When Religion Gets in the Way

Introduction

Acts 13:13-52

Acts 13:13–52 CSB

13 Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and went back to Jerusalem. 14 They continued their journey from Perga and reached Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, you can speak.” 16 Paul stood up and motioned with his hand and said, “Fellow Israelites, and you who fear God, listen! 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, made the people prosper during their stay in the land of Egypt, and led them out of it with a mighty arm. 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 This all took about 450 years. After this, 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 After removing him, he raised up David as their king and testified about him, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.’ 23 “From this man’s descendants, as he promised, God brought to Israel the Savior, Jesus. 24 Before his coming to public attention, John had previously proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 Now as John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the one. But one is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.’ 26 “Brothers and sisters, children of Abraham’s race, and those among you who fear God, it is to us that the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 Since the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him or the sayings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, they have fulfilled their words by condemning him. 28 Though they found no grounds for the death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him killed. 29 When they had carried out all that had been written about him, they took him down from the tree and put him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and he appeared for many days to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we ourselves proclaim to you the good news of the promise that was made to our ancestors. 33 God has fulfilled this 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. 34 As to his raising him from the dead, never to return to decay, he has spoken in this way, I will give you the holy and sure promises of David. 35 Therefore he also says in another passage, You will not let your Holy One see decay. 36 For David, after serving God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and decayed, 37 but the one God raised up did not decay. 38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you. 39 Everyone who believes is justified through him from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses. 40 So beware that what is said in the prophets does not happen to you: 41 Look, you scoffers, marvel and vanish away, because I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will never believe, even if someone were to explain it to you.” 42 As they were leaving, the people urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath. 43 After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying, insulting him. 46 Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district. 51 But Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Pray

The three missionaries leave the island of Cyprus and travel to what is today turkey. There John Mark leaves the company and returns to Jerusalem. We are not told why he leaves. But it was a problem whatever the reason. Because of this desertion Paul refused to take john mark on a later journey. Causing a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. Which leads to them splitting ways, So a big deal.

Once landed in Perga (a port in Turkey) the two remaining missionaries travel north ward to Antioch is Pisidia which is 100 miles north of where they ported. This is not the Antioch that we were visiting earlier in acts. No this a different Antioch. In fact there are 16 Antioch. If that confuses you don’t let it. Did you know that there are 34 or so cities called Springfield, In only 25 states, That means some have two, Example Florida.

There in this region there is a significant Jewish community. But the dominant religion was the worship of Kybele (Cybele) Kee-vELL-ee s. The Mother Goddess. And ancient fertility deity associated with the cycle of the seasons.

And the Patron god of Antioch was a male figure known as Min, Moon god and a god of Healing.

So not a Christian land by any stretch.

They begin in the Synagogue. So teaching in the church buildings at the time, And as Stephen did earlier in Acts and as was custom Paul started with the History of the people. But then turned it to the Message of Salvation that still remains the same to us today. God still brings the message of salvation. If you have not accepted Jesus as Your Lord and Savior you still Can, Because He is the Messiah as Paul points to starting in Verse 22.

His sermon then turns to a warning. Repent for the judgment is real. And God is doing work in your days that you will not believe even if one tells it to you.

Quoting from Habakkuk

Same warning for us: Judgment is Real. Punishment of our sins is eternal separation from God in Hell

The reaction to his sermon was mixed but favorable. They asked him back the next Sabbath. Things went bad however when almost the whole town showed up the next Sabbath. And the Gentiles outnumbered the Jews. The Jews become Jealous. Pride and self of these religious people get in the way and they reject the teaching of Paul. The Gentiles however believe in great numbers. Accepting the faith based Jesus path instead of the works based Jewish Path.

But some Religious women stir up Persecution and drive them out of the district. Paul and Barnabas were not dishearten though they kept going shaking the dirt from their feet because they were not welcome there.

Religion Can Get in the Way of God

It is the religious that get in the way of God’s work in that area. Religion is part of life. We worship many things and organize around them forming religions. not a bad things but Religion can get in the way of God moving. We as a religious organization have to be careful not to let our religion get in the way. We tend to be religious people, why?

Because religion takes the focus off God and puts it back on us.

I am a religious Person. I Don’t do Drugs. I don’t Steal. I don’t Murder. I don’t Cheat on My Taxes. And you shouldn’t either.

But religion takes the focus off God and puts it on Us and effectively works against the message of Jesus Christ which is one of Faith. One of You by faith accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour. So our focus as a church and as an individual should not be on our religion.

Not on I am a Christian. I am a Baptist. I am a southern Baptist. I am a southern Baptist holds to the Baptist Faith and Message. I am a southern Baptist that holds to the Baptist Faith and Message 2001 edition. I am not Christian, I am Church of Christ, I am a church of christ that follows Alexander Campbell.

No our focus is on Jesus and our relationship with the Man that is God. Though his Blood we can have eternal Life.

Next Steps

How is your relationship today?

Is your religion getting in the way

Pray

Bibliography

Cybele enthroned, with lion, cornucopia, and mural crown. Roman marble, c. 50 AD. Getty Museum

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Antioch

Temple of Augustus in Pisidian Antioch.