Acts Chapter 13
Chapter 13 marks a turning point in Acts. The first 12 chapters focus on Peter; the remaining chapters revolve around Paul. With Peter, the emphasis is the Jewish church in Jerusalem and Judea. With Paul; the focus is the spread of the entire church throughout the Roman world, which began at the church in Antioch.
Acts 13:1 “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.”
Three factors demonstrate the shift that takes place in chapter 13.
(1) The spread of the gospel in the earlier chapters was often the result of persecution. Now it becomes the result of a program, missions.
(2) As this evangelism spreads to the Gentiles the focus passes from Peter to Paul.
(3) Likewise, the base of operations passes from Jerusalem to “Antioch” of Syria.
Antioch was the capital of the province of Syria and the third largest city within the Empire, being surpassed only by Rome and Alexandria. It was a cosmopolitan and commercial center.
“Prophets”: These had a significant role in the apostolic church (see notes on 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 2:20). They were preachers of God’s Word and were responsible in the early years of the church to instruct local congregations.
On some occasions, they received new revelation that was of a practical nature (11:28; 21:10), a function that ended with the cessation of the temporary sign gifts. Their office was also replaced by pastor-teachers and evangelists (see note on Eph. 4:11).
“Simeon that was called Niger”: “Niger” means black. He may have been a dark-skinned man, an African, or both. No direct evidence exists to equate him with Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21).
The list of men who are leaders in the church at Antioch represent a wide spectrum within society, from “Simon called Niger” (the black), to “Manaen,” the boyhood companion of Herod Antipas. Men from Cyrene had begun the ministry among the Gentiles in Antioch (11:20).
“Lucius of Cyrene”: Not the Lucius of (Rom. 16:21), or Luke, the physician and author of Acts.
“Which had been brought up” can be translated “foster-brother”. Manaen was reared in Herod the Great’s household.
“Herod the tetrarch”: Herod Antipas, the Herod of the gospel (see note on Matt. 14:1).
It seems at this time, that there was a very active church in Antioch. Prophets and teachers differ, in that the prophets foretell of future events, and teachers are speaking of things that need to be learned that have already happened. This church at Antioch seems to be operating in the fullness of the fivefold ministry.
The name Barnabas means son of prophecy. Barnabas was a Levite. He was also a native of Cyprus. He was an early convert to Christianity. He seems to be closely associated with Saul (see note on 4:36).
About all we know of Simeon that was called Niger, is right here. His name indicates that he was a Jew. The other two here, we know nothing about, except that they grew up with Herod and Saul.
Verses 2-4: The commissioning of “Barnabas and Saul” for this missionary endeavor was the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit most likely spoke through one of the prophets since there were prophets within this group and that was the usual means of communicating the Spirit’s message (1 Cor. Chapter 14).
This sending forth was the work of the Spirit rather than the church. From the text, it appears that both “sent them.” But the Greek words are different. Indeed, they were “sent forth” (ekpemphthentes) by the Holy Spirit, whereas they were “released” (apelusan) by the church.
This word denotes a releasing from any tie, whether contract or relationship, such as the contract of marriage through divorce. The church released them for their ministry at Antioch, but the Holy Spirit sent them.
Acts 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
“Ministered”: This is from a Greek word which in Scripture describes priestly service. Serving in leadership in the church is an act of worship to God, and consists of offering spiritual sacrifices to Him, including prayer, oversight of the flock, plus preaching and teaching the Word.
“Fasted”: This is often connected with vigilant, passionate prayer (Nehemiah 1:4; Psalm 35:13; Dan. 9:3; Matt. 17:21; Luke 2:37), and includes either a loss of desire for food or the purposeful setting aside of eating to concentrate on spiritual issues (see note on Matt. 6:16-17).
Here we see a special call on Saul and Barnabas to go out as missionaries. I have found that the Lord speaks to us the most when we have set ourselves aside from all the earthly things for a few days and just pray.
