November 21: Acts 13-14

November 21, Acts 13-14

Acts Continued… Introduction to Paul (who was Saul) and his calling! These 2 chapters are known as Paul’s 1st missionary journey… let’s learn from Paul!

Acts 13 Bakers Commentary for the summary: “The Holy Spirit tells the church in Antioch to commission Barnabas and Paul to be missionaries to the Gentiles. After a period of fasting and prayer, the church ordains them as missionaries. They travel via Seleucia to Cyprus, where they preach the gospel first in Salamis and then in Paphos. Paphos they meet a Jewish sorcerer, Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas, and the proconsul Sergius Paulus. Because of Elymas’s opposition to the gospel, the sorcerer is struck with blindness, but Sergius Paulus believes.

The missionaries leave Cyprus and sail to Asia Minor. They come to Perga in Pamphylia and then travel to Antioch in Pisidia. There they attend the worship service in the local Jewish synagogue. They are invited to speak a word of encouragement. Paul accepts the invitation and preaches a sermon in which he traces the history of the people of Israel from the time of their stay in Egypt to that of King David’s reign. Paul proves that the promise God made concerning David’s royal descendant has been fulfilled in the Savior Jesus. The message of salvation to both the children of Abraham and the God-fearing Gentiles is that Jesus has been crucified but God raised him from the dead. Paul shows from Scripture that the Holy One would not see corruption but would rise from the grave. Everyone who believes in Jesus is justified. Paul urges his listeners not to scoff at the gospel, but to believe so that they will not perish.

Many of the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles believe. They invite Paul and Barnabas to return the next Sabbath with an additional message. Other Jews, filled with jealousy, verbally attack and oppose Paul. Once again, Paul quotes from the Scriptures and proves that, because they are rejected by the Jews, he and Barnabas must go to the Gentiles. With the help of the governing authorities, the Jews instigate a persecution. They succeed in their effort to expel Paul and Barnabas from that region. The missionaries travel to Iconium and the members of the church are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.”

My take aways/encouragements: When we seek the Holy Spirit and God, we will be guided. The Holy Spirit still speaks today & guides us where He wants us to go. Paul was full of the Spirit and confident in Jesus. When he spoke, he spoke with conviction. It also helped tremendously that he knew the Scriptures. That is what we are to emulate. Know God’s Word so that we can share it to any and all. Some of the people, when they heard God’s Word, hungered for more! 

Acts 14 Bakers Commentary Summary: “Paul and Barnabas speak boldly in the name of the Lord and perform many signs and miracles in Iconium. As a result, numerous Jews and Gentiles believe. Unbelieving Jews stir up the Gentile population, and so the city is divided on the preaching of the apostles. A plot is hatched to mistreat and stone Paul and Barnabas; when they learn about it, they flee to the cities of Lystra and Derbe.

In Lystra Paul heals a cripple. The people of Lystra consider the apostles to be gods in human form. Led by the priest of Zeus, they wish to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas. But the apostles tear their clothes, rush into the crowds, and prevent them from making these sacrifices. In the meantime, hostile Jews from Pisidian Antioch and Iconium arrive at Lystra and stir up the people, who turn against Paul and stone him. Thinking that Paul is dead, they drag him outside the city and leave him. Paul’s disciples gather around him and he miraculously stands up. He enters the city to spend the night there. The next morning he and Barnabas continue their journey and travel to Derbe. After a fruitful ministry in that city, they return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to strengthen the believers and to appoint elders in every church. The apostles leave Pisidian Antioch and go down to Perga in Pamphylia. Then they set sail from Attalia and eventually arrive in Syrian Antioch, where they report to the church all that the Lord has done through them. They stay in Antioch for some time.”

My take aways/encouragements: Just because people are against you or God’s message, does not instantly mean that you are to quit or leave - Paul didn't leave and many were saved. Granted, some were divided, but that is expected. God’s Word is like a double edged sword, piercing bone and marrow - the real deal. Paul & his companions were walking in the Spirit and led by the Spirit. God offers common grace to all (rain, sun, food…). 

To sum it all up: 

• See above for my takeaways… Blessings to you in the powerful name of Jesus Christ!