IBS Seminar 12: Acts 13-14: A Controversial Ministry

Objective: To examine some of the evangelistic strategies used by Paul in his first missionary journey

We usually identify the preaching of the Gospel with the quiet rural lakeside villages of Galilee where our Lord ministered. It can all sometimes seem rather remote and distant from our busy urban environment. The irony is however that the Church growth recorded in the Book of Acts was almost exclusively an urban expansion. Historian Wayne Meeks writes, "within a decade of the crucifixion of Jesus, the village culture of Palestine had been left behind, and the Greco-Roman city had become the dominant environment of the Christian movement."

The Church which began in Jerusalem, spread to other cities beginning with Samaria, then Damascus, Caesarea and Antioch. This was no accident but a definite strategy of the Holy Spirit to concentrate on important centres of population connected by fast and safe Roman roads.

If you count the number of cities mentioned in Acts how many will you find? You'll find at least forty named! Acts 13-28 is one of the best known records of ancient geography. For many centuries archaeologists had no other proof of the existence of many of these ancient cities apart from Luke's account.

In chapters 13-14, Luke records Paul's first missionary journey to six different cities beginning and ending at Antioch.

1. Antioch in Syria - Decision 13:1-5
2. Paphos on Cyprus - Deception 13:6-12
3. Perga in Pamphylia - Desertion 13:13
4. Antioch in Pisidia - Disputation 13:14-52
5. Iconium - Division 14:1-7
6. Lystra - Delusion 14:8-20
7. Antioch in Syria - Declaration 14:21-28

In the first verses of Acts 13 Barnabas and Paul were set apart by the Holy Spirit, and commissioned by the Church at Antioch. Antioch is in Northern Syria and Barnabas and Paul took John Mark with them and sailed for Cyprus from the port of Seleucia. At Paphos they had their first main confrontation with a certain Bar-Jesus a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet.

1. Antioch in Syria - Decision 13:1-5
2. Paphos on Cyprus - Deception 13:6-12
3. Perga in Pamphylia - Desertion 13:13

At this point our story today takes on a sad note. The trio had only got as far as the Turkish coast and John Mark had had enough. He wanted to go home, so he returned to Jerusalem.

We know nothing of his reason. When he is mentioned again in chapter 15 however, Paul is unwilling to risk taking Mark again. So strongly does Paul feel, he has a sharp disagreement with Barnabas over it, and they go their separate ways. Luke uses a very strong word to describe Mark's desertion.

The word is only used two other times, once in Mark 7 in connection with a false profession of faith, and once in Luke 9 in the context of a particularly stubborn case of demon possession. The Holy Spirit takes a serious view of withdrawing in such a careless way from a commitment. Barnabas and Paul travelled inland a further 100 miles north and about 3.500 feet up through the Taurus mountains to get to the important city of Pisidian Antioch.

4. Antioch in Pisidia - Disputation 13:14-52
Antioch in Pisidia, like its more famous counterpart Antioch in Syria was founded by Seleucus Nicator as a commercial centre commanding the great trade routes between Cilicia and Ephesus. Emperor Augustus had converted it to a Roman colony to control the local population.

As you follow Paul's journeys in Acts, you will notice that he selected strategic cities, planted churches in them, and went on to evangelize the surrounding areas as long as the civil authorities would let him.

Each time he would begin his work in the local synagogue, where people had a knowledge of the Old Testament. Here he was among those he could identify with most closely, and where he found both Jews and Gentile proselytes ready to hear the Word of God. Because Paul was a trained rabbi, a graduate of the famous school of Gamaliel in Jerusalem, he could be sure of an initial hearing.

What follows in chapter 13 is the first of Paul's recorded sermons, and it has three parts. Each is introduced with the phrase "men of Israel", or "brothers". 13:16, 26, 38. Paul had not gone to the Synagogue, hoping for an invitation home for lunch, nor for the opportunity to expound the theories of Hillel.

He had gone praying for an opportunity to preach about Jesus. And we must pray for the same. As we look at that first sermon, imagine that later tonight you are going to explain your faith to a Jewish neighbour. Look for ways Paul might give you a model.

