E-Free Church - Gaylord Campus
We will study the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. We will start when he was first mentioned in the book of Acts and follow him through his first missionary journey. Paul, the guy who was the terrorist becomes one of the greatest teachers in the history of the church.
Acts 13:13-52 NASB1995
Opposition #1: The ABDANDONMENT by John (13:13)
MAP: Barnabas and Paul leave the island of Cyprus (Barnabas’ hometown) and sail to the port of Perga which was located in Asia Minor (Paul’s home region as Tarsus was in Asia Minor).
There is no record of them preaching in Perga but rather traveled 100 miles to the city of Pisidian Antioch (different than Antioch Syria)
Once they arrived in the port of Perga, John Mark (Barnabas’ cousin) leaves them and goes back to Jerusalem which would later cause a rift between Paul and Barnabas that would cause them to part ways [Ministry Note: People will leave]
Opposition #2: The ATTACK by the Jews (13:14-52)
The REASONING of Paul (v14-41)
As was their custom, they first went to the synagogue on the Sabbath (v14)
The service in the synagogue started exactly as it always would have – with a reading from the Law and Prophets (v15)
It was customary to invite prominent visitors to give a lesson from the reading, and since Paul studied under the influential Rabbi Gamaliel, he was asked to share (v15)
Paul’s sermon had a theme of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (v16-41) that can be divided into three parts:
Jesus is the culmination of history (v17-22)
Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy (v23-37)
Jesus is the justifier of sinners (v38-41)
The RESPONSE of the People (v42-44)
The initial reaction of the people was one of intrigue and they asked the duo to teach again on the next Sabbath (v42)
Many Jews and God-fearing proselytes were so curious they could not wait until the next Sabbath and followed them out of the synagogue continuing a dialogue with them (v43)
It appears that at least some became believers that day and Paul and Barnabas encouraged them in their faith (v43)
The next Sabbath the whole city was at the synagogue to hear Paul and Barnabas teach (v44)
The REACTION of the Jews (v45-47)
Fueled by jealousy over the crowds and their popularity, Jewish leaders continually attempted to refute their teaching (v45)
In so doing, these Jewish leaders were blaspheming God (v45)
Because of their rejection of the message, Paul and Barnabas now turn their teaching to the Gentiles in the city (v46-47)
The RECEPTION by the Gentiles (v48-49)
The Gentiles had the opposite reaction - they rejoiced at the good news and many put their faith in the Lord (v48)
The result was that these new believing Gentiles begin to take the message of the Gospel through the whole region (v49)
The RETALIATION by the Jews (v50-52)
Unable to outdebate Paul and Barnabas, the Jewish leaders brought out their secret weapon – the prominent women and leading men of the city (50)
This group instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas that resulted in their being forced to leave the region (v50) [Paul refers to this persecution in 2 Timothy 3:10-11]
Paul and Barnabas “shook off the dust of their feet” in protest against this opposition (Luke 10:10-12) and travelled about 8 miles to Iconium (v51) [MAP]
Meanwhile back in Pisidian Antioch: These new believers were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (v52) [True ministry always leaves behind a focus on God]