2025 ~ "The Whole Book"

Saturday, March 1, 2025

#1579 Acts 13 Part 4 The Cloud Of Envy, You Jealous

42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,

that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13: 42-52 LSB

Acts 13: 42-52

V. 42 The people invited them to speak further about these things - Paul had spoken to them about Christ and the gospel. Those associated with the synagogue were aware of the law, but not so aware of the remedy. It is one thing to hope for a Messiah, good governance, but it is quite another to have your deeper need revealed to you. There is eternity at stake, and not all the Jews believed that, some were materialist that believed there was nothing after death. Paul and Barnabas reveal that you need something far greater than freedom from Rome, you need a Savior from God's justice towards sin, which law only revealed was there, but it offered no salvation. No one perfectly keeps the law, and much had been added to the law that was not from God, and Jesus revealed the standard was even higher than outward appearance and the approval of men. God was looking at your heart.

Begging (imploring) (3870)(parakaleo from para = side of, alongside, beside + kaleo = call) means literally to call one alongside, to call someone to oneself, to call for, to summon. Parakaleo can include the idea of giving help or aid but the primary sense in the NT is to urge someone to take some action, especially some ethical course of action. They were hungry for God desired to hear more. They were too convicted, too drawn to Christ and the hope of forgiveness. They had to hear.

That these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath - What things? The "Words of eternal life" that he had learned from Jesus (cf Jn 6:68). - Precept Austin

20Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.… Matthew 11: 20-22

…28Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.… Matthew 19: 28-30

V. 43 Continue in the grace of God - It is by grace we are saved, not by heritage, foods we eat, or keeping of the law that we are already transgressors of. It is through faith, which is also a gift from God, so that no one has any reason to boast. To continue in grace is to continue in Christ, His works not mine, His death in my place. The wages of sin is death.

28And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. 29If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him. 1 John 2: 28-29

…8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them. 10We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.… Hebrews 13: 8-10

V. 44-45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy - People are like that today, snowflakes; they want everything to be about them. They want to convince you that the most important things are the things they have, which makes them important. These Jews were of the circumcision, genetically related to Abraham, were students of the Scribes, belonged to various sects, and they were teachers, so they're jealous because this isn't getting filtered through them. They aren't getting the recognition they feel they deserve. It happens so many times, remember when they spoke of Jesus, even one of His disciples asked, "can anything good come from Nazareth", or at Pentecost, when the apostles preached everyone marveled because they were unlearned men. Men and women like to be honored and they will accept it for the most trivial things. Now the whole city shows up for these seeming nobodies, but they were Christ's nobodies, and I wouldn't slight anyone for being skeptical, but the Scriptures have made us aware, that these men aren't jealous for God's sake. They aren't trying to protect the people from apostasy, for that would actually be noble and Godly, but instead they are jealous for their own glory.

…12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. … Matthew 23: 12-13

…27A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” 29But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!”… Numbers 11: 27-29

…28Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.… Romans 1: 28-30

V. 46-47 We had to speak the word of God to you first - In every city, Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, goes to the synagogue first to witness to the circumcision that Messiah has come and forgiveness of sin can be found in Him alone. The leaders of the synagogue here, not only rejected him and the message, but started to abuse him.

…19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should. 21Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.… Ephesians 6: 19-21

15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. 17For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”… Romans 1: 15-17

5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’… Matthew 10: 5-7

…21“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him.… John 4: 21-23

…3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. 5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.… Romans 9: 3-5

We are turning to the Gentiles - "Lo, we are turning ourselves!" The Jews rejected the Gospel offered to them, so the missionaries will now offer it to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas rejected the rejecters! The Jews did not reject Paul and Barnabas. What they really rejected was the Gospel and in so doing they rejected God and His gracious offer! Then notice the striking contrast for while the Jews rejected the Gospel, the Gentiles rejoiced over over the Gospel! (Acts 13:48)

THOUGHT - Recall that Jesus had instructed His followers to turn away from rejecters (Lk 10:10-16). This principle still hold for us beloved. As the Spirit leads there are those to whom we are to cease sharing the Gospel after being rejected so often and so vociferously or even violently. I had an uncle who was almost like a father to me, a man I loved dearly and when I came to Christ at age 39, I began to share the Gospel with him over and over. Then one day (and 30+ years later I remember this day as if it was yesterday), my uncle's face and voice turned angry and he told me that if I ever tried to tell him again about "my Jesus," I just needed to stay away from his home. So I stopped sharing. My family continued to visit over the years, but I never mentioned the Gospel again. To this day my heart is broken over his rejection for I fear that he died and entered a Christ-less eternity (he died suddenly and no one was around). Many of you can probably identify with my story. - PA

