Acts of the Apostles Chapter 13 – 14 Overview: Paul and Barnabas

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Acts of the Apostles Chapter 13 – 14 Overview: Paul and Barnabas Acts of the Apostles Chapter 13 – 14 Overview: Paul and Barnabas begin their first missionary journey (13:4-12). Paul arrives at Antioch in Pisidia (13:13-15) and addresses the synagogue (13:16-43) and the Gentiles (13:44-52). Paul and Barnabas go to Iconium (14:1-7) and then to Lystra (14:8-20) and return to home (14:21-28). First Missionary Journey: 13:1 – 12 • Prophets/teachers: Two ecclesial ministries often listed by Paul (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:28) • Worshipping/fasting: Provide an opening to listening to the Holy Spirit and receive direction • Lay hands: Expresses the community’s setting apart for God’s mission (Kurz, 203). Correct Order Incorrect Order Worship/fasting – flows into mission Plan mission – ask God to bless our plans • Seleucia: Named after the Hellenistic dynasty that ruled northern part of Greek empire • John (Mark): Holy Spirit called Saul and Barnabas, but they also brought John Mark • Note: Mark will abandon mission and go to Jerusalem; Barnabas is from Cyprus (Acts 4:36) • Bar-Jesus: “Son of Jesus”; he was a Jew, magician, and false prophet (Kurz, 206) • Sergius Paulus: Gentile who desires to hear God’s word; from Pisidia Antioch in Asia Minor • Opposed them: Those who reject the gospel throw up roadblocks to its expansion • Key: Just as Satan opposed Jesus from the beginning, so Elymas opposed Paul at beginning • Paul: Luke switches from Saul (Jewish name) to Paul (Roman name) for the first time • Twisting: Son of the devil twists the straight paths of the Lord (Is. 40:3-5) (Kurz, 208) • Dark mist: Bar-Jesus is temporarily blinded as Paul was for contradicting the gospel • Proconsul: Astonished by Paul’s teaching and miracle of blindness (Kurz, 208) Paul’s Arrival at Antioch in Pisidia: 13:13 – 15 • Perga: A Roman province on the southern coast of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) • John Mark: His departure upsets Paul; see second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-41) • Synagogue: Paul preached to the Jew first, especially those open to God’s Word (Saturday) • Exhortation: Invited to give a homily; not expecting reinterpretation in light of Jesus Paul’s Address in the Synagogue: 13:16 – 25 • Got up: This is the third retelling of Israel’s history: Peter (Acts 2) and Stephen (Acts 7) • Listen: Hebrew – Shema; rallying word “pay attention’’ • Egypt: Paul moves quickly past Genesis and moves right into Exodus • Put up: Epitomizes all the people’s grumbling and rebellion against God/Moses (Kurz, 210) • Four hundred fifty: 400 in Egypt, 40 in the desert, 10 for conquest (Kurz, 211) • David: Paul highlights that David’s good heart, in contrast to Saul, the first king • I am not he: Greek is “I am not” (ouk eimi egō) as opposed to “I am” (egō eimi) (Kurz, 21 1 Address to Gentiles: 13:44 – 52 • Following Sabbath: A week later, almost the whole city gathered, including Gentiles • Jealousy: The sin that wants to guard what one possesses and to keep others from having it o Envy: Resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another; wanting the same • Violent abuse: Greek is blasphēmeō; speaking against the gospel is blaspheming (Kurz, 218) • First: Gospel addressed the Jew first and then the Gentile (Rom. 9:4-5) • Unworthy: Rejection of the gospel is tantamount to rejecting eternal life • Destined: God wills their salvation, but they also must free accept the invitation • Persecution: Verbal abuse turned to physical violence as they expelled Paul and Barnabas • Key: Paul and Barnabas received a mixed response as Jesus did in Nazareth (Luke 4) Paul and Barnabas at Iconium: 14:1 – 7 • Iconium: Paul moves east where he continues to receive mixed responses • Boldly: Paul and Barnabas courageously preach the gospel in the face of opposition • Divided: Jesus warns that he has not come to bring peace, but rather division (Lk 12:51) • Stone: Paul nearly suffers the same fate as he witnessed earlier with Stephen (Acts 8:1) • Lystra and Derbe: Paul and Barnabas are now in “barbarian territory” (Kurz, 224) Paul and Barnabas at Lystra: 14:8 – 20 • Crippled Man: Similar to Peter’s healing of the lame man in Acts 3:1-13 • Stand up: Peter healed the man “in the name of Jesus the Nazorean” (Acts 3:6) • Hermes/Zeus: Legend recounted by Ovid, in which Zeus and Hermes visited the region in disguise, seeking hospitality but finding it only in one devout elderly couple, whom they later rewarded (Kurz, 226). They destroyed the homes of the rest. • Tore garments: A sign of extreme distress, blasphemy, or other serious sin (Kurz, 226). • Living God: Paul and Barnabas urged them to turn from paganism to the living God • Note: Idols in every age look different; today, they are money, honor, pleasure, power, etc. • Fruitful seasons: Peter argued Jesus as Messiah (Acts 3:18); Paul appeals to creation • Stoned: 2 Cor. 11:25 Paul speaks about the suffering that he experienced on his missions • Entered the city: Amazingly, Paul gets up and goes right back into the city! End of the First Mission: 14:21 – 28 • Returned: Paul and Barnabas preached publicly before, now minister privately (Kurz, 229) • Strengthened: New disciples need encouragement and instruction to remain strong • Hardships: Paul is honest about the sufferings they will experience following Christ • Presbyters: Means “elder”; they are new church leaders; mature and reliable leaders • Prayer and fasting: Jesus prayed and fasted before His ministry (Lk 4:2, 6:12; Acts 13:3) • Note: Church in Jerusalem outreach to Jews/Samaritans; Antioch outreach to Gentiles • God had done: Paul and Barnabas recognize God is the primary agent in evangelization • No little time: Even the greatest missionaries need rest and friendship! (Kurz, 231) 2 .
