Acts 13:42-43 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.
 
THIS is the kind of response every gospel teacher hopes to experience. The people wanted to know more!  Luke, the historian, continues to emphasize the missionaries are speaking to both the Jews and devout converts to Judaism. For his gospel purposes, God has brought people from different economic, social, political and religious backgrounds into an essential unity of faith. Luke calls them devout because they are devoted to obeying God’s laws and understanding the prophets. The gospel is revealed first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. This is God’s order established when he called Abram to father a nation to bless the world: Gensis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”
   Paul later confirms God’s plan is to deliver the gospel to the Jews first. Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Jesus called Paul to be his apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15), but this did not exclude Paul’s work among the Jews. In fact it was Paul’s pattern to enter a city and meet first with the Jews. He then spoke to the Gentiles. Paul knew his commission. He was a man trained to follow orders, so he did what Jesus commanded him to do. For a time the gospel door seemed to be wide open.
 
Acts 13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
 
The Spirit was stirring people to the good news of Jesus Christ in Pisidian Antioch. We can picture Paul and Barnabas on a crusade, and the stadium is filling to hear a message from heaven. People are hungry and thirsty for love, joy, peace and kindness in their lives. Will this message of Jesus of Nazareth, Son of the Living God, satisfy their hunger and thirst? 

Acts 13:38-41 “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 41 (from Habakkuk 1:5) ‘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.’”
 
THIS is a wonderful message, isn’t it? “Therefore – because Jesus is risen from the grave – I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” Paul is excited God has granted him the forgiveness of sins. Paul loves Jesus, his Savior, and he wants to tell everyone God will forgive them, too.
   But this forgiveness is not automatic. To teach everyone the difference between God’s justification and God’s condemnation, Paul draws a spiritual Life Line: Everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. To be justified in God’s sight is to be completely without sin’s guilt that keeps you from the Holy God.
   Yes, on one side of the Life Line will stand those who believe Jesus is their risen Savior. On the other side of the Life Line are those who do not believe. They will scoff and wonder, “How can this be true?” People will reject the idea of sin, or they will doubt their sins will keep them from heaven. They will scoff at the truth Jesus is risen, ascended and coming again. People who scoff at the Savior and doubt their sin will be condemned.
   Yes, this would be difficult for the Jews, trained in the law, to understand and believe. The gospel would also be unbelievable to Gentiles, who had little or no knowledge of God’s sovereign authority over creation.
   Once again Paul used the prophets to affirm God can and will do what we believe is impossible. That’s why Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5. This was a prophecy of Israel’s destruction into exile. The ruling Jews and king did not believe Habakkuk or other prophets who warned of God’s impending justice over his idolatrous people.
   In a like manner, Paul is warning the Jews. God has destroyed his unbelieving people in the past. He will destroy those who do not believe Jesus is the eternal Savior.
   Telling the gospel is drawing the line between belief and unbelief. Many who reject Jesus reject the need to be justified. People need to know they are guilty of breaking God’s commands. They must know God will make them innocent through their faith in Jesus.
   Yes, this is an obvious lesson to most of us. We must, then, be mindful to tell the reason for Jesus’ great sacrifice.
    

Acts 13:27-29 (Paul continues his defense of the gospel.) “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 Jesus executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.”
 
AS we listen to Paul’s explanation and defense of Jesus here and in previous lessons, we should stop to understand he knows what he is saying. When Paul later defends his knowledge before a very hateful crowd in Jerusalem, he says in Acts 22:3: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.” To be trained in the law means he has learned and taught God’s law; he also knows how to defend the gospel with the law. This is Paul’s defense of Jesus of Nazareth:
 
Acts 13:30 “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.”
   A good lawyer has credible witnesses. Jesus’ resurrection is not a rumor or convenient lie to elevate his followers. In fact, their testimony that Jesus is alive threatens their lives. That is one way we know the resurrection is a historic event. People saw him, talked with him, learned from him and ate with him. They watched him ascend to heaven. Paul reminded the Jews of the witnesses to Jesus’ life.
   Paul also used Scripture to defend the gospel: Acts 13:32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written (Psalm 2:7): ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’ 34 The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words (from Isiah 55:3): ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ 35 So it is stated elsewhere (Psalm 16:10): ‘You will not let your Holy One see decay.’ 36 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. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.”
   The eyewitnesses tell the direct current message. And the scriptures of long ago promise the Holy One will live forever: “Today I have become your Father.” (Psalm 2:7)  Because “He will not see decay.” (Psalm 16:10)
   Paul’s summary is a four-part confession: Jesus was crucified, placed in a tomb, raised from the dead, and seen by many in the days that followed. (from The Life Application Commentary) The evidence is clear and proven. Believe and be saved. 

