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Lesson 26

The Journey Continues

Acts 13:13-52

One of the decisions that I made before my first trip to Russia was that I would accept whatever living conditions in which I found myself.  I did not know what to expect.  It did not matter because I believed I was where God wanted me to be at that point.  I knew that wherever I might find myself, it would be different than home.  The food would be different, I would not understand the language, nor would I know anything about the city, but none of those things made any difference.

The primary reason that I chose to go to that foreign land was because it was a place that needed to know Jesus.  It so impressed me that I returned three times staying with the same people, eating the same food and meeting all kinds of great people.  If I had been able I would have returned time and time again.  Shortly after I went the last time the Russians shut down the work in that area and expelled the workers with whom I had worked.

When God lays His hand on each of us and calls us into His service, it is for life.  There will be times when that is real joy to be found in His work.  At other times the work will be difficult.  We are to dedicate our lives to His work and are to never turn back.  We will see both examples in our lesson today.  Which of the men in this story are we to imitate with our lives, John Mark or Barnabas and Saul?

Acts 13:13

There is a shift in that takes place in this verse.  Up to this point Barnabas has always been listed before Saul. Now the Scriptures say, “Paul and his companions put out to sea.”  Paul by that time had taken over the leadership role of the small band of men travelling together.

The next sentence tells of another change that occurred.  It says, “John left them and returned to Jerusalem.  There has been much conjecture of the reason he left Paul and Barnabas.  Some of them are:

• He became jealous for Barnabas as Paul began to become the acknowledged leader.  As has been mentioned before he was a kinsman of Barnabas. While this may be true, we do not see any evidence that Barnabas felt the same way.
• He had not bought into any mission beyond Cyprus.  
• He became homesick.

If I may interject another thought, John Mark was not called out by the Holy Spirit for the work to which Barnabas and Saul had been commissioned.  For whatever reason when the travel became more dangerous, he had not committed to or was ready for the rigors which Paul and Barnabas would face.

1. Why did the Barnabas and Saul spend so little time in Cyprus?
2. Why did Luke begin to put Saul ahead of Barnabas and call him Paul?
3. How does the name change indicate a new direction for their ministry?
4. Why did John Mark leave the team in Pamphylia?
5. What will be the result for us when we try to do something to which God has not called us or equipped us?

Acts 13:14-15

Paul and Barnabas did not spend any time in Perga but went on to Pisidian Antioch, which was a Roman colony in the southwestern corner of what is now present-day Turkey in Asia minor. Some have written that Paul possibly contracted malaria upon arriving in Pamphylia and moved on inland to recover from that disease.  This would account for Paul’s later mention in 2 Corinthians and Galatians of the thorn in the flesh and other lingering effects of his illness.

Upon arriving in Pisidian Antioch he followed a pattern that would be used for the rest of the first missionary journey.  He went into the synagogue because it was the Sabbath and partly because he knew that there he would at least find people who had a knowledge of the Old Testament.  This would provide him with a foundation upon which he could build in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and the salvation that had been extended to the Jews and to the Gentiles alike.   

These verses give a picture of one of the customs of the synagogues of that day. If a travelling rabbi was to be in attendance, he would often be asked to share a word with the congregation.  Jesus early in His ministry went to the synagogue in Nazareth and was given an opportunity to speak.  He then shared with them the prophecy out of Isaiah 61:1 and claimed that He had come to fulfill the word He had just read. (Luke 4: 16-21)  Paul was asked if he had a word of encouragement for the men there. 

1. What was the pattern that Paul used when he came into a new city?
2. Why did he always, at least on his first missionary journey, first go to the synagogue in every city he visited?
3. What other example do we have in Scripture where the people of the synagogue worshipped in this way?
4. How is it so different from the way we worship today?

Acts 13:16-22

It is interesting that the events that Paul shared with the people began not with Abraham and his descendants but with the exile in Egypt.  God did several things for the Israelites during the span of time which would cover about 800 years. 

