College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Acts 13:14-52
AT ANTIOCH OF PISIDIA. Acts 13:14-52.
a.
In the synagogue, the first sermon of Paul. Acts 13:1.
But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken:
The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it.
And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness.
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years:
and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.
And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will.
Of this man's seed hath God according to promise brought unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus;
when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.
Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.
For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
And though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain.
And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
But God raised him from the dead:
and he was seen for many days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people.
And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers,
that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he hath spoken on this wise, I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.
Because he saith also in another psalm, Thou wilt not give thy Holy One to see corruption.
For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
but he whom God raised up saw no corruption.
Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:
and by him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets:
Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days,
A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you.
One could hardly imagine a more brief statement of fact than that given to describe the long arduous journey from Perga to Antioch of Pisidia. (A carefully detailed description of this rough terrain is given by Conybeare and Howson in their book on the Life and Epistles of the Apostle Paul.) The distance traveled was about 120 miles.
The synagogues of various cities offered the starting place for the preaching of the gospel. The Word of God was to be taken to the Jew first and this was the place where devout Jews could be found; such persons would give careful consideration to the things spoken. It is then natural to find here recorded that on the Sabbath day Paul and Barnabas found seats in the synagogue of Antioch.
433.
Tell in a brief way of the country traversed from Perga to Antioch of Pisidia (read Conybeare and Howson).
434.
How far is it from Perga to Antioch?
435.
Why was the gospel to be taken to the Jew first? Why would the synagogue be an especially good place to carry out this commission?
The order of the synagogue service is given in informal detail in Acts 13:15 a. It was customary for the law and the prophets or the psalms to be read; following this the application of the verses was to be given. It appears upon this occasion that previous arrangements had been made for Paul and Barnabas to give the word of exhortation. The rulers of the synagogue sent word to Barnabas and Paul that if they had any word of exhortation, now was the time to speak.
It was customary to ask visiting Jews to address the people, since they would not only give instruction but would possibly have some news of the conditions of Israel in general. This would have been especially true in this circumstance since Paul and Barnabas had but recently returned from the Holy City. But most of all, these two servants of Christ were anxious to declare the message of salvation. Paul immediately responded to the situation and arose to speak. The apostle had a gesture which he often used to attract the attention of those to whom he spoke; he employed this gesture here as he arose to address the synagogue. Paul preached to those of Antioch in Pisidia about:
436.
What is the order of the synagogue service?
437.
What arrangements were made between Paul and Barnabas and the rulers of the synagogue?
438.
Why would the Jews of Antioch be especially anxious to hear from Paul and Barnabas?
439.
What was the theme of Paul's Message? How did he develop it?
440.
To whose introduction is the one used by Paul similar?
441.
What two classes of people were spoken to by Paul?
Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ of God.
Paul used the same method in demonstrating this fact as did Stephen, Peter, Philip; proof from the Old Testament Scriptures. His introduction was very similar to the one used by Stephen.
Introduction: Acts 13:16-22.
1.
Paul calls for the attention of both the Jews, Men of Israel, and the proselytes, ye that fear God. Acts 13:16 b.
2.
The power of Israel's God as shown in the deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Acts 13:17.
3.
God's love for Israel in the wilderness. Acts 13:18.
4.
The God of Israel fights for His people. Compare Deuteronomy 7:1 for a list of the seven nations conquered from the departure out of Egypt to the reign of David, the whole time in which God was giving them full possession of the land. Acts 13:19.
5.
Judges given until Samuel the prophet. Acts 13:20.
6.
The request for a king granted in Saul, son of Kish, who ruled for forty years. Acts 13:21.
7.
Saul removed to make room for David, the man after the heart of God, Acts 13:22. The statement made concerning David is a combination of 1 Samuel 13:14 and Psalms 89:20.
This introduction was given to attract attention and interest as well as to create a favorable atmosphere for the theme to follow. Those of Antioch now knew that Paul was well acquainted with the history of Israel; to this history they had listened with great pride and interest; they intently followed the narrative.
Proposition: Some reasons why we can know that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ or Israel's Saviour.
The thought of the proposition is presented in verse twenty-three. A beautiful transition is made from David to Christ. Paul knew when he started his message that when he arrived in his message to king David he would then tell of David's seed. This would bring him to the theme of his discourse.
I.
The testimony of John the Baptist and the prophets. Acts 13:24-29.
1.
John's testimony. Acts 13:24-26.
a.
