Introduction
“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:1-3
The church in Antioch was blessed with inspired men who delivered God’s Word. Luke tells us that the church in Antioch was blessed to have Barnabas, the son of consolation, Simeon, whose nickname was ‘black’, Luke 23:26.
Lucius, who was somehow closely associated with Herod the tetrarch, Luke 23:7-12, and Saul, Acts 13:1 / Acts 9:15-16 / Acts 11:27-30 / Acts 12:25.
As these men were carrying out their various ministries for the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit called for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for their specially chosen work, Acts 13:2.
According to Luke the whole church fasted and prayed as they sent them on their way, Acts 13:3. We’ve already noted several times that the laying of hands was done for one or two reasons.
The apostles would lay their hands on some people to pass on miraculous capabilities, Acts 8:17-24, but sometimes they would also just lay their hands on people to show their approval of the person they are laying their hands on, 1 Timothy 4:14. In other words, it wasn’t always done to pass on miraculous gifts.
The reason I brought this point up is because the laying on of hands mentioned here was not done to pass on any special gift but it was done as a sign of the agreement they had with the good work to be done. In other words Barnabas, John Mark and Saul were being shown that the other disciples approved of what they were about to do.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘It is evident that the laying on of hands imparted no qualification to Barnabas and Saul which they did not already possess. By this means, the church, through its leaders, expressed fellowship with them. They were sent out by the whole church; and to the whole church they reported when they returned to Antioch, Acts 14:26.’
Paul’s First Missionary Journey
From Acts 13-14, we read about Paul’s first missionary journey, some time around 46 A.D. or 47 A.D. Beginning in Antioch, he then travelled to Salamis, Paphos, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and returned to Antioch.
On Cyprus
“The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.” Acts 13:4-5
Luke says that they first went to Seleucia, which was the port city of Antioch, Acts 13:4. It was located about 16 miles downstream.
Then they sailed approximately one hundred miles to Salamis, where Barnabas grew up, Acts 4:36. It was the largest city on the eastern end of the island of Cyprus. And Luke tells Theophilus that Barnabas and Saul preached in the synagogues within the city and John Mark, Acts 12:25, served as their attendant, Acts 13:5 / Romans 1:16.
Just as a matter of interest, history tells us that around 50 years after Barnabas and Saul were there, there was a Jewish uprising in which 240,000 Gentiles were slaughtered. And a famous man named Hadrian, who would be a future Roman emperor, put down the rebellion and expelled the Jews from the city.
“They travelled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.” Acts 13:6-7
It appears as though after they crossed over the island to Paphos, which was the capital city and the home of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, Acts 13:6, who Luke tells us was a wise man, Acts 13:12.
Barclay, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Paphos was infamous for its worship of Venus, the goddess of sexual love.’
Sergius Paulus had a Jewish adviser known as Bar Jesus or Elymas, who Luke tells us was a false prophet and sorcerer, or one who used magic and incantations, Deuteronomy 18:10-11. Elymas’ name means sorcerer, Acts 13:8.
When Sergius Paulus heard that Barnabas and Saul were in town, he sent for them because he wanted to hear God’s Word, Acts 13:7. Luke tells us that Sergius Paulus was an intelligent man, Acts 13:12, and we’re going to see why in a moment.
The most intelligent people are those who recognise there is a God and want to search for and obey the truth of our Creator. Sergius Paulus was an intelligent man because he wanted to hear God’s Word.
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. “When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord”. Acts 13:8-12
Luke tells us that Elymas, whose name means sorcerer did everything he could to deter the proconsul from hearing these preachers, Acts 13:8. Why he didn’t want the proconsul to know about God, no one is sure, possibly because he feared he might lose his influence.
Luke also tells us that Saul, who was also known by his Greek name, Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit when he challenged the sorcerer, Acts 13:9.
Note how many times Luke records God’s people being full of the Spirit, Acts 2:4 / Acts 4:8 / Acts 4:31 / Acts 6:3 / Acts 6:5 / Acts 7:55 / Acts 9:17.
Lenski, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Saul’s father gave the child a Roman and a Latin name because he was a Roman citizen with all the rights in the Roman Empire this implied. The child had both names from infancy. When his father called him he shouted, ‘Saul, Saul!’ but when the Greek boys with whom he played called him they shouted, ‘Paul, Paul!’