4.1 Preparation: Israel's Holy Mission 13:16-25
4.2 Declaration: Israel's Hideous Mistake 13:26-37
4.3 Application: Israel's Historic Moment 13:38-41
4.4 Consequences of Paul's Preaching 13:42-47
4.5 Wider Opportunities 13:48-52

4.1 Preparation: Israel's Holy Mission 13:16-25
4.1.1 A Special People 13:16-18
Paul begins by building bridges. He speaks of "the God of our fathers". He reminds them of their common heritage, of God's plan for His people. Of How God protected them, delivered them.

4.1.2 A Special Place 13:19-20
Paul reminds them of God's original provision of a special land for Israel.

4.1.3 A Special Prince 13:21-22
Israel had demanded a king, and God had first of all given them Saul, and then David to rule over them. Then in unbroken continuity Paul tells them of David's descendant, the Messiah, Jesus, Yeshua in Hebrew, come to save His people.

4.1.4 A Special Promise 13:23-25
Every pious Jew knew that the Messiah would come from David's family, and that a prophet would announce His coming before hand. That prophet, well known and popularly recognized, was John the Baptist. The coming of Jesus was to be the consummation of all history. At this point Paul switches gear. Having identified with them, reminded them, prepared them to hear of their Messiah, Paul declares the meaning behind their rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. So there is preparation. Next note,

4.2 Declaration : Israel's Hideous Mistake 13:26-37
4.2.1 The Challenge to his Hearers 13:26
From "us" Paul changes approach and speaks of "them", and "we".

4.2.2 The Charge Against the Hebrews 13:27-37
The Tragedy of Judaism - the Rejection of Christ 13:27-29
Paul explained why their leaders in Jerusalem rejected and crucified their Messiah. They didn't recognize Jesus and unjustly condemned Him. Not because they didn't read the prophets, but because they didn't understand them, indeed they were unknowingly fulfilling the prophets.
Woeful Ignorance 13:27
Wilful Insistence 13:28
Wicked Intransigence 13:29

The Triumph of Jesus - The Resurrection of Christ 13:30-37
The resurrection of Jesus was the vindication.
Proof of Eyewitness 13:30-31
It was an act of God in history verified by eye witnesses. Notice also Paul speaks of these witnesses as contemporaries.

Predictions of Scripture 13:32-37
It was an act of God in history predicted by king David and the prophet Isaiah. Since Paul was addressing a synagogue congregation, he uses the OT scriptures to support his argument. He relates three significant OT references to the Messiah.

Psalm 2:7
Note that it refers to the resurrection of Christ, not to the birth of Christ. The virgin tomb was like a womb that gave birth to Jesus Christ in all His resurrection glory.

Isaiah 55:3
This quote refers to the covenant God made with David. God had promised David that one of his descendants would be the Messiah.

This was to be an "everlasting covenant" with a throne that would be established forever. That is why Jesus the Messiah had to be raised from the dead, so the covenant could be fulfilled.

Psalm 16:10
The Jews considered this to be a messianic psalm. Clearly the promise did not apply to David who was dead and buried, and long gone. It could only apply to the Messiah, whose body was not resuscitated but transformed through the resurrection. We've seen in Paul's sermon, the preparation and the declaration.

4.3 Application: Israel's Historic Moment 13:38-41
This was Israel's historic moment. They had rejected their Messiah, but He was giving them a second chance. The Lord Jesus Christ was alive for ever more, and they could still accept Him, now was the time.

Notice at this point how Paul again changes the use of pronouns to speak directly to them as individuals, since the Lord Jesus must be received personally. 8x in five verses Paul says "you". He had declared the good news, now all that remained was to make the application personal and challenging.

4.3.1 The Gospel Welcome 13:38-39
In the Gospel two precious promises are made.

The Forgiveness of Sin: Pardon 13:38
To know for sure that all was forgiven. The past can be forgiven. We can be free from a guilty conscience.

Justification Before the Father: Inheritance 13:39
God has done much more than simply wiping the slate clean.
Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ. He enables us to share a portion of Christ's inheritance. The law could never justify, only condemn, a constant reminder of failure. But Jesus forgives, Jesus justifies. That's really good news. The Gospel welcome.