I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH - Paul justifies his (and Barnabas) turning from the Jews to the Gentiles by quoting from Isaiah 49:6 which reads

He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (cf Isa 42:6b "I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations")

Toussaint points out that "This Old Testament passage has at least three applications—to Israel (Isa. 49:3), to Christ (Luke 2:29-32 +), and to Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. (Bible Knowledge Commentary) - PA

V. 48 And all who were appointed for eternal life believed - I used to not believe in election, not until I was in my 30s, but it is taught throughout Scripture. I think when you start to realize what Calvin referred to as Total Depravity, that you are dead in your trespasses and sins, you realize the sort of intervention required is nothing short of a resurrection.

And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed - Notice God's sovereignty in salvation. God had appointed them to eternal life, but they still had to make the volitional choice to believe. And in the mystery of salvation, even the faith that they exercised was a gift from God. As John Calvin said "He chose us, and to those He has He gives the power to believe." Amazing mysterious grace!

Steven Cole writes that when people see many as had been appointed they often "draw an erroneous conclusion. They say, “If God elected some to salvation, then they’re going to get saved no matter what. So why should we have to share the gospel with them?” The answer is, Because God ordained that the means by which His elect get saved is the preaching of the gospel. In 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul says, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen [the elect], so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.” Paul suffered all of the beatings, imprisonments, hardships, and abuse that he went through so that God’s elect would obtain salvation. The message that we proclaim is the gospel." - PA

13But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth. 14To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.… 2 Thessalonians 2: 13-15

As Stanley Toussaint writes "It is difficult to miss the doctrine of God's election here."

THOUGHT - C H Spurgeon made the following statement that applies to the doctrine of election - We all have one blind eye, and too often we are like Nelson in the battle, we put the telescope to that blind eye, and then protest that we cannot see. I have heard of one man who said he had read the Bible through thirty-four times on his knees, but could not see a word about election in it; I think it very likely that he could not; kneeling is a very uncomfortable posture for reading, and possibly the superstition which would make the poor man perform this penance would disqualify him for using his reason; moreover, to get through the Book thirty-four times, he probably read in such a hurry that he did not know what he was reading, and might as well have been dreaming over “Robinson Crusoe” as the Bible. He put the telescope to the blind eye. Many of us do that; we do not want to see a truth, and therefore we say we cannot see it. (From God's Will and Man's Will)

Jon Courson adds an interesting thought - Election makes me a little bit wiser as a worker. It is the wise servant who prays, “Lord guide me to those You have already elected. Guide me to the place where You have already put it in someone’s heart to turn to You.” - PA

Vs. 49-50 They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas - Notice it was the God fearing, that should give us pause. It is often the heretics who are screaming, "heretic", rather than being like noble Bereans and letting the Scriptures speak. You can be devout, religious and sincere, yet sincerely wrong.

1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation. 2For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. 3Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.… Romans 10: 1-3

The Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city - In the present context presumably the "devout (sebo) women" were God-fearers but if so they were easily influenced by the Jews. These women are in striking contrast to Lydia "a worshiper (sebo) of God," and who was saved by the Gospel as God opened her heart ( Acts 16:14 +). - PA

Vs. 51-52 So they shook the dust off their feet - I have had Jehovah's Witnesses do this to me when they left our house after some discussion. They come bringing another gospel, like the Mormons, and they believe in a Jesus much like the Muslims do. If you are any any of these cults, I plead with you, come out of them.

…13If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it; but if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.…Matthew 10: 13-15

#1578 Acts 13 Part 3 He Has Fulfilled For Us

26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled 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 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’

35 So it is also stated elsewhere:

“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’

36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,

wonder and perish,

for I am going to do something in your days

that you would never believe,

even if someone told you. Acts 13: 26-41 LSB

Acts 13: 26-41 LSB

In the Old Testament, God keeps promising a Deliverer, a Savior, a King, a Messiah. And in the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth fulfills every single prophesy that God ever made of a Messiah. And the ones that are yet to be fulfilled by him will be fulfilled in his second coming, which we will see tonight. You go back to the very first book in the Bible and you find in Genesis 3:15 that God says, “Through man I will destroy the power of Satan. There will be born one of the seed of the woman.” Now if you know anything about procreation, you know the woman has no seed. There is a prophesy of a virgin-born man and that he would bruise the serpent’s head. This virgin-born man would deal a killing blow to Satan. That was the first Messianic prophesy so beautifully fulfilled in Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin. Isaiah had even said in chapter 7, verse 14, “A virgin shall conceive and bring forth a child,” and it was Immanuel, God with us.