Recommended publications
  • The Early Christian Church
    The African Presence in the Bible T uBlack History Month uTonight’s Topic u“Early Christian Church” The Purpose of Tonight’s Lesson u Dispel the myths that we were introduce to Christianity through slavery. u As well as rebuke the false claim that Christianity is a “White’s Man Religion” u There are a significant number of educated blacks who believe these untruth. u So, tonight, we will search the scriptures for truth. The Sources for Tonight’s Lesson are: Let’s Get Started u When did the Christian Church Begin or When Did It Start? u How did the Christian Church Start? u Where in the bible does it tell us about the beginning of the Christian Church? Acts Chapter 2 (1-47) u And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. In the Jewish calendar, the Feast of Weeks, or the Day of Pentecost, is fifty days after the Passover. It was on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus' death and resurrection when the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus' followers that the church began Acts 2 (2-5) u 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. u 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. u 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 13:1-12
    a Grace Notes course The Acts of the Apostles an expositional study by Warren Doud Lesson 214: Acts 13:1-12 Grace Notes 1705 Aggie Lane, Austin, Texas 78757 Email: [email protected] ACTS, Lesson 214, Acts 13:1-12 Contents Acts 13:1-12 ................................................................................................................. 3 Acts 13:1 .......................................................................................................................... 3 Acts 13:2 .......................................................................................................................... 4 Acts 13:3 .......................................................................................................................... 5 Acts 13:4 .......................................................................................................................... 6 Acts 13:5 .......................................................................................................................... 7 Acts 13:6 .......................................................................................................................... 8 Acts 13:7 .......................................................................................................................... 9 Acts 13:8 .........................................................................................................................10 Acts 13:9 .........................................................................................................................10
    [Show full text]
  • M=Missionary Journey Begins Acts 13
    M=Missionary journey Begins Acts 13 Missionary: a person who goes out to spread the good news of Jesus Paul & Barnabas began their first missionary journey in Acts 13. When they came to a new city, they usually went first to a synagogue where they could talk to the Jews. Chapter 13 is the beginning of Paul’s missionary journeys. This chapter is also important because Paul becomes the main character of Acts, and Peter slips into the background. Christians were in Antioch worshipping. Antioch is significant because Christians were first called Christians here. Acts 11:26. This was also the first church that was mission minded. While worshipping, the Holy Spirit picked Paul and Barnabas to start preaching abroad. The men there fasted, prayed and put their hands on them and sent them off. John Mark also traveled with them. They sail to the island of Cyprus and travel through it to Paphos on the western side of it. They meet a sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus aka Elymas. The proconsul (governor) of the city Sergious Paulus wanted to hear Paul, but Elymas didn’t want him to. So Paul filled with the Holy Spirit lets Elymas have it, and then Elymas is blinded for some time! Because of this the proconsul believed. John returns home to Jerusalem. This is important because in Acts 15:38 Barnabas wants to take John again and Paul doesn’t think it is wise because John deserted them in Pamphylia. But we see in II Timothy 4 they had worked out their disagreement.
