Turning The World Upside Down: Hitting Pay Dirt: Acts 13:13-52

I. The Hard Journey to Pisidian Antioch vs. 13-14a

A. Paul and his companions probably got sick along the way which is why they went to Pisidian Antioch.

Galatians 4:13 “but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time;”

B. They also had to deal with the loss of John Mark. They would have been physically sick, and probably hurt and angry.

C. To add to the hardship they had to sail and then walk 8 miles inland all uphill.

II. The Hard Ministry in Pisidian Antioch vs. 14b-43

A. The rulers of the synagogue recognized either Paul and/or Barnabas as teachers from Jerusalem. It was custom for them to be invited to speak.

B. Hence, when Paul addressed the God-fearers, it had electrifying impact. Up to this time, no one had recognized them in any synagogue service, but here was a man who spoke to them as well as to the Jews.

C. Paul is following Stephen’s method of preaching.

D. God put up with meaning “tolerated” Israel in the wilderness. Does God tolerate us, or is He proud of us?

E. . Paul was Old Testament Scripture to point to Jesus.

F. The God-fearers were excited that they were equated as equal with the Jews and that they weren’t going to have to become a Jew by law in order to be saved. A God-fearer didn’t get circumcised a proselyties did.

III. The Hard Goodbye At Pisidian Antioch vs. 44-52

A. By the time the next sabbath rolled around the whole city was ready to hear the wonderful news.

B. The Jews were jealous that they couldn’t draw a crowd. People will attack the message and the messenger when they are drawing a crowd (Crossway and Tommy ex).

C. Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles fulfilling Isaiah 42:6-7

D. Here we see, Paul and Barnabas teach for an unspecified time (probably a few weeks to a few months), and the gospel spread through Galatia.

E. The men wouldn’t persecute the missionaries, so they got the women tore up, which caused the men to persecute (Major Ferguson’s mistress ex)

F. Shaking the dust from your feet was to mark the place or people for God’s judgment.

G. The disciples were still growing and going about their holy business.