The Calm Before the Storm
TBC Book 3, Chapter 20
Acts 13:13-43
As Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, the strains of their travels wore heavy on John Mark. He announced to Barnabas and Paul that he desired to return home to Jerusalem. So they continued inland without him, toward Antioch of Pisidion. This Antioch was also a large city, a Roman colony that bustled with trade and held a large Jewish population.
On the Sabbath Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue and listened to the reading from the Law and the Prophets, their Scriptures. Noticing their presence, a synagogue leader sent someone to say, “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement to share with us, please do so.”
Now it was customary to invite guests to speak, so Paul anticipated their offer and rose to address the congregation. With a sweep of his outstretched arm, he began, “Fellow Israelites and God-fearing Gentiles, listen to the message I have for you!
“The God of Israel chose our forefathers and blessed them during their sojourn in Egypt; then he led them out of that country. For 40 years in the wilderness, he tolerated their behavior then enabled them to subdue seven nations. From the time they entered Egypt until the time they possessed Canaan—the land God gave as their inheritance—450 years had transpired.”
“God gave them judges to lead them, until the time of the prophet Samuel. Then they asked for a king. So God appointed Saul, son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. He ruled them for 40 years, until God removed him from leadership. Then God chose David as king, saying, ‘I have found a man after my own heart. He will do all that I have commanded him.’
“It is from this man’s descendants that God has given Israel the promised Savior, Jesus. John preceded him and prepared for his arrival, preaching repentance and baptism. John testified, ‘He is the one you should now be seeking, not me. I am not worthy even to untie his sandals.’ ”
Paul continued, “Brothers—sons of Abraham and God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation is meant for all of us! The people in Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize who Jesus was. But by condemning him, they fulfilled the words of the prophets read every Sabbath.
“They had no grounds for a death sentence, yet they demanded Pilate execute him. After carrying out what was prophesied, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him up. For many days he was seen by others, people who are now witnesses to us.
“We are here to deliver this good news: The promise God made to our fathers has now been fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As the second Psalm says, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.’ God raised up Jesus, never to decay. The Scriptures referred to this with these words: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
“Scripture also declares, ‘You will not permit your Holy One to see decay.’ After David fulfilled God’s plans in his generation, he died and was buried—his body suffered decay. But the one whom God has raised from the dead did not see decay.
“Therefore, be assured of this—through Jesus we have the forgiveness of sins. Through him everyone who believes is justified before God; for he has achieved for us what the Law of Moses could not accomplish. Take this to heart so that you do not suffer what the prophets warned of: ‘Watch out, scoffers, or you may perish. For I will do something in your days that you would never believe could happen, even if someone told you in advance.’ ”
As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, many came up to them, asking them to return the next Sabbath and speak further. A number of Jews as well as Gentiles who were devout converts fell in step with them. As they were walking and talking, Paul and Barnabas urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God. Indeed, they would be tested. . . .
TBC 313
Acts 13:13-43
As Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, the strains of their travels wore heavy on John Mark. He announced to Barnabas and Paul that he desired to return home to Jerusalem. So they continued inland without him, toward Antioch of Pisidion. This Antioch was also a large city, a Roman colony that bustled with trade and held a large Jewish population.
On the Sabbath Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue and listened to the reading from the Law and the Prophets, their Scriptures. Noticing their presence, a synagogue leader sent someone to say, “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement to share with us, please do so.”
Now it was customary to invite guests to speak, so Paul anticipated their offer and rose to address the congregation. With a sweep of his outstretched arm, he began, “Fellow Israelites and God-fearing Gentiles, listen to the message I have for you!
“The God of Israel chose our forefathers and blessed them during their sojourn in Egypt; then he led them out of that country. For 40 years in the wilderness, he tolerated their behavior then enabled them to subdue seven nations. From the time they entered Egypt until the time they possessed Canaan—the land God gave as their inheritance—450 years had transpired.”
“God gave them judges to lead them, until the time of the prophet Samuel. Then they asked for a king. So God appointed Saul, son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. He ruled them for 40 years, until God removed him from leadership. Then God chose David as king, saying, ‘I have found a man after my own heart. He will do all that I have commanded him.’
“It is from this man’s descendants that God has given Israel the promised Savior, Jesus. John preceded him and prepared for his arrival, preaching repentance and baptism. John testified, ‘He is the one you should now be seeking, not me. I am not worthy even to untie his sandals.’ ”
Paul continued, “Brothers—sons of Abraham and God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation is meant for all of us! The people in Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize who Jesus was. But by condemning him, they fulfilled the words of the prophets read every Sabbath.
“They had no grounds for a death sentence, yet they demanded Pilate execute him. After carrying out what was prophesied, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him up. For many days he was seen by others, people who are now witnesses to us.
“We are here to deliver this good news: The promise God made to our fathers has now been fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As the second Psalm says, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.’ God raised up Jesus, never to decay. The Scriptures referred to this with these words: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
“Scripture also declares, ‘You will not permit your Holy One to see decay.’ After David fulfilled God’s plans in his generation, he died and was buried—his body suffered decay. But the one whom God has raised from the dead did not see decay.
“Therefore, be assured of this—through Jesus we have the forgiveness of sins. Through him everyone who believes is justified before God; for he has achieved for us what the Law of Moses could not accomplish. Take this to heart so that you do not suffer what the prophets warned of: ‘Watch out, scoffers, or you may perish. For I will do something in your days that you would never believe could happen, even if someone told you in advance.’ ”
As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, many came up to them, asking them to return the next Sabbath and speak further. A number of Jews as well as Gentiles who were devout converts fell in step with them. As they were walking and talking, Paul and Barnabas urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God. Indeed, they would be tested. . . .
TBC 313
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"Take up the shield of faith, . . . the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
—Ephesians 6:16-17