THE TURNING POINT
THE TURNING POINT
Apostle Paul has now taken the leadership of the ministry to the Gentiles. Barnabas has been a very important figure paving the way for Paul. It is good to work with people who are only after God’s glory instead of their own glory and promotion. Barnabas was that kind. He had sold all his property for the work of God to see the gospel prosper. He is an encourager for that is what his name means.
Paul will now preach his first recorded sermon in this chapter. Paul’s audience was the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles. It was a powerful message that won some converts but did not sit well with most of the Jews. It will become the turning point and the fulfillment of God’s promise to reach the Gentiles for salvation. Let’s see what happened and commit to praying for the salvation of the Jews.
ACTS 13: 13-52
13From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15After 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." 16Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17The 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, 18he endured their conduct[a] for about forty years in the desert, 19he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. 20All this took about 450 years.
"After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22After 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.' 23"From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25As 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.'
26"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27The 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. 28Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead, 31and 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.
32"We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33he 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.[b]'[c] 34The 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.'[d] 35So it is stated elsewhere: " 'You will not let your Holy One see decay.'[e]
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. 37But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
38"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41" '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.'[f]"
42As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43When 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.
44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
46Then 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. 47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you[g] a light for the Gentiles, that you[h] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'[i]"
48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50But 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. 51So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have.
1. The central point of Paul’s message is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. His sacrifice on the cross is the basis and justification for our salvation. Paul said, “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children by raising up Jesus” vs. 32. This is the Gospel. The gift of God through Christ makes salvation external to us and not what we can do for ourselves. There is no boasting except in the finished work of Christ.
2. Notice a very important point by made by the Holy Spirit thru Dr. Luke, the writer. “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed”. Vs. 48. Who are the ones appointed for eternal life? This reminds us that eternal life is a gift from God. God freely gives to all who are willing to receive. The possession of eternal life involves both human faith and a divine appointment. Since we do not know who has been appointed, we tell the good news to all. God is the one who calls and chooses. It is had to believe and comprehend but that is the truth.
3. Paul makes his point that the resurrection of Jesus was very important because even king David is still in the grave and that the psalms could not be speaking about David in Psalm 16:10. Rather, David lived and died after he had “fulfilled God’s purpose in his own generation” vs36. I guess the question is whether you and I are living to fulfill God’s purpose in our generation? Do you know your God given purpose for this generation?
4. See the turning point. “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying”. vs. 45. The Jews have rejected the gospel and Paul and Barnabas did not have any other choice than to remind them what the scriptures had said.
5. This is what Paul said “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. 47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you[g] a light for the Gentiles, that you[h] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth”. Vs. 46-47. The book of Romans (9:1-5; 10:1-3) expounds on this rejection and Paul felt very sorry for his fellow Jews. The time for the Gentiles is now but there will come again, the time for the Jews. We must pray for the salvation of the Jews. Thank God for “Jews for Jesus”, a ministry by Jewish believers that are reaching non-believing Jews.
God has poured out His grace on us Gentiles at the expense of the Jews. We must not neglect this great salvation and not take it for granted. Lord we thank you for dying for the whole world. Help us to “fulfill your purpose in our generation” as David did. Look with compassion on millions of Jews that do not believe in your son Jesus Christ and grant them your salvation. Amen.
Apostle Paul has now taken the leadership of the ministry to the Gentiles. Barnabas has been a very important figure paving the way for Paul. It is good to work with people who are only after God’s glory instead of their own glory and promotion. Barnabas was that kind. He had sold all his property for the work of God to see the gospel prosper. He is an encourager for that is what his name means.
Paul will now preach his first recorded sermon in this chapter. Paul’s audience was the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles. It was a powerful message that won some converts but did not sit well with most of the Jews. It will become the turning point and the fulfillment of God’s promise to reach the Gentiles for salvation. Let’s see what happened and commit to praying for the salvation of the Jews.
ACTS 13: 13-52
13From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15After 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." 16Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17The 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, 18he endured their conduct[a] for about forty years in the desert, 19he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. 20All this took about 450 years.
"After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22After 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.' 23"From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25As 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.'
26"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27The 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. 28Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead, 31and 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.
32"We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33he 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.[b]'[c] 34The 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.'[d] 35So it is stated elsewhere: " 'You will not let your Holy One see decay.'[e]
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. 37But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
38"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41" '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.'[f]"
42As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43When 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.
44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
46Then 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. 47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you[g] a light for the Gentiles, that you[h] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'[i]"
48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50But 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. 51So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have.
1. The central point of Paul’s message is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. His sacrifice on the cross is the basis and justification for our salvation. Paul said, “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children by raising up Jesus” vs. 32. This is the Gospel. The gift of God through Christ makes salvation external to us and not what we can do for ourselves. There is no boasting except in the finished work of Christ.
2. Notice a very important point by made by the Holy Spirit thru Dr. Luke, the writer. “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed”. Vs. 48. Who are the ones appointed for eternal life? This reminds us that eternal life is a gift from God. God freely gives to all who are willing to receive. The possession of eternal life involves both human faith and a divine appointment. Since we do not know who has been appointed, we tell the good news to all. God is the one who calls and chooses. It is had to believe and comprehend but that is the truth.
3. Paul makes his point that the resurrection of Jesus was very important because even king David is still in the grave and that the psalms could not be speaking about David in Psalm 16:10. Rather, David lived and died after he had “fulfilled God’s purpose in his own generation” vs36. I guess the question is whether you and I are living to fulfill God’s purpose in our generation? Do you know your God given purpose for this generation?
4. See the turning point. “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying”. vs. 45. The Jews have rejected the gospel and Paul and Barnabas did not have any other choice than to remind them what the scriptures had said.
5. This is what Paul said “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. 47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you[g] a light for the Gentiles, that you[h] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth”. Vs. 46-47. The book of Romans (9:1-5; 10:1-3) expounds on this rejection and Paul felt very sorry for his fellow Jews. The time for the Gentiles is now but there will come again, the time for the Jews. We must pray for the salvation of the Jews. Thank God for “Jews for Jesus”, a ministry by Jewish believers that are reaching non-believing Jews.
God has poured out His grace on us Gentiles at the expense of the Jews. We must not neglect this great salvation and not take it for granted. Lord we thank you for dying for the whole world. Help us to “fulfill your purpose in our generation” as David did. Look with compassion on millions of Jews that do not believe in your son Jesus Christ and grant them your salvation. Amen.
Comments