Acts 13

Acts Chapter 13 marks a significant transition in the narrative of the early church, focusing on the beginning of Paul's missionary journeys. 

Key points:

1. Commissioning of Barnabas and Saul (Paul): [1:3]

   • The chapter opens in the church at Antioch, where prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, Simeon (called Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul (Paul), are worshiping the Lord and fasting.

   • The Holy Spirit instructs the church to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which He has called them. After fasting and praying, the church lays hands on them and sends them off.

2. Journey to Cyprus: [4:12]

   • Barnabas and Saul, accompanied by John Mark, sail to Cyprus, starting in Salamis. They proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.

   • In Paphos, they encounter a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus (Elymas), who opposes them. Elymas is an attendant of the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who is interested in hearing the word of God.

   • Saul (now referred to as Paul) confronts Elymas, filled with the Holy Spirit, and declares that Elymas will be temporarily blinded. Immediately, Elymas is struck blind, and Sergius Paulus, seeing what happened, believes in the teaching about the Lord.

3. Paul’s Sermon in Pisidian Antioch: [13:40]

   • Paul and his companions travel from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark leaves them to return to Jerusalem.

   • They continue to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath, they enter the synagogue, and after the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders invite them to speak.

   • Paul stands up and delivers a sermon, recounting Israel’s history from the Exodus to King David. He emphasizes that Jesus, a descendant of David, is the promised Savior. Paul speaks of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and he cites scriptural prophecies to support his claims.

   • Paul concludes by proclaiming that through Jesus, forgiveness of sins is announced, and by Him, everyone who believes is justified from everything that the Law of Moses could not justify.

4. Reaction to Paul’s Message: [42:45]

   • The message receives a mixed response. Some Jews and God-fearing proselytes are convinced and follow Paul and Barnabas. They invite them to speak further on the next Sabbath.

   • On the following Sabbath, almost the whole city gathers to hear the word of the Lord. However, when the Jewish leaders see the crowds, they are filled with jealousy and begin to contradict what Paul is saying, heaping abuse on him.

5. Turning to the Gentiles: [46:49]

   • Paul and Barnabas boldly declare that they had to speak the word of God to the Jews first, but since they reject it and do not consider themselves worthy of eternal life, they now turn to the Gentiles. Paul cites Isaiah 49:6, asserting that God has made them a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

   • The Gentiles rejoice and honor the word of the Lord, and many believe. The word of the Lord spreads through the whole region.

6. Persecution and Departure: [50:52]

   • The Jewish leaders incite prominent God-fearing women and leading men of the city to stir up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, expelling them from the region.

   • Paul and Barnabas shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against them and go to Iconium. The disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Acts Chapter 13 marks the beginning of Paul's missionary work, highlighting his transition to focusing on Gentile audiences. The chapter underscores themes of divine calling, the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus, the inclusion of Gentiles in the promise of salvation, and the perseverance of the apostles despite opposition.

Justification is a legal term that implies acquittal, meaning that a person is absolved from guilt and the penalties associated with sin.

In this context, Paul is emphasizing that through Jesus Christ, believers are justified—something the Law of Moses could not achieve. The Law could highlight sin and prescribe certain rituals and sacrifices for atonement, but it could not fully cleanse a person from sin or make them completely righteous before God.

Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection offer a complete and final means of atonement, making believers right with God through faith in Him. This justification is not earned by following the Law or through human efforts but is granted as a gift to those who have faith in Jesus Christ.

Thus, in Acts 13:39, "justification" signifies the new way of being made righteous before God, which is available to all who believe in Jesus, surpassing the limitations of the Mosaic Law. This declaration of righteousness includes forgiveness of sins and the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the believer, allowing them to stand before God as justified and free from condemnation.