    [Show full text]
  • Acts 13:1–13)
    Acts 13-28b 8/19/96 2:04 PM Page 1 The Character of an Effective Church 1 (Acts 13:1–13) Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And while they were min- istering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelli- gence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the pro- consul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him, and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the 1 Acts 13-28b 8/19/96 2:04 PM Page 2 13:1–13 ACTS devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.
    [Show full text]
  • Authorship of Acts
    AUTHORSHIP OF ACTS Like all Scripture, the book of Acts was inspired by the Holy Spirit. But its divine inspiration should not lead us to diminish our attention to its human authors. The Holy Spirit kept the original writings of Scripture free from error, but he still employed the personalities, backgrounds and intentions of its human writers. Acts has traditionally been attributed to Luke, the author of the third gospel. But neither the third gospel nor the book of Acts specifically mentions the name of the author. So, we should look at the reasons for affirming the traditional view of Luke's authorship. We will explore the authorship of Acts from three perspectives. First, we will compare Acts with the Gospel of Luke. Second, we will examine early church history and its witness concerning Luke's authorship. And third, we will look briefly at other aspects of the New Testament that indicate that Luke wrote these books. Let's turn first to what we can learn about the authorship of Acts from the Gospel of Luke. Gospel of Luke When we compare the book of Acts with the third gospel, two types of evidence emerge that strongly suggest one person wrote both books. On the one hand, there is explicit information stated directly in both books that points in this direction. On the other hand, there is also implicit evidence from the style and content of these books. Let's begin with the explicit evidence that indicates a common author for both books. Explicit In Acts 1:1, the prologue of the book of Acts, we read these words: In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach (Acts 1:1).
    [Show full text]
  • FROM PENTECOST to PRISON Or the Acts of the Apostles
    FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles Charles H. Welch 2 FROM PENTECOST TO PRISON or The Acts of the Apostles by Charles H. Welch Author of Dispensational Truth The Apostle of the Reconciliation The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner Parable, Miracle, and Sign The Form of Sound Words Just and the Justifier In Heavenly Places etc. THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 52A WILSON STREET LONDON EC2A 2ER First published as a series of 59 articles in The Berean Expositor Vols. 24 to 33 (1934 to 1945) Published as a book 1956 Reset and reprinted 1996 ISBN 0 85156 173 X Ó THE BEREAN PUBLISHING TRUST 3 Received Text (Textus Receptus) This is the Greek New Testament from which the Authorized Version of the Bible was prepared. Comments in this work on The Acts of the Apostles are made with this version in mind. CONTENTS Chapter Page 1 THE BOOK AS A WHOLE............................................................... 6 2 THE FORMER TREATISE The Gentile in the Gospel of Luke ........................................ 8 3 LUKE 24 AND ACTS 1:1-14........................................................ 12 4 RESTORATION The Lord’s own teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 16 The question of Acts 1:6. Was it right?............................... 19 The O.T. teaching concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel .......................................................... 19 5 THE HOPE OF THE ACTS AND EPISTLES OF THE PERIOD................ 20 Further teaching concerning the hope of Israel in Acts 1:6-14............................................................... 22 6 THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE ACTS AND ITS WITNESS Jerusalem - Antioch - Rome................................................ 26 7 RESTORATION, RECONCILIATION, REJECTION The three R’s.....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Acts of the Apostles Bible Study Lesson # 1 “What Is the Role of the Holy Spirit in the Church?”
