Click here for more messages from the book of Acts.
Click here to return to the Sermons page.

MESSAGE SERIES: “CHURCH ON THE MOVE”
Acts 13:13-52

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Church on the Move, and we are currently following Paul and Barnabas on their first official mission trip. Last week we saw them in action at Paphos on the island of Cyprus. Today we follow their journey to the city of Pisidian Antioch. (Read Acts 13:13-15 and pray.)

—————————–

In this next segment of his trip Paul will visit the cities of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. These cities were all in the area known as Galatia. These are the churches to whom Paul will later write the letter of Galatians.

As Christians we are all called to share the gospel. So, it can be helpful to see the different ways Paul shared the gospel in the various cities he visited on his mission trips. Today we will see how Paul presented the gospel in Antioch and what we can learn from that.

I. Journey to Pisidian Antioch (13-15)

Our passage begins with the journey to Pisidian Antioch. Look at verses 13-15 with me now:

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 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.” (Acts 13:13-15)

From Paphos to Perga was a journey of 300-350 miles oversea to the mainland of modern-day Turkey. The city of Perga was an additional 12 miles inland.

It was in Perga that John left them to go back to Jerusalem. Remember, this is John Mark, the same Mark who wrote the gospel of Mark. Why did he leave Paul and Barnabas at this time? We’re not told. Perhaps he was homesick. Maybe he didn’t like this new gospel witness to the Gentiles. Maybe he didn’t like the fact that Paul was emerging as the new leader instead of his cousin Barnabas. Perhaps it was just a difficult trip and he’d had enough. Once again, we’re not told, but we learn later that Paul viewed this as John Mark deserting them, although Barnabas was willing to give John a second chance (Acts 15:37).

After John left them in Perga, they traveled on to Pisidian Antioch in the northwest area of Galatia.

This is obviously not the same Antioch as the one they just left. That one was in Syria. There were 16 cities named Antioch at this time. They were all named after Antiochus, who was the king of Syria after the death of Alexander the Great. Each city took a different surname in order to distinguish one from the other.

This journey from Perga to Pisidian Antioch was 100 miles on foot over rough, mountainous terrain. They would travel from sea level to 3,600 feet above sea level. This was a dangerous area, well-known for bandits who would assault travelers along the road. This is another possible reason why John Mark bowed out in Perga.

When they got to Antioch, they continued the pattern of going to the synagogue first. A typical synagogue service would include prayers, two Scripture readings, and a sermon. Sound familiar? That’s because church services were modeled after the synagogue services. Guest rabbis were often invited to speak. Paul was a trained rabbi, so he was invited to give the message. [Take down Map 2]

This was not an easy journey. It was physically demanding and dangerous. This shows inten- tionality, determination, persistence and faith on Paul and Barnabas’ part.

It’s not always easy to share the gospel with others. Sometimes the opportunity comes up naturally during the day, but not always. If we are going to share the gospel on a consistent basis, just like Paul and Barnabas we need to be intentional about it. We need to take the time. We need to make the effort. Notice in this case, Paul and Barnabas first made the effort, and then God provided the opportunity.

II. Sermon in the synagogue (16-41)

So, that’s the journey to Pisidian Antioch. Next, we get to eavesdrop on Paul’s sermon in the synagogue. The book of Acts is full of sermons and speeches. It’s fascinating seeing the various ways the apostles share the good news of Jesus with others. There was always a core message, but they vary their approach and emphasis depending on the audience and context.

We would be wise to do the same. You don’t share the gospel with a child in the same way as you do with an adult. You don’t share the gospel with a friend in the same way as you do with a stranger. The message is the same, but you vary the approach.

Here, Paul was addressing a mixed audience of Jews and Gentile converts in the synagogue. This was a formal setting. Paul had been invited to share a message of encouragement, so it was appropriate that he address them in the form of a sermon. You will probably not share the gospel with your friends in the form of a sermon, although you will still want to share the core message of the gospel. But here Paul shares a sermon.