Magicians are nothing new in the Scriptures, Exodus 7:10-12 / Exodus 7:20-22 / Exodus 8:6-7 / Exodus 8:16-18, but no one can beat God in a power display war, Acts 13:10.
And although sorcerers have got a lot of influence on people by using magic to convince them that they are someone powerful when they are not, they cannot beat the power of God, Acts 13:10.
Paul says that Elymas was a child of the devil, a deceiver who opposed righteous living, Acts 8:9-23 / Acts 16:16-18 / Acts 19:13-17, and so Paul, by the power of God struck him blind for a season, Acts 13:11 / Acts 9:9.
The word ‘mist’, is used to describe a dimming of the vision brought on by cataracts or disease. This is the second of four incidents involving victory over demonic powers in Acts, Acts 8:9-23 / Acts 16:16-18 / Acts 19:13-17.
Notice something important in this text too. This is another text which shows us the purpose of miracles during Biblical times.
The teachings of Jesus which had been presented and the power of the miracle convinced Sergius Paulus to follow Christ in full obedience, Acts 13:12 / Acts 16:34.
As one man’s eyes were blinded another man’s eyes fro open to the truth of the Gospel. In other words, the miracles performed in the Bible were to prove that the words which were being preached were true and from God, Mark 16:20 / Acts 14:3 / Hebrews 2:4.
In Pisidian Antioch
“From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.” Acts 13:13-15
After blinding the sorcerer and convincing Sergius Paulus that Jesus was who He claimed to be, they would have landed at the port of Attalia and then gone on the short distance to Perga, which is in modern day Turkey.
We don’t know the reasons why but for some reason, John Mark decided to leave Paul and his companions at Perga as the rest of the group went on to Antioch in Pisidia, which at that time, was considered to be part of Galatia, Acts 13:13 / Acts 12:25 / Acts 15:36-41 / Galatians 4:13.
Perga was a coastal city, where the ship from Paphos came to the mainland. Antioch in Pisidia was about 135 miles inland, to the north, in the area of Galatia.
William M. Ramsay, says the following.
‘The churches of Antioch, Lystra, Derbe, Iconium, though south of Galatia proper, were nevertheless in the province of Galatia, and could be spoken of as the Galatian churches, this grouping (of these places in Galatia) was abandoned after some three hundred years; and the name ‘Galatia’ reverted to the northern part of the province. The wider meaning of the name (Galatia) was apparently forgotten until it was recovered largely through the research of Sir.’
And look where they went to? The missionary group went Pisidian Antioch and into the synagogue on the Sabbath and listened to the reading of the Scriptures, Acts 13:14.
It was then that the rulers of the synagogue asked if they had some instruction to give them. And so Paul like we all should do seized the moment and addressed the men of Israel and God-fearers assembled there, Acts 13:15.
What an opportunity this is to share the Gospel with some people, they were ready to share that good news and they seized the moment, Colossians 4:2-5 / Ephesians 6:19-20 / 1 Peter 3:15.
We all need to seize the moment, and that’s exactly what Paul did next because all he ever wanted to let people know about was Jesus and he wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip from him.
“Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. “After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: `I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Saviour Jesus, as he promised.” Acts 13:16-23
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Paul’s address falls into three logical divisions: 1. The historical background of the Messiah, Acts 13:17-23, culminating in the coming of Jesus the Son of David. 2. The proof that Jesus was indeed the promised deliverer, Acts 13:24-37. 3. An appeal to the people with a warning against rejecting Christ, Acts 13:38-41.’
Paul did basically what Peter did on Pentecost, Acts 2:14-40, and what Stephen did in Acts 7:2-53, he shared with them a Jewish history lesson. He addresses the Jews and the Gentiles, Acts 13:16 and he tells tells them God chose them, Genesis 12:3, and made them prosper in Egypt, Acts 13:17.
He talked about how God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage, Acts 13:17 / Exodus 12:31-42 / Exodus 13:17-22.
He reminded them of the forty years of wilderness wandering, Joshua 5:6-7, and how God defeated seven nations so Israel could have a home in Canaan, Acts 13:18-19 / Deuteronomy 7:1.
