The First Journey, Part 3: Pisidian Antioch

Call to Worship

Psalm 8 “For the choir director. According to the Gittith. A Psalm of David. O Yahweh, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who displays Your splendor above the heavens! From the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease. When I see Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have established; What is man that You remember him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the animals of the field, The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O Yahweh, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!”

Elder: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you!

Reading of Scripture

Isaiah 5:1-7

Hebrews 11:29-12:2

The Second Conquest (Acts 13:13-52)

Introduction

Framework

Quest - fighting dragons, demons, etc… Paul’s first missionary journey.

Conquest - taking territory for Christ. Cyprus was overcome. And now Pisidian Antioch.

Outline

A Synagogue in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-14)

Paul’s Sermon in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:15-41)

Jewish opposition(Acts 13:42-52)

Let’s pray as we consider God’s word:

“Father in heaven, we pray that as we read, hear, and proclaim your word today that it would go forth with power, would take root in our hearts; that we would be filled with it in all wisdom, and that by it, we would be more like your Son, Jesus Christ. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.

This is God’s Word from the book of Acts

Acts 13:13–52 LSB

Now after Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch. And on the Sabbath day, they went into the synagogue and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and lifted up the people during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it. And for a period of about forty years He put up with them in the wilderness. And when He destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land as an inheritance—all of which took about 450 years. After these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 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. And after He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, about whom He also said, bearing witness, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ From the seed of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, after John had preached before His coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was fulfilling his course, he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me of whom I am not worthy to untie the sandals of His feet.’ Brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the word of this salvation was sent. For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, recognizing neither Him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning Him. And though they found no ground for death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. And when they had finished all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead; and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. And we proclaim to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’ But that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to corruption, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and faithful lovingkindnesses of david.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not give Your Holy One over to see corruption.’ For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid among his fathers and saw corruption; but He whom God raised did not see corruption. Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and that in Him, everyone who believes is justified from all things which you could not be justified from through the Law of Moses. Therefore watch out, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you: ‘Look, you scoffers, and marvel, and perish; For I am accomplishing a work in your days, A work which you will never believe, though someone should recount it to you.’” And as Paul and Barnabas were leaving, the people kept pleading that these words might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God. And the next Sabbath, nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, blaspheming. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. “For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, they went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

A synagogue in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-14)

They journey to Pisidian Antioch (see map).

Similarly to last time, Paul and Barnabas in this new region go into the synagogue and sit down.

Jewish opposition (Acts 13:42-52)

They see success.

Cyprus: invited to proclaim the word to the regional magistrate.

Pisidian Antioch: many followed, nearly the whole city assembled to hear.

Met with opposition.

Cyprus: Demon-empowered opposition.

Pisidian Antioch: Jewish contradiction.

Overcome through bold proclamation.

Cyprus: Paul fixed his gaze on the false teacher.

Pisidian Antioch: they “spoke out boldly”.

Those in bondage are granted freedom.

Cyprus: Sergius Paulus believed.

Pisidian Antioch: Gentiles “began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord.”

Persecution associated Gospel success

Acts 8:4 “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about, proclaiming the good news of the word.”

Acts 12:24 “But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.” (Came after the imprisonment of Peter and death of James)

Acts 13:49 “And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.” (Comes political persecution)

We will see the persecution increase with each step in the journey.

No persecution in Cyprus (No persecution at Pentecost in Acts 2)

Vague persecution in Pisidian Antioch (Rebuke of Apostles in Acts 4:21)

Threatened stoning in Iconium (Intended to kill them & beat them in Acts 5:33, 40)

Actual stoning in Lystre and Derbe (Stoning of Stephen Acts 7:58)

Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Paul’s Sermon in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:15-41)

Main body of text in Pisidian Antioch

Similar to Peter’s in Acts 2

They both emphasize Christ as the promised Davidic Messiah.

They both demonstrate that David is not the promised One.

They both offer forgiveness of sins through Christ.

Paul = belief, Peter = repentance

Acts 2:38 “And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 13:38–39 ““Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and that in Him, everyone who believes is justified from all things which you could not be justified from through the Law of Moses.”

Schreiner says that this sermon of Paul is to Acts 13-28 what Peter’s sermon is to Acts 1-12.

Paul’s Sermon outline:

Jesus as fulfillment of Israel’s history (Acts 13:17-25) - Jesus is connected with the covenants of promise. In the tradition of Moses (Deut 1-3), Joshua (Josh 24), Samuel (1 Samuel 12), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 20), and more recent Stephen (Acts 7).

Abrahamic Covenant - “God chose our fathers” and the land promise being fulfilled.