• In verse 17 He not only chose them as His people but built them into a great nation.  Not only did they grow in number, but He preserved and protected them during the total of 430 years they were there in Egypt. The evidence of this fact can be found in the first chapter of Exodus. 
• He then led them out to bring them into the Promised Land. (vs 17)
• But He had nothing but trouble with them during the entire 40 years they were in the desert. Luke tells us that God actually “put up with them.” (vs. 18)
• It took ten years and the destruction of 10 nations for the Israelites to receive their inheritance in the land of Canaan.  The 450 years mentioned would have been the 400 years of oppression, the 40 years in the desert and the 10 years to conquer the land. (vs. 19)
• Because of the rebellion of the people He provided judges who were instrumental in helping the people live in obedience to God.  The leadership of the Israelites was often in the presence of military leaders who helped the people overthrow their oppressors. (vs. 20)
• The last judge Samuel was both a judge and prophet.  He led the people from being led by judges to the selecting of a king to rule over them and lead them militarily. (vs. 20)
• Saul was the first king of Israel.  That selection did not turn out well.  He was for the better part of his reign self-centered and disobedient to the commands of God through Samuel.  When he was removed David became king in his place. (vs. 21)
• Finally, David, a man after God’s own heart and from the tribe of Judah was anointed and. Now the pieces were in place. Through his descendants the messiah would come came on the scene.

1. Why did Paul begin with an overview of the history of the Jewish nation?
2. What was his reasoning for choosing only a few of the events that had occurred?
3. What does it say to us about the importance of knowing God’s word when it comes time for us to share with a non-believer?

 Now can be seen why Paul shared the history of his people as he did.  God had chosen, preserved, built Israel in a mighty nation, brought them out of Egypt, put up with them in the wilderness, gave the land of Canaan to them for an inheritance, and gave them different kinds of leaders to fulfill His promise of having the Messiah come from the line of Israel, the line of Judah and the descendent of David.  Without that narrative what he was about to say in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch would make no sense.

1. What did Paul indicate that God had done for the people?
2. What was the importance of the particular events?
3. How did they point to the coming Messiah?

Acts 13:23-25

Paul then transitioned to tell the people that God had fulfilled His promise in Jesus Christ the Savior.  He used the same evidence that Jesus Himself had used in His defense before the Jews. John the Baptist, of whom the people of Pisidian Antioch had heard, bore witness to Jesus as the coming Savior of the world. Paul quoted John’s words found in both Matthew and John.

1. Why did Paul share about the witness of John the Baptist?
2. Why did he use the words spoken by John the Baptist that he quoted to the people?
3. How would they have known about this incident that had occurred a number of years earlier?
4. What does this say about Paul’s knowledge of the events of the life of Christ?  How did know these things if the Bible had not yet been written?

Acts 13:26

The first recipients of the gospel were the Jews and those who feared God. This would refer to those that adhered to the Mosaic Law, but had not become fully Jews.  What a privilege they had of hearing that Christ had come to fulfill the prophecies that had been given to them for hundreds of years.

1. Why was the gospel first proclaimed to the Jews?
2. Who were those identified as ones who feared God?
3. Why did Paul state that Jesus was the one who fulfilled the prophecies in the Old Testament?

Acts 13:27-29

Paul continued his narrative explaining what the Jewish religious leaders and Roman had done to Jesus. They had fulfilled the Scriptures by condemning Him to death and carrying out the execution.

1. Why did Paul feel there was a need to explain what had happened to Jesus at the hands of the Jewish religious leaders?
2. Why was it important for Paul to declare the innocence of Jesus?

Acts 13:30-31

Paul finally got to the heart of his message.  Jesus was alive having been raised from the dead by God.  As proof of that fact he continued by telling of the number of people that saw Him after the His resurrection. Not only had they seen him, but those who were witnesses began sharing it with others.  Although Paul may have emphasized his own conversion experience he chose not to do so but included himself in with all of the others who were telling the story.

1. Why was it important that there be multiple witnesses to the resurrection?
2. Why proof do we have today that they believed that it was true?
3. Why did Paul not emphasize his own experience?
4.  How important is this verification to us today?

Acts 13:32-39

Paul returned to the emphasis on Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture. God had indeed spoken of His Son as is seen in Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 55:3; Psalm 16:10. Since all of these Scriptures were fulfilled by Jesus then they could be assured of the forgiveness of sins and freedom that was not obtainable through the law.