No doubt John was well known among these Jews and hence the witness of John would carry real weight with those that heard. Acts 13:24-25.
b.
A word of exhortation is given to receive the evident fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. Acts 13:26.
2.
Testimony of the prophets. Acts 13:27-29.
The trial, death and burial of Jesus were all in fulfillment of that which had been written.
II.
The testimony of the resurrection. Acts 13:30-37.
1.
God raised Him from the dead and allowed Him to be seen for many days by His disciples. Acts 13:30-31.
2.
This was all done in fulfillment of prophecy respecting the blessings promised to David. Acts 13:32-37.
The conclusion. Acts 13:38-41.
1.
Through this One is found remission of sins. Acts 13:38.
2.
Thus it could be said that there was found in Christ that which never could be found in the law, i.e. justification. Acts 13:39.
3.
The warning. Acts 13:40-41.
Evidently the reception of the message was such that Paul saw they were in danger of stubbornly resisting the truthhe quotes an appropriate prophetic word on this point. He evidently did not deem it wise to call for a decision under such a circumstance.
442.
What two men form the extremities of Paul's introduction?
443.
What is the proposition of Paul's message?
444.
Show how the transition is made from the history of Israel to Jesus as the Christ.
445.
What two reasons are presented in Acts 13:24-29 for accepting Jesus as the Messiah?
446.
Why would the testimony of John the Baptist be of any value?
447.
How does Acts 13:26 fit into the outline?
448.
Of what did the prophets testify concerning the Christ?
449.
What reasoning is given in Acts 13:30-37?
450.
What was the real objection of the ruling Jews?
b.
The desire to hear more the next sabbath. Acts 13:42.
And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.
Acts 13:42 There were some who refused the message of eternal life but there were more who were interested. They did not fully understand but there was something in the word spoken that caused them to want to hear more. It would be seven days until the next gathering of the people. Requests were heard on every side that this same message might be repeated the next Sabbath.
c.
The interest of the Jews and devout proselytes. Acts 13:43.
Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 13:43 Luke tells us in specific description of the actions of those in Antioch. As Paul and Barnabas came out of the synagogue a crowd of interested Jews and devout Gentiles followed them; these persons were doubtlessly asking questions and listening attentively to the words of Paul and Barnabas. An unusual word is given concerning those who thus manifested their concern over the message of the truth. They were said to be in the grace of God (Acts 13:43 b). It is not to be concluded that they were possessors of salvation for the context plainly suggests otherwise. They were, however, in the generic sense under or in the grace of God; Jehovah was well pleased with their interest and at the same time they were the recipients of the message of redemption. If they would continue in their interest, prompted as it was by the gracious message of the gospel, they would most certainly become children of God.
d.
Great gathering the next sabbath. Contradiction of the Jews. Acts 13:44-45.
And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
Acts 13:44 What were the two servants of the Lord doing in the days from one sabbath to the next? While Paul was in Ephesus he spoke to the brethren night and day with tears. This was done not only publicly but from house to house. (Acts 20:18-21). We are persuaded that his conduct was no different here in Antioch.
When the next sabbath came, such an interest had been stirred up concerning this new message that almost the whole city gathered in and around the synagogue to listen to these two strangers who were so possessed by their message.
Acts 13:45 It was all right with the ruling Jews for these men to bring a new doctrine into their town just so long as it did not hinder their influence or hold on the people. But as these Jews saw more and more people crowding into the synagogue, and then, when they saw them begin to fill the street around the synagogue, fear and jealousy entered their hearts. By the time Paul and Barnabas were ready to speak, these Jews were filled with jealousy. There was only one way to oppose the efforts of these men. The rulers were respected by the people; hence, if they contradicted the things spoken, even if the contradictions would not stand inspection, they would be heeded. The message was too new. It could not be accepted without some degree of skepticism. And after all, had not these Jews always been their teachers? The contradictions were backed up with equally baseless railings. This procedure was carried out by the rulers of the Jews and not without some measure of success.
e.
Turn to the Gentiles with good results. Acts 13:46-48.
And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It Was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying,
I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles,
That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost most part of the earth.
And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:46 Where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly. God's grace is always sufficient for every accusation of the great accuser of our brethren. On this occasion the answer was a bold statement by both of the messengers of the results forthcoming from such actions. The Jews had been addressed throughout the message. Now they are told in no uncertain words that it was a privilege that they were abusing. God had decreed that the Jews were to be the first to hear the glad tidings but now if they were going to thus treat it they would be in reality thrusting from themselves the Word of God and judging themselves unworthy of eternal life. There was only one alternative if the Jews thus refused the message. It yet must be heard, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
451.
