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Prophets & Teachers - PCC: Philadelphia Christian Church

Read Acts 13 here: Acts 13 NASB – First Missionary Journey – Now there – Bible Gateway

Here are the key ideas:

  • Acts 13 describes the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabas, starting with their commission by the Holy Spirit and the church in Antioch.
  • The chapter details their work in Cyprus and Pisidia, where they spread the Gospel, faced opposition, and demonstrated commitment to their mission.
  • Key events include the confrontation with Elymas the sorcerer, leading to the conversion of Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Cyprus.
  • Paul’s sermon in Antioch of Pisidia outlines the history of Israel and presents Jesus as the Savior, which attracts both Jewish and Gentile followers.
  • The chapter concludes with the Jewish leaders’ rejection of Paul’s message, prompting him and Barnabas to turn to the Gentiles, resulting in the spread of Christianity in the region.

First Missionary Journey

The passage from Acts 13:1-43 tells the story of the first missionary journey of Barnabas and Saul, who were sent by the Holy Spirit from the church in Antioch to preach the gospel in Cyprus and Pisidia. Along the way, they encountered opposition from a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who tried to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus away from the faith. Saul, also called Paul, rebuked him and made him blind for a time, which amazed the proconsul and led him to believe.

In Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and were invited to speak. Paul gave a speech that summarized the history of Israel from the exodus to the coming of Jesus, the promised Savior. He proclaimed that Jesus was raised from the dead and that through him forgiveness of sins and justification are available to everyone who believes. He warned them not to reject this message and incur God’s wrath, as some of their ancestors did in the wilderness.

Paul Turns to the Gentiles

Let us look at the passage from Acts 13:44-52, which describes how Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles in Antioch of Pisidia.

The people were eager to hear more and invited them to come back the next Sabbath. Many Jews and God-fearing Gentiles followed them and were encouraged to continue in God’s grace.

  • The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
  • But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and contradicted Paul’s message with abusive words.
  • Paul and Barnabas boldly declared that they had to preach the word of God first to the Jews, but since they rejected it, they turned to the Gentiles, as God had commanded them.
  • The Gentiles rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and many believed and were appointed for eternal life.

The passage begins with a large crowd gathering on the next Sabbath to hear the word of the Lord from Paul and Barnabas, who had been invited by the synagogue leaders to speak. However, when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict and blaspheme what Paul was saying. Paul and Barnabas responded boldly, saying that they had to speak the word of God to the Jews first, but since they rejected it and judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, they would turn to the Gentiles. They quoted from Isaiah 49:6, where God says that he has made his servant a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region, but the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city to persecute Paul and Barnabas and drive them out of their district. Paul and Barnabas shook off the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

This passage shows how Paul and Barnabas fulfilled their mission to be witnesses of the Messiah to both Jews and Gentiles, despite facing opposition and persecution. It also shows how God’s grace is not limited by ethnic or religious boundaries, but is available to anyone who believes in his word. The passage challenges us to be faithful in sharing the gospel with others, even when we face resistance or rejection.