The Story That Leads to Jesus
[ READ ] Acts 13:13-41
Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia
13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:
“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,
“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,
“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”
13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:
“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,
“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,
“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”
When Paul and the gang arrive in Antioch in Pisidia, they join their brethren in the synagogue on what would be a “typical Sabbath.” On this day, however, God ordained Paul to uncover the truth of Scripture to them that, until this day, had been hidden.
I find it fascinating that the men and women gathering in this synagogue have grown up reading (or hearing) the Law and the Prophets, or the Torah, yet are unaware that the Messiah of whom the Old Testament foreshadows has lived, died, and raised again in their lifetimes! It seems unfathomable now, but this would be like Christ returning to earth and those of us in the US totally missing it. As Paul says in verse 32, this is “good news!” His audience was blind to what, in retrospect, should have been incredibly obvious, yet the good news is that it’s not too late. The laws they follow and the prophets they recognize as God’s own voice are not the be-all-end-all of scripture… Jesus is! And he offers forgiveness and freedom to all who believe in His name – even today.
When you read the scriptures today, open the eyes of your heart to Jesus – he is on every page!
- Hayden Van Dyke
I find it fascinating that the men and women gathering in this synagogue have grown up reading (or hearing) the Law and the Prophets, or the Torah, yet are unaware that the Messiah of whom the Old Testament foreshadows has lived, died, and raised again in their lifetimes! It seems unfathomable now, but this would be like Christ returning to earth and those of us in the US totally missing it. As Paul says in verse 32, this is “good news!” His audience was blind to what, in retrospect, should have been incredibly obvious, yet the good news is that it’s not too late. The laws they follow and the prophets they recognize as God’s own voice are not the be-all-end-all of scripture… Jesus is! And he offers forgiveness and freedom to all who believe in His name – even today.
When you read the scriptures today, open the eyes of your heart to Jesus – he is on every page!
- Hayden Van Dyke
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Why might the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia have missed the Messiah promised by the prophets?
+ What is the warning Paul gives in v40? Is that relevant to us today?
+ Why might the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia have missed the Messiah promised by the prophets?
+ What is the warning Paul gives in v40? Is that relevant to us today?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How can we read the scripture with Jesus in mind? Why should we?
+ Notice how Paul delivers this “encouragement” with both grace and truth – how do we share the truth of scripture with others in a way that is both honest and forgiving?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How can we read the scripture with Jesus in mind? Why should we?
+ Notice how Paul delivers this “encouragement” with both grace and truth – how do we share the truth of scripture with others in a way that is both honest and forgiving?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Father, we are grateful to know you and your Son… this is eternal life! Would you, by the power of your Spirit, reveal to us your gospel truths as we read Scripture? Would you deepen our understanding of Jesus Christ so that we may follow Him with the boldness of the believers in Acts? You are good and your mercies endure forever. I love you, Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Father, we are grateful to know you and your Son… this is eternal life! Would you, by the power of your Spirit, reveal to us your gospel truths as we read Scripture? Would you deepen our understanding of Jesus Christ so that we may follow Him with the boldness of the believers in Acts? You are good and your mercies endure forever. I love you, Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who in your life can you encourage with the good news of the gospel?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who in your life can you encourage with the good news of the gospel?
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