What does Acts 13:48 teach about belief?

In Acts 13:48, the Scripture states, 'And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.' This passage highlights the profound relationship between God's sovereign election and human belief. It shows that belief in Christ is a response to God's divine initiative rather than a mere act of human will. This underscores the reality that those who believe have been chosen by God to experience His grace and salvation, and it affirms the belief that faith itself is a gift granted by God to His elect, allowing them to respond to the gospel positively. This theological truth combats any notion of salvation being achieved through personal merit or decision alone.