Jesus fulfilled the virgin-born prophesy and he also fulfilled the prophesy of victory over Satan as he won the victory at the cross. And the writer of Hebrews says, “He destroyed the power of the devil in his own death.” And the prophet Isaiah says in chapter 9, verse 6 that this Messiah who comes would be God; he is called the mighty God. In Psalm 2:7, God says, “This is my beloved Son,” and Jesus claimed to be both God and the Spirit of God and he substantiated both claims. The prophet Micah said, “When he comes, he will be born in Bethlehem.” Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Moses told us in the writing of the Pentateuch that the Messiah would be a son of Abraham. Matthew tells us Jesus was a son of Abraham. Later it tells us he would be son of Isaac, that the line would come through Isaac. Luke chapter 3 tells us Jesus came through Isaac, verse 23 and 34. In Numbers 24:17, it says that the Messiah will be a star out of Jacob. In Luke chapter 3, verses 23 and 34 again we find that Jesus comes through Jacob.

In Genesis 49:10, the Bible says that Jesus will come through the Tribe of Judah; the Messiah will be of that line. The book of Revelation calls him the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. And again, in Luke 3:23 and 33, he is from the Tribe of Judah. The Bible says that out of Judah he will come from Jesse. Isaiah chapter 11 and verse 1 and in Luke 3:23 and 32, we find that Jesus came from Jesse. In Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah capped it off with these words: “Behold the days are coming when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and he will reign forever.” And that’s one of many prophesies, including 2 Samuel 7 and Jeremiah 33 that the Messiah would come through the line of David. And the New Testament repeatedly says that Jesus was the Son of David. In Matthew 2:16, he fulfills that prophesy.

In Deuteronomy 18:18, the Word of God came to Moses, “I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, like you, Moses, and I will put my words in his mouth.” And God there promised a prophet like Moses, and Jesus came along and the people in Galilee looked at him in John chapter 6, verse 14 and said, “This is that prophet like unto Moses.” In Psalm 110, God said, “Whoever the Messiah is he will be a priest after the order of Melchisidech, a priest not for a time but a priest for,” – what? – “for eternity, forever.” And the book of Hebrews from beginning to end presents conclusively that Jesus was a priest after the order of Melchisidech. Psalm chapter 2 and verse 6 tells us that he will be a king. Second Samuel 7 says he will be a king, and it’s repeat myriad times. And when Jesus arrived, they asked him if he was a king and he said, “Yes.” And when they crucified him, they not knowing what they were doing put over his cross Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews, and some people got mad and they said, “No, put he said he is the king of the Jews.” And Pilate said, “What I have written I have written.” And he was right, he was a king.

In Zechariah 9:9 five centuries before it happened, the prophet said Jesus would ride into Jerusalem on an ass five centuries later on what we know as Palm Sunday. A week before his execution Jesus road into the city to the Hosannas of the people exactly as Zechariah had predicted, Matthew chapter 21, verses 2-7. In Zechariah 11:12, the prophet again predicted that the Messiah would be sold for 30 pieces of silver. In Matthew 26:15, Judah sold him not for 29 and not for 31 but for 30 pieces of silver, five centuries before the prophet had said it. In Zechariah 13:7, the prophet predicted the smiting of the Shephard and the scattering of the sheep. And in Matthew 26:56 when Jesus was taken to be crucified, the Bible says, “And all his disciples forsook him and fled.” The Shephard was smitten and the sheep were scattered.

Isaiah chapter 11, verse 2 tells us the fulness of the Holy Spirit would rest upon him. The sevenfold fullness of the Spirit. And in Matthew 3:16 and 17, when Jesus was being baptized by John, the Bible says, “And the Spirit of God descended upon him like a dove,” fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah. In Isaiah 35, verses 5 and 6, the Bible says, “When Messiah comes, he will give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and voices to the dumb.” And in Matthew chapter 9, verse 35 it says that Jesus went everywhere in all the villages, and he healed all those sick and all those with diseases. And you read the record of the Gospels and exactly as the prophet had said he gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and voices to the dumb.

In Psalm 41:9, the prophet indicates that he would be betrayed by his own familiar friend who had eaten bread with him. And in John 13, verses 21-30, Jesus sitting around the table the last night before his death dipped the sop and gave it to the one next to him who was Judas and he ate bread with him, and then he went out into the night and betrayed Jesus fulfilling to the very letter Psalm 41:9. In Zechariah 11:13, the Bible says that the money that was taken would be thrown down and that it would be picked up and used for a potter’s field. In Matthew 27, verses 5-7, Judas threw the money down; the price was taken and purchased a potter’s field, exactly fulfilling Zechariah’s prophesy.

