Paul and Barnabas are on their mission as sent by the Holy Spirit in Acts 13:1-2. As was their custom, the went to the synagogue on the Sabbath. And, as was the custom, these visitors were invited to say a few words. Paul, not being a timid man, gave them the prophecy of a King and Savior, his rejection and Crucifixion, and his resurrection as God promised. They were invited back the following week and in Acts 13:44 “nearly the whole city came together to hear”. But the Jews were jealous because of the crowds and stirred up trouble but Paul responds with his mission (our great commission), Acts 13:47 (LEB) 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have appointed you ⌊to be⌋ a light for the Gentiles, ⌊that you would bring⌋ salvation to the end of the earth.’
If There Is Any Message of Exhortation, Say It
Acts 13:13–20
We find Paul and companions (with Barnabas) still on their Holy Spirit commissioned journey in Acts 13:13 and in vs 14 they … arrived at Pisidian Antioch. And they entered into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbath and* sat down. It seems the custom of the day was to recognize visitors and give them a moment to speak as they were invited to do in vs 15. Not being a timid man, and being the leader of the group, in Acts 13:16 So Paul stood up,* and motioning with his* hand, he said, “Israelite men, and those who fear God, listen! And as a good speaker, begins with their common history illustrating the power of God on their behalf saying in Acts 13:17-20 “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers”, “exalted the people”, “with uplifted arm he led them out”, “after destroying seven nations … gave their land to his people”, “he gave them judges”.
A Man in Accordance With My Heart
Acts 13:21–29
Paul begins by presenting the prophecy that a King, a Savior would come. He shows then how the sons of Israel in Acts 13:21 (LEB) And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. Then came in Acts 13:22 And after* removing him (Saul), he raised up David for their king, about whom he also said, testifying, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man in accordance with my heart, who will carry out all my will. And, this was the place God chose to, in Acts 13:23 From the descendants of this man (David), according to his promise, God brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus.
Then Paul moves to their recent history and John the baptist in Acts 13:24–25 (LEB) Before ⌊his coming⌋ John had publicly proclaimed* a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 But while John was completing his* mission, he said, ‘What do you suppose me to be? I am not he! But behold, one is coming after me of whom I am not worthy to untie the sandals of his* feet!’. This makes it perfectly clear that the one who came before, John, would be followed by the King and Savior.
And Paul pauses to command their attention and present the reason he is there, to give them the message of salvation. In Acts 13:26 (LEB) “Men and brothers, sons of the family of Abraham and those among you who fear God—to us the message of this salvation has been sent!.
But, first, he needs to explain the death of Jesus, and he says in Acts 13:27–29 (LEB) “because they* did not recognize this one” they didn’t see Jesus for who he was, and “the voices of the prophets that are read on every Sabbath, fulfilled them* by* condemning him” they were fulfilling the very prophecies that they read every week “when they had carried out all the things that were written about him” and they crucified him.
God Raised Him From the Dead
Acts 13:30–41
Paul move a little forward in their recent history to the witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, in Acts 13:30–31 (LEB) But God raised him from the dead, 31 who appeared for many days to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem—who are now his witnesses to the people. And, now Paul says, in Acts 13:32–35 (LEB) “we proclaim the good news to you: that the promise that was made to the fathers, 33 this promise God has fulfilled to our children by* raising Jesus” and proves these statements by quoting Psalm 2:7 and here it is good to read all of Psalm 2:6-12. Then Paul quotes Psalm 16:10, also see the context by reading Psalm 16:5–11.
Paul gives them an invitation, in Acts 13:38–39 (LEB) “Therefore let it be known to you, men and brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and from all the things from which you were not able to be justified by the law of Moses, 39 by this one everyone who believes is justified! And, we might stop with forgiveness and salvation, but Paul go on to tell them in Acts 13:40-41 “Watch out” and quotes the prophecy from Habbakuk 1:5, a warning that God will raise up judgement.
Judgement will come when Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice does not go forth perpetually.a For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted. Which is also the message in Isaiah 59:14–15 (LEB) 14 And justice is pushed back, and righteousness stands afar; for truth stumbles in the public square, and straightforwardness is unable to enter, 15 and truth is missing, and he who turns aside from evil is plundered. And Yahweh saw, and it was displeasing in his eyes that there was no justice
Nearly the Whole City Came Together to Hear
Acts 13:42–46
The people responded to the message and in Acts 13:42-43 “many of the Jews and the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas”. And in vs 44 “nearly the whole city came”. Then we see Acts 13:45 But when* the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting what was being said by Paul by* reviling him.* And Paul rebukes them in vs 46 “since you reject it”, “we are turning to the gentiles”. Later, Paul says in Acts 28:28 (LEB) Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!”.
What would happen today if you gave a short message in your church and the whole city showed up! Would we accept them and present Jesus Christ to them as Paul was trying to do? Here is the basis for Paul’s response to the jealous, and contradicting, and reviling in Isaiah 6:8–10 (LEB) Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “I am here! Send me!” 9 And he said, “Go and say to this people, ‘Keep on listening and do not comprehend! And keep on looking and do not understand!’ 10 Make the heart of this people insensitive, and make its ears unresponsive, and shut its eyes so that it may not look with its eyes and listen with its ears and comprehend with its mind and turn back, and it may be healed for him.”
A Light For The Gentiles
Acts 13:47–52
The commandment of the Lord is in Acts 13:47 (LEB) For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have appointed you ⌊to be⌋ a light for the Gentiles, ⌊that you would bring⌋ salvation to the end of the earth.’ And, the response was in Acts 13:48–49 (LEB) And when* the Gentiles heard this,* they began to rejoice* and to glorify the word of the Lord. And all those who were designated for eternal life believed. 49 So the word of the Lord was carried through the whole region. Everyone that believed was blessed and the word spread.
But the Jews … in Acts 13:50 they are inciting, stirring up, and threw Paul and Barnabas out.
There is only one thing to do when you face this kind of persecution, well, first finish the message, but then, Acts 13:51 “shaking of the dust … they went”. And in Acts 13:52 “were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit”.
Study Verses
- Acts 13:13–20
- Acts 13:42–46
- Acts 13:47–52
Today’s Reading
- Acts 13:13-52