Acts 13:42-52

Acts 13:41-51

• The plan of God…
  • Rebellious people…
    • When Paul entered the Synagogue in Pisidia – he was asked if he had something to share…
    • He did NOT hesitate – but stood up and gave a HISTORY lesson…
    • Israel had ALWAYS been rebellious – from the FORTY years in the wilderness…
    • To the FOUR hundred years of the Judges – to the rejecting God and asking for a KING!
  • Right solution…
    • John the Baptist came baptizing – commanding the people to REPENT…
    • Yet the people did NOT know Jesus – because they did NOT know the Word [prophets]
    • Instead they crucified Christ – but God raised Him from the dead…
    • Fulfilling all of the PROPHESIES concerning the Messiah…
    • God gave the PROMISE – He would send His SON – Psalm 2:7
    • And those who LISTENED to Him – would be given GRACE by FAITH – Isaiah 55:3
    • Because God showed through Jesus that DEATH is not the end – Psalm 16:10
    • Therefore – only through Jesus [not the Law] can we be FORGIVEN…
    • Paul told those listening to BEWARE – lest they miss the WORK of God – Habakkuk 1:5
• 1^st – Work of God… vs. 42-43
  • 1^st – Spirit of God… vs. 42
    • After church…
    • When the Jews went out of the synagogue.
    • The Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath!
    • When PAUL was done preaching His message…
    • The people filed out of the SYNAGOGUE [the service was over]
    • But as THEY left – some BEGGED Paul to come back the next week…
    • BEGGED [παρακαλέω] – the same root word used to describe the Holy Spirit – John 14:16
    • The message [Spirit] had stirred THEIR hearts – and they wanted to hear MORE!
    • Gentiles…
    • Habakkuk 1:5 – “Look among the nations [גּוֹי] and watch – be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe.”
    • There is some textual discrepancy as to WHO these people were…
    • In the TR [Textus Receptus] – we are told it was GENTILES [ἔθνος]
    • Yet the word is missing from many other manuscripts [MGNT]
    • But considering how Paul concluded his message – GENTILES seems to fit best – Acts 13:41
    • Paul was NOT preaching to the GENTILES – but they were LISTENING…
    • And they were VERY interested in hearing more about Jesus!
    • We NEVER know who might be LISTENING when we talk about Jesus…
    • We NEVER know who is WATCHING as we live our lives for Him…
    • We might be surprised when a STRANGER comes and asks [παρακαλέω] to hear more…
    • Because of what we are SAYING and DOING – the Spirit stirs their heart!
  • 2^nd – Grace of God… vs. 43
    • Following…vs. 43
    • Now when the congregation had broken up.
    • Many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas!
    • Also after the SYNAGOGUE had been dismissed…
    • JEWS and devout [σέβω] PROSELYTES [gentiles who converted to Judaism]
    • They walked down the road with Paul and Barnabas [asking more questions]
    • Showing us that MANY of them [synagogue] also wanted to hear MORE!
    • Abide…
    • Speaking to them – persuaded them to continue in the grace of God!
    • What Paul and Barnabas kept saying [present] – trying to convince [imperfect] them…
    • Was that they needed to [present] ABIDE [ἐπιμένω] in the GRACE [χάρις] of God…
    • This was a VERY important message to give to these JEWS and PROSELYTES…
    • Because they had always been taught – God wanted them to follow the LAW…
    • And that showing up for CHURCH every week – made them a GOOD person!
    • People come to church thinking that somehow CHURCH is the point…
    • We can CHECK off of our list CHURCH on Sunday…
    • We did what God wanted – and now we can leave – and go out the rest of our week!
    • But the reason why we are here is to be CONVINCED…
    • That what we need to do is CONTINUALLY [present] ABIDE in GRACE…
    • ABIDE [μένω] – to CLING to GRACE as if our life depended on it – John 15:4
    • GRACE [χάρις] – means the GIFT of God..