Those are just a few, and all of the details of the life of Jesus Christ just fulfill prophesy after prophesy after prophesy. There’s no way it can be manufactured; it’s a mathematical impossibility. Powerful argument of prophesy sweeps away all doubt that Jesus of Nazareth is not the Messiah, the deliverer of Israel. Now this becomes the secondary theme in Paul’s message, and I say secondary in the order of their appearance, not in the order of their importance. And as Paul is preaching here in the 13th chapter of Acts, he majors in this second area of his message on Jesus the fulfillment of prophesy. Now let me back up and give you a little bit of background. The book of Acts is the record of the growth of the church. The church has exploded in Jerusalem. When it was finished there, the Lord had designed that it would go to Judea and Samaria, which were the neighboring territories. And the church went there and exploded, and people were saved and communities became converted to Christ and established congregations or assemblies of believers. And then once that was done, a beachhead was established in the pagan world, and that beachhead was Antioch of Syria. And a group of believers were established in Antioch of Syria and God had designed that from that little congregation in that famous city missionaries would be sent to reach the uttermost part of the earth. - J Mac

V. 26 Fellow children of Abraham and you God fearing gentiles - I included an excerpt from one of Macarthur's sermons on this passage, as it amplifies Paul's statement about "the message of salvation", and it's ancient heritage as given to the people by Moses and the prophets. As is his pattern, Paul goes to the synagogues and makes a plea to those, his brothers of the circumcision, first, as to "the Jew first and also to the Greek." They had the testimony of Holy Writ which foretold the coming of Messiah, even His rejection. It is notable too, that unlike Luther or many others, Paul continues in this pattern even after many rejections. He also extends the message to gentiles there who feared the Lord as well.

Sons of Abraham's family - Paul appeals to the ethnic heritage of the Jewish audience, a paternity of which they were very proud, making this very claim to Jesus (Jn 8:33, 39). Paul identified himself as a Jew who shared their concerns as Jews.

Swindoll writes "He said, in effect, “I am one of you, and I have great news concerning the Messiah we have all anticipated.” He did, however, separate himself from the religious leaders in Jerusalem, accusing them of ignoring the very Scriptures the synagogue had just read aloud and of killing their Messiah (Acts 13:27-28). (Ibid) - PA

…8The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.… Galatians 6: 8-10

…6and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You. 7Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend? 2 Chronicles 20: 6-7

V. 27 Yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath - Now we see that the word was not foreign to them, and some knew it and yet did not believe. Others, like so many at church on Sunday, may have heard Charlie Brown's teacher, as their minds had drifted to lunch, a silly sport's game on tv, or other business. After Jesus they even quit reading Isaiah 53 in many synagogues because it was a harsh fact against what they wanted to believe about Him. When we are delusional about a thing, and prideful to boot, then we go on the defensive, get angry, shout over, and often, as they did, stone and crucify the messenger. People will remove history, rewrite it, and no one likes to admit they were wrong, but isn't that the first portion of repentance. "I was wrong, I am a sinner, I needed Jesus to die for me." God's word predicted the exact response of Christ's own people according to the flesh. He was born a Jew and yet most did not receive Him, as foretold by the prophet.

…19But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this— to preserve the lives of many people. 21Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.… Genesis 50: 19-21

…2He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. 3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. 4Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted.…

…5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 6We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. 7He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.… Isaiah 53: 2-7

Vs. 28-29 When they had carried out all that was written about Him - This was by God's design and under His control. Even the evil of men is overruled by the sovereignty of God.

9He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. 11After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.… Isaiah 53: 9-11

Vs. 30-31 But God raised Him from the dead - Christ taught the resurrection, actually resurrected Lazarus and raised others during His ministry as well.

…5and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. 6After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.… 1 Corinthians 15: 5-7

Vs. 32-33 We tell you the good news - This is the gospel message, the story of redemption, that all have sinned and deserve to be eternally separated from God's mercy, the subjects of His wrath, that history should have ended in the garden, yet and but, God in His great mercy and love for us, has provided a way for us to be made write with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

…24Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. 25Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress. 26Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed.… Daniel 9: 24-26

#1577 Acts 13 Part 2 Exhort

13 Now after Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch. And on the Sabbath day, they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said,

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and lifted up the people during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it. 18 And for a period of about forty years He put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And when He destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land as an inheritance—all of which took about 450 years. 20 After these things 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 And after He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, about whom He also said, bearing witness, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 From the seed of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, 24 after John had preached before His coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was fulfilling his course, he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me of whom I am not worthy to untie the sandals of His feet.’ Acts 13: 13-25 LSB

Acts 13: 13-25

Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them - It is said historically that the area was known for pirates, and the way by land for robbers. He notes John, who is John Mark, leaving them here, and it doesn't tell us why he left but we know later that Paul was certainly not pleased. The missionary work is getting harder, the way is more treacherous and tedious as they go further abroad.