4.3.2 The Gospel Warning 13:40-41
Paul finishes his sermon with a word of warning taken from another OT prophet Habbakuk. In Habbakkuk's day the "unbelievable work" God was doing was raising up the Chaldeans to chasten His people, something so remarkable no one would accept it. They couldn't believe that God was using an evil pagan nation to punish His own chosen people.

God was using Gentiles to punish Jews. The "wonderful work" in Paul's day was that God was using Jews to save Gentiles. Many believed in the Gospel as Paul preached. In fact they were so excited they wanted to hear more the next Sabbath. Summarise outline. Now we want to examine the effects of Paul's preaching. If this is the write up of Paul's first recorded sermon at Pisidia Antioch. Now we see the results of it.

4.4 Consequences of Paul's Preaching 13:42-14:28
4.4.1 Great Encouragement 13:42-44
4.4.1.1 Real Thirst 13:42
At the end of the service the pair were invited back for another preach. Paul had made a deep impression on the congregation. They wanted to hear more next week, but many couldn't wait that long.

4.4.1.2 Rewarding Enthusiasm 13:43
The follow-up study carried on outside the synagogue.
Many seem, to have responded to Christ, for Paul tells them to "continue in grace". This suggests they had come to understand the basis of a right relationship with God. Paul knew that these young Christians would soon face the pressure to return to the well worn but worthless paths of Jewish legalism. Their salvation like ours depends not upon obedience to rules and regulations but on the grace, the free unmerited mercy of God.

Recently I spoke at a University Christian Union meeting, on prayer and bible reading. Afterward two or three came up and wanted to talk more about it. By the time we'd finished the coffee was cold. That made the whole evening worth while. That a handful wanted to take it further..... A real thirst, a rewarding enthusiasm....

4.4.1.3 Remarkable Popularity 13:44
By the time Paul and Barnabas came back the next Saturday, they could hardly get in the building. The new Christians had brought their friends and relatives. Revival hit Pisidia. The best evangelists are always the youngest Christians. Why were the Apostles so popular ? Luke tells us, the people came to hear the word of God explained. The synagogue rulers were not so sure about this growing popularity. Great encouragement was met by,

4.4.2 Bitter Opposition 13:45-47
The authorities were suspicious of this new revolutionary teaching. Instead of responding gladly, they looked for flaws in Paul's theology.

4.4.2.1 Intense Hostility 13:45
The Cause of the Hostility "Jealousy"
It was envy that moved the crowds to hand Jesus over to Pilate. It was that same envy, that sparked this hostility. Have you ever gone on holiday to another church and made the embarrassing discovery that you've sat in someone's favourite seat? That's what happened that particular Sabbath. The regulars found all the best seats taken by new people, strangers come just to hear the guest preacher... That's one reason why some churches will never grow.There is no welcome, no hospitality. The synagogue in Pisidia had never seen such crowds. People didn't turn out like this for their own visiting speakers, not even at Passover had the collection been so good.... The cause of the hostility, jealousy.

The Character of the Hostility - "Abusiveness"
Unable to refute the truth, they stooped to abusive language. As such they were unkowingly fulfilling the prophecy of Simeon. When he had held the baby Jesus in his arms, he'd predicted, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against." Intense hostility, but it was countered by

4.4.2.2 Increased Power 13:46
The Holy Spirit rose to the occasion and gave Paul and Barnabas the words to say.... Two things we can note.

Their Boldness
"We had to speak the word of God to you first" Paul's boldness came from speaking the word of God.

Their Directness
"Since you reject it we now turn to the Gentiles" Paul's answer to their complaint was simple. It was because the Jews refused to receive the Gospel light that prevented them from bringing light to the Gentiles.

Paul's sentence is very strong language spoken to people who cherished the hope of eternal life. "since you do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life..." That is plain speaking.... but it was the truth. Intense hostility brought increased power and an

4.4.4 Indisputable Testimony 13:47
This was no accident, but the fulfillment of scripture. Paul quotes from Isaiah 49:6.
The Lords commission to Israel, fulfilled in the Messiah became Paul's warrant for turning to the Gentiles. His decision was not an angry over reaction. Paul never acted without scriptural authority in what he did. It was not spite that motivated him but the scriptures. The gospel had always been good news for the world. If his hearers refused the privilege and responsibility of taking it, he would do so himself.

