We're following Barnabus and Saul on their first missionary journey and have seen them at work on Cyprus, sharing the good news, encountering opposition and seeing God at work in people's lives. As their story continues, they move on, first to Perga and then to Antioch in Pisidia, a very arduous journey over the Taurus mountain range. Why they decided on this Antioch isn't clear, although it is known that Sergius Paulus had relatives there, so maybe that influenced their decision.
On the way, John Mark decides to go back to Jerusalem. Not much is made of that here but it will later be a source of real tension between his uncle Barnabas and Paul. They continue on their journey and, from the way Luke writes his account, it seems that Saul, now referred to as Paul, is the leading figure in the group.
What we're going to see in the rest of this chapter is a lengthy account of their ministry in Pisidian Antioch. A number of very important points emerge from what Luke has written.
1. The Pattern: Jews First
Firstly, notice the pattern they follow in their work. They begin at the synagogue. In Rom. 1:16, Paul says the gospel "is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."
Why that pattern? What does Paul mean, "first for the Jew"? As his speech will show, this is not simply a pragmatic move but a theological one. The God who made all things chose to act to bring salvation for mankind through the Jewish nation. They ought to be a prepared people, ready to hear the news about Jesus the Messiah. That's why they're first!
In terms of today, that moment of history is of course long passed. But Jews still need to hear about Jesus, as much as any other people group; they're as lost as anyone else. But the strategy 'first to the Jew', which Paul derived from God's dealings in history, no longer holds for today.
2. The Speech: Grace, Rejection, Vindication
Following God's plan of starting with the Jews, and at the invitation of the synagogue rulers, Paul stands up to speak. They would have been hoping for a speech to encourage them in their long-awaited hope for God's redemption of them. They wouldn't be disappointed!
i) A focus on God's grace - In vv.16-25, Paul sketches out some of the major points in the history of Israel. In doing so, he highlights the fact that they have had a special history because God chose them. God acted in grace toward them.
And his choice of them and work among them was all destined to climax in the coming of the Saviour who he identifies here as Jesus, a descendent of David.
ii) Jesus, rejected but vindicated - Then, in the second main section of his sermon, vv.26-37, Paul shows what happened to Jesus. Far from being hailed as the Messiah, he was rejected by the Jewish people and crucified on a cross. Yet this was all in the plan and purpose of God and had been prophesied in the OT (v.19).
So was he the Messiah after all? How could they know for sure? They could be sure because God had vindicated him as his Son, the Messiah, by raising him from the dead! Again, this was just what the Jewish scriptures had said would happen. God's plan was being kept to the letter!
iii) Calling & Warning - Which leaves the people with the most important decision to make. In the final part of his sermon, Paul tells them that forgiveness, justification, is available in Jesus and him only. They mustn't rely on the law to save them; it could not and would not. Only Jesus can do so. And he warns them that if they reject Jesus, judgement will follow.
What can we learn from that summary of Paul's message?
a) The whole sermon take into account his hearers context; he starts where they are and relates the good news to them. That is a constant feature in Acts and should be so with us too.
b) He shows the grace of God in initiating the plan of salvation. This is not something tacked-on to the history of the Jews as though it was an afterthought. When we share the gospel with others, we're bringing before them the great purpose of the whole of history!
c) Paul focusses on the significance of Jesus. The cross isn't explained here in great detail in terms of the atonement; what he is concerned to do is to show how the resurrection was God's seal of approval on his Son and how true justification is found in him alone. This is a nonnegotiable!
d) The gospel is for everyone. Although Paul begins with the Jews, he recognises those present who were converts to Judaism and later says that "everyone who believes is justified" and recognises they had been made "a light to the Gentiles". Here is a perspective we must always retain ourselves.
e) He is not unwilling to lay before them the consequences of rejecting the message. As we'll see, it leads to persecution but that isn't what matters; what does count is being faithful to God and not leaving his hearers in the dark about the serious consequences of rejecting Jesus.
3. The Outcome: Faith & Ferocity
The message has been clearly and powerfully presented. What will the outcome be? As they left the synagogue a number of the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles follow them, clearly impressed by what they had said. Paul and Barnabas urge them to continue in the grace of God.
Does that mean these people were already saved? No. Paul has shown in his speech that God had acted in grace toward the Jews in their history. The OT is about grace as much as the NT is! What they need to do now is continue in that grace by receiving its decisive expression in Jesus the Messiah.
The signs are very hopeful and are even more so the next Sabbath when great numbers turn up to listen. This infuriates the Jews who are filled with jealousy. At this point Paul speaks in judgement: since they don't consider themselves worthy of eternal life and reject God's Word, they will go to the Gentiles.
There's a warning here for all who know the gospel well yet haven't responded to it. The Jews were being judged because of their unwillingness to believe. Don't let that happen to you!
As for the Gentiles, many of them honoured the word and believed, as many as had been appointed by God for eternal life. He's in control, working his purposes out, saving those he has set his love upon as his Word "spread through the whole region" (v.49).
And despite the persecution of the Jews, the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. May that be our experience too as we honour God's Word through faith in Jesus. Amen!