God will not interrupt your favorite television program to speak to you. I have found that the Lord is still speaking to his people. We are just not listening. God has not changed, we have. Too many people give God too little of their time. Those whom God calls to work for Him, must make time for God to speak to them.
Acts 13:3 “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.”
“Laid their hands on them” (see note on 6:6).
“Ordination”: This act is the symbolic laying of hands on a candidate for the ministry, after he has been examined by the church and it has been verified that he is called by God and equipped to provide leadership for the church.
Following ordination, he is generally recognized to lead the church in ministry, to determine its soundness of doctrine, to administer its ordinances, and to educate it adherents. Ordination does not imply the communication of Power or authority but rather recognizes the minister’s being called and gifted by God.
In the Old Testament, God’s servants were often anointed with oil before undertaking a work to which He had called them. The practice of laying on of hands was a biblical act of identification and accreditation and was practiced by New Testament Christians in the initiation of ministries (6:6; 13:1-3). Jesus taught that all Christian are ordained to bear fruit and have their prayers answered (John 15:16. Num. 28:6; Acts 13:3; Mal. 3:10).
We see from this that even Saul and Barnabas needed extra power from God to undertake this missionary journey. Those who were earnestly praying and fasting were acting as agents of God when they laid hands on Saul and Barnabas. Their strength came from God and not man.
Acts 13:4 “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.”
“Seleucia”: This city served as the port for Antioch, some 16 miles away at the mouth of the Orontes River. It was like a suburb. This is truly a missionary journey, because they are sent forth by the Holy Ghost. Cyprus was an island. It was off the coast of Syria in the Mediterranean Sea. It also, was the native home of Barnabas, as we studied before.
“Cyprus” is a large island in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean, 60 miles from both the Syrian coast to the east and the Asia Minor coast to the north. The island is 140 miles long and 60 miles at its widest point. Though it has been ruled by the Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Egyptians, and Syrians, the ancient Mycenaean culture of southern Greece influenced Cypriot life more than the others. There was a large Jewish population there.
It was made into a Roman province in 58 B.C. Most of the references to Cyprus in the New Testament relate to Barnabas; all are found in Acts. When Barnabas led the new missionaries on their first journey, they traveled first through the island of Cyprus (13:4).
When Paul and Barnabas separated (15:39-41), Barnabas returned to Cyprus; Paul apparently never did. For that reason, Cyprus seldom enters into the narrative of Acts, even though churches had been established there since the early days of the church age (11:19).
Acts 13:5 “And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to [their] minister.”
“Salamis”: The chief port and commercial center of Cyrus.
“Synagogues” (see note on 6:9). Paul established the custom of preaching to the Jews first whenever he entered a new city (verse 14:42; 14:1; 17;1, 10, 17; 18:4, 19, 26; 19:8), because he had an open door as a Jew, to speak and introduce the gospel. Also, if he preached to Gentiles first, the Jews would never have listened to him.
“John to their minister” (see note on 12:12).
Salamis seemed to be a Jewish city, since the synagogues were mentioned. Saul would have been allowed to speak, since he was a Pharisee. It seems that the early Christians here were Jewish believers.
Acts 13:6 “And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name [was] Barjesus:”
“Paphos”: The capital of Cyprus and thus the seat of the Roman government. It also was a great center for the worship of Aphrodite (Venus), and thus a hotbed for all kinds of immorality.
“A false prophet … Jew”: “Magician” originally carried no evil connotation, but later was used to describe all kinds of practitioners and dabblers in the occult. This magician put his knowledge to evil use (see note on 8:9).
This sorcerer had great power; the only problem was that this great power came from an evil source. Sorcerers of this day used astrology, and magic, and dark arts to convince the people. This has never changed. People are still consulting their horoscope, going to palm readers and practicing all sorts of sorcery. Sorcery is not of God, but is of Satan.
