NOW IN THE CHURCH THAT WAS AT ANTIOCH THERE WERE CERTAIN PROPHETS AND TEACHERS: BARNABAS, SIMEON WHO WAS CALLED NIGER, LUCIUS OF CYRENE, MANAEN WHO HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH HEROD THE TETRARCH, AND SAUL. 1. The church at Antioch was well established by this time. We do not know the size, but it seem... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD AND FASTED, THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID, " NOW SEPARATE TO ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM. " 1. Fasting is a lost and forgotten part of our religious lives. Few of us ever fast. When we do it is more from distraction than from a conscious decis... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN, HAVING FASTED AND PRAYED, AND LAID HANDS ON THEM, THEY SENT _THEM_ AWAY. 1. Fast and pray - Often these words are used together. A conscious decision to take a day and spend it without food is half of fasting. 2. Fasting is not a diet plan. The purpose was not to lose weight. The purpose was... [ Continue Reading ]
SO, BEING SENT OUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THEY WENT DOWN TO SELEUCIA, AND FROM THERE THEY SAILED TO CYPRUS. 1. Following the direction of the Holy Spirit - they went to Seleucia. This is the sea port town near Antioch. This is where they could board a ship. 2. The sailed to Cyprus. Cyprus is the larg... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED IN SALAMIS, THEY PREACHED THE WORD OF GOD IN THE SYNAGOGUES OF THE JEWS. THEY ALSO HAD JOHN AS _THEIR_ ASSISTANT. 1. Salamis - is a city on the south east corner of the island. A ship coming from Israel would arrive here first. 2. They went to the Jewish synagogues and preach... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THEY HAD GONE THROUGH THE ISLAND TO PAPHOS, THEY FOUND A CERTAIN SORCERER, A FALSE PROPHET, A JEW WHOSE NAME _WAS_ BAR-JESUS, 1. Paphos - a city at the far western end of Cyprus. They had covered the island from one end to the other. They started at Salamis in the south east corner. Now th... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO WAS WITH THE PROCONSUL, SERGIUS PAULUS, AN INTELLIGENT MAN. THIS MAN CALLED FOR BARNABAS AND SAUL AND SOUGHT TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD. 1. Proconsul - Thayer explains - "The emperor Augustus divided the Roman provinces into senatorial and imperial. The former were governed by proconsuls; the lat... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ELYMAS THE SORCERER (FOR SO HIS NAME IS TRANSLATED) WITHSTOOD THEM, SEEKING TO TURN THE PROCONSUL AWAY FROM THE FAITH. 1. Elymas - is his first name. Bar Jesus - identifies him as the son of Jesus (Joshua). 2. Elymas is his Arabic name. This would seem to indicate that, while he was Jewish by... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAUL, WHO ALSO _IS CALLED_ PAUL, FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, LOOKED INTENTLY AT HIM 1. Saul / Paul - Saul is the Hebrew name. Paul is the Greek name. Paulus is the Latin (Roman) name. All three have the same meaning. 2. This verse is a transition - Previously he was called Saul, the Hebrew... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAID, "O FULL OF ALL DECEIT AND ALL FRAUD, _YOU_ SON OF THE DEVIL, _YOU_ ENEMY OF ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS, WILL YOU NOT CEASE PERVERTING THE STRAIGHT WAYS OF THE LORD? 1. Paul does not "pull any punches" here. In clear, unmistakable terms Paul declares that this man is: 1. FULL OF DECEIT - The Greek... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW, INDEED, THE HAND OF THE LORD _IS_ UPON YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE BLIND, NOT SEEING THE SUN FOR A TIME. " AND IMMEDIATELY A DARK MIST FELL ON HIM, AND HE WENT AROUND SEEKING SOMEONE TO LEAD HIM BY THE HAND. 1. God will deal with people like this. Here is what is about to happen. 2. You will be... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE PROCONSUL BELIEVED, WHEN HE SAW WHAT HAD BEEN DONE, BEING ASTONISHED AT THE TEACHING OF THE LORD. 1. Sergius Paulus believed. He saw the miracle. He was amazed. 2. NOTE : Miracles don't save people. Miracles confirm that the message is from God. If God is helping this man do miracles, the... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN PAUL AND HIS PARTY SET SAIL FROM PAPHOS, THEY CAME TO PERGA IN PAMPHYLIA; AND JOHN, DEPARTING FROM THEM, RETURNED TO JERUSALEM. 1. Leaving Cyprus, they head for Perga. 1. Perga is a city in the region of Pamphylia. 