1. Why did Paul, like Peter, return to some of the same Scripture verses?
2. What was the importance of the fulfillment of those particular ones?
3. What were the promises to the people who believed what Paul had shared?
4. What do these promises mean to us?
5. What is the one word that would be used to describe what Paul shared in verses 38-39? (See also John 8:32)
6. How do you know that you have discovered the meaning of those verses?

Acts 13:40-41

After all of the good news there was one more thing Paul had to share.  It was a warning from Scripture to those who might reject all that had been told to them. He referred to Habakkuk where the prophet said, “Behold, you scoffers, and marvel and perish; for I am accomplishing a work in your days, a work you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.” (Hab. 1:5) Just as the people in Judea had not listened to God and had been sent into exile, Paul was trying to keep the people who heard his word from a worse fate. 

1. Why did Paul feel it was necessary to give a warning to the people?
2. Why do people reject the gospel when it has been so well verified?
3. What will happen to those who totally reject all of the evidence and the Savior to which it points?

Acts 13:42-43

There is no evidence that any were totally won to Christ on that first Sabbath. The people however did indicate that the message had resonated with them because they wanted to return the next Sabbath to hear more of what Paul had to say.      Verse 43 indicates that there was a variety of people who wanted to know more.  There were Jews and proselytes.  As this group followed Paul, He continued to admonish them to, “Continue in the grace of God.”

1. Why does the Scripture not speak of any converts as Paul and Barnabas was leaving the gathering?
2. What indication is given that the people had not rejected the words of Paul?
3. What was Paul’s main concern at this point?
4. In what ways does his admonition indicate that he sensed that many were ready to commit themselves to Christ?

Acts 13:44

News had gotten around the whole city so that most of those living there showed up to hear what Paul had to say.

1. What does this response say about the people of the city?
2. What does it tell us about what the ones who had heard from Paul had been doing during the week?
3. What would get us excited enough to do the same?
4. How different was their attitude than what might be expected today if it was announced that someone was going to share about Jesus and Salvation?

Acts 13:45-47

It did not take long for opposition to come.  The Jews were not concerned until they saw the whole city gathering to hear Paul and Barnabas.  They became jealous and try to contradict what was being said.  Desperation set in, driving them to the point of blasphemy.  From the way the Scripture reads they began to turn the others away from listening to Paul. He condemned their actions going so far as to tell them that they had disqualified themselves from receiving eternal life.  Because they refused to listen he spoke out with boldness stating that he would begin working with the Gentiles.  He confirmed his intentions by quoting from Is. 42:6 and 49:6 which clearly states that the Messiah is to be a light and bring salvation to the Gentiles.

1. Why did the Jews oppose Paul and Barnabas?
2. Why would Paul not been surprised by their actions?
3. What did actions say about them when they were willing to resort to blasphemy to prove their point?
4. What did they lose in the process?
5. What was the benefit for the Gentiles? (See Romans 11)
6. In what ways do we sometimes react like the Jews?

Acts 13:48-49

As would be expected, upon hearing the encouraging words of Paul and Barnabas the Gentiles began to rejoice greatly.  Many became followers of Christ and took the word into all of the region around Pisidian Antioch.

1. Why did the Gentiles respond differently than the Jews?
2. Why would Paul be willing to begin minister among the Gentiles?
3. Why did the word about Jesus spread so quickly in the region around Pisidian Antioch?
4. In what ways are the Gentiles of that day an example for us?

Acts 13:50

As the gospel spread the opposition became more intense.  The Jews now stirred up two different groups to begin to persecute the two men. They were able to gain the support of

• Devout (Jewish) women of prominence
• Leading men of the city

Their final act was to drive them out of the district. 

1. Why did the Jews go to so great links to stop Paul?
2. What was their religion lacking that the Gentiles would be drawn to Christianity?
3. What did they hope to accomplish by driving the two men out of the district?

Acts 13:51

Paul and Barnabas responded by shaking the dust of the city off their sandals.  Jesus had given these instructions to His disciples as He sent out into the cities to teach and heal.  He told them to shake the dust off of any city that would not listen to the message they brought. (Matt. 10:14)  Instead of turning back the two men went further into Asia Minor to the city of Iconium.