Put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia (see map above) - They traveled about 160 miles from Paphos to the southern coast. Since Perga is not on the coast, they most likely arrived at the seaport town of Attalia and journeyed by land about 25 miles northwest to Perga (alternatively if they disembarked at the southern coast [which had no named seaport] they would have had to travel about 13 miles overland to Perga). Perga was the capital of Pamphylia and was located on the River Cestrus (modern name Asku), about 7 miles from the sea and 9 miles east of the seaport at Attalia. Today Perga is a large site of archaeological finds and thus is a tourist attraction, commonly called Eski Kalessi. It is notable that there was a temple to Artemis (aka Diana, the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals and chastity - that last designation is difficult to believe considering her horrid multi-breasted statue!) stood on a hill outside Perga. On Paul's Third Missionary Journey (lasting from Acts 18:23 through Acts 21:26), he would visit Ephesus, the main center of worship of Artemis and the famous Temple of Artemis (cf Acts 19:24-28, 34-38 +). - PA

35But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord. 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “ Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” 37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.…

…38But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.… Acts 15: 35-40

V. 14 They went into the synagogue and sat down - It tells us that they are in Pisidian Antioch now, but it doesn't detail the journey, the hours on foot, the mountains, danger of robbers, how they got their food and so on. I think to follow in Paul's footsteps today, the way he did it, you would have to train your body to be up to it. Wherever there was a sizable Jewish population they would have a synagogue, if allowed, and this is where they would read from the books of Moses (Law) and the rest of the OT (the prophets). They would also have discussions amongst the Rabbi, Scribes and students.

Longnecker has an informative note - Pisidian Antioch was in reality not in Pisidia but in Phrygia near Pisidia (cf. Strabo, Geogr. 12.577). To distinguish it from the other Antioch in Phrygia, however, the city was popularly called “Antioch of Pisidia.” It was founded by Seleucus I Nicator about 281 BC as one of the sixteen cities he named in honor of either his father or his son, both of whom bore the name Antiochus. It was situated 100 miles north of Perga on a lake-studded plateau, some 3,600 feet above sea level. The foothills between Perga and Pisidian Antioch largely ruled out any extensive east-west traffic until one reached the plateau area, though following the river valleys one could move northward from the area of Pamphylia. On the plateau Antioch stood astride the Via Sebaste (PICTURE Greek word "Sebaste" = Latin "Augustus"), the Roman road from Ephesus to the Euphrates. The city had been incorporated into the expanded Roman province of Galatia in 25 BC by Augustus, who imported into it some three thousand army veterans and their families from Italy and bestowed on it the title “Colonia Caesarea.” Antioch was the most important city of southern Galatia and included within its population a rich amalgam of Greek, Roman, Oriental, and Phrygian traditions. Acts tells us that it also had a sizable Jewish population. (EBC) - PA

Vs. 15-16 Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it - Wow, Paul continues his pattern of going to the Jewish synagogue in each town first, but what an opening, "say it". That is as wide an open door for the gospel as any. I find it hard to have a comparison in the church, maybe being invited to a Roman Catholic Church and then being allowed to speak on Justification by faith alone and the preeminence of Scripture over tradition. Judaism in itself was not wrong, but it had strayed so far away as to add what didn't belong, and to even miss the Messiah it had so long been waiting for, yet this was predicted by the prophets as well. Paul was probably going to proclaim Christ anyway, but we should pray for such invitations.

V. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers - The patriarchs were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). He moves on to Israel's stay in Egypt, where they went from being sojourners/guests to captive slaves over a period of some 400 years. But during this time the twelve tribes grew into a nation within a nation. God brought them out with His own power.

1Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. 2I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”… Genesis 12: 1-3

…6I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you. 7I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”… Genesis 17: 6-8

V. 18 He put up with them in the wilderness - Despite freeing them from Egypt, physically, like Christ breaking the bonds of sin, some wanted to go back. He fed them with minimal work on their behalf. Manna fell from heaven and they collected it in the morning, yet they murmured about the Manna, and always reverted quickly to unbelief. Under the Mosaic covenant they promised to follow God's law, but they broke it straight away and worshiped idols.

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#1578 Acts 13 Part 3 He Has Fulfilled For Us

Saturday, February 15, 2025

#1577 Acts 13 Part 2 Exhort

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