    Acts of the Apostles Bible Study Lesson # 1 “What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church?” Introduction The gospel writer Luke in his second volume, called “The Acts of the Apostles” or simply “Acts,” is giving Theophilus an account of the birth of the Church, how it organized and solved its problems, and its subsequent spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ following his ascension. Luke makes it clear that the Church did not start on account of any human endeavor but by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised to give. Because of the power of the Holy Spirit, the Church became an agent for change, bore witness to the faith and became a radically unique and diverse community. From Jerusalem at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit enabled the Church to spread to Syria, Asia, Europe and Africa. The Holy Spirit also took a wide range of people, from a Galilean fisherman to a learned scholar, to cities and towns throughout the Roman Empire to preach the good news, heal, teach and demonstrate God’s love. Despite the apostle’s imprisonment and beatings, and an occasional riot, the band of faithful managed to grow in spite of their persecution. The growth of the Church Luke credits to the guiding work of the Holy Spirit that cannot be bottled or contained. Women, children, Jews and Gentiles were coming together into a new sense of community and purpose through the common experience of encountering the transformative power of Jesus Christ. This bible study is produced to not only help the faithful understand God’s plan for the expansion of the Church but to challenge individual Christians as well as faith communities to seek to understand what God is asking them to do in light of God’s current movement of the Holy Spirit.
    [Show full text]
  • One Ethiopian Eunuch Is Not the End of the World: the Narrative Function of Acts 8:26–40*
    ONE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD: THE NARRATIVE FUNCTION OF ACTS 8:26–40* Curt Niccum Over the last century appreciation for the story of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26–40) has increased, although not at the same rate as Ethiopic Enoch. When modern interpreters began viewing the Book of Acts as a collection of roughly chronological vignettes, attention to the eunuch’s conversion centered on its minor contribution to the history of Christianity’s early expansion. As scholars turned to more literary approaches, the pericope’s perceived value rose because its indepen- dence from the surrounding narrative marked it as a source. Originally a Hellenistic Christian tale about the first Gentile convert, Luke poorly edited and purposely diluted its content in order to maintain Petrine primacy with the competing Cornelius story, which he favored.1 With the advent of narrative criticism, interest grew in the story’s contribu- tion to the overall message of Acts.2 Liberationist readings now have arguably given the passage its greatest prominence to date.3 At every stage in this development interpreters have associated the Ethiopian eunuch with Jesus’ statement in Acts 1:8, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the end of the earth.” As a result, even though the story’s stock has appreciated, the verdict about its message has basically remained the same. Luke composed, incorporated, or edited this event to reveal “the * I am grateful to Jim for the hours spent reading 1 Enoch with me, his careful reading of a technical dissertation, and his critical, editorial eye.
    [Show full text]
  • GOD's PROMISE FULFILLED in JESUS Acts 13:13-43
    GOD’S PROMISE FULFILLED IN JESUS Acts 13:13-43 SERMON NOTES FOR LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION INTRODUCTION This is the first complete sermon that we see Paul preaching the book of Acts. Luke has told us of his preaching in the synagogues, but this is the first sermon that we can examine in full. We see that Paul preaches the same message that we have already seen Peter preach in Acts. He mentions three figures prominently: David, John the Baptist and Jesus. God makes promises to David which are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. John serves as the messenger who alerts Israel to the arrival and ministry of Jesus. Paul is tying the story of Scripture together for the Jewish and Gentile audiences who are listening to him. In doing so he is preaching the same message that Peter preached, which is the same message that Jesus preached. Too often we got lost in the details of the OT stories and we forget to see how they are pointing toward Jesus. This sermon is a short summary of that overview of Scripture. God made promised to David. He fulfilled those promises in Jesus. There is no one else coming who will fulfill them. Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise God has made. I. JOHN MARK ABANDONS SHIP – 13:13-14 Paul and his companions departed from Paphos – 13:13 Luke shows us that there has been a definite change in the leadership of this missionary team. It is no longer “Barnabas and Saul” but is now “Paul and his companions.” In this verse Barnabas is not even listed by name.
