Brave New World

Download Microsoft Word File

Brave New World
(For some background info, read Acts 11:19 -30 and Acts 13:1-3)
Acts 13:4-52  

Barnabas and Saul (from now on referred to as the apostle Paul), have been sent by the Holy Spirit on a nice little cruise in the eastern Mediterranean .  First stop is the island of Cyprus where they start from the eastern end (in Salamis , again preaching in synagogues) and work their way to the western end, into the town of Paphos to meet with the Roman governor of the island, proconsul Sergius Paulus.

There, Barnabas and Paul confront the magician Elymas, a deceiver of the truth and the ways of the Lord.  What happens next?  Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke with power.  And not just any power, but a blinding power.  See how much more effective it is when God’s power is believed in and seen than by simple words?  The proconsul believed not only because of what he heard, but what he saw!

From there, the two set forth into Perga (what is now the city of Antayla , in the underbelly of Turkey).  They gut Turkey to Pisidian Antioch.  Here is where the heart of the lesson starts.  Read these verses carefully, as it is the longest sermon recorded given by Paul.  In a sense, this is the true beginning of Paul’s ministry.

So Paul, standing in a synagogue at the crossroads of Turkey , delivers his first sermon.  Listen to his language, watch the flow of the words, and observe his tactfulness.  He speaks with knowledge and wisdom, a message similar to Stephen’s earlier in Acts.  Let’s analyze this bit by bit, verse by verse:

(Verses 16-22) Paul immediately captures the attention of those in the synagogue by going over the history of the Hebrews.  A man well-versed in the Jewish traditions and law, the members of the Synagogue look upon Paul with respect.

(Verses 23-25) Paul mentions here John the Baptist.  Why?

(Verses 26-31) Paul then hints, for the first time, that the message of salvation is not only for the Jews, but also the Gentiles.  Why does he state this in the synagogue?  What point is he trying to reach?

(Verses 32-37) Read and analyze.  Paul uses references to three other parts of the Bible.  Look these verses up and the paragraphs surrounding them (i.e. take Acts 13:33 and look up the verses around Psalm 2:7) to identify why Paul believes what he is saying.

(Verses 38-41) Paul ends this sermon with a warning.  Why?

(Verses 44-52) Suddenly a split occurs in common thought of Jewish traditions.  Paul, one of their own, facing the rejection of the gospel from his own people goes to the Gentiles with his message.   Why do Barnabas and Paul suddenly turn their focus of ministry?  Why do the Jews reject news from one of their own?  How does the phrase “The favor on the very same Gospel is to the reprobate and unbelievers death and to the elect and those who believe it is life” (Geneva Study Bible)?

So where does this put us in our ministry?  Do we continue to speak to those to reject the gospel or do we find a more receptive audience?  We never lose hope in the glory of Christ and we do not toss away confidence in our mission.  The answer is within our hearts and what God has planned for us.  To give hope and encouragement in the face of people who reject the gospel, the following are three verses we should apply to our calling, our ministry, and most importantly our lives.  We must persevere in our passionate pursuit for God and for those around us.

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”  (Hebrews 10:35-36)

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)  

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.  (1 Timothy 4:16)
 

Sources Used:
John Darby’s Synopsis of the New Testament
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible
The Geneva Study Bible
The Student Bible: NIV Version
National Geographic Map Machine