    • What GIFT does God give to us – Jesus to save us from our sins…
    • And the HOLY Spirit – to have the POWER [δύναμις] to live our life VICTORIOUSLY – Acts 1:8
• 2^nd – Jealously of men… vs. 44-47
  • 1^st – Multitudes… vs. 44-45
    • Whole city… vs. 44
    • On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God!
    • When the NEXT Saturday [Sabbath] came around…
    • Word of mouth had SPREAD about the teaching the previous week…
    • In a city that is estimated to have around FIFTEEN thousand people in it…
    • Almost ALL [πᾶς] of them [Jew and Gentile] came out to hear the Word of God!
    • NOTE – the Jews had been READING [ἀνάγνωσις] the Word for YEARS – Acts 13:15
    • But they had been giving people the LAW – so most were NOT interested…
    • Paul was different – he gave them GRACE – and that got them excited!
    • Look around on an average Sunday – how many people come to CHURCH…
    • It goes without saying that it is NOT most of the city…
    • Most people STAY home – SLEEP in – or go to the MALL…
    • Because while many churches READ the word – they tend to give RULES…
    • And RULES do NOT lead to revival…
    • What people NEED to hear is the GOSPEL – how much God loves them…
    • When that message is PREACHED – the people will come!
    • Envy… vs. 45
    • But when the Jews saw the multitudes they were filled with envy!
    • When the JEWS saw how most of the CITY showed up…
    • Rather than being EXCITED to see MULTITUDES coming to hear the WORD…
    • Instead they became [passive] JEALOUS [ζῆλος] – like boiling water…
    • Because what they had FAILED to do over MANY years [reach the multitudes]
    • Paul managed to do in a single WEEK – though the message of GRACE!
    • It is easy to get JEALOUS – when God is working through OTHERS…
    • We want to be the ones who get the GLORY…
    • But we would be far wiser to ask – WHY is God using others and NOT us…
    • Because it is NOT about the messenger – it is a question of the MESSAGE!
    • Blasphemy… vs. 45
    • Contradicting and blaspheming – they opposed the things spoken by Paul!
    • The JEALOUSLY of the JEWS – led them to CONTRADICT [imperfect] what Paul was saying…
    • CONTRADICT [ἀντιλέγω] – to speak against [ἀντί] the WORD [λόγος]
    • As a RESULT – they were [present] BLASPHEMING – speaking evil about the work of God…
    • Rather than HUMBLY look at what they were doing WRONG [teaching the LAW]
    • They PROUDLY chose to try and STOP what Paul was doing RIGHT [teaching grace]
    • And the result was they became ANTI God [Word] – enemies of the Christ!
    • When God began to pour out His Spirit in the late 1960s [Jesus revolution]
    • Not caring WHO came to church – WHAT they were wearing – or HOW sinful they had been…
    • Instead just LOVING those who walked in – giving them the GRACE of God…
    • Thousands poured into the CHURCH – countless were getting BAPTIZED…
    • But rather than rejoice – MANY churches went on the offensive…
    • Because it was easier to ATTACK – than reflect on why their churches were EMPTY!
  • 2^nd – Keep going… vs. 46-47
    • Jews First… vs. 46
    • Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said:
    • It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first!
    • When Paul and Barnabas saw the JEALOUSLY of the Jews…
    • They did NOT hold back their WORDS – they spoke BOLDLY [παρρησιάζομαι]
    • It was [imperfect] required for them to share the Word of God with the Jews FIRST…
    • Because the LAW [Old Testament] had been given to them!
    • The Bible – is a VERY Jewish book…
    • Beginning with Abraham – the whole Old Testament follows only ONE nation [Israel]
    • All of the PROPHETS – all of the KINGS – even all of the APOSTLES were Jews…
    • Therefore – it was inevitable that they were the FIRST to hear the Good News…
    • But it was NEVER meant to stop there – it was meant to SPREAD!
    • Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ – for it is he power of God to salvation for everyone who believes – for the Jew FIRST and also for [everyone else].”