Why would the contradictions of these men be heeded above the words of Paul and Barnabas?
Acts 13:47 Paul and Barnabas could say now that the true meaning of Isaiah's words were known to them and were here being fulfilled by the refusal of the gospel by the Jews:
I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The mere words were known but their full impact and application was unknown until it now became apparent that they were going to be fulfilled by the very force of the circumstances.
The quotation from the prophet was received with great joy by the Gentiles. From the hearts of these Gentiles there arose praise and adoration to God for the hope thus given in His word.
Acts 13:48 The latter portion of verse forty-eight has been the source of many a controversy: As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. What is its meaning? We quote from D. D. Wheden on pages 164-165 of his as a clear concise statement of the thought here involved:
Ordained to eternal lifeShould be rendered, disposed to eternal life. It plainly refers to the eager predisposition just above mentioned in the heart of many of these Gentiles on learning that old prophecy proclaims a Messiah for them. As many as were so inclined to the eternal life now offered committed themselves by faith to the blessed Jesus.
Rarely has a text been so violently wrenched from its connections with the context, and strained beyond its meaning for a purpose, than has been this clause in support of the doctrine of predestination. There is not the least plausibility in the notion that Luke in this simple history is referring to any eternal decree predestinating these men to eternal life. The word here rendered ordained usually signifies placed, positioned, disposed. It may refer to the material or to the mental position. It is a verb in the passive form, a form which frequently possesses a reciprocal active meaning; that is, it frequently signifies an action performed by one's self upon one's self. Thus, in Romans 9:22, the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction are carefully affirmed, even by predestinarians, to be fitted by themselves. Indeed, the very Greek word here rendered ordained is frequently used, compounded with a preposition, in the New Testament itself, in the passive form with a reciprocal meaning. Thus, Romans 13:1, Be subject unto the higher powers, is literally, place yourselves under the higher powers. So, also Romans 13:7; 1 Corinthians 16:16; James 4:7, and many other texts. The meaning we give is required by the antithesis between the Jews in verse forty-six and these Gentiles. The former were indisposed to eternal life and so believed not; these were predisposed to eternal life, and so believed. The permanent faith of the soul was consequently upon the predisposition of the heart and the predetermination of the will.
452.
How did these men judge themselves unworthy of eternal life?
453.
What were the words of the prophet that were fulfilled on this occasion?
454.
What contrast is found here?
455.
What is a better word than ordained in Acts 13:48?
456.
Why the straining and wrenching of this text?
f.
The spread of the word. Acts 13:49.
And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region.
Acts 13:49 The apostle Paul was never content to preach the word only in the city visited but the whole region or province in which the city was situated was to hear the word also, and so it was here in Pisidia, as it will be in Asia and other places the word of the Lord spread abroad throughout the region.
g.
The persecution and leaving the city. Acts 13:50-51.
But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
Acts 13:50 The rulers of the synagogue were men of real authority in all matters religious; however false or baseless their objections might be it seems they were heeded. The persons approached by the Jews of Antioch were the honorable women of the synagogue. Whether these women were Jews or only devout proselytes we are not told. They were probably the wives of the chief men of the city and thus influenced their husbands to promote a general persecution that would lead to the casting out of Paul and Barnabas.
Acts 13:51 The shaking of the dust from their feet was not an impetuous act of anger but rather in fulfillment of Jesus-' words (Matthew 10:14) as a judgment of God against these persons. The eternal life offered through the gospel had been refused. Here now was the climax of their refusal.
457.
Upon what is the permanent faith of the soul dependent?
458.
How could it be said that the word of the Lord spread abroad throughout the region?
459.
Who were the honorable women? Why approach them in this manner?
460.
Show the significance of the shaking the dust off their feet.
h.
The joy of the disciples amid tribulation. Acts 13:52.
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52 How unlike the Christians of today were these new converts of Pisidia. When the preacher leaves a field today a general let down passes throughout the congregation; and especially would this be so if there were no prospect of securing another man to take the place vacated. How different in the church at Antioch. In spite of all the hard conditions the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. There is only one answer to this remarkable situationthe preaching and teaching of Paul accompanied by the willingness on the part of those that heard produced these results.
461.
In what way were the converts of Antioch unlike the Christians of today? What reason can be given?
462.
What is meant by being filled with the Holy Spirit?