   A. Introduction: Old Testament history leading to Jesus (16-25)

Every sermon has an introduction, and Paul’s introduction focuses on the Old Testament history leading up to Jesus. This was very appropriate considering the context of an address in the synagogue.

      1) Abraham to Canaan (16-20)

Paul does this in three stages. First, he reviewed Israel’s history from Abraham to Canaan. Look at verses 16-20:

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.” (Acts 13:16-20)

Notice Paul spoke standing up. This was the customary position for speaking in the synagogue. Teachers sat down when they taught, but speakers stood up. He addressed the congregation: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!” Paul took note of his audience. There were both Jews and Gentiles present, and he made sure to include both.

He then briefly reviewed the history from Abraham to Canaan. He mentions the patriarchs, Israel’s time in Egypt, the Exodus, their time of rebellion in the desert and the conquest of Canaan. Notice how God is front and center in every part of his message. God chose their fathers. God made them prosper in Egypt. God brought them out with mighty power. God endured their conduct in the desert. God overthrew the nations in Canaan. God gave them the Promised Land. Paul says all this took about 450 years. When you do the math, that works out to 400 years in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, and then 10 years for the conquest of Canaan.

      2) Judges to Saul and David (20-22)

Next, Paul reviewed the time from the judges to Saul and David. Look at verses 20-22:

“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. After 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.’” (Acts 13:20-22)

Notice again how God is central to the message. God gave them judges. God gave them Saul as their king. God removed Saul as king. God made David their new king. God testified concerning David that he was a man after God’s own heart.

      3) David to Jesus (23-25)

Next, he reviewed the time from David to Jesus. Look at verses 23-25 next:

“From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As 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.’” (Acts 13:23-25)

Paul moves quickly from David to Jesus. He simply says that from David’s descendants God brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. He also mentions John the Baptist as a transitional figure from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

This was Paul’s introduction before sharing the gospel. You will rarely jump right into the gospel with someone. You have to work your way into it. Usually, you will have a conversation about some spiritual topic first that then leads into the gospel. One great way to do this is simply to offer to pray for someone. People are usually open to prayer. It opens up the conversation to spiritual things which then provides an opening for the gospel.

   B. Gospel: death and resurrection of Jesus (26-37)

That’s what Paul does here. He doesn’t jump right into the gospel, but he shares an introduction, and then he moves into what we might call the gospel proper: the death and resurrection of Jesus.

      1) Rejected and crucified (26-29)

First, he shares show Jesus was rejected and crucified. Look at verses 26-29:

“Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 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. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.” (Acts 13:26-29)

As Paul transitions into the gospel, notice how he again specifically addresses both the Jews and the Gentiles. He wants to make sure that both groups understand this message is for them.

He shares how the people of Jerusalem rejected Jesus and had him executed. He emphasizes that Jesus was innocent, that they found no proper ground for a death sentence. He explains that the Jewish people did not recognize him, and yet in condemning him, they fulfilled the prophecies—the same prophecies that are read in the synagogue each Sabbath. He will share some of those specific prophecies with them in just a moment.

      2) Resurrection and witnesses (30-31)

Next, Paul shares about Jesus’ resurrection and the witnesses who saw him. Look at verses 30-31:

“But God raised him from the dead, 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.” (Acts 13:30-31)

God raised Jesus from the dead, and there are eyewitnesses to this. He was seen for many days by the apostles who traveled with him. They now serve as witnesses to his resurrection.

Remember, the gospel is not only that Jesus died for our sins, but that he rose again. When you share the gospel with someone, don’t leave Jesus in the tomb—because God didn’t. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but then he rose again. He is alive today, and he wants to be your Savior.

