Here "word" refers to the message about Jesus that they had believed. AT: "praised God for the message about the Lord Jesus" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
This can be stated in active form. AT: "As many as God appointed to eternal life believed" or "All the people whom God had chosen to receive eternal life" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])