His Role "Light for the Gentiles"
His Mission "You may bring salvation"
His Parish "To the ends of the earth"

Paul was willing to go to the ends of the earth to win people to Christ. How far are you willing to go? Great Encouragement, Bitter Opposition

4.5 Wider Opportunities 13:48-52
4.5.1 Acceptance 13:48-49
4.5.1.1 Glorified by the Gentiles 13:48

Its always a great encouragement when you believe a decision is from the Lord, gets endorsed by the Holy Spirit's blessing. Now these verses touch upon a theological issue, I'd like to take a little time to unpack. Re-read 13:48

Luke tells us that those who believed were "ordained to eternal life, believed". Just before that he said that "they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord". What we have here is an insight, a glimpse into the interaction between the predestinating foreknowledge of God and human response and responsibility. Because God is God, omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent (all present), foreknowledge is one of His attributes. He is the great I AM, dwelling in the eternal present tense. He was present at this meeting in Pisidian Antioch, in all His saving power, on this historic occasion.

But He was also present at this same meeting before he had ever flung the stars into space or moulded Adam from clay. Knowledge is always based on fact. Our knowledge is after knowledge - we know a fact after the fact or event has occurred. God's knowledge is not after-knowledge, its fore-knowledge, for He knows what will happen before it happens, for He can see all of time from within eternity. From our perspective in a certain place, at a certain time we heard the gospel, believed and accepted Christ, and were born into the family of God. It happened in time, and so became known.

However in His fore-knowledge God saw the fact before ever time began. God therefore enrolled us into eternal life for He knew what would happen.

When the people in Pisidia heard the gospel, and in gladness honoured the word, responding personally whole heartedly, God appointed them to eternal life. He never interferes with our power of choice, or moral accountability.

God's sovereignty and human responsibility are like two sides of a coin.
On our side of the door to heaven is the sign, "Whosoever wills may come". Once we have entered we find on the other side of the door the sign "Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world". D.L.Moody put it this way,

"The elect are the whosoever wills, and the non-elect are the whosoever wont's." Glorified by the Gentiles,

4.5.1.2 Extended among the Gentiles 13:49
The Good News spread like a forest fire. The empty hungry hearts of the gentiles responded like a parched wilderness to the rain. The Gentile world had been exposed to Greek reasoning, Roman rule and Hebrew religion. None had satisfied. The philosophy of Greece left the heart empty. The laws of Rome administered with a heavy hand and great cruelty could not bring peace to the soul.

The religion of the Jews, though infinitely superior to the superstitions and sensuality's of paganism, was still cold, formal, difficult to embrace, and few were prepared undergo the embarrassment of circumcision to become full proselytes. No wonder the good news of the long awaited Messiah spread. There was now a better, quicker, fuller way to the heart of God.Acceptance. But there was also.

4.5.2 Persecution 13:50-51
4.5.2.1 Rejection 13:50
The unbelieving Jews were not about to roll over and die, nor were they going to sit back and let Paul and Barnabas take over. Paul was a sheep stealer, taking the God fearing Gentiles away from the synagogue, and that really irritated them. Evidently there were a number of leading ladies who worshipped at the synagogue. Judaism had a strong attraction for women in Greek and Roman society. The ancient world like our own was very lax morally.

Family life was rapidly breaking down. The ones who suffered most as always were the women. Judaism taught an ethical purity and family responsibility that stood in stark contrast to what paganism offered. Consequently many women became proselytes. On this occasion the Jews persuaded them to talk to their influential husbands to expel Paul and Barnabas persona non grata.

Opposition could not extinguish the truth. It merely fanned the flames of interest. Expelled, the Apostles went to Iconium to start the revolution there also.

4.5.2.2 Repudiation 13:51
It was customary for Jews to shake off the dust of a pagan town from their feet when they returned to their own land, as a symbol of cleansing themselves from the impurity of sinners who did not worship God. Paul and Barnabas were also obeying the injunction of the Lord.

