November 25, Acts 13
As Barnabas and Saul went out on their mission from Antioch, their first stop was on the island of Cyprus, Barnabas’ homeland. Some changes took place there that shaped the rest of the story in Acts. First, Saul became Paul in a single parenthetical phrase. And Barnabas and Saul became Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas will be
mentioned first in the pairing another time or two, but Paul became the dominant figure, not only in his partnership with Barnabas, but across the rest of Luke’s narrative. The story’s emphasis shifted from Jews, Jerusalem and Peter to Gentiles, Antioch and Paul.
The core message of the preaching did not change. Paul’s sermon at Antioch in Pisidia is essentially the same as Peter’s at Jerusalem on Pentecost. A brief survey of the history, promises and prophecies fast forwards to Jesus. The Jews’ rejection, the crucifixion, the resurrection, the promise of forgiveness and eternal life for those who respond in faith to the message—all the familiar elements are there. And just like in Jerusalem, the response was mixed. Some received it with joy; others rejected it and were filled with jealousy when the crowds began to swell.
Paul saw not only the elements of the story about Jesus, but also the acceptance or rejection by the audience as fulfillment of what God said. To Jews (“Men of Israel,” “sons of the family of Abraham”) and Gentiles (“you who fear God”), Paul said Jesus came, just as God promised he would. He said the Jewish leaders did not recognize Jesus or understand the
prophecies, and they fulfilled the prophecies by condemning Jesus. His death was a matter of carrying out everything that was written. His resurrection was the fulfillment of the promises of God. Paul warned them not to fulfill Habakkuk’s prophecy that many would reject the message when they heard it. When the unbelieving Jews started speaking against Paul, he said the Jews were judging themselves unworthy of eternal life, and that he and Barnabas would turn to the Gentiles as a matter of fulfilled prophecy.
Audiences were moved to trust God by hearing about the fulfillment of his word. That should still work the same way today. The messengers sensed (and still should) that the acceptance and rejection of the gospel is a matter of fulfilled prophecy more than a pride-fueling victory or a discouraging defeat.
Our faith is strengthened by seeing that God fulfills the prophecies in his word. Our confidence is bolstered by knowing God keeps his promises. As works in progress, it’s good to know that God has promised to complete his work in us. As mortals living in a material world, it’s comforting to trust what he’s promised about the resurrection and eternal life. As guilty sinners, we find hope and peace in trusting God’s promise to forgive us in Christ. All of this rests on the reliability of God’s word. I hope you will be encouraged by his faithfulness.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—November 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
Comments