      3) Old Testament prophecies (32-37)
         – Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 55:3; Psalm 16:10

Paul has shared about Jesus’ rejection and crucifixion. He has shared about Jesus’ resurrection and the witnesses who saw him. Now he shares a number of Old Testament prophecies that spoke of these things. Look at verses 32-37:

“We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he 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.’ The 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.’ So it is stated elsewhere: ‘You will not let your Holy One see decay.’ 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. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.” (Acts 13:32-37)

Paul shares three Old Testament prophecies which confirm these matters. He shares from Psalm 2:7 that Jesus is God’s Son. He shares from Isaiah 55:3 that God would give the Messiah the blessings promised to David. And then he shares the promise given in Psalm 16:10 that God would not let his Holy One see decay. This was clearly not speaking about David, who was buried and whose body did decay. Rather this was fulfilled by Jesus whom God raised from the dead.

   C. Invitation: call to believe in Jesus (38-41)

So, Paul has shared his introduction showing how the history of Israel all led up to Jesus. He has shared the gospel, the good news that God has fulfilled his promises by sending Jesus who died and rose again. Finally, he extends an invitation as he calls for his hearers to believe in Jesus. Look at verses 38-41 with me now:

“Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: ‘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.’” (Acts 13:38-41)

We can learn so much from this invitation. Notice there are three parts.

      1) Forgiveness of sins through Jesus (38)

First, he offers them forgiveness of sins through Jesus. This is something everyone needs. We have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory. We have sinned against God, we have sinned against God’s holy law, and we have sinned against each other. We are under God’s just condemnation for sin, and there is a price that needs to be paid. There are many things we need in life, but our greatest need is the forgiveness of our sins.

      2) Justification by faith, not law (39)

Secondly, he tells how you may receive this forgiveness through Jesus. Justification comes by faith, not by works of the law. This is the exact opposite of what most people believe. Justification means being in a right relationship with God. When you ask someone, “How do you obtain a right relationship with God?” most people respond, “By being good. You just have to be good enough.”

But that’s not the gospel. That’s not good news, because we are not good, and we can never be good enough. Paul says there is forgiveness of sins through Jesus, and everyone who believes is justified. Justification is by faith, not by works of the law.

Remember, Paul is preaching in the area of Galatia, and this will be a major theme in his letter to the Galatians later on. Apparently, they continued struggling with this whole idea of justification by faith alone.

      3) Warning not to reject Jesus (40-41)
         – Habakkuk 1:5

Finally, Paul ends his invitation with a warning not to reject this message about Jesus. Here he quotes from the Old Testament again, this time from Habakkuk where the prophet warned the people of his day: “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (Hab: 1:5).

In the book of Habakkuk, the warning had to do with the coming Babylonian invasion. The prophet warned the people not to dismiss his message but to hear the word of God and believe. Now Paul uses the same Scripture to warn the Galatians not to reject his message, but to hear the word of God and believe.

Many of our gospel invitations today lack warnings. We do a good job telling people all the good things that will happen when they believe, but we don’t always do a good job warning them what will happen should they reject God’s gracious offer of salvation through Jesus.

Sharing the gospel is not simply sharing information about Jesus. It is inviting people to act on what they have just heard about Jesus. Paul tells them that forgiveness of sins through Jesus is available to all who believe. He explains how we are justified by faith and not by the works of the law. He ends with a warning not to reject Christ or the gospel.

How do you add a warning to your invitation? It’s real simple. When someone tells you they don’t want to trust Jesus as their Savior, you can tell them, “I love you. And we’ve just learned that forgiveness of sins comes only through Jesus. That means if you reject Jesus, your sins aren’t forgiven, and you will need to pay for your sins yourself. I love you, and I don’t want that to happen to you. Jesus died for you. You just need to receive him.” We need to remember to add the warning into the invitation.

III. Variety of responses (42-53)

As is often the case today, there were a variety of responses to the gospel. The same message was presented to all, but people responded in various ways. Jesus prepared us for this with the parable of the sower. In the parable, the sower sows the word of God. It’s the same message, but there are different responses. So, what were the responses here in Galatia?