Satan has some limited power on this earth, but is not like Jesus Christ who is the source of all power. It seems this sorcerer had many deceived. Many thought him to be a prophet, because of the miracles he did. Barjesus was a Hebrew by birth, but a son of Satan in the spirit. He was a false prophet.
Acts 13:7 “Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.”
“Was the deputy”: A Roman official who served as provincial governor (18:12).
“Sergius Paulus”, the Roman ruler over the island of Cyprus, becomes one of Paul’s first prominent converts. Though translated “deputy,” Luke’s word calls him a proconsul (Greek anthypatos). Proconsuls normally were former Roman senators who had been commissioned by the Senate to govern the affairs of the peaceful provinces throughout the Roman Empire.
Over more turbulent provinces the emperor himself would send legates (like Cyrenius [Quirinius] in Syria; Luke 2:2), or procurators in lesser provinces, like Felix and Festus over Judea (chapters 24 – 26; see the note on 23:24.
Sergius Paulus (a Roman), was seeking the truth. Notice that God will accept the wealthy and famous the same as He will the poor. The requirement is the same. They must repent and earnestly seek the Truth. Those who seek the Truth, find it, and Sergius Paulus is no different.
Acts 13:8 “But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.”
“Elymas”: The Greek name of Barjesus, a transliteration of the Arabian word for magician.
Barjesus and Elymas are the same person. This sorcerer had probably been living off Sergius Paulus, and he didn’t want anyone coming in and tearing his little con game up. To work against God is a very dangerous thing to do, as this sorcerer will find out.
Verses 9-13: Whether or not “Saul” changed his name to “Paul” due to his prominent convert, Sergius Paulus, Luke at least uses this opportunity to change his name to Paul. Also, this is the point at which Paul takes the reins of leadership. The former designation had always been Barnabas and Saul; now it becomes “Paul and his company.”
This as much as anything may have prompted Barnabas’s relative, “John” Mark (Col. 4:10), to abort the mission and return home to Jerusalem (Acts 12:12).
Acts 13:9 “Then Saul, (who also [is called] Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,”
“Saul … is called Paul”: Paul’s Hebrew and Roman names.
This “filled with the Holy Ghost” is more than what he ordinarily had. This was an extra portion of the Spirit. This gave Saul great boldness in the Lord. The words which came from Saul were really not his own, but words the Holy Ghost spoke through him. This is the Holy Ghost coming against this Elymas.
Acts 13:10 “And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?”
He called him who he is, the son of the devil. Elymas’ power was devil power. Saul is saying to him, you have now come against Almighty God. Elymas was not opposing Saul, but God.
Acts 13:11 “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord [is] upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.”
The judgment of God is swift when it does come. Those who oppose the Lord in our day can expect a like fate. Notice that this blindness is not a permanent situation, but is for a season. The blindness was so drastic that he could not even see to walk. This man had already been blind to the Spirit and now he is physically blind, as well.
Acts 13:12 “Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.”
This deputy really, was already believing what Saul and Barnabas had been saying. The sorcerer had tried to cause him not to believe. When the great power of God was manifest (made real), against this sorcerer, this deputy knew beyond a shadow of a doubt who was God.
The doctrine of the Lord was so different from all that he had ever been taught, but this miracle with the sorcerer erased any doubt he might have had. In (Romans 10:9-10), we see that the most necessary thing to salvation is to believe. We are not told whether he was baptized or not, but true believers want to be baptized as a show to the world that they have truly believed.
Acts 13:13 “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”
“Came to Perga in Pamphylia”: Perga was a major city in the Roman province of Pamphylia, in Asia Minor, some 200 miles north across the Mediterranean from Cyprus.
“John departing from them”: Whatever reason John Mark gave for leaving, Paul didn’t accept it (15:38). While his desertion did not hamper the mission, it did later create dissension between Paul and Barnabas (15:36-40).
This was finally resolved (Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11; see note on 12:12).
