Beloved, I am pleased to share with you today the above theme from Acts 13:38-39. Indeed, we are entering the second level of work to be done: witnesses in Asia Minor and Greece. Indeed, the Church of Antioch becomes the starting point of the work that will be accomplished among the nations. Barnabas and Saul are set apart, and leave accompanied by the prayers of the Church. Their first stop is the island of Cyprus from which Barnabas originated (Acts 4:36-37).
Arriving at Paphos, the apostles were summoned by proconsul Sergius Paulus, the highest Roman official on the island. This “intelligent man” knew the God of the Jews and desired to hear His Word. But he was advised by a disturbing figure: Elymas, a Jewish magician (thus exercising an abominable activity in the eyes of God: Dt 18:9-14), who took advantage of the spiritual needs of Sergius Paulus to exert a harmful influence on him.
But this man’s opposition produces precisely what he sought to prevent. For it allows Paul (so named for the first time) to give the proconsul, by chastising the false prophet, proof of the power of the Lord. Indeed, Elymas is a type of the Jewish people who, because of his resistance to the Spirit of God, was made spiritually blind “for a time” for the benefit of the nations.
Then the apostles, continuing their journey, approach Pamphylia. But there John (also named Mark: Acts 12:11-14) abandons them and returns to Jerusalem. For his faith was not commensurate with the service in which he had engaged, nor with the difficulties he saw. It is not enough to accompany or imitate a servant of God. Indeed, even in a common work, everyone has his own responsibility before the Lord and can only walk with his personal faith.
Addressing the Jews in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia, paul and Stephen recall the history of Israel and show how God fulfilled in Jesus the promises made to David (Ps 132:9-18). Wasn’t the Savior himself a precious type of the Savior who was to descend from him? For in contrast to Saul, king according to the flesh, God had chosen in David a man according to his heart who would do all his will.
Then everything agreed well to designate Jesus as the Messiah: first, the testimony of John after that of all the prophets; second, the fulfillment of the Scriptures in His death, when no crime had been found in Him (Isaiah 53:4-9). And, above all, His resurrection. For”if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith too is in vain.” (1 Co 15:12-19). So let us not be surprised to hear him insist so much on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. For to the Jews she demonstrated that He was indeed the promised Messiah, the One spoken of in Ps 16:5-11 and other scriptures. And to the Gentiles it confirmed God’s power and the imminence of His judgment (Acts 17:30-31).
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- Christ, theme of Preaching
Acts 4:2 dissatisfied with what they taught the people, and announced in the person of Jesus the resurrection of the dead. Acts 8:5, 35 Philip, having descended into the city of Samaria, preached Christ there. 35 Then Philip, opening his mouth and beginning with this passage, announced to him the good news of Jesus. Acts 9:20 And immediately he preached in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 10:36 He sent the word to the sons of Israel, announcing peace to them through Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all. Acts 17:3 explaining and establishing that Christ was to suffer and rise from the dead. And Jesus whom I announce to you, he said, it is he who is the Christ. 1 Co 1:23 we preach Christ crucified; scandal for the Jews and folly for the Gentiles;2 Co 4:5 We do not preach to ourselves; it is Jesus Christ the Lord that we preach, and we call ourselves your servants because of Jesus.
- Forgiveness of sin
Mt 26:28 for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. Lk 3:3 And he went to the whole land around Jordan, preaching baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins; Lk 24:47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached in His name to all nations, beginning with Jerusalem. Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Rom 3:25 It is he whom God intended, by his blood, to be, for those who would believe to be a propitiatory victim, in order to show his righteousness, because he had left unpunished the sins committed before, in the time of his patience, in order, I say; Heb 9:22 And almost everything, according to the law, is purified with blood, and without bloodshed there is no forgiveness. Heb 10:18 Now, where there is forgiveness of sins, there is no longer an offering for sin.
