Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Acts

[Mel B]

I was wondering if you could do a deep dive on the significance of Acts 13!?

[jimwalton]

Acts 13 is a watershed moment in the early church. Up until now, the message of Christ had been preached almost exclusively in Israel (Palestine) to Jewish audiences. Philip had introduced the message to an Ethiopian in Acts 8, and we can presume the message spread to Africa through him. Peter had introduced the message to Cornelius in Caesarea (in Israel) Acts 10 (a Gentile!!!), but we’re not aware the message went any further than that. Those were indicators that God intended the message of Christ for the whole world and not just for the Jews. But Acts 13 becomes where the rubber hits the road. Paul (who was from Tarsus) and Barnabas (who was from Cyprus)(both outside of Israel) are now actually going to take the message of Christ directly to the Gentiles in wholesale fashion—a tour, so to speak, of Gentile cities. They are commissioned by a church outside of Israel (Antioch). It’s radical and risky; it’s also what Christ commanded (Mt. 28.19-20).

The question at hand was whether Christianity was a message for Jews—and anyone who wanted to become a Christian had to become a Jew first—or for all without regard to ethnicity. (By contrast, Islam since its inception, and even today is an ethnic religion. One must become Arabic [learn the language and culture] to be a Muslim.) Jesus had told His followers that Christianity was trans-ethnic, but living that out was a difficult reality for a bunch of Jews who disdained Gentiles. Paul had previously tried to take the message east, into Nabatean territory (Gal. 1.17), but it doesn’t seem to have worked. The Gospel was not received and didn’t catch on (Acts 9.25). The people rejected it. So now Paul decides to try going west, to the Mediterranean islands, Turkey, and eventually Europe. The lurking curiosity is: Will it work? Will Gentiles accept the message of Christ, or is Christianity “doomed” to be a cult of Judaism? Chapter 13 is the first venture westward. It’s a decisive moment for the message of Jesus, the success or failure of Christianity, and the salvation of the world.

The very first stop was at Cyprus, Barnabas’s home. There he had connections, relationships, and possibly influence. He was also being responsible to take the message to his family and home first. Cyrus was also a center of trade. If the Gospel caught on there, it could spread.

They started their preaching in a Jewish synagogue, thinking it would be the best place of influence. It was a launch point: Go first to those where you might have the best chance of success. Since Paul’s efforts were ineffective eastward, they follow the principle of “go where you have receptive listeners.” Don’t keep kicking a dead horse or throwing your pearls to pigs. If people won’t listen, talk to someone who will.

They traveled through the whole island preaching, teaching, and evangelizing. They must have had some success, for there is no record of beatings, imprisonment, or persecution of any kind. It’s working; the gospel is taking hold. In Pamphos, even the Roman proconsul turns to Christianity (13.8). Here’s where they hit their first snag. A sorcerer who was an adviser to the proconsul opposes them, presumably for fear he would lose his position of influence. Paul confronts him directly and harshly. The power of the Lord is stronger than the power of Satan (vv. 10-11). Elymas’s punishment fits his crime: He has been spiritually blind and leading others into spiritual darkness; now he will be blind and live in physical darkness. Christ and Christianity win.

They had started off ministering to Jews, but it turns out the gospel was accepted by Gentiles as well.

With the Holy Spirit giving them success, they launch off to some stops in southern Turkey. hey go to Perga and then to Pisidian Antioch, where some family members of the proconsul of Pamphos lived. You see what they’re doing? Spread the gospel by relationships; it’s often a better route than cold contact. In Pisidian Antioch, as before, they begin in the Jewish synagogues to maximize their chance of success.

Here we are actually given a transcript of how Paul approached his message. (This is the longest sermon by Paul recorded for us.) This will become somewhat of an outline for all of Paul’s ministry.

• It is for Jews and Gentiles alike. No barriers, no borders, no prejudice, no racism. It’s for all who seek God.
• He traces through God’s activity in the past. Paul centers on what God has done, showing how God has been at work in history.
• He traces through the Hebrew Scriptures (vv. 16-41). Paul centers on what God has said, showing that God is not finished working out His purposes, and that Jesus is the focus for it all.
• His focus is Jesus: His death and resurrection
• HIs burden is salvation: Believe in Jesus (13.39). Your sins can be forgiven! (13.38) You can be justified and set free.
• He gives the consequences of rejection: perishing (v. 41).

It worked. People came to Christ (vv. 42-44).

But it was not without problems, as we will find is always the case. Any success is met with problems and opposition—jealousy, fear, pride, and opposition. Notice that the Word of God, the truth, causes division and abuse, hatred and violence. Jesus’s message is polarizing. This is also another watershed moment. If the Jews continue to reject and oppose, Paul will not keep preaching to them. He will go to those who are receptive. Paul, right here, right now, says that from now on he will take the message to the Gentiles. He will walk away from “cancel culture” and find those who will listen, shaking the dust off his feet. He quotes Scripture to cement his decision: Isa. 49.6, recorded in Acts 13.47. Many Gentiles believed (13.48). It confirmed in Paul’s mind that his calling to preach to the Gentiles was the will of the Lord, that Gentiles had just as much access to the gospel as Jews, and that Gentiles didn’t have to become Jews to turn to Christ.

The Jews, on the other hand, continued to reject the Lord (13.50), just as the Jews had done in the wilderness and just as the Jews had done in their rejection of Jesus. The song remains the same. They stirred up persecution of God’s word and God’s chosen leaders, and they banished them from town. It’s OK; Paul and Barnabas move on to anyone who will hear.

But it’s working. The gospel is taking hold. The Holy Spirit is at work. The kingdom is spreading.