    • We might NOT be called to share the Gospel with people in FAR away countries…
    • But we can share the GOOD news with our NEIGHBOR…
    • And as they share passes it on to others – it ends up spreading across the whole world!
    • Rejection… vs. 46
    • But since you reject it – and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life.
    • Behold – we turn to the Gentiles!
    • NOW – since [indicative] the Jews THRUST away [ἀπωθέω] the message of GRACE…
    • JUDGING [κρίνω] that they were NOT worthy of ETERNAL life…
    • Their REJECTION – made [passive] Paul turn to the GENTILES…
    • But this does NOT mean that God has REJECTED the Jews!
    • Paul would go on to talk about the OLIVE tree [Nation of Israel]
    • Some branches were broken off because they did NOT have faith…
    • And we [gentiles] were grafted into the Olive tree by FAITH…
    • Not to REPLACE the Jews – but to make them JEALOUS to come back to God!
    • Romans 11:11 – “[Has Israel] stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall – to provoke them to jealousy – salvation has come to the Gentiles.”
    • Just as God has NOT given up on Israel [sun and waves] – Jeremiah 31:35
    • He also does NOT give up on us – He is always working to make us JEALOUS for Him!
    • Ends of the earth… vs. 47
    • 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!
    • Paul understood the PLAN of God given in His Word – Isaiah 49:6
    • Jesus had come to cause [hiphil] the TRIBES of Jacob [sinful] to come back [שׁוּב] to Him…
    • But He also wanted Jesus to be the LIGHT [אוֹר] to the NATIONS [גּוֹיִם]
    • That He could bring SALVATION [יְשׁוּעָה] – to the WHOLE earth!
    • NOT everyone is going to receive the message of the Gospel…
    • But there REJECTION does not stop the work – it just causes [passive] us to keep moving…
    • There are still COUNTLESS people who have NOT yet heard…
    • So if ONE person says NO – go and tell someone ELSE!
• 3^rd – The choice… vs. 48-52
  • 1^st – Glad… vs. 48-49
    • Still room… vs. 48
    • Now when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord!
    • When the GENTILES [ἔθνος] heard that they could be SAVED…
    • They were CONTINUALLY [imperfect] filled with JOY…
    • And CONTINUALLY [imperfect] gave GLORY to the Word of the MASTER [κύριος]!
    • Imagine a new restaurant opens up in Bacolod [very popular]
    • We show up hoping to get a seat – but it is all BOOKED…
    • Then at the last minute – the waiter tells us – there is still room for us…
    • We are FILLED with JOY – and so THANKFUL when we hear his words!
    • The amazing news is that there is ALWAYS room in heaven…
    • We do NOT have to worry about it being TOO full [New Jerusalem] – Revelation 21:16
    • All we have to do is ACCEPT the invitation to come!
    • Appointed… vs. 48
    • As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed!
    • As many Gentiles as were [passive] APPOINTED to eternal life – believed [active]
    • APPOINTED [τάσσω] – carries to idea of being PLACED there beforehand!
    • Ephesians 1:4-5 – “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.”
    • This hits on a potentially confusing TRUTH regarding our salvation…
    • Those who are saved – are CHOSEN [ἐκλεκτός] by God – I Peter 1:2
    • But the question we have to ask is HOW does God chose!
    • Romans 8:29 – “For whom He foreknew – He also predestined.”
    • FOREKNOWLEDGE [πρόγνωσις] – to KNOW beforehand…
    • God is ETERNAL – meaning He has no beginning or end – Revelation 1:8
    • It does NOT mean God has an endless amount of TIME – it means God is outside of TIME…
    • God sees ALL of time – from Genesis to Revelation ALL at once!
    • Isaiah 46:10 – “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done…”
    • Since God sees EVERYTHING – He knows exactly who will believe in Jesus…
    • God knows our CHOICE – before we ever make it…
    • He then CHOOSES – those who He knows will CHOOSE Him…
    • If we WANT to go to HEAVEN – all we have to do is CHOOSE Jesus…
    • And we will find He CHOSE us before the world ever began!