Acts 13:13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 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.”
 
PAUL, Barnabas and John Mark traveled to the town of Perga in the Roman colony of Pamphylia. Luke tells us John (Mark) left them to return to Jerusalem. We don’t know why. To you readers in Africa, you may find it interesting to know malaria was a distinct threat to people in Pamphylia. There is evidence Paul contracted malaria here, and some feel John Mark left to avoid the disease. We learn later Paul considered Mark’s departure a desertion of his duty.
   In any event Paul and Barnabas traveled to Pisidian Antioch. This was a town in the region of Antioch, different than the city of Antioch. These details help us understand Paul and Barnabas were faithfully following the Spirit’s leading into new territory. Paul is now God’s primary apostle to minister to the Gentiles. He is doing what he is told, even though he is already experiencing health challenges.
   As was the custom, a synagogue ruler welcomed Paul to speak. What follows through verse 40 is God’s redemptive story from Egypt to Jesus’ resurrection. Stephen had spoken in this way as he defended the gospel against his persecutors.
   It seems a common practice among the apostles and evangelists to tell of Jesus through God’s work to form and teach Israel. This is the only way to fully know Jesus. Churches and philosophies that remove the law from the gospel remove the root from the tree. If these men who had been face-to-face with Jesus spoke of the “Old Testament” as God’s plan for his Redeemer, than so must we. Let’s examine here and in the next lesson what the Spirit-anointed teacher Paul said.
     
Acts 13:16 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.”
   Paul first wants all to know God’s message is for the Jews and Gentiles. He then reinforced God’s authority over Israel. God chose our fathers. He made the people prosper. He led them. God endured their conduct. He overthrew seven nations. He gave their land to his people as their inheritance. God’s work was a big work far beyond common understanding. He directed a huge nation into a new land, even as his chosen nation rejected him. God’s goodness, grace and majesty are evident in his history. “All this took about 450 years.”
          The story continues in next lesson.

Acts 13:6-12 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 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. 8 But Bar-Jesus opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “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? 11 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 Bar-Jesus, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
 
PAUL confronts a demon-possessed man named Bar-Jesus, who opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. We don’t know what Bar-Jesus did or said, but he must have been very aggressive against Barnabas and Paul. As the demons had recognized Jesus’ power over them, the demon in Bar-Jesus understood Almighty God’s power was in his evangelists. The unholy spirit knows that one word from God’s Spirit-empowered men will end his authority in Paphos.
   Anointed to remove the demon, Paul speaks, “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.”
   Paul’s words define evil: 1) The sin-guided life is full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Without God’s righteousness, the sinner’s heart only knows the devil’s deceit. Such people can even seem good in their words and actions. But even they are deceived. 2) Evil causes people to think it is good to prevent the right ways of the Lord. In whatever culture we live, there are customs, rules and attitudes that keep us from knowing God’s ways.  
   God has given Paul the power to confront and defeat the evil spirit, and he does so. “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.”
   The Spirit strikes Bar-Jesus with the same authority he used to change Saul’s life. Saul had been completely helpless in his blindness. God gave Saul time to come to terms with his sin and with the Lord’s authority. Saul quickly recognized his life was no longer his own. God had chosen Saul, and Saul’s unbelieving heart became a believing heart.
   We don’t know how Bar-Jesus responded to his blindness, but God’s power amazed the proconsul. Hopefully the proconsul would be even more amazed at God’s power to transform this man who wanted to hear the word of God.
   From this point on, Paul becomes God’s dominant evangelist. God has used Barnabas to mentor Saul for several years. It’s now time for Paul to become the primary teacher of the gospel to fulfill God’s amazing call on his life.
   When God calls you, he continues to mature you into the person he has prepared for you to be.

