Paul & Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia, part 3 Acts 13:44-52

GOSPEL MEDITATION # 42

Paul & Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia, part 3

Acts 13:44-52

  1. Find a quiet place without distractions.
  2. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace.
  3. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer.
  4. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself.
  5. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.
  6. The second Sabbath many from the city came to the synagogue to hear more from the missionaries.
  7. However, opposition from some fellow Jews was inevitable. Both the message and messengers were attacked since so very much was at stake.
  8. Paul and Barnabas countered their opponents boldly stating that the consequences of rejecting the message is of upmost concern, to the point of
  9. It was, and is, necessary that the message of Messiah’s salvation be presented to the Jews first, then secondly to the Gentiles. (see Romans 1:16)
  10. Paul quotes Isaiah 49:6 to show the necessity of presenting the Word of the Lord to Gentiles.
  11. The Gentiles in the crowd rejoiced to hear this and many of these are now converted, those that were appointed to believer. Here we encounter the Biblical doctrine of election.
  12. An awakening is under way now and the “word of the Lord” spread throughout the region.
  13. The missionary’s enemies persuaded women God-fearers to apply political pressure upon the Gospel preachers. These women were likely connected to Roman officials.
  14. Paul and Barnabas are “expelled” from the area and as a result “shook the dust off their feet” as a sign of both regret and judgment to follow. (see Luke 9:1-5)
  15. The “disciples” Luke says indicating that indeed some are now believing in Jesus as Messiah and Savior, born again of the Holy Spirit and with the joy of salvation.

 

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