We find that Saul (Paul), left and went for the first time to Asia Minor. Perga was the capitol of Pamphylia. This area was inhabited by the Jewish people. The worship of the false goddess Diana had been prevalent here. There was even a temple built right out of town in Perga to this false goddess. John went back to Jerusalem, instead of coming with them to Perga.
Acts 13:14 “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.”
“Antioch in Pisidia”: Not to be confused with Antioch in Syria, the location of the first Gentile church. This Antioch was located in the mountains of Asia Minor (modern turkey).
This is not the Antioch in Syria where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. This was an area where desperate criminals roamed and robbed everyone that came through.
(2 Corinthians 11:26), is probably speaking of this trip when Saul was in danger of robbers. They were not completely bad, because there was a synagogue there.
Acts 13:15 “And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, [Ye] men [and] brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
“Reading of the law and the prophets”: The reading of the Scriptures. This occupied the third part in the liturgy of the synagogue, after the recitation of the Shema (Deut. 6:4), and further prayers, but before the teaching, which was usually based on what had been read from the Scriptures.
“Rulers of the synagogue”: Those who had general oversight of the synagogue (see note on 6:9), including designating who would read from the Scriptures.
Whether they had heard rumors from other countries about Saul or not, it does not say. It, perhaps, was a little unusual for strangers to come here, and even more strange for them to come to the synagogue.
Perhaps, these in authority in the synagogue thought they were probably prophets whom God had sent to them. For whatever the reason, they opened the way for Saul and the others to speak freely.
Verses 16-41: In Paul’s first recorded message, he emphasizes that “Jesus” is the Christ. Similarities can be seen between this sermon and Stephens’s (chapter 7), which may have been the first Christian sermon Paul ever heard. Both Stephen and Paul narrate Israel’s history and prophecies, and warn their Jewish audiences not to reject God’s message as the “fathers” have done.
But there are also distinct differences within the two messages. Whereas Stephen focuses on Joseph and Moses as prototypes of Christ’s rejection, Paul focuses on “David” as the “prophet” of Christ’s birth and resurrection.
Acts 13:16 “Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with [his] hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.”
“Ye that fear God” (see note on 10:2).
This should cover everyone who was there worshipping in the temple. A person would not be in the temple unless they feared God. His beckoning with his hand was so that they would come close enough to hear what he said. To put it simply he was saying, gather around, I have something to tell you.
Acts 13:17 “The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm brought he them out of it.”
Saul starts with something that all Jews were familiar with. This was something they remembered each year at Passover. If you were a descendant of Israel, you were very familiar with this.
Acts 13:18 “And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.”
Also, the forty years in the wilderness was well known to these people. Their unbelief had turned a journey of a few days into forty years. Not only was this familiar to them, but to Saul too, since he was a Pharisee.
Acts 13:19 “And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he divided their land to them by lot.”
“Seven nations” (see note on Deut. 7:1).
All of these statements Saul is making, is to reassure these Israelites that he was very familiar with what they believed.
Acts 13:20 “And after that he gave [unto them] judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.”
The “four hundred and fifty years” in the Greek text precedes the references to the “judges”. This phrase therefore, chronologically covers the period mentioned (from verse 17 through verse 19). That is, the Jews sojourned in Egypt for four hundred years, wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, and spent about a decade conquering Canaan.
So, verse 20 could be translated: “After these things [namely, the event spanning the 450 years in verses 17-19] God gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.”
Acts 13:21 “And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.”
“Saul” (see note on 1 Sam. 9:2).
We remember that God did not want them to have an earthly king. He was their King. They insisted, and God gave them Saul to rule over them as an earthly king. Saul reigned for forty years.
Acts 13:22 “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”
“A man after mine own heart” (see note on 1 Sam. 13:14). Some would question the reality of this designation for David since he proved to be such a sinner at times (1 Sam. 11:1-4; 12:9; 21:10 – 22:1). No man after God’s own heart is perfect, yet he will recognize sin and repent of it, as did David (Psalms 32, 38, 51). Paul quoted from (1 Sam. 13:14 and Psalm 89:20).