For Jews to do this to their fellow Jews was tantamount to regarding the latter as pagan Gentiles. Through this vivid drama Paul and Barnabas were saying "You fellow Jews who reject the Gospel, who drive out God's messengers are no longer truly part of Israel, and are no better than unbelievers." Rejection and repudiation, but also

4.5.3 Rejoicing 13:52
"filled with joy" because they were "filled with the Holy Spirit" The missionaries might have had to leave their new converts but the Holy Spirit hadn't. The Jew's might have been able to drive out the servants of God, but they could not drive out the Spirit of God.

The centre of action merely moved on another 90 miles or so East to the next main town Iconium, And thats where we pick up the story next week. As we close let me quote to you a summary from Cambell Morgan,

"Note the effect of the Christian message; it is life unto life, or death unto death. It produces jealousy or joy, blasphemy or belief; the spirit of hell which persecutes, or the spirit of holiness wich seeks to save. The preaching of the Cross appeals to the intellect of men and divides them. It stors the emotional life, producing opposite and conflicting emotions. It storms the will and demands belief or blasphemy... on which side do I stand ?

5. Iconium - Division 14:1-7
This city, more Greek than Roman, was in the Roman province of Galatia. Paul's ministry in the synagogue was singularly blessed and a multitude of Jews and Gentiles believed. Once again, the unbelieving Jews stirred up hatred and opposition, but the missionaries stayed on and witnessed boldly for Christ. (Note the "therefore" in Acts 14:3.) God also enabled the men to perform signs and wonders as their "credentials" that they were indeed the servants of the true God (see Acts 15:12; Gal. 3:5; Heb. 2:4). Faith is not based on miracles (Luke 16:27-31; John 2:23-25), but faith can be bolstered by miracles. The important thing is "the word of His grace" that performs the work of His grace (Acts 14:26). The result? The city was divided and the Christians were threatened with public disgrace and stoning. Obedient to their Lord's counsel in Matthew 10:23, they fled from that area into a different Roman district and continued to minister the Word of God.

6. Lystra - Delusion 14:8-20
Lystra was in the Roman province of Galatia, about eighteen miles southwest of Iconium. This was the first of three visits Paul made to this city, and an eventful visit it was! On his second missionary journey, Paul enlisted Timothy in Lystra (Acts 16:1-5); and he made a visit to this church on his third journey as well (Acts 18:23). We should note four different responses during this visit.

6.1 The crippled man's response to the Word 14:8-10
Both Peter and Paul healed men who were lame from birth (Acts 3). Had their lameness been caused by disease or accident, the cure might have been attributed to a sudden change in their health. As it was, the cure was obviously miraculous. The word translated "speak" in Acts 14:9 means ordinary conversation, though it can refer to formal speaking. It is likely that Paul was simply conversing with some of the citizens in the marketplace, telling them about Jesus, and the lame man overheard what he said. The Word produced faith (Rom. 10:17) and faith brought healing.

6.2 The crowd's response to the crippled man 14:11-13
Miracles by themselves do not produce either conviction or faith. They must be accompanied by the Word (Acts 14:3). This was a superstitious crowd that interpreted events in the light of their own mythology. They identified Barnabas as Jupiter (Zeus), the chief of the gods; and Paul, the speaker, they identified with Mercury (Hermes), the messenger of the gods. Jupiter was the patron deity of the city, so this was a great opportunity for the priest of Jupiter to become very important and lead the people in honoring their god.

6.3 The Apostles' response to the crowd 14:14-19
How easy it would have been to accept this worship and try to use the honor as a basis for teaching the people the truth, but that is not the way God's true servants minister (2 Cor. 4:1-2; 1 Thes. 2:1-5). Paul and Barnabas opposed what they were doing and boldly told the people that the gods of Lystra were "vanities." Paul's message was not based on the Old Testament, because this was a pagan Gentile audience. He started with the witness of God in creation (see Acts 17:22ff). He made it clear that there is but one God who is the living God, the giving God, and the forgiving God. And He has been patient with the sinning nations (Acts 17:30) and has not judged them for their sins as they deserve. The crowd quieted down, but when some trouble-making Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, the crowd followed their lead and stoned Paul. One minute, Paul was a god to be worshiped; the next minute, he was a criminal to be slain! Emerson called a mob "a society of bodies voluntarily bereaving themselves of reason." Often this is true.

