles) that people should deeply regret their past sins, turn their lives toward God, and demonstrate the reality of their changed hearts through their actions. It highlights the importance of a genuine, transformative faith that produces tangible results in a person's life. It's a call to conversion that is both inward and outward.
Acts 26:20 - but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
What does "Acts 26:20" mean?
Acts 26:20 summarizes Paul's mission and the core message he preached. Let's break it down:
"but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles..." This outlines the scope of Paul's preaching. He started in Damascus immediately after his conversion, then went to Jerusalem, spread throughout Judea, and finally reached out to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). This progression is significant because it shows how Paul's ministry expanded from initially focusing on Jewish communities to a broader global mission.
"...that they should repent and turn to God..." This is the heart of Paul's message.
Repent: This means to have a deep sense of remorse and regret for past sins, acknowledging that you have acted wrongly and turning away from that behavior. It's not just feeling sorry; it's a decision to change.
Turn to God: This is the positive action that follows repentance. It means to reorient your life towards God, placing your faith and trust in Him, and seeking to follow His will. It's about changing your allegiance and your direction.
"...doing works worthy of repentance." This emphasizes that true repentance is not just a feeling or a spoken confession. It must be demonstrated by one's actions. These "works" are not a way to earn salvation, but rather evidence of genuine conversion. They are outward manifestations of an inward transformation. What these "works" might look like depends on the individual's past sins and current circumstances, but they would likely include things like:
Treating others with love and compassion.
Living an honest and upright life.
Making restitution for past wrongs (where possible).
Showing concern for the poor and marginalized.
Generally living a life that reflects a changed heart.
In essence, the verse means: Paul preached everywhere (to both Jews and Gentiles) that people should deeply regret their past sins, turn their lives toward God, and demonstrate the reality of their changed hearts through their actions. It highlights the importance of a genuine, transformative faith that produces tangible results in a person's life. It's a call to conversion that is both inward and outward.