Mosaic Covenant - “...in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out...”

Davidic Covenant - “He raised up David...from the seed of this man.”

He also connects the Judges with Samuel the prophet leading to John the Baptist. He uses the prophet Samuel and the prophet John as transitional figures. Samuel transitions from Judges to Kings, John transitions from David to Jesus.

Jesus as the Messiah promised (Acts 13:26-39) - Jesus is connected to the promise of a Messiah.

A (26): Salvation sent - Sent to brothers and those who fear God.

B (27–29): Tragic fulfillment - Israel fulfilled what was written in their rejection; placing Jesus in the tomb.

C (30–31): Resurrection - Resurrection bookends the fulfilled promise.

D (32–33): Promise fulfilled - Fulfillment of Psalm 2.

C′ (34–35): Resurrection interpreted - Scriptural interpretation of “will not...see corruption” (Psalm 16:10-11)

B′ (36–37): Tragic unfulfillment - David is not the Christ and remains in the tomb.

A′ (38–39): Forgiveness sent - Sent to brothers and all who believe.

Warning to believe on Jesus (Acts 13:40-41) - Unbelief is associated with the curse of devastation (Hab 1:5 - God raises up the Chaldeans).

What is it that we must be saved from? What did the curse of devastation symbolize? Divine justice

The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 2 Application

The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.

This divine justice is described in Revelation:

Revelation 20:11–15 LSB

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sits upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. Then I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them, and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Is your name written in the book of life? I hope so, you say, or I don’t know.

Forgiveness of Sins

Paul says, the promises of God are “yes and amen” in Christ (2 Cor 1:20), and with Paul I say as an ambassadors for Christ, as God is pleading through me. I beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you - You do not need to carry your guilt and you need not fear divine justice. To all who rest upon Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, the Lamb of God slain, the incorruptible One, I can declare to you, our sins are forgiven through Christ!

Paul says, “everyone who believes is justified...” (Acts 13:39) - Believing is accepting the promise of God. God says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21). Romans 10:9 “...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved...”

If our sins are forgiven, we have peace with the Almighty Creator, then we can truly enjoy the good things of this life with God’s blessing. If God is for us, then who can be against us?

“When our eyes are opened by the special revelation of the Word and by the applied revelation of the Spirit, we also come alive to God’s general revelation…The world that appeared drab and foreboding while we were under divine wrath now bursts with majesty, beauty, wisdom, and delight as the handiwork of our God. We join the angels in singing, ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created’ (Rev. 4:11).”

Because of Christ’s resurrection, we know that the promises of God, to crush Satan and bring salvation to sinful mankind, have been accomplished. And if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation. The old has passed away. We are now living in conquered territory. Christ has all authority and He is our King.

Rest in Him alone and enjoy the blessing of God as you labor in His beautiful creation for the furtherance of His kingdom of grace.

Let’s pray

“Almighty Father, you sit in heaven enthroned above everything that is. We give you praise for so great a salvation you have wrought for mankind. We pray that we would not lose sight of how precious your grace toward us is. We pray that our remembrance of the finished work of your Son would build up our faith so that we can see the beauty of your handiwork in creation and labor to take dominion as your ambassadors of the New Creation. I pray that if any are struggling with doubt that they would remember your promises as they are fulfilled in Christ. I pray that those who do not doubt would be busy laboring in the kingdom for your glory. It is in Jesus name that I pray, AMEN!”

Communion

Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

As we sit down at the feasting table of our God, let’s be filled with joy! This is a table of peace. When we eat, we proclaim the atoning death of Jesus. We commune with the body of Christ and the Spirit of Christ here at His table in His kingdom on His day with His people (His body). We are here gathered to remember: our sins our forgiven through Christ!

If you are baptized and in good standing with the body of Christ, harboring no sin in your heart toward God or your neighbor, then we invite you to eat and drink with us in remembrance of Christ.

If you are not baptized, or if you are harboring sin in your heart toward God or your neighbor, then we would ask you to refrain from the supper, repent of your sins, and accept the invitation to membership in Christ’s kingdom.

The Bread

Give thanks

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 LSB

...the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was being betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Read during distribution:

Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19

The Cup

Give thanks

1 Corinthians 11:25 LSB

In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.

Read during distribution:

Luke 12:49-56

1 Corinthians 11:26 LSB

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes.

The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:9–13 LSB

“...Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Matthew 6:14–15 LSB

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

The Commission

Matthew 28:18–20 LSB

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Numbers 6:24–26 LSB

Yahweh bless you, and keep you; Yahweh make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; Yahweh lift up His face on you, And give you peace.’