Acts 13:4-5 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
 
THE Spirit has set Barnabas and Saul apart from the others in Antioch. We might think they are traveling on a long journey. Isn’t that what missionaries do? Not necessarily.
   The team, including John Mark, first stops in Seleucia, which was very close to Antioch. From their they go to Cyprus, Barnabas’ home. Barnabas is a missionary in his home country.
   Barnabas and Saul’s mission field was essentially at home in the Jews’ synagogues. Saul, who will soon be known as Paul, had a reputation among the Jews as a well-learned Pharisee. Synagogue rulers welcomed traveling rabbis and Pharisees to teach. Jesus did this often. It was a place God had prepared for the speaking and hearing of his Word.
   Home is the mission field for all of us, isn’t it? The Spirit sets us apart from the world, saved into Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. Set apart into Jesus, we are then set apart in Jesus’ command to be his witnesses to the world. Sometimes a church sets apart people to go into local neighborhoods to tell the gospel. Others may go to serve a food pantry. Some gather in prayer and Bible study. Others are commissioned to ministry in another state or country. There are many ways the Spirit-empowered churches set apart people for mission. We simply need to stop and understand what God is doing.
   Your mission could be a few steps outside our home or in a nearby town. God may send someone into your home, work place or your home church to use you for his mission to evangelize the gospel. Will you listen and respond?
   But what happens if people oppose you, even hatefully reject you? When Paul began speaking the gospel message, the synagogue’s welcoming words became harsh accusations. In the same way they rejected Jesus, the ruling Jews often threatened and abused the evangelists. For example, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:25a Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned. As he faithfully responded to the Spirit’s call, Paul experienced Jesus’ severe purpose for his life: “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:16)
   Most of us have not suffered in Jesus’ name. But maybe we will if we follow Jesus far enough. If Paul, Barnabas, John Mark, the apostles and countless others throughout the ages had decided to “stay safe” in their faith, there would be no church. God, indeed, would be dead in the hearts of the world if those he had set apart had rejected his commands. Let’s be firm and courageous to be a missionary wherever we are.  

​Chosen
 
Acts 13:1-3 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. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
 
THE missional church is shifting from Jerusalem to Antioch. Remember Acts 11:26 The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. This is the church that had sent an offering to help the church in Jerusalem. God was expanding his kingdom into the nations. Because of its geography, the missional disciples could more easily move into Asia, Europe and Africa.
   Note the church leaders’ diverse backgrounds. Luke reminds us Barnabas was a Jew from Cyprus, an island 100 miles from Antioch (Acts 4:36). Simeon was also a Jew, but his Latin nickname Niger indicates he was of dark complexion, and he lived in the Roman culture. Lucius was from Cyrene in North Africa (Acts 11:20). Manaen had been raised in the same court with Herod the tetrarch. This is the Herod who grew up to rule in Galilee. He is the one who beheaded John the Baptist, and shamefully treated Jesus at his trial. Consider God’s authority to choose. From the same culture, God chose Manaan to become a disciple; whereas Herod became God’s enemy!
   Then we come to Saul, the last to come to Antioch (Acts 11:26). We also know he was a Jew trained in Rabbinical schools and at first a passionate enemy of Jesus. Even so, Jesus had declared his purpose for Saul: Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”
   God had formed different men to grow up in different cultures. They had learned the ways of the world around them. Then they learned of Jesus, Son of God, Savior of all who believe. The LORD shaped these men into his purpose. Their hearts came to love God and love others. They are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
   Then God makes another choice. He sets apart Saul and Barnabas to a particular mission.
   All Christians are set apart. Each one of us is called to do the good work God has prepared for us. The work can be nearby or far away. When we are faithful to God’s call, the work is always with God.   
 

Acts 12:18-24 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread. 25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
 