    • Spreading… vs. 49
    • And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region!
    • The REJECTION of some of the JEWS – and their BLASPHEMOUS words…
    • Did NOT stop the Gospel – just the opposite – it caused it to SPREAD…
    • Because people wanted to know what had gotten the Jews so UPSET…
    • CONTROVERSY is powerful – it moves like a wildfire!
    • There was recently an assassination in the USA [Charlie Kirk]
    • But rather than it STOPPING the work of God…
    • As many as one hundred MILLION watched his memorial service…
    • He reached more people in his DEATH – then he might have ever in LIFE!
    • God is going to use ALL things to get His work done…
    • Even people attacking the WORD of the Lord – will NOT slow the work down…
    • Because God uses ALL things for the good – Romans 8:28
  • 2^nd – Mad… vs. 50-51
    • Rejection… vs. 50
    • But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city.
    • [They] raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their region!
    • The JEWS found a way to get rid of Paul and Barnabas…
    • They STIRRED up some of the DEVOUT [σέβω] women in the Synagogue…
    • These might have been PROSELYTES who were well connected…
    • They got the LEADERS [πρῶτος] of the city [husbands?] to turn on Paul and Barnabas…
    • And that PERSECUTION caused them to LEAVE the area!
    • When Job lost EVERYTHING [money – family – health]
    • His wife came to him and told him to CURSE his God and DIE – Job 2:9
    • What is amazing – this is the SECOND time we read this – Job 2:3
    • Meaning Job was NOT hearing from his wife – it was SATAN speaking through His wife!
    • We need to be CAREFUL what we let come out of our mouths…
    • We can be a TOOL of SATAN – used to sow divisiveness and discouragement…
    • Or we can be a TOOL that is used by God to bring GRACE and SALVATION!
    • Dust… vs. 51
    • But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and came to Iconium!
    • Paul and Barnabas SHOOK the dust of Antioch from their feet…
    • They were NOT disappointed – or surprised by the HARD hearts…
    • Because this is EXACTLY what Jesus had said would happen!
    • Matthew 10:14 – “Whoever will not receive you nor hear your words – when you depart from that house or city – shake off the dust from your feet.”
    • It is NOT our responsibility to convince people they need Jesus…
    • We are only commanded to go and give them the CHOICE – Matthew 28:19
    • And for those who REJECT – we simply kick off the dust – and keep going!
  • 3^rd – Filled… vs. 52
    • No leader…
    • This would seem to present a HUGE problem…
    • Paul and Barnabas left the area – so WHO would continue to teach the people…
    • It would seem like they were left as SHEEP without a SHEPHERD [pastor]!
    • The Spirit…
    • [But] the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit!
    • BUT [δέ] the DISCIPLES [μαθητής] who were left behind were NOT alone…
    • They were continually [imperfect] FILLED with JOY…
    • Because they were continually [imperfect] FILLED with the HOLY Spirit…
    • The lack of leadership likely worked in their FAVOR…
    • Rather than looking to a MAN – they were left to depend on the Lord!
    • John 16:7 – “It is to your advantage that I go away for if I do not go away – the Helper will not come to you – but if I depart I will send Him to you.”
    • Jesus told the DISCIPLES they would receive POWER when the SPIRIT came upon them…
    • But FIRST Jesus had to leave – only then could He send the Holy Spirit…
    • Not that the Holy Spirit was NOT there – He was in them – John 20:22
    • The problem the DISCIPLES did NOT see their need for the SPIRIT…
    • Jesus had to get out of the way – so they would step out in faith!
    • God wants to do a WORK – there is a world that needs to KNOW the message of GRACE…
    • But we KNOW that the work is NOT easy – people will REJECT the Gospel…
    • So it is easier to just let OTHERS do the work…
    • But God wants to USE us – He wants to FILL us with His SPIRIT…
    • And let us experience the JOY of seeing people come to the Lord!