The Way - Day 037 (Acts 13)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Acts 13
Luke lists several men who were ministering as prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch (13:1), but when they had fasted and prayed the Holy Spirit commanded them to "separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them" (13:2). In other words, the Holy Spirit had a special work for Saul and Barnabas, so when the leaders again "fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them [support for ministry], they sent them away" (13:3). This special work for Saul and Barnabas was taking the gospel to other places, known as missionary work. Acts 13:4 begins what is often termed as Paul's first missionary journey and it continues through Acts 14.

Saul (or Paul, his Roman name), Barnabas, and John Mark (see 13:5b) began their ministry on the island of Cyprus, which was Barnabas' home (13:5). Luke directs the reader's attention to an incident which occurred in a place called Paphos where they encountered a man named Bar-Jesus (13:6). Bar-Jesus is described as a sorcerer, a false prophet, and a Jew "who was with the proconsul [Roman official serving as a governor over a certain area], Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man" (13:6-7). Sergius Paulus had called for Saul and Barnabas in order to hear the word of God; however, Bar-Jesus, also called Elymas (Greek name) sought to "turn the proconsul away from the faith" (13:8). But Saul, called Paul, boldly stood up against Bar-Jesus calling him a man of deceit and one who perverted the ways of God (13:9-10). He then pronounced a sentence of blindness upon him "and immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand" (13:11). When the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, observed what had been done, he believed and was "astonished at the teachings of the Lord" (13:12).

Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark leave Paphos and sail to Perga in Pamphylia; however, John Mark abandons them for some unknown reason (see Acts 15:36-40, Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11) and departs to Jerusalem (13:13). When Paul and Barnabas left Perga, they went to Antioch in Pisidia where they gathered with the Jews in the synagogue on the Sabbath (13:14). After the reading of the Scriptures, the rulers of the synagogue said, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on" (13:15). So, Paul stood up and began preaching Jesus to the Jews (13:16-41) and in his words Paul recounted the history of Israel and how God had promised a Savior to them (13:23). Instead of receiving Jesus as the promised One from God, they rejected Him and had him crucified on a cross and buried in a tomb (13:24-29). But then Paul declares that "God raised Him from the dead" and "He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people (13:30-31). Furthermore, "through this Man [Jesus Christ] is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified [freed] from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses" (13:38-39). This is the heart of what Paul was trying to say - keeping the law of Moses (works) could never bring forgiveness of sin, but the death of Jesus Christ paid the penalty God demanded because of sin (death); therefore those who believe in the sacrifice of Jesus for sin will be saved from sin and granted eternal life. Paul's message was contrary to the message which was being preached in the synagogue, but he was convinced that belief in Jesus Christ was the only way to a relationship with God. The message of the church has not changed!

Paul finished speaking to the Jews at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:13-41) and when they exited the synagogue, "the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath" (13:42). When the next Sabbath arrived, "almost the entire city came together to hear the word of God" (13:44). However, the preaching of the apostles was not without opposition because when the Jews observed how many people had gathered to hear the message about Jesus Christ "they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming..." (13:45). The Jews were set in their ways, believing a relationship with God was automatically given to them because they were God's chosen people, but when Paul preached repentance and belief in Jesus Christ they felt threatened. Instead of backing down from speaking about Christ, Paul and Barnabas boldly spoke to the Jews saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you [Jews] first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth" (13:46-47). The Jews were God's chosen people, but they had rejected Jesus as God's payment for sin and therefore Paul was going to focus his efforts on the Gentiles, who desired to hear about Him. Over and over Israel had their chance to repent and receive salvation through Jesus, but they were more comfortable in their obedience to the law of Moses.

When the Gentiles heard that they would also receive the gospel, "they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord" (13:48). The message of Jesus Christ continued throughout the region, but the Jews "stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city" and brought persecution upon Paul and Barnabas who were forced to leave the region (13:49-52).