HEROD Agrippa I seemed to have a firm grip on the area of Israel that Rome allowed him to govern. Friend of the ruling Jews and also a man of Jewish heritage, Agrippa became a deadly enemy to the apostles. At his word men lived or died. He also determined the food policy for Sidon and Tyre, cities outside of Israel. As all tyrants believe they are invincible, Herod was just in his own eyes, and his rule seemed strong and unchangeable. Emperors, kings and other rulers often believe they are as the gods whose words cause great change in their domain.
   Agrippa, though, neglected to learn from the Jews’ law regarding the LORD’s supremacy: Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. God’s justice will bless those who worship him and curse those who reject his Sovereign reign.
   Agrippa should have learned from King David’s prayer: Psalms 36:11 May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. David knew pride’s destruction. He watched it destroy King Saul’s relationship with God and with his people. David felt pride’s scourge against his integrity in the deep sins of adultery and murder. Pride destroyed some of David’s sons as they pursued their own lusts and revenge. Pride causes us to believe that in some way we are as a god who is invincible. How true is God’s law: Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Herod’s life and death perfectly illustrates this truth.
   How good to know the LORD’s authority overcomes persecution, and he will advance and spread the gospel. Barnabas and Saul had come from Antioch to Jerusalem to deliver the famine relief fund to the church. They return to Antioch, taking John Mark, who we saw at Peter’s release from jail. He is Barnabas’ cousin (Colossians 4:10), a fact that will have some influence on his future.
   Sovereign over kings, sovereign over disciples and ruler of his church, the LORD your God is God of gods. 

Acts 12:12-17 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
 
THIS scene is very similar to the disciples’ response to Jesus’ resurrection. The church meeting in Mary’s home did not believe, “Peter is at the door!” “You’re out of your mind.” was their unbelieving response.
   In the same way, Mary Magdalene, Joanna of Cuza and other women went to tell the disciples, “He’s not here. He has risen!” (Luke 24:6) But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. (Luke 24:11) Both circumstances demonstrate a fundamental doubt in God’s Word and his power to fulfill what he says. In faith the disciples should have anticipated Jesus’ Word, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” (Luke 24:7) Because Jesus came out of the grave, would it not be easy for Peter to come out of the prison?
   But the church did not believe God would release Peter. They knew they needed to pray. But they seemed not to expect God to answer their prayer with a resounding, “Yes! I will bring Peter to you.” Did they believe Herod’s and the Jews’ power would destroy the church? Any hope for Peter’s life seemed to disappear behind the barred doors, armed guards and locked chains. If even Jesus and his apostles were subject to death, what hope was there for the church of “ordinary” people?
   Yes, it seems they had forgotten Jesus’ triumph over death. God’s life-power still ruled! Peter’s “resurrection” from the jail would become another seed of hope and faith the Spirit planted into the church.
   The Lord wants you to know his rule will triumph past the persecution and the evil human heart. Long ago in his grace, God promised to cover us with a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. That hasn’t changed. Jesus’ resurrection is the greatest garment of praise possible. When we have a sure hope in the risen Jesus, we will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (from Isaiah 61:3)
   No jail can imprison true hope in Jesus.
 
Note: Mark mentioned here is John Mark, author of the gospel. James is Jesus’ half-brother, head of the Jerusalem church. Mary is Mark’s mother, apparently a leader in a house church in Jerusalem.     
           

Acts 12:9-11 Peter followed the angel out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; Peter thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”
 
THINK for a minute about Peter’s life to this point. He had watched Jesus speak healing to many. Peter had witnessed Jesus’ glory in the Transfiguration (Mark 9). Peter saw the empty tomb. Then he ate with and learned from the risen Savior. Jesus specifically commissioned Peter, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17c) The Spirit’s fire had then opened Peter’s mouth to preach at Pentecost (Acts 2). Peter healed the lame (Acts 3), and he raised the dead (Acts 9). Stll in this moment of freedom, Peter did not believe he was truly walking free of prison’s shackles, guards and iron gates. Is this typical of our Christian life? Even when we stop to consider the many ways God has moved in our lives, do we still wonder, “Is my Lord truly helping me now?”
   One of God’s answers comes from Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  
   Jesus, the Son of God, has walked where you are walking. He knows about the happiness you experience, and Jesus knows about your sorrows. Jesus understands the pain of a loved one’s death. He knows physical hardship. Jesus understands the need for rest. Your Lord has confronted evil. The Son has submitted to the Father’s will, so you can walk free of sin’s imprisoning shackles. Consider Jesus’ live and you can go to his throne to know Jesus’ mercy. Understand his grace to help you in your time of need.
   Do not let your mind be set too long on your challenges, weaknesses or disappointments. Jesus’ incarnation is to personally help you know, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:1-2)
   Peter followed the angel out of the prison. The gospel message reveals you can follow Jesus because God’s, goodness and love will follow (you) all the days of (your) life, and (you) will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)