- Faith in Christ ensures salvation
Jn 3:15 that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. Jn 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not believe in the Son will not see life, but god’s wrath dwells upon him. Jn 5:24 Truly, truly, I tell you, he who listens to my word, and believes in him who sent me, has eternal life and does not come to judgment, but has passed from death to life. Jn 6:40 My Father’s will is that whoever sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise Him up on the last day. Jn 20:31 But these things were written so that you would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you would have life in His name. Acts 10:43 All prophets bear witness to Him that whoever believes in Him receives by name the forgiveness of sins. Acts 13:39 and that whoever believes is justified by him for all things that you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 16:31 Paul and Silas answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved. Rom 9:33 as it is written: Behold, I put in Zion a stumbling stone And a rock of scandal, And he who believes in him will not be confused. Rom 10:9 If you confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth, and if you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 2 Tim 3:15 From your childhood, you know the holy letters, which can make you wise to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 1 Jn 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the one who begat him also loves the one who was born of him.
- Justification by faith
Gen 15:6 Abram trusted in jehovah, who justly blamed him for it. Acts 13:39 and that whoever believes is justified by him for all things that you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Rom 3:28 For we believe that man is justified by faith, without the works of the law. Rom 5:1:18 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 Thus, as by a single offense condemnation has reached all men, so by a single act of justice the justification that gives life extends to all men. Rom 9:30 What shall we say, then? The Gentiles, who did not seek righteousness, obtained righteousness, the righteousness that comes fromfaith;1 Co 6:11 And that is what you were, some of you. But you have been washed, but you have been sanctified, but you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God. Gal 3:24 Thus the law has been like a teacher to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.
- Examples of Disbelief
Gen 19:14 Lot went out, and spoke to his sons-in-law who had taken his daughters: Get up, he said, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy the city. But, in the eyes of his sons-in-law, he seemed to be joking. 2 Kings 7:2 The officer on whose hand the king relied replied to the man of God: When Jehovah made windows in heaven, would such a thing happen? And Elisha said, “Thou shat see him with your own eyes; but thou shat not eat of it. Ps 78:19 They spoke against God, they said: Could God set a table in the wilderness? Is 53.1 Who believed what was announced to us? Who recognized the arm of the Lord? Mt 13:58 And he did not perform many miracles in this place, because of their unbelief. Mt 21:32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe in him. But the publicans and prostitutes believed in him; and you, who have seen this, have not then repented to believe in Him. Lk 22:67 They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us. Jesus answered them: If I tell you, you will not believe it; Jn 3:11 Truthfully, in truth, I tell you, we say what we know, and we testify of what we have seen; and you do not receive our testimony. Jn 4:48 Jesus said to him: If you do not see miracles and wonders, you do not believe. Jn 6:64 But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who were those who did not believe, and who was the one who would deliver him. Jn 10:25 Jesus answered them: I have told you, and you do not believe. The works I do in the name of my Father bear witness to me. Jn 12:37 Despite so many miracles He had done in their presence, they did not believe in Him;
- Wonders of God
Ex 4:21 Jehovah said to Moses, “As you go back to Egypt, see all the wonders I put in your hand: you will do them before Pharaoh. And I will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go. Ex 15:11 Who is like you among the gods, O Lord? Who is like you magnificent in holiness, Worthy of praise, Performing wonders? Joshua 3:5 Said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow jehovah will do wonders in your midst. Ps 77:15 You are the God who does wonders; You have manifested among the people your power. Dn 3:30 After that, the king made Shadrach, Meschac, and Abed Nego prosper in the province of Babylon. Jl 3:1 For behold, in those days, in that time, When I will bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem; Acts 6:8 Stephen, full of grace and power, performed wonders and great miracles among the people.
From all the above, we note that “the good news” encounters on the part of the Jews only contradiction and blasphemy. Yet the presence in glory of our living Redeemer ensures that His work has been accepted by God for our justification (Rom 4:19-25), that our share is heavenly (Col 3:1-4), and our “sure and solid” hope (Heb 6:13-20). Then, at the Lord’s order, the apostles solemnly turn to the nations, confirming that the remission of sins is for anyone who believes. For these Jews considered themselves unworthy of eternal life. It was disbelief, not humility. Indeed, the Lord had designated them under the image of the eldest son of the parable (Luke 15:25-32) who by his selfishness and his own righteousness voluntarily deprived himself of the joys of the father’s house. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to be humble and heartbreaking.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may be shining in my life right now.
Thank you Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby watering point to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow on”the double effect of speaking. “
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.