He also reminded those assembled that God had ruled in Israel for 450 years using judges. And when the people asked for a king, God gave them Saul, then, David, after Saul was removed, Acts 13:20-22 / 1 Samuel 8:7.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following concerning Saul’s reign.
‘The Old Testament does not give the length of Saul’s reign, but Josephus also sets it at forty years, covering eighteen years until the death of Samuel and continuing 22 years afterward.’
He says it was from the seed of David, who was man after God’s own heart, that God raised up a Saviour for His people named Jesus, Acts 13:22-23.
Why Did God Say That David Was A ‘Man After His Own Heart’?
To try and understand why David was a man ‘after God’s own heart’, we need to contrast the character of Saul who was Israel’s first king, with the character of David, their second king.
It wasn’t long after Saul had become king that we begin to see what was really going on in his heart. If you remember Saul and his army were about to go into battle against the Philistines and he wanted God’s blessings to be with him and his army.
I guess there was nothing wrong with wanting God’s blessings before going into a war. However, the problem came because he became impatient, he was told to wait seven days for the prophet Samuel to arrive but his patience ran out. So, he decided to go ahead and present a burnt offering to the Lord himself, 1 Samuel 13:1-9.
Like most of us who are impatient, he came out with an excuse, when Samuel finally arrived and asked him what he had done.
Saul’s excuse was that he ‘felt compelled’ to offer the burnt offering, when in fact he deliberately chose to offer the sacrifice knowing that this could only be done by the priests, 1 Samuel 13:12. Saul was then told by Samuel that he would no longer be king and his kingdom would be taken from him because of his actions.
Saul was a character who only thought about himself, he totally ignored God’s commandments and God’s direction. He totally disobeyed God and as a result, this demonstrated that he certainly wasn’t a man after God’s own heart, 1 Samuel 13:13-14.
Notice that Samuel mentions that God was looking for a man after His own heart, a man who would become the new leader of Israel. A little later God sent Samuel to Jesse the Bethlehemite to find the next king from among his sons, 1 Samuel 16:1.
When Samuel arrived, he was impressed with several of the sons of Jesse but God didn’t want them and so He helped Samuel to choose the right person.
We read in 1 Samuel 16:7, that God doesn’t judge people on their external appearance, but He looks at their hearts. In other words, God doesn’t fall for the facade that many people have today, with their false words and actions. God knew Saul’s heart and rejected him and then He looked at David’s heart and chose him, 1 Samuel 16:10-13.
What Made David Different From Saul?
1. God chose David because He knew David would obey Him and do what God commands.
Saul did his own thing, what he wanted to do, Jeremiah 7:21-23, but David was obedient to God and His commands, Acts 13:21-22.
Notice that God says that David, ‘will do everything I want him to do’, this implies obedience. Saul did his own thing and didn’t want to obey God because he wanted to please himself, but David felt compelled to obey God in order to please God.
In other words, David cared about what God cared about, he desired what God desired, and his heart sought after the things that God sought after. This is exactly what we see in Christ when He lived His life, Luke 2:49 / Luke 22:42. No one can have the heart of God if they don’t obey God and carry out His commands.
2. God chose David because He knew David would love Him more than anything else.
This was something else which Saul lacked. We can’t tell God that we love Him if we’re not willing to obey Him, John 14:15.
These simple words of Jesus are very clear, but many people struggle to keep His commands. Many people claim that they love God but totally ignore His commandments. Maybe the reason they struggle to keep His commands is simply because they struggle to truly love God in the first place.
David loved Saul but he loved God more, hence why he obeyed God rather than obeying Saul. We only have to turn to the Psalms to find that many of them were written by David, not Saul.
Many of the Psalms which David wrote were all about God, there are many which are love songs, which reveal his heart’s desire and love for God.
Many of the Psalms were written by David and they reveal that David had a real passion for God, he really wanted to know God, Psalm 42:1-2. It’s clear that David only wanted to worship God, whilst Saul just wanted to worship himself, 1 Samuel 18:8.
