Sunday, December 19, 2021
Acts 13:44-52
“In Light of Love”
Service Overview: For God so loved the world… The Jews coming after Paul and Barnabas rejected this message, and so it now went to the Gentiles to fulfill what the prophet Isaiah foretold centuries earlier; that they would be made a light to the Gentiles.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Background Information:
- An after-meeting in which Paul and Barnabas had opportunity to talk with interested people, took place. The following Sabbath the synagogue was jammed and it was here that the hostility emerged. It was not so much from what was preached, but rather the fact that so many people came to hear Paul and Barnabas minister the Word. The envious sought to stir up opposition and animosity (v. 45). (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 122)
- It was necessary that the apostles go to the Jews first for a number of reasons. First, the coming of the earthly kingdom depended on Israel’s response to the coming of Christ (cf. Matt. 23:39; Rom. 11:26). Second, only after Israel rejected the gospel could Paul devote himself to the Gentiles. Third, the message of Jesus is fundamentally Jewish in that the Old Testament, the Messiah, and the promises are all Jewish. (On “the Jew first,” cf. Acts 3:26; Rom. 1:16.) (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, 390)
- “when the Jews saw the crowds,” their initial interest turned to antagonism. Not only was the synagogue being flooded by Gentiles as though it were a common theater or town hall, but, even more, it became clear that Paul and Barnabas were ready to speak directly to Gentiles without first relating them in some way to Judaism (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 429)
- Declaring boldly the death and resurrection of Christ and the forgiveness that is possible only through him (see 13:38-39), Paul and Barnabas drew huge crowds on their second Sabbath in Antioch of Pisidia. Among those gathered were a number of jealous Jewish leaders (13:45). Despite efforts by these leaders to discredit Paul and his message, the assembled Gentiles eagerly embraced the gospel. This further enraged the Jewish leaders, who were eventually able to stir up a mob that ran Paul and Barnabas out of town. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 228)
- The Jews used their contacts in high places—women of high standing and leading men—to drive Paul and Barnabas out of their part of the country. The “women of high standing” were probably Gentile women from the upper class who were proselytes and attended the synagogue. The “leading men” were city magistrates. Christianity was not an official religion like Judaism, and these women and men may have feared that Paul would disturb their fragile relationship with the Roman government. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 230)
- Shaking the dust from one’s feet (cf. Luke 9:5) was the sign that the persecutors would bear the condemnation and the responsibility for their actions. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 153)
The question to be answered is…
How does this account inform our understanding of God’s sovereign plan, for his word and world, in light of his love?
Answer…
God’s plan, revealed in his word through the prophets, was for his people to be a light that would bring salvation to the ends of the earth.
The word of the day is… Word
What about the word of the Lord is worth considering in light of this account?
- The conflict the word invited.
(vv. 44-45 | Matthew 5:11; 10:34; John 15:18-20; Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:19)
The Jewish leaders could not prevent the Gentiles from accepting the gospel, but they could make the place too hot to hold the missionaries. This they did by prejudicing the civic authorities of Pisidian Antioch against them. (F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Acts, 286)
- The design the word presented.
(vv. 46, 47 | Isaiah 6:8; 42:6; 49:6; 52:10; 60:3; Acts 26:23; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 2:10)
Turning to the Gentiles was not really the apostles’ own idea. Rather it was part of God’s plan, in obedience to the prophetic word given in Isaiah 49:6 concerning the Messiah, God’s Servant (see also Isa. 42: 6; Luke 2: 30– 32). Christ and His body (the Church, the believers) share in bringing the light of the gospel to the world. (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Locations 5604-5606)
Why was it necessary for the gospel to go first to the Jews? God planned that through the Jewish nation, all the world would come to know him (Genesis 12:3). Also, the message of Jesus is basically a Jewish one, steeped in Old Testament prophecy and promises directly made to the Jews. They, of all people, should have been the most ready for the fulfillment that had come in Christ. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 230)
- The people the word’s preaching revealed.
(v. 48 | John 1:12-15; 15:16; Rom. 10:13; Eph. 1:4-5; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9)
This broad question of God’s sovereignty and human free will appears to be one where the right answer is found not on either extreme nor in some hard-to-discern midpoint between them. The right answer is found by hanging onto both extremes at once, despite the fact that they apparently cancel each other. God is sovereign. He does accomplish whatever He desires. Nothing and no one can stand in His way. At the same time, He leaves all capable human beings, created in His image, with the option to reject His plan. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts, Kindle Edition)
Luke records that all who were appointed for eternal life believed. It’s a paradox, but it’s true: Our salvation involves a mysterious interaction between God’s sovereignty and our responsibility, between God’s election and our free will. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 185)
- The spreading joy the word resulted in.
(v. 49-52 | Psalm 30:5; John 15:11; Romans 14:17; 15:13; Galatians 5:22; James 1:2)
The last sentence of Acts 13 is beautiful: The disciples whom Paul and Barnabas had converted and who remained in that city “were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” When the Spirit dwells in a human life, the heart floods With joy. When we know we are Justified, that our sins are forgiven, and that we who deserve nothing have received all things from God, how else could We respond but with joy? (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 185)
Conclusion…
How can a text like this spur us on in our faith?