2. It is about 7 miles up stream from the mouth of the Cestius River. 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN THEY DEPARTED FROM PERGA, THEY CAME TO ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA, AND WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE ON THE SABBATH DAY AND SAT DOWN. 1. Now it is just Paul and Barnabas. They leave Perga and head north. 2. They arrive at Antioch of Pisidia and enter the synagogue. It is the Sabbath. They just entered... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THE READING OF THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS, THE RULERS OF THE SYNAGOGUE SENT TO THEM, SAYING, " MEN _AND_ BRETHREN, IF YOU HAVE ANY WORD OF EXHORTATION FOR THE PEOPLE, SAY ON. " 1. Law and Prophets - This verse mentions two of the major divisions of the Old Testament scriptures as the Jewish... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PAUL STOOD UP, AND MOTIONING WITH _HIS_ HAND SAID, " MEN OF ISRAEL, AND YOU WHO FEAR GOD, LISTEN: 1. Paul stands to speak. He respectfully addresses them as men of Israel and men who fear God. 2. He invites them to listen, heed, pay attention to his words.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOD OF THIS PEOPLE ISRAEL CHOSE OUR FATHERS, AND EXALTED THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY DWELT AS STRANGERS IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, AND WITH AN UPLIFTED ARM HE BROUGHT THEM OUT OF IT. 1. God chose our fathers - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were not special. God chose Abraham over all people on earth to b... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW FOR A TIME OF ABOUT FORTY YEARS HE PUT UP WITH THEIR WAYS IN THE WILDERNESS. 1. Forty years in the wilderness corresponded with the 40 days the spies were in the land of Canaan and brought back a report of unbelief. 2. God "put up with" a lot in the wilderness - griping, complaining, unbelief,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD DESTROYED SEVEN NATIONS IN THE LAND OF CANAAN, HE DISTRIBUTED THEIR LAND TO THEM BY ALLOTMENT. 1. Seven nations (tribes of people) were the former occupants. 2. See Deuteronomy 7:1 for the list of these nations. 3. The land, under the direction of Joshua, was divided among the tri... [ Continue Reading ]
"AFTER THAT HE GAVE _THEM_ JUDGES FOR ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS, UNTIL SAMUEL THE PROPHET. 1. After the nation was occupied and settled - there began a series of judges to oversee Israel. The book of Judges tells about the events of this period. 2. The period of Judges was about 450 years... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTERWARD THEY ASKED FOR A KING; SO GOD GAVE THEM SAUL THE SON OF KISH, A MAN OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, FOR FORTY YEARS. 1. Israel desired a king "like all the nations" around them. 2. God allowed them a king and Saul, of the tribe of Benjamin was the first king.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD REMOVED HIM, HE RAISED UP FOR THEM DAVID AS KING, TO WHOM ALSO HE GAVE TESTIMONY AND SAID, _‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID_ THE _SON_ OF JESSE, _A MAN AFTER MY_ _OWN HEART_, WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL. ' 1. When God removed Saul's family, and Saul, from the kingdom, it was given to David. 2. Dav... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THIS MAN' S SEED, ACCORDING TO _THE_ PROMISE, GOD RAISED UP FOR ISRAEL A SAVIOR-JESUS- 1. God promised that from the seed of David, Jesus would come. 2. Jesus would be establish an eternal kingdom, the church, which would stand forever. (Daniel 2:44) Jesus is now King of kings and Lord of lor... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER JOHN HAD FIRST PREACHED, BEFORE HIS COMING, THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. 1. Paul now moves to more current times - John (the baptizer) first preached to prepare the way for Jesus. 2. John preached repentance and baptism for the remission of sins. (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS JOHN WAS FINISHING HIS COURSE, HE SAID, ‘WHO DO YOU THINK I AM? I AM NOT _HE._ BUT BEHOLD, THERE COMES ONE AFTER ME, THE SANDALS OF WHOSE FEET I AM NOT WORTHY TO LOOSE. ' 1. Just as John was rising in fame, he turned his followers over to the one for whom he was preparing the way - Jesus. 2... [ Continue Reading ]