David also reigned forty years as king of Israel. David was the beloved of God. Jesus in the flesh was a descendant of David. In (Psalms 110:1), we see David speaking of his descendant Jesus.
Acts 13:23 “Of this man’s seed hath God according to [his] promise raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus:”
“According to his promise”: Old Testament prophecy points to Messiah as a descendant of David (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Psalm 132:11; Isa. 11:10; Jer. 23:5). Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah (Matt. 1:1, 20-21; Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8).
Now Saul is making the connection here between David and his descendant Jesus Christ (the Savior of the world). God had promised a Savior to the Israelites. They called him Messiah, but they did not accept Jesus as this promised one.
Acts 13:24 “When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.”
“Baptism of repentance” (1:22; 10:37).
This is speaking of John the Baptist who went through the country crying, repent for the Lord is coming. This message was preached to the house of Israel.
Acts 13:25 “And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not [he]. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of [his] feet I am not worthy to loose.”
John the Baptist, who all of the Israelites had great respect for, told them that he was not the Messiah, but was proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. It is strange to me, that they thought so much of John the Baptist (flocking to him to be baptized), and did not believe what he had told them about Jesus being the Christ (the Messiah).
Acts 13:26 “Men [and] brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.”
“Feareth God” (see note on 10:2).
This includes everyone who believes in God. God sent His Son to be the Savior of them all. Paul reminds them here, that the message of salvation through Jesus Christ was sent to the physical house of Israel first. Stock of Abraham means physical house of Israel.
Acts 13:27 “For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled [them] in condemning [him].”
“Rulers”: The supposed experts in the Old Testament, including the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and priests.
Paul is reminding them here, of the prophets who prophesied that Jesus would be rejected by his own. This was so true, because His own received Him not. The prophets read the Scriptures every Saturday which told of this very thing.
Acts 13:28 “And though they found no cause of death [in him], yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.”
“Pilate” (see notes on 3:13; Matt. 27:2).
We went into this in great detail in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Just to touch on it here, Pilate was against crucifying Jesus. He washed his hands of the whole matter.
The temple rulers and most of the other Israelites wanted Him crucified. They even told Pilate that they and their children would bear the blame. Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies, but they had scales over their eyes and would not accept the Truth.
Acts 13:29-30 “And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took [him] down from the tree, and laid [him] in a sepulcher.” “But God raised him from the dead:”
“Tree … sepulcher … raised him”: The Old Testament predicted the crucifixion of Christ on a cross (Psalm 22, Deut. 21), at the time when this particular form of execution was not used. His burial in a “tomb” was also prophesied (Isa. 53:9), yet victims of crucifixions were commonly tossed into mass graves.
The climax of Paul’s message was the resurrection of Christ, the ultimate proof that Jesus is the Messiah, and the fulfillment of 3 specific prophecies (see notes on verses 33-35).
Paul tells them here, that even though they thought they were rid of Jesus (by killing Him and putting Him in a tomb), He rose from the grave.
Acts 13:31 “And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.”
“Witnesses”: More than 500 (1 Cor. 15:5-8).
Paul says here, that it was not just the eleven disciples that saw Jesus after He arose. In another Scripture, we are told that Jesus was seen of over 500 people after his resurrection. Paul is telling them that there were many eyewitnesses that they can check with. These eyewitnesses are telling this everywhere. It will not be difficult to find someone who saw Him.
Acts 13:32-33 “And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,” “God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.”
This particular thing Paul mentioned here is (in Psalms 2:7), but the entire chapter is really about Jesus.
I love the 12th verse the most, it says:
Psalms 2:12, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
You see, if we put our trust in Jesus, we are blessed. Paul reminds them again, that it was prophesied that Jesus would rise from the grave.