   A. Initial favorable response: Jews and Gentiles (42-43)

First, there was an initial favorable response from both the Jews and the Gentiles in the synagogue. Look at verses 42-43:

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 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. (Acts 13:42-43)

Paul and Barnabas were invited back to speak. That’s a good sign! The people asked questions after the service. I always like that. Most importantly, many believed, because we see that Paul and Barnabas urged them to continue in the grace of God.

   B. Jealous and abusive response: Jews (44-45)

Next, there was a jealous and abusive response on the part of the Jews. Look at verses 44-45:

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. (Acts 13:44-45)

Paul and Barnabas had more people show up the second week than they did the first. I had the opposite experience when I was called as senior pastor to a church in Massachusetts. There were a lot of people there the first week. The second week no one showed up. No one! Not even my mother. Now, there was a blizzard that week, so we had to cancel, but it still makes for a good story.

The second week for Paul and Barnabas, everyone showed up! But when the Jewish leaders saw the crowds, they were jealous and spoke abusively against Paul and his message. This is similar to what happened on the island of Cyprus when Elymas the sorcerer opposed Paul and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

   C. Glad response: Gentiles (46-48)
      – Isaiah 49:6

Thirdly, there was a glad response on the part of the Gentiles. Look at verses 46-48 next:

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. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. (Acts 13:46-48)

When the Jews rejected the message, Paul turned his attention to the Gentiles, quoting from the prophets again, this time from Isaiah 49:6 where hundreds of years earlier God spoke of his salvation going to the Gentiles and to the ends of the earth. Remember Jesus’ commission to the disciples in Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

When Paul shared with the Gentiles that this message was for them, “they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” We see a little bit of the mystery of God’s sovereign choice and election in that final phrase “all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”

   D. Persecution and joy: Paul and Barnabas (49-52)
      – Matthew 5:12

We’ve looked at the initial favorable response, the jealous and abusive response on the part of the Jews, and the glad response on the part of the Gentiles. Finally, we come to Paul and Barnabas’ response. Look at verses 49-52 in closing:

The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But 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. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:49-52)

How did Paul and Barnabas respond when they experienced persecution and were expelled from the region? They were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Jesus told us to rejoice when we are persecuted for the sake of Christ and his kingdom (Matt. 5:12).

I remember one time when we took a witnessing team to Boston Common, which is a large park in the center of Boston. One young man was sharing the gospel with a woman who responded by hitting him over the head with her purse! I can still remember him laughing and beaming with joy as she ran around the park chasing him with her purse. Now that’s what I call being filled with the Spirit and joy!

Paul and Barnabas went from opposition in Paphos to persecution in Pisidian Antioch. They were expelled forcibly and probably violently. As they left the city, they shook the dust from their feet as a final warning to them and made their way to the next city to do it all over again.

Was this a tough mission trip? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Absolutely. It is always worth it to share the gospel with others—even when they reject the message, even when they reject you.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we are all called to gospel witness. Every believer is called to be a witness for Christ. People need the Lord. Without Jesus, we are all lost in our sins and separated from God.

Therefore, we need to be intentional about sharing the gospel with people. We need to put ourselves in places where God will provide the opportunities. We need to open up those spiritual conversations. We need to share about Jesus’ death and resurrection. We need to extend an invitation for people to respond.

Finally, we need to understand that there will be a variety of responses to the same message. There’s nothing wrong with the message. People will respond differently according to what’s in their hearts and how God is working on their hearts.

Sharing the gospel is hard. Share the gospel anyway. I pray that as a result of this message you will be encouraged to push through the difficulties and make intentional time in your life to share the good news of Jesus with others.

© Ray Fowler

You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this message provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For any web postings, please link to the sermon directly at this website.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copies:
By Ray Fowler. © Ray Fowler. Website: https://www.rayfowler.org

Click here for more messages from the book of Acts.
Click here to return to the Sermons page.