3. God chose David because He knew David would lead people and not follow people like Saul did.
We can always tell what kind of relationship a person has with God, by the way, their interactions with others around them. We see this difference in the character of Saul and David, Saul wanted nothing more than to be praised by those around him, and as a result, he ended up following people, rather than leading them, he ended up obeying people rather than obeying God, 1 Samuel 15:24.
While Saul desired the praise of men, David was the absolute opposite, he successfully led people because he was following God’s lead and was obedient to Him. As a result of following and obeying God, he successfully encouraged people to do what was good and right, in the eyes of God.
We see this on one occasion when he had an opportunity to kill Saul because His men were encouraging him to do so, but David encouraged them not to do so because he wanted to please God instead, 1 Samuel 24:4-7.
It’s in these verses that we see that David ‘persuaded his men’ while Saul was persuaded by men, we see that Saul wanted to carry out his own vengeance, but David left the matter in God’s hands, 1 Samuel 24:12.
David never tries to win the hearts of people, he only wants to win the heart of God and as a result, he became a great leader because he not only loved God more than anything else but he also fully obeyed Him.
4. God chose David because He knew David would come to hate sin as He hates sin.
People often wonder how David could be a ‘man after God’s own heart’ when he sinned many times against the Lord. The two most memorable sins were when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah murdered on the battlefield, 2 Samuel 11:1-16.
David didn’t live a sinless life, but as His love for God grew stronger, he came to hate sin as God hates sin. Psalm 32 tells us of David’s repentance and sorrow over his sin. We see this especially in Psalm 51 after the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 12:1-23, David is clearly repenting of his sin with Bathsheba.
While being a man after God’s own heart is about obeying God, having the same desires as God’s heart, and seeking to please God rather than people, a man after God’s own heart also repents deeply when he knows he’s failed.
Why Was David A Man ‘After God’s Own Heart’?
David deeply loved God more than anything else and he obeyed His commands, Jeremiah 9:23-24. He learned to hate sin as God hates sin, Romans 6:23, he grieved over his sin as God grieves when we sin, Genesis 6:6. He wanted to lead people in the ways of God, rather than allowing people to lead him into sin.
Conclusion
God knows that none of us can live a perfect life like His Son Jesus did, 1 Peter 2:22-24, but He still desires that His people will have hearts ‘after His own heart’. He still desires that we love God more than anything else, 1 John 5:3.
He still desires that we obey His commands, John 14:21, He still desires that we hate sin and refrain from sinning, Romans 6:1-14. He still desires that we lead people to Him and encourage them to obey His commands, Matthew 28:18-20. He still desires that we live a holy life because He is a holy God, 1 Peter 1:15-16.
Do you desire what God desires? Ecclesiastes 12:13.
“Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: `Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’” Acts 13:24-25
Before God sent the Saviour of the world, He sent John the baptiser to prepare the Way for the Saviour by preaching a baptism of repentance, Acts 13:24.
Paul finally reminds them that John had told the people he was not the Messiah, He wasn’t even worthy to untie his sandals, but the One coming after him was, Acts 13:25 / John 1:27.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The testimony of John was extensive and included the following affirmations concerning our Lord:
That Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the world’s sin, John 1:29.
That Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, John 1:33.
That, having the bride, he was the Bridegroom, John 3:29.
That he came from above and is above all, John 3:31.
That he was sent of God and spoke God’s words, John 3:33.
That God had given to the Son all things, John 3:35.
That he that believeth on the Son shall have eternal life, John 3:36.
That he that obeyeth not the son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him, John 3:36.
“Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 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. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb”. Acts 13:26-29
Luke tells us that Paul proclaimed that the message of the salvation brought by the Messiah was being delivered to them, His fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, Acts 13:26.
Luke says that the Jewish leaders and other people fulfilled the prophecies about Christ’s death because they did not recognise the Saviour, Acts 13:27.
Paul tells them that they didn’t understand what the prophets had foretold. And so, Paul tells them that they had crucified an innocent man named Jesus, Acts 13:27-29.
Note that the KJV uses the word ‘tree’ instead of cross, Acts 13:29. It appears Paul had Deuteronomy 21:22-23 in mind, where it says cursed is a person who gangs on a tree, Galatians 3:13.