Acts 13:34 “And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, [now] no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.”
Quoted from (Isaiah 55:3).
Acts 13:35 “Wherefore he saith also in another [psalm], Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”
(Psalms 16:10), is the Scripture Paul is speaking of here. Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and (the Word), is an eternal being. Death could not contain Him for He is Life. (John chapter 1), tells of the eternity of His being (see note on 2:27).
The body begins to decay on the fourth day. Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, so even His body did not experience corruption.
Acts 13:36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:”
We discussed in the last lesson, how Jesus saw no corruption, because his body rose from the tomb on the third day. The decaying process begins on the fourth day. The prophecy (in Psalms 16), had meant that Jesus’ body would not decay; it did not mean David’s body.
David’s body had lain in the grave many years, when Paul spoke these words. His body had decayed.
Acts 13:37 “But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.”
Jesus Christ’s body did not decay. It was raised on the third day.
Acts 13:38 “Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:”
Paul speaks of Jesus as man here, because this is what the people saw. They could not comprehend at this time, that Jesus was in fact (God the Word), in the flesh of a man. Paul gets to the most important part here. Through Jesus is the only way to get forgiveness for your sins.
Acts 13:39 “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
“Ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses”: Keeping the Law of Moses did not free anyone from their sins (Rom. 3:28; 1 Cor. 1:30; Gal. 2:16, 3:11; Phil. 3:9). But the atoning death of Jesus completely satisfied the demands of God’s law, making forgiveness of all sins available to all who believe (Gal. 3:16; Col. 2:13-14). Only the forgiveness Christ offers can free people from their sins (Rom. 3:20, 22).
Justified means: just as if I had never sinned. Every person who believes is just as if they had never sinned. What a promise! The Law of Moses was our schoolmaster (Gal. 3), to make us see our need for a Savior.
All of the washings and the animal sacrifices could only cover sin, not do away with sin. The blood of Jesus does away with our sin, if we are a Christian.
Acts 13:40 “Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;”
Here again, we see a warning to hold fast to what you have. The authorities will not like it, and will come against God’s people just as the prophets have predicted.
Acts 13:41 “Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.”
(Quoted from Hab. 1:5).
Paul is warning them, that if they sit around and just wonder without receiving this message that he has brought them of salvation through Jesus Christ, they will perish. These Jews, Paul knows, will not believe. Even though Paul was one of them (Pharisee), he has changed and is trying to get them to change. They won’t change and accept Jesus as Messiah.
Acts 13:42 “And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.”
These Jews are like so many Christians today in different denominations. They are head strong (they can’t be bothered with the facts). They have already made up their minds. They do not intend to change. Most of this type of dogmatic belief is based on some denomination’s doctrine, rather than on the Word of God.
Gentiles, in this case above, have no preconceived ideas and are willing to listen to the Word of God. They not only want to listen; they ask Paul to preach to them.
Acts 13:43 “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.”
“Religious proselytes”: Full converts to Judaism who had been circumcised.
“Continue in the grace of God”: Those who are truly saved persevere and validate the reality of their salvation by continuing in the grace of God (John 8:31, 15:1-6; Col. 1:21-23; 1 John 2:19).
With such encouragement, Paul and Barnabas hoped to prevent those who were intellectually convinced of the truths of the gospel, yet had stopped short of saving faith, from reverting to legalism rather than embracing Christ completely.
We see that Paul and Barnabas’ teachings were not in vain. Many of the Jews believed and accepted the gift of grace through Jesus Christ. We see that the Jews and proselytes (newcomers), wanted to hear more and followed Paul and Barnabas to the place they were staying and heard even more. At any rate, they believed and accepted Jesus as Savior.
Acts 13:44 “And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.”
The word has spread by the people who heard before, and now they have come in great numbers to hear the Word of God.
Acts 13:45 “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.”