1. Why did Paul and Barnabas shake the dust of the city from their sandals?
2. What did this say about the cities that they left?
3. Against whom were they protesting with the act?
4. What would be the easiest thing for them to do at this point?
5. What does making a decision to Iconium say about them?

Paul and Barnabas provide us with the example of what godly men do when faced with difficult situations.  As you reflect on this lesson

• Consider which of the characters in this chapter are you most like.
• Consider to whom or what are you committed
• Think about the way you have handled adversity in your life.  Have you done it in a Christ-like way?
• Pray continually that no matter the circumstances that your commitment to Jesus will be steadfast.

 We live in a world not unlike the one in which Paul and Barnabas ministered.  As the day of Christ’s return approaches the world will become more skeptical.  People like Richard Dawkins, the author, evolutionist and atheist have devoted followers.  They take every opportunity to demean Christians and blaspheme our God.  We must decide now how we will deal with that type of individual and the circumstances that do not in any way affirm Jesus. 

Times are going to become difficult.  Are we going to have the attitude of John Mark and retreat and give up of the church?  Paul and Barnabas set the standard high.  Are we willing to commit ourselves to continue on when the going gets difficult?  We are at just a time at BP.  We have been called to minister in the area surrounding the Church.  Are we prepared and are we committed enough to see the ministry carried through to completion?

Additional notes:

Paul and Barnabas were allowed to speak and shared the gospel with all the people.  Those who heard the words of Paul asked him to return the following Sabbath that they hear more of what he was proclaiming.  (Acts 13:14-42)

GC-Those who respond are recipients (those who listen) of the word of salvation that has gone forth from the mouths of God’s witnesses. (Acts 13:26; 28:28)

GC-One who loves the Lord preaches (proclaims) and teaches the good news of the promise made to us concerning Jesus. (Acts 13:32-33)

GC-Everyone who has committed themselves to Christ are free from the bondage of the Law. (Acts 13:39)

OC-True freedom comes from belief. (Acts 13:39)

C-There in that city many of the Jews and God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas as they left the synagogue. (Acts 13:43)

C-Nearly all of the city of Perga came to hear Paul and Barnabas speak.  When the Jews saw the large crowds they became jealous and began contradicting the words of Paul.  They went so far as to begin blaspheming.  The two men did not let those things deter them but continued to share the gospel boldly.  It was at this point that they began their ministry to the Gentiles because the Jews attempted to repudiate the message of Jesus Christ. (Acts 13:44-47)

 GC-There is to be no jealousy found in the life of the believer. (Acts 13:45)

DM-By repudiating the word of God, the Jews judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. (Acts 13:46)

DM-It was the Gentiles of Pisidian Antioch who rejoiced when they heard that God was willing to accept them into His kingdom.  Many of them believed and found eternal life. (Acts 13:48)

C-The Gentiles began rejoicing and giving glory to God for the message they were hearing through Paul.  As a result many of them became believers. (Acts 13:48)

GC-In each life there is rejoicing and glorifying when he hears the word of God.  It is the message of salvation and eternal life to those who believe. (Acts 13:48; 16:34)

C-Through the ministry of the missionaries the word of the Lord began to be spread throughout that whole region. (Acts 13:49)

GC-The one who has come to Christ can expect persecution from those who oppose the Gospel, sometimes it will come in the form of verbal abuse and at other times it will be physical in nature. (Acts 13:50; 14:5, 19, 22; 16:19-24; 17:6, 13; 26:21; 1 Cor. 4:12-13: 1 Thess. 2:2, 14-15; 3:3-4)

C-The actions of the Jews would become a pattern in all of the places in which Paul would share the gospel.  Each city had its own group of those who persecuted the missionaries but it occurred over and over again.  In Perga the Jews incited prominent women and the leading men to turn against Paul and Barnabas.  They were driven out of that area.  As commanded by Jesus when He sent His disciples out, the two men shook the dust of that city off their feet and went on to Iconium. (Acts 13:50-51)

GC-Disciples are filled continually with the joy of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52)