6.4 The disciples' response to Paul 14:20
 There were new believers in Lystra, and this was a crisis situation for them. They were a minority, their leader had been stoned, and their future looked very bleak. But they stood by Paul! It is likely that they joined hearts and prayed for him, and this is one reason God raised him up. Was Paul dead? We are not told. This is the only stoning he ever experienced (2 Cor. 11:25), but from it came glory to God. It may have been this event that especially touched Timothy and eventually led to his association with Paul (2 Tim. 3:10).

7. Antioch in Syria - Declaration Acts 14:21-28
On their return trip to Antioch, the missionaries were engaged in several important ministries.

7.1 They Preached the Gospel and made Disciples "taught many".
It is difficult to understand how they got back into the cities from which they had been expelled, but the Lord opened the doors.

7.2 They Strengthened "confirmed" the Believers.
They strengthened the believers in the things of Christ and encouraged ("exhorted") them to continue in the faith. Continuance is a proof of true faith in Jesus Christ (John 8:31-32; Acts 2:42). Paul made it very clear that living the Christian life was not an easy thing and that they would all have to expect trials and sufferings before they would see the Lord in glory.

7.3 They Organized the Churches Acts 14:23-25.
The local church is both an organism and an organization, for if an organism is not organized, it will die! Paul and Barnabas ordained spiritual leaders and gave them the responsibility of caring for the flock. If you compare Titus 1:5 and 7, you will see that "elder" and "bishop" (overseer) refer to the same office, and both are equivalent to "pastor" (shepherd). The word translated ordained means "to elect by a show of hands." It is possible that Paul chose the men and the congregation voted its approval, or that the people selected them by vote and Paul ordained them (see Acts 6:1-6).

7.4 They Reported back to Their "sending church" on what God had done.
 (Acts 14:26-28). They had been gone at least a year, and it must have been exciting for them and for the church when they arrived back home. They had, by the grace of God, fulfilled the work God had given them to do; and they joyfully reported the blessings to the church family. This is perhaps the first "missionary conference" in church history, and what a conference it must have been!

8. A Summary of Paul's Missionary Methods
As you review Paul's first missionary journey, you can see the principles by which he operated, principles that are still applicable today.

He worked primarily in the key cities and challenged the believers to take the message out to the more remote areas. The Gospel works in the population centres, and we must carry it there.

He used one approach with the synagogue congregations and another with the Gentiles. He referred the Jews and Jewish proselytes to the Old Testament Scriptures; but when preaching to the Gentiles, he emphasized the God of creation and His goodness to the nations. His starting point was different, but his finishing point was the same: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

He majored on establishing and organizing local churches. Jesus had the local church in mind when He gave what we call "The Great Commission" (Matt. 28:19-20). After we make disciples ("teach"), we must baptize them (the responsibility primarily of a local church) and then teach them the Word of God. Merely winning people to Christ is but fulfilling one-third of the Commission! It takes the local assembly of believers to help us fulfill all of what Jesus commanded us to do. He grounded the believers in the Word of God. This is the only source of strength and stability when persecution comes, as it inevitably does come. Paul did not preach a popular "success Gospel" that painted a picture of an easy Christian life.

The amazing thing is that Paul and his associates did all of this without the modern means of transportation and communication that we possess today. Dr. Bob Pierce used to say to us in Youth For Christ, "Others have done so much with so little, while we have done so little with so much!" The wasted wealth of American believers alone, if invested in world evangelization, might lead to the salvation of millions of lost people. Paul and Barnabas announced that the "door of faith" had been opened to the Gentiles.

That door is still open, to Jews and Gentiles alike—to a whole world! Walk through that open door and help take the Gospel to others. In the words of Warren Wersbie to whom I am deeplky indebted for this series, Be bold!