This is nothing more than religious jealousy. These leaders of the Jews suddenly realize they are losing their following. They come out against Paul and Barnabas and what they are teaching. These Jews had worshipped a certain way all their lives, and they were not about to go to this new way.
Acts 13:46 “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”
“First been spoken to you”: God offered the plan of salvation to the Jews first (Matt. 10:5-6; 15:24; Luke 24:47; Rom. 1:16). Although the thrust of Paul’s ministry was to Gentiles, he had a desire to see Jews saved (Rom. 9:1-5; 10:1), preaching to them first in many cities (see note on verse 5).
“We turn to the Gentiles”: Because the Jews rejected the gospel. But God never planned salvation as an exclusive possession of the Jews (Isaiah 42:1, 6; 49:6).
Paul’s missionary principle was always to go to his own people, the Jews first (Rom. 1:16), but he always went to the “Gentiles,” too. And indeed was known as the Apostle to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:7-8; Eph. 3:6-8).
You see, every person on earth is a free agent. We either choose the Lord Jesus Christ and everlasting life, or we refuse the Lord and death reigns. We judge ourselves, as the Scripture above says. There really is no need wasting God’s time on those who will not listen and accept the good news of the gospel.
Paul has done the only thing he could do, and that is to turn to someone interested in receiving eternal life. The Gentiles do not only want Jesus as Savior, but they are eager to receive Life in Him.
Acts 13:47 “For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying], I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.”
Quoted from (Isaiah 49:6).
Paul is now no longer limited to carry the message to just the few Jewish villages, but is told of the Lord to spread it everywhere to whosoever will. Paul’s journey really begins now. Paul and Barnabas will be set free to minister wherever they go, regardless of the nationality of the people.
Paul’s missionary endeavors are to the Gentile nations everywhere. Paul was a Pharisee and this was hard for him, but he will do what God sends him to do.
Acts 13:48 “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”
“Ordained to eternal life”: One of Scripture’s clearest statements on the sovereignty of God in salvation. God chooses man for salvation, not the opposite (John 6:65; Eph. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 2 Thess. 2:13).
God had foreknowledge of all who would believe. The Gentiles received Jesus as Savior gladly. They had been thought of as heathen before, not even being offered the God of the universe.
Acts 13:49 “And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.”
Have you ever seen a new Christian talking about their Lord? There is no way you can hush them up. (Verse 49), is perhaps the most understated Scripture. I am sure it went like wildfire and soon everyone knew of Jesus.
Acts 13:50 “But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.”
We see here, that jealousy of this great move of God has caused a stir among the religious people of the day. These Jews wanted to be rid of Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town.
Acts 13:51 “But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.”
“Shook off the dust of their feet”: The Jew’s antagonism toward Gentiles extended to their unwillingness to even bring Gentile dust into Israel. The symbolism of Paul and Barnabas’ act is clear that they considered the Jews at Antioch no better than heathen. There could have been no stronger condemnation.
This verse helps to demonstrate the important principle that just because the apostles did something in the Book of Acts does not make it normative, to be performed by Christians today. More importantly we must listen to the teachings of the apostles in the Epistles.
When the teachings differ from the experiences of Acts, we must follow the teachings. When they agree, we must perform them. We cannot safely apply Acts apart from a knowledge of the epistles.
Paul obtained this symbolic gesture of shaking dust off his feet from the Twelve (Matt. 10:14). So, should preachers do it today? Was Paul required to do it? Paul thought not, for on the next occasion he shakes out his clothing (18:6).
To shake the dust of the feet off is like speaking a terrible punishment on them from God. In other words, Paul and Barnabas are saying, I won’t have any more to do with these Jewish people here, they are evil, let God take care of them. This Iconium was Asia. Many believe Paul visited here three or more times.
Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.”
“Filled … with the Holy Ghost” (see notes on 2:4; Eph. 5:18).
It seems whenever the disciples had a bad time somewhere, God poured out the Holy Ghost on them all over again and they were filled with joy.