A. As it instills hope in us for those yet to hear.
(John 1:12-13; 6:37; Romans 6:23; 10:13; 15:13; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2)
The Jews were intent on keeping their privileges to themselves. From the beginning the Christians saw their privileges as something to be shared. As has been said, “The Jews saw the heathen as chaff to be burned; Jesus saw them as a harvest to be reaped for God.” (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 107)
B. As it motivates us to live out God’s design in being the light others need.
(Matthew 5:14-16; 9:37-38; 1 Corinthians 9:22; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Peter 2:9; 3:15)
We are called the lights of the world, light-bearers, reflectors, candlesticks, lamps. We are to be kindled ourselves, and then we will burn and give light to others. We are the only light the world has. The Lord might come down Himself and give light to the world, but He has chosen differently. (Albert Benjamin Simpson, Days of Heaven upon Earth, 1897 edition, 166)
Those who follow Christ are destined to bear his image, and to be the brethren of the first-born Son of God. Their goal is to become “as Christ.” Christ’s followers always have his image before their eyes, and in its light all other images are screened from their sight. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, 298)
C. As it prepares us for the inevitable conflict God’s word invites.
(Mat. 5:10; Luke 6:22; Romans 12:14; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 1 John 3:13)
Paul got the crowd’s attention, but the people were filled with envy and jealousy against God’s anointed messenger. Instead of embracing the gospel and being quick to delight in the truth of God, they began spreading lies. They began contradicting what the Apostle had proclaimed to them. There is nothing new about that. It has been the response of people from the first century down to today. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 211)
The only church that will survive in post-Christian times is a church with a passion for God’s Word. This means reading the Bible, both privately and in services of public worship. It means preaching the Bible by way of systematic exposition. It means studying the Bible, chapter by chapter and verse by verse. It means teaching the Bible, so that every group and every ministry church is guided and directed by the voice of God’s Spirit speaking in Scripture. It is not enough to have a High doctrine of Scripture; the church must also make regular use of Scripture. (Phillip Graham Ryken, City on a Hill, 25)
Gospel Application…
God so loved the world that he sent his only son Jesus to make available eternal life to all who will only believe.
(vv. 46, 48 | John 3:16-17; 3:36; 5:24; 17:3; Romans 6:23; 10:10-17; 1 John 2:25)
The most terrifying thing in the world is to fall into the hands of the living God if you are in a state of rebellion against Him. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 211)
Paul began this message by showing that God has been active throughout history, reaching out to human beings. Humanity didn’t try to find God; it was God who reached down to find and rescue lost humanity. When men and women believe, they are responding to what God has done in reaching out to them. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 184)
All law can do is condemn those who have broken it. We all have. If a person is trying to get to heaven by obeying the law, well . . . he or she is destined to fail in the attempt. Paul knew this from his own experience. Paul was trying to point out, as he did on every occasion and as he does in his epistles, that we are justified by the work of Christ and through faith in him only. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 246)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- How have you witnessed God’s word at work in impacting those around you? How has it impacted you?
- What conflicts might you prepare to encounter as you hold to the truth of God’s word?
- Why might it be important for us to share God’s word even though we feel it will only fall on deaf ears?
Quotes to note…
Nothing could stop the spread of the Lord’s word; the whole region heard it (49). Yet at the same time persecution increased. Paul himself suffered from it. This is hinted at in verse 50, for the expulsion of the missionaries was probably violent. It is confirmed by Paul’s own later statement that Timothy knew all about his persecutions and sufferings ‘in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra’. The missionaries for their part shook the dust from their feet, a public protest against those who rejected the gospel, in accordance with the teaching of Jesus. Notwithstanding the opposition, the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit, for, as Paul was soon to write to the Galatians, ‘the fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy’. (John Stott, The Message of Acts, 226)
(vv. 46–48). The Gentiles did not glorify Paul or Barnabas; they glorified the word of the Lord. They loved the truth of God. They couldn’t get enough of it. They were not satisfied to come to the synagogue for one hour a week. They wanted to listen to Paul and Barnabas every day. How excited are you about the Word of God? (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 211)
Envy is that consuming desire to have everybody else as unsuccessful as you are. Frederick Buechner (Grant R. Osborne, Acts, 229)
God had not rejected Israel and replaced her with the Gentiles or with the Church. It was through the ministry of the Jews that the Gentiles share in the blessings of the gospel. (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Locations 5610-5611)
Knowing (as we unfortunately do) how regular Christian worshipers can manifest quite unChristian indignation when they arrive at church on a Sunday morning to find their customary seats occupied by rank outsiders who have come to hear some popular visiting speaker, we can readily appreciate the annoyance of the Jewish community at finding their synagogue practically taken over by a Gentile audience on this occasion. (F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Acts, 283)
At this time the Jewish religion had a special attraction for women. In nothing was the ancient world more lax than in sexual morality. Family life was rapidly breaking down. The worst sufferers were women. The Jewish religion preached a purity of ethic and cleanness of life. Round the synagogues gathered many women, often of high social position, who found in this teaching just what they longed for. Many of these women became proselytes; still more were Godfearers. The Jews persuaded them to incite their husbands, who were often men in influential positions, to take steps against the Christian preachers. The inevitable result was persecution. Antioch became unsafe for Paul and Barnabas and they had to go. (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 107)
What bothered the Jews of Antioch most was not so much that their leaders in Jerusalem had rejected Jesus or that Paul had said something that they might have construed as a negative comment on their law, but rather that the Gentiles were responding to the preaching of Paul in large numbers. It is why the text uses the word “jealousy,” saying, “They were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying” (v. 45). That had been the problem all along. They had not cared if the Gentiles sat in the back of their synagogues, paid attention, and perhaps in time became good Jews through circumcision. That was all right. They were glad to have that, just as Christians are glad to have people sit in their pews and eventually become good Presbyterians or Baptists or Episcopalians or Whatever. But they did not want the Gentiles coming as Gentiles and being received by God in exactly the same way they thought they themselves should be received since they were Jews. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 247)
