📖 Day 277 - Acts 13–15 Psalm 80

In Acts 13, the church in Antioch prayed and set apart Barnabas and Saul for a special mission. As they traveled, they shared the good news in synagogues and cities. Some listened eagerly, while others opposed them, but many Gentiles believed and rejoiced that God’s promises included them too. This chapter shows us that when God calls, He also opens hearts to hear His message.

Did you know? Saul’s name begins to shift in Acts 13. Up until then, Luke (the writer of Acts) mostly calls him Saul. But in Acts 13:9, while Saul is on his first missionary journey and confronts a sorcerer named Elymas, the text says, Then Saul, who was also called Paul… From that point forward, Luke consistently uses Paul.

The change wasn’t really about a dramatic moment where God renamed him (like Abram to Abraham). Instead, Saul was his Hebrew name, and Paul was his Roman/Greek name. Since his mission was now mainly to Gentiles in the Roman world, it made sense to use the name they would recognize.

In Acts 14, Barnabas and Paul continued their journey, performing miracles and teaching with courage. In one city, the people were so amazed that they tried to worship them like gods, but Paul and Barnabas quickly pointed everyone back to the living God. Even when faced with danger and mistreatment, they returned to strengthen the new believers, reminding them that following Jesus is worth every challenge.

In Acts 15, a debate arose about whether Gentile believers had to follow all the Jewish laws. The apostles and elders met in Jerusalem, and through prayer and discussion, they decided not to place heavy burdens on new believers. Instead, they encouraged them to live in ways that honored God and built unity. This decision was a turning point, showing that faith in Jesus is what saves, not rules or traditions.

Psalm 80 is a heartfelt prayer asking God to restore His people, using the image of a vine once planted and cared for. The writer begs God to shine His face upon them so they may be saved. It reminds us that when life feels dry or broken, we can ask the Lord to refresh us and bring His life-giving presence again.