As many as were appointed.

Acts 13:44-49, The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 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.’” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

Our role in proclaiming Christ is to speak the truth in love, even though there are some who hear that may thrust it aside. For there may well be others who hears the word and is appointed to eternal life who do respond. The old covenant commission was for the Jewish nation to be a light for the Gentiles, that the name of the Lord might be known; now that commission has been given to the church, to we who are called according to the Lord’s purpose. Are we willing to bring the word of the Lord to others, to see His name proclaimed that those who are appointed may hear it and believe?

Give us this same boldness to bring Your word to those whom You are calling, O Lord!

ESV Lectionary