    [Show full text]
  • Bible Study Guide on the Acts of the Apostles
    Investigating the Word of God Acts Artist’s Depiction of the Apostle Paul Preaching at the Areopagus in Athens Gene Taylor © Gene Taylor, 2007. All Rights Reserved All lessons are based on the New King James Version, © Thomas Nelson, Inc. An Introduction to Acts The Author There are no serious doubts as to the authorship of the book of Acts of the Apostles. Luke is assigned as its author. As early as the last part of the 2nd century, Irenaeus cites passages so frequently from the Acts of the Apostles that it is certain that he had constant access to the book. He gives emphasis to the internal evidence of its authorship. Tertullian also ascribes the book to Luke, as does Clement of Alexandria. That Luke is the author of the book of Acts is evident from the following. ! The Preface of the Book. The writer addresses Theophilus (Luke 1:3), who is the same individual to whom the gospel of Luke was also directed, and makes reference to a “former treatise” which dealt with “all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was received up” (1:1-2). This is very evidently a reference to the third gospel. ! The book of Acts and the gospel of Luke are identical in style, as a number of scholars have pointed out and demonstrated. ! The book of Acts comes as an historical sequel to the gospel of Luke, taking up with the very events, and at the point where the gospel of Luke concludes, namely the resurrection, the appearances following the resurrection, and the commissioning of the Apostles to the task for which they had been selected and trained by the Lord, and the ascension of Jesus.
    [Show full text]
  • Terrigal Christian Israelite Church 15Th August 2021
    Terrigal Christian Israelite Church Welcome to Church! 15th August 2021 FAITH I'm reaching for the prize, I'm giving everything I give my life for this; it's what I live for Nothing can keep me from all that You have for me You hold my head up high; I live for You Greater is He that's living in me Than he that is in the world Faith, I can move the mountain I can do all things through Christ, I know Faith, standing and believing I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ANCIENT OF DAYS Blessing and honour, glory and power Be unto the Ancient of Days From every nation, all of creation Bow before the Ancient of Days Every tongue in heaven and earth Shall declare Your glory Every knee shall bow at Your throne in worship You will be exalted, o God, And Your kingdom shall not pass away O Ancient of Days Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth Sing unto the Ancient of Days For none can compare to Your matchless worth Sing unto the Ancient of Days WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME You were the Word at the beginning You didn't want heaven without us One with God the Lord Most High So Jesus, You brought heaven down Your hidden glory in creation My sin was great, Your love was greater Now revealed in You our Christ What could separate us now What a beautiful Name it is What a wonderful Name it is What a beautiful Name it is What a wonderful Name it is The Name of Jesus Christ my King The Name of Jesus Christ my King What a beautiful Name it is What a wonderful Name it is Nothing compares to this Nothing compares to this What a beautiful Name
    [Show full text]
  • Paul and the Spread of the Church New Testament Survey – Lesson 17 (Part 2)
    Acts of the Apostles – Paul and the Spread of the Church New Testament Survey – Lesson 17 (Part 2) In ninth grade, we took an aptitude test measuring our skills and interests for possible careers. I think the goal was to help guide us in our decisions over what courses to take as high school unfolded before us. I had never really given much thought to a career, but taking this assessment certainly focused my mind on the options! By the time the test results came in, I was really intrigued. I wanted to know what I was built to do! The results gave me three main career aptitudes. I don’t remember the order, but I never forgot the three that rose to the top. My aptitude test indicated I would do best as a preacher, a lawyer, or a politician. I was thrilled. All three of these sounded like marvelous careers! I signed up for debate and Latin as my next electives, figuring both would serve me well in any of the three fields. I also had our church intern, who was taking New Testament Greek at the time at Lubbock Christian University, start tutoring me in New Testament Greek. I kept up the Latin and debate throughout High School and then went to college to study for the ministry or law school. (I never was sure how you studied to be a politician!) My college degree was a B.A. in “Biblical Languages,” but it came through the Bible Department and was appropriate in my church background to place me in a pulpit preaching.
    [Show full text]