Paul And Barnabas At Antioch Of Pisidia (13:13-52)
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Last week we saw the beginning phase of Paul’s first missionary journey. We have seen Barnabas and Saul set apart by the Holy Spirit and sent out by the church at Antioch in Syria. They sailed to the island of Cyprus, Barnabas’s home, and travelled the length of the island sharing the good news of the gospel with the people there. This week we will see them leave Cyprus and sail back to the mainland to begin ministry there.
So let’s pick up reading in
13 Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and went back to Jerusalem. 14 They continued their journey from Perga and reached Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, you can speak.”
Acts 13:13-15
1. Following their ministry on Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas arrived in Perga of Pamphylia...
of Pamphylia...
1. Following their ministry on Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas arrived in Perga of Pamphylia...
a. At which point John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem -
Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and went back to Jerusalem.
13:13
b. This later became a sore point between Paul and Barnabas - We’ll see this in a few weeks when we get to Acts chapter 15, but if you want to read ahead and see what I’m talking about you can find it in
15:36-40
2. From Perga they journeyed to Antioch of Pisidia...
a. An arduous trip over the Taurus mountain range.
*Show map and point out the terrain features
b. A road known for robbers and brigands. Paul would note this later in 2 Corinthians. While he doesn’t specifically mention this particular road he says -
[At some point Paul may have become ill, either in Perga or on the way to Antioch (cf. ). But neither illness nor physical dangers prevented him from carrying on his mission. And so we read of...]
26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers;
to Antioch (cf. ). But neither illness nor physical dangers
3. Note the order of the names in verse 13. Up til this point it’s been Barnabas and Saul. But in verse 9 last week we saw Luke bring point out that Saul was also known as Paul, and from that point forward he is always called Paul, and he gains the preeminent position. “Paul and his companions...”
prevented him from carrying on his mission. And so we read of...]
I. PAUL'S SERMON IN THE SYNAGOGUE
A. THE SETTING...
1. As we noted last week, Paul's custom was to first visit the local synagogue and he follows that custom when they arrive in Pisidian Antioch.
14 They continued their journey from Perga and reached Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.
Acts 13:14
2. They listen to the readings from the scriptures and then Paul accepts an invitation to speak -
synagogue - ;
2. At Antioch of Pisidia, Paul accepted an invitation to speak -
14 They continued their journey from Perga and reached Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, you can speak.”
16 Paul stood up and motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites, and you who fear God, listen!
14 They continued their journey from Perga and reached Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, you can speak.”
2. At Antioch of Pisidia, Paul accepted an invitation to speak -
B. THE SERMON...
13:14-16
B. THE SERMON...
1. He reviews God's dealings with Israel
16 Paul stood up and motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites, and you who fear God, listen! 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, made the people prosper during their stay in the land of Egypt, and led them out of it with a mighty arm. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness; 19 and after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 This all took about 450 years. After this, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 After removing him, he raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.’
1. He reviews God's dealings with Israel -
2. He proclaims that Jesus is the promised Savior -
2. He proclaims that Jesus is the promised Savior -
23 “From this man’s descendants, as he promised, God brought to Israel the Savior, Jesus. 24 Before his coming to public attention, John had previously proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 Now as John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the one. But one is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.’
26 “Brothers and sisters, children of Abraham’s race, and those among you who fear God, it is to us that the word of this salvation has been sent.
3. He reviews Jesus' death, and evidence for His resurrection
3. He reviews Jesus' death, and evidence for His resurrection -
13:27-37
27 Since the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him or the sayings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, they have fulfilled their words by condemning him. 28 Though they found no grounds for the death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him killed. 29 When they had carried out all that had been written about him, they took him down from the tree and put him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and he appeared for many days to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we ourselves proclaim to you the good news of the promise that was made to our ancestors. 33 God has fulfilled this for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm:
You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.
34 As to his raising him from the dead, never to return to decay, he has spoken in this way, I will give you the holy and sure promises of David. 35 Therefore he also says in another passage, You will not let your Holy One see decay. 36 For David, after serving God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and decayed, 37 but the one God raised up did not decay.
4. He proclaims that forgiveness is now offered them through Jesus -
4. He proclaims that forgiveness is now offered them through Jesus
-
38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you. 39 Everyone who believes is justified through him from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.
5. He warns not to fulfill prophecy by rejecting God's work in Christ -
5. He warns his listeners not to fulfill prophecy by rejecting God's work in Christ
Christ -
40 So beware that what is said in the prophets does not happen to you:
41 Look, you scoffers,
marvel and vanish away,
because I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will never believe,
even if someone were to explain it to you.”
[Paul's sermon echoes the same themes preached by Peter (; ), and the defense given by Stephen (). We saw how some responded to Peter and Stephen. Now let's consider...]
[Paul's sermon echoes the same themes preached by Peter (; ), and the defense given by Stephen (). We saw how some responded to Peter and Stephen. Now let's consider...]
3:12-26), and the defense given by Stephen (). We saw how
some responded to Peter and Stephen. Now let's consider...]