"MEN _AND_ BRETHREN, SONS OF THE FAMILY OF ABRAHAM, AND THOSE AMONG YOU WHO FEAR GOD, TO YOU THE WORD OF THIS SALVATION HAS BEEN SENT. 1. Again Paul addresses the the men at the synagogue. He is speaking to sons of Abraham. He is speaking to those who know all that he has rehearsed in their presenc... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOSE WHO DWELL IN JERUSALEM, AND THEIR RULERS, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW HIM, NOR EVEN THE VOICES OF THE PROPHETS WHICH ARE READ EVERY SABBATH, HAVE FULFILLED _THEM_ IN CONDEMNING _HIM._ 1. Back in Jerusalem - the rulers, scribes, sect leaders, lawyers, and priests - did not recognize, realize... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THOUGH THEY FOUND NO CAUSE FOR DEATH _IN HIM,_ THEY ASKED PILATE THAT HE SHOULD BE PUT TO DEATH. 1. All they knew was that He was not following their leadership. They saw He was gaining many followers; and they were losing their grip on the people. 2. They knew He was not guilty of any offense... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THEY HAD FULFILLED ALL THAT WAS WRITTEN CONCERNING HIM, THEY TOOK _HIM_ DOWN FROM THE TREE AND LAID _HIM_ IN A TOMB. 1. These who opposed Jesus - actually helped prove He was the Messiah. They fulfilled all that was written about Him. 2. They killed Him and laid Him in a tomb.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD. 1. God is the power that brought Jesus from the tomb. 2. Now, Paul has reached the "heart of the gospel" - the resurrection.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS SEEN FOR MANY DAYS BY THOSE WHO CAME UP WITH HIM FROM GALILEE TO JERUSALEM, WHO ARE HIS WITNESSES TO THE PEOPLE. 1. Jesus did not go into hiding. He was seen by many people, over 500 at one time, by groups of people on other occasions. 2. All of these became witnesses to the resurrection of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WE DECLARE TO YOU GLAD TIDINGS-THAT PROMISE WHICH WAS MADE TO THE FATHERS. 1. Paul is reaching his conclusion. I am here today to tell you about this Jesus, the fulfillment of all the prophecies you read each Sabbath. 2. The promise that was made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Dan... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD HAS FULFILLED THIS FOR US THEIR CHILDREN, IN THAT HE HAS RAISED UP JESUS. AS IT IS ALSO WRITTEN IN THE SECOND PSALM: _‘YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU._ '__ 1. God kept His promise. See 2 Corinthians 1:20. We sing the song, "Standing on the Promises of God." 2. Every promise that God... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THAT HE RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, NO MORE TO RETURN TO CORRUPTION, HE HAS SPOKEN THUS: _‘I WILL GIVE YOU THE SURE_ _MERCIES OF DAVID._ '__ 1. God promised that the Messiah would come from the house of David. (2 Samuel 7:10) 2. The quote is from Isaiah 55:3. 3. I lack space here to fully discu... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE HE ALSO SAYS IN ANOTHER _PSALM_ : _‘YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION._ '__ 1. Paul now quotes from Psalms 16:10. 2. Jesus would be put in a tomb. He would NOT be there long enough for the body to decay. The Jews considered this the fourth day. Study the events with Laza... [ Continue Reading ]
" FOR DAVID, AFTER HE HAD SERVED HIS OWN GENERATION BY THE WILL OF GOD, FELL ASLEEP, WAS BURIED WITH HIS FATHERS, AND SAW CORRUPTION; 1. Paul makes a similar argument as Peter made on Pentecost. 1. David died a long time ago. 2. His body remains in the tomb. Thus - David was not making reference... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE WHOM GOD RAISED UP SAW NO CORRUPTION. 1. Jesus did not see this corruption. 2. Jesus was not dead and in the tomb long enough for the decay to even begin.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE LET IT BE KNOWN TO YOU, BRETHREN, THAT THROUGH THIS MAN IS PREACHED TO YOU THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS; 1. Paul offers them salvation, forgiveness of sins. Not on his own. He offers them salvation through this Man - Jesus - the man that was the fulfillment of all the prophecies that you read... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BY HIM EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IS JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS FROM WHICH YOU COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW OF MOSES. 1. Through Jesus - all who believe will be justified. 2. Paul then reminds them - He is offering something the Law of Moses did not offer; could not offer; could not give = Forg... [ Continue Reading ]
