Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. (Acts 28:24)

In Acts 28:24, we see a sobering reality that Paul faced: “Some were convinced by what he

said, but others would not believe.” Despite his heartfelt efforts to share the gospel and

persuade people about Jesus, not everyone accepted the message. This mixture of responses

is a reminder that when we share the good news, the results are not in our hands—they are in

God’s.

For many of us, this can be a source of frustration or even discouragement. We might share our

faith with a loved one or a friend, hoping they will embrace the gospel, only to find that they

remain indifferent or even reject it outright. It can leave us wondering, "Did I say the right things?

Did I miss an opportunity?" Yet, this passage from Acts teaches us an important lesson: our

responsibility is to be faithful in sharing, not to control the outcome.

Paul, one of the greatest evangelists in history, faced rejection too. Some of the Jewish leaders

in Rome refused to believe despite his compelling arguments from Scripture. But Paul didn’t let

that discourage him or stop him from continuing to proclaim Christ. He understood that the

results were in God’s hands, not his own.

This truth should comfort and free us. When we share the gospel, we are simply planting seeds.

Whether those seeds take root and grow is the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). We

may never realize the true impact of our message on those we are seeking to reach. Our task is

to faithfully point people to Jesus, trusting that God will do the work in their hearts according to

His timing and purposes.

Not everyone will respond positively to the gospel, and that’s okay. Jesus Himself said, “Enter

through the narrow gate... But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and

only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Rejection of the gospel is not a reflection of our failure

but a reality of the human heart.

Take heart in knowing that God is at work even when we can’t see it. Every conversation, every

prayer, every Scripture shared has the potential to bear fruit in God’s perfect time. Let us be

faithful witnesses, not disheartened by rejection but encouraged by the knowledge that God is

sovereign and powerful to save.

As we share the gospel, may we trust God with the results, resting in His wisdom and timing,

knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

By Jim Connell

Jim is the founder of Lexington Rescue Mission, and authors JesusIsLordBlog.com,

FaithAnswersPress.net, and FAQs of Faith (a mobile app)