II. THE RESPONSE TO THE SERMON
A. ON THAT SABBATH...
42 As they were leaving, the people urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath. 43 After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.
1. The people begged for more on the following Sabbath -
1. The people begged for more on the following Sabbath -
42 As they were leaving, the people urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath.
Sabbath -
Note that this was the common people, those who had come to worship, not the religious leaders
2. Many Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who persuaded them to continue in the grace of God -
2. Many Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who persuaded them to continue in the grace of God -
persuaded them to continue in the grace of God -
43 After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.
So that was the immediate reaction on the first day that Paul and Barnabas spoke in the synagogue. But what happened the next week?
B. ON THE NEXT SABBATH...
44 The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying, insulting him.
46 Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
I have made you
a light for the Gentiles
to bring salvation
to the end of the earth.”
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
Ac
1. Almost the whole city came to hear the word of God, not just the people who were there the previous week. Those that had been there went home and told their neighbors and their coworkers and anybody else they ran in to that week. So the synagogue is busting at the seams on the next Sabbath.
1. Almost the whole city came to hear the word of God -
2. So what happens when all these people show up for church? You’d think everyone would be happy, but… the Jews were envious of the large crowds, and began resisting Paul.
Paul -
3. Paul and Barnabas grew bold, and turned their attention to the Gentiles -
3. Paul and Barnabas grew bold, and turned their attention to the Gentiles -
Gentiles -
a. Jews had the privilege of hearing the gospel first
b. But those who did not believe judged themselves unworthy of eternal life
eternal life
c. Gentiles would then be given the opportunity, as God commanded - ;
commanded - ;
4. The Gentiles were glad and glorified the Word, and many believed -
-
a. What does "as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed" mean?
believed" mean?
b. It is a difficult passage; at face value it seems to support Calvinistic views of election
Calvinistic views of election
c. But God desires all men to be saved; He is unwilling that any perish - ;
perish - ;
d. Perhaps the appointment here is based on God's foreknowledge; knowing that they would believe in Christ, they were appointed for eternal life (e.g., given the opportunity to hear)
knowing that they would believe in Christ, they were
appointed for eternal life (e.g., given the opportunity to
hear)
e. When someone rejects the Word of God, they judge themselves unworthy of eternal life (); for those who will believe, God has appointed them worthy of eternal life!
unworthy of eternal life (); for those who will
believe, God has appointed them worthy of eternal life!
[As elsewhere, there was a mixed reaction to the preaching of the Word of God. As would become increasingly common, the reaction on this occasion eventually led to...]
God. As would become increasingly common, the reaction on this occasion
eventually led to...]
III. EXPULSION FROM ANTIOCH
A. PAUL AND BARNABAS FORCED TO LEAVE...
Acts 13:
49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district. 51 But Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet against them and went to Iconium.
1. The Word was being spread throughout the region -
1. The Word was being spread throughout the region -
2. But Jews stirred up prominent devout women and chief men of the city. They got the rich and powerful to oppose Paul and Barnabas. -
city -
3. Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and expelled from the region - ; cf.
- ; cf.
4. Shaking the dust off their feet, Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium - ;
This is in keeping with what Christ told his disciples when he sent them out in pairs preaching the gospel in the book of Matthew.
14 If anyone does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.
Iconium - ; cf.
B. DISCIPLES FILLED WITH JOY AND THE HOLY SPIRIT...
But even with this reaction from the religious leaders and the powerful people of the city we read this final verse.
B. DISCIPLES FILLED WITH JOY AND THE HOLY SPIRIT...
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
1. Perhaps rejoicing they had suffered for righteousness' sake - ; cf.
Even though Paul and Barnabas have been kicked out of town, even though the religious leaders and the political leaders of the city oppose the message, the gospel has been shared here. The spark has been ignited and it has been fanned into a full-blown flame.
13:52; cf.
1. Perhaps rejoicing they had suffered for righteousness' sake - ; cf.
2. Empowered by the Spirit with joy, peace, hope, in their faith - cf. ;
- cf. ;
CONCLUSION
1. In Antioch, Paul and Barnabas experienced what the apostles had already experienced in Jerusalem...
Jerusalem...
a. They saw success to some degree, winning many converts to Christ
b. They also saw persecution for preaching Christ, but they left behind a strong church
behind
2. If you had been in Antioch of Pisidia, how might you have responded to Paul's ministry...
Paul's ministry...
a. Wanting to learn more? Willing to believe and rejoice despite persecution?
persecution?
b. Envious of his success? Easily stirred up and willing to persecute him?
him?
I pray that we would all be willing to not only believe the gospel, but to share it with those around us who so desperately need to hear it.
a. Have you judged yourself unworthy of eternal by rejecting the Word of God?
of God?
Next week we’ll pick up in chapter 14 as Paul and Barnabas continue this first missionary journey, but for now, would you join me in prayer?
b. Have you shown yourself appointed by God for eternal life by believing in Christ?
believing in Christ?
remain faithful disciples of Jesus Christ who died for your sins and
rose from the grave. In the words of Jesus...
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
-