BEWARE THEREFORE, LEST WHAT HAS BEEN SPOKEN IN THE PROPHETS COME UPON YOU: 1. The Old Testament Scriptures offer promises, prophecies, and hope. 2. They also issue severe warnings. Paul has shown them the promise. Now he turns to the warning.... [ Continue Reading ]
41_‘BEHOLD,_ _YOU DESPISERS, MARVEL AND PERISH! FOR I WORK A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, A WORK WHICH YOU WILL BY NO MEANS BELIEVE, THOUGH ONE WERE TO DECLARE IT TO YOU._ '" 1. Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5. 2. If you despise the promises you will perish. (See Luke 13:3) 3. If you choose to reject, and refuse... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN THE JEWS WENT OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE, THE GENTILES BEGGED THAT THESE WORDS MIGHT BE PREACHED TO THEM THE NEXT SABBATH. 1. The Jews went out - talking and discussing what Paul had taught. 2. The Gentiles heard about all the buzz in the town. They asked Paul to preach to them the next Sabbath.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THE CONGREGATION HAD BROKEN UP, MANY OF THE JEWS AND DEVOUT PROSELYTES FOLLOWED PAUL AND BARNABAS, WHO, SPEAKING TO THEM, PERSUADED THEM TO CONTINUE IN THE GRACE OF GOD. 1. Many Jews were converted to Jesus and began to follow the teachings of Paul and Barnabas. 2. They were persuaded to... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE NEXT SABBATH ALMOST THE WHOLE CITY CAME TOGETHER TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD. 1. One week later - almost the entire population came together. 2. For one week Antioch of Pisidia was buzzing with anticipation. 3. I do not know the population of this city but almost everyone was here to hear what... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN THE JEWS SAW THE MULTITUDES, THEY WERE FILLED WITH ENVY; AND CONTRADICTING AND BLASPHEMING, THEY OPPOSED THE THINGS SPOKEN BY PAUL. 1. When the Jews say how many people turned out - they were envious. 1. They had already lost many who were converted from Paul's sermon in the synagogue las... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PAUL AND BARNABAS GREW BOLD AND SAID, " IT WAS NECESSARY THAT THE WORD OF GOD SHOULD BE SPOKEN TO YOU FIRST; BUT SINCE YOU REJECT IT, AND JUDGE YOURSELVES UNWORTHY OF EVERLASTING LIFE, BEHOLD, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES. 1. With the swelling crowd, Paul and Barnabas were emboldened. 2. Paul expl... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SO THE LORD HAS COMMANDED US: _‘I HAVE SET YOU AS A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, THAT YOU SHOULD BE FOR SALVATION TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH._ '"__ 1. Isaiah 49:6 is quoted to show the Jews that preaching to the Gentiles was the plan of God. Paul was not violating the will of God, he was keeping it. 2... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THE GENTILES HEARD THIS, THEY WERE GLAD AND GLORIFIED THE WORD OF THE LORD. AND AS MANY AS HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO ETERNAL LIFE BELIEVED. 1. For the FIRST time, the Gentiles were hearing some good news. Until now the teachings of the Old Testament were sheltered within the synagogues and not... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE WORD OF THE LORD WAS BEING SPREAD THROUGHOUT ALL THE REGION. 1. This general statement is a summary of the work of Paul and Barnabas in this area. 2. The word is spreading across the land, from one village to the next. Word of mouth will spread the news faster than Paul can travel.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE JEWS STIRRED UP THE DEVOUT AND PROMINENT WOMEN AND THE CHIEF MEN OF THE CITY, RAISED UP PERSECUTION AGAINST PAUL AND BARNABAS, AND EXPELLED THEM FROM THEIR REGION. 1. The Jewish leadership in the local synagogue saw that they were losing the struggle to these men from outside. 2. They stir... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY SHOOK OFF THE DUST FROM THEIR FEET AGAINST THEM, AND CAME TO ICONIUM. 1. They "shook the dust off their feet" and went elsewhere. 2. Jesus used this phrase (Matthew 10:14) in sending out his apostles. 3. The dust was "against" the Jewish leaders. The blood (souls) of those not taught and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE DISCIPLES WERE FILLED WITH JOY AND WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. 1. The disciples in Antioch (and every place Paul preached) were happy. 2. Filled with joy. 3. They were also filled with the Holy Spirit. 1. This could mean that Paul imparted to them some spiritual gift. 2. More likely that they... [ Continue Reading ]