“But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had travelled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 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.’ The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: “`I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ So it is stated elsewhere: “`You will not let your Holy One see decay.’ “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.” Acts 13:30-38
Paul reminds them that they had also fulfilled all the other prophecies concerning His rejection, death and burial. Those who saw Jesus are now witnesses, Acts 13:30-33 / Matthew 28:9-10 / Luke 24:13-34 / John 20:11-17 / John 20:26-30 / Acts 1:3 / 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Paul declares that God declared Jesus to be His Son when He raised Him from the dead, Psalm 2:7 / John 5:21-22 / Romans 8:11-13, and made Him the Davidic ruler, Acts 13:32 / Psalms 2:7 / Hebrews 1:5 / Hebrews 5:5. Similarly God had declared David His son when He made David ruler over Israel, 2 Samuel 7:10-14.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following. concerning the second Psalm, Acts 13:33.
‘Some ancient manuscripts read ‘in the first Psalm,’ due to some third-century Psalters combining Psalms 1, 2, making both together the first Psalm.’
I love those two little words, ‘but God’ and while Paul is talking about the rejection, death and burial of Jesus Christ, he continues using those same two little words.
He says that the Jews rejected Christ, ‘but God.’ He says they murdered the innocent Christ, ‘but God’. He says they buried Him in a tomb, ‘but God’. In other words, all the events which happened concerning the Christ were prophesied many years before they actually happened.
Paul says, ‘but God’ did not abandon Jesus, He raised Him up from the grave, Acts 13:33. Paul asks do you want proof? He says many witnesses could tell you how they personally had seen the resurrected Lord.
And so Paul quotes two Old Testament passages to prove his case, Acts 13:34-35 / Isaiah 55:3 / Psalm 16:10. Paul says this is what the Old Testament prophets were saying. The Old Testament prophets were saying that the Holy One promised by God was coming and His Name is Jesus.
If the Jews wanted to visit a grave of a loved one, they could simply go down to the local graveyard and visit the tomb. And Paul says, if they wanted to go down to the local graveyard, they can still see the tomb of King David and if they were to dig it up, they would still see the remains of David’s body today, Acts 13:36 / Acts 2:29.
But Paul goes on to say that the very fact that Jesus’ body was raised and did not stay in the tomb long enough to see decay, set Him apart above David as God’s promised Messiah, Acts 13:37 / 2 Samuel 7:10-14.
In other words, that’s why Jesus was so much different from King David. The resurrection of Christ is so important to Christians, 1 Corinthians 15:14 / 1 Corinthians 15:17 / Romans 1:4.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Since Jesus rose from the dead, God can give people the blessings that He promised would come through David, Acts 13:34 / Isaiah 55:3 / Acts 2:25-32. The blessings mentioned in this Old Testament passage are those of the New Covenant. The fact that Jesus rose from the dead and did not undergo decay proves that He is the Holy One of whom David spoke in Psalms 16:10 / Acts 13:35.
“Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: “`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 13:38-41
Paul says the central message of the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. In other words, if Jesus had never been raised from the grave, the Gospel never could have been preached. Because the Gospel is not about a ‘lifeless lord’, it’s about a ‘risen Redeemer’.
Jesus’ resurrection gives meaning to a Christian’s faith and it’s because of His resurrection that we meet every Sunday to partake of the Lord’s Supper, and we remember the Lord’s death ‘until He comes,’ 1 Corinthians 11:26.
If Jesus were not risen, however, we would have no hope of His coming again, and Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 11:26, regarding the Lord’s Supper would be meaningless.
Every time Christians pray ‘in Jesus’s name’, John 14:13-14 / Colossians 3:17, we are relying on our risen Saviour Jesus to mediate on our behalf, 1 Timothy 2:5. But, if Jesus did not rise, our prayers would not be heard, and our petitions to have our sins forgiven could not be granted.
The only reason that preaching and baptizing, as we read about in Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16, is of any importance at all is because Jesus is not dead, but alive, Ephesians 2:8-9.
When a person is baptized ‘for the remission of sins’, Acts 13:38, as we saw happening in Acts 2:38, and in Acts 10:43, they are raised from a world of sin, as Romans 6:4 tells us. Jesus doesn’t only forgive us, He also justifies us, Acts 13:39 / Deuteronomy 25:1 / Romans 3:22.
