The Book of Acts

Paul Preaches in Antioch

Acts 13:13-43 _NLT

 

“Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia.”- Acts 13:13-14

            In speaking at the synagogue in Antioch, Paul shared a brief history of God’s promise to provide a Savior. He spoke about several historical events that led up to King David, making the point that one of David’s descendants was Jesus of Nazareth. Paul pointed out that it was this Jesus that was sent by God to save the world of their collective sins. Scripture shows that “God-fearing Gentiles” were at the gathering as well as Jews. Paul spoke of John the Baptist, who came preaching repentance from sin and turning to God. 

            Paul made a specific point of saying that the people of Israel and their leaders didn’t recognize Jesus to be the long awaited Messiah. They saw him as a heretic and condemned him to death without any legal justification to have him executed.  All the prophecies regarding the coming Messiah had been fulfilled in Jesus, even up to and including his being placed in tomb cut from a large rock. His crescendo was in saying that Almighty God raised Jesus from the dead, as evidenced by the many people whom he visited and spoke to.

            Paul concluded by saying, “Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness of sins. Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God.” And there you have it. The gospel message in two sentences. Forgiveness available not just to the Jews, but to Jews and Gentile alike. This is monumental, for originally, the Jews thought of themselves as the only ones chosen by God to live a covenant life with him. Not so. Due to the Jews rejection of Jesus as the Christ, which was foreseen by God from the foundation of the world, the gift of forgiveness was made available to Gentiles, aka, all non-Jews. The fatal flaw of some Jews was their misunderstanding of who the Messiah would be. Many expected a military King who would grind Rome under their heel. This was obviously man’s thinking and not the Lords. 

            The apostles were asked to speak again the following week and after the week had passed, they urged the Jews and new converts to continue to rely on the grace of God.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.