What Paul is really saying to them at this point was, don’t be the ones to fulfil Habakkuk’s prophecy, Acts 13:40-41. He reminds them of another Old Testament passage, this time it was the words of the prophet Habakkuk, Acts 13:41 / Habakkuk 1:5.
Paul says Habakkuk foretold that some people would reject the one God who had clearly been approved by great signs, Acts 13:41 / Habakkuk 1:5. And he says I’ll tell you why, it is because of Jesus and only through Jesus, John 14:6 / Acts 4:12, was the forgiveness of sins made available to all who would obey Jesus, Mark 16:15-16 / John 14:15.
“As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 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. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying”. Acts 13:42-45
Luke tells us as Paul and Barnabas went out of the synagogue, some were stirred to ask Paul and Barnabas to return the following week to speak again, Acts 13:42.
Notice many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, not only to talk with them, but also to urge them to continue in the grace of God, Acts 13:43.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Paul’s message created great interest in the hearts of many people who listened to him. Paul possessed great powers of persuasion, Acts 18:4 / Acts 19:8 / Acts 19:26 / Acts 26:28 / Acts 28:23 / 2 Corinthians 5:11 / Galatians 1:10, but the Holy Spirit was at work too.’
It appears from our text that the next Sabbath day a whole bunch of other people came to hear them preach. In fact, Luke tells us that nearly the whole city gathered to hear God’s Word proclaimed, Acts 13:44.
Paul did what he did earlier, he seized the moment. Notice, however, that not everyone was pleased with what Paul had to say. Some in the audience who were Jews were jealous, Acts 5:17, upon seeing the large gathering, and contradicted the message Paul delivered and spoke against God, Acts 13:45.
Poole, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The Jews could not endure that the Gentiles should be equal to them, being as much concerned against the Gentiles being exalted, as against their own being depressed.’
“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. 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.'” When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region”. Acts 13:46-49
The apostles immediately let them know that they were required to preach to the Jews first, but if the Jews were determined to reject the Gospel, then they would preach to the Gentiles, Acts 13:46 / Hosea 1:10 / Hosea 2:23 / Isaiah 65:2.
Constable, in his commentary, says the folowing.
‘The gospel was good news to the Jews in a larger sense than it was to the Gentiles. Paul almost always preached the gospel to the Jews first in the towns he visited, Acts 13:50-51 / Acts 14:2-6 / Acts 17:5 / Acts 17:13-15 / Acts 18:6 / Acts 19:8-9 / Acts 28:23-28 / Romans 1:16. The Jews’ rejection of the gospel led him to offer it next to the Gentiles.’
Paul then Paul quotes Isaiah 49:6 / Acts 13:47 / Luke 2:28-32, and reminds everyone what Isaiah had prophesied centuries before. As you can imagine that statement alone led to great rejoicing among the Gentiles, Acts 13:48.
And because of such bold preaching, the Gentiles who willingly obeyed the Word of God were added to the kingdom by the Lord, Romans 1:16, and so the truth was spread throughout the country, Acts 13:49.
Paul and Barnabas, preached boldly because they wanted to please God, not men, Acts 5:29. The apostles were not in the business of pleasing people, they wanted to please God.
As we have seen time and time again throughout the Book of Acts, some people will humbly accept the message, whilst others will find it offensive.
“But the Jews 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. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:50-52
Luke tells us that while all this rejoicing was going on, the Jews stirred up the prominent women of the city and those in authority, Acts 13:50. And it was because of those people who were highly offended by the message, they had Paul and Barnabas persecuted and finally, cast outside the city, Acts 13:50.
Notice how both Paul and Barnabas reacted to their persecution, they put into practice the words of their Master Jesus. Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet and went on to Iconium, Acts 13:51 / Matthew 7:6 / Mark 6:10-11 / Luke 9:5 / Luke 10:11.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following, concerning the shaking off the dust from their feet.
‘The symbolism of this was a warning that the rejection of the message they had preached would have eternal consequences for those who refused to hear them.’
Despite all the opposition, those who had believed God’s Word rejoiced and were filled with the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:52 / Acts 13:48 / Acts 13:50 / Acts 16:24-25 / Ephesians 5:18.