SUMMARY
PaulA Christian missionary who once persecuted the church More is invited to speak when he and his companions attend a synagogueA synagogue is a Jewish house of worship. Jesus often taught in synagogues where he sometimes ran afoul of Jewish leaders. In the book of Acts, Paul and others attend synagogues and teach in them. More in Pisidian Antioch. His speech, which cites Scripture to support Christian conviction that JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity More is God’s MessiahThe Messiah was the one who, it was believed, would come to free the people of Israel from bondage and exile. In Jewish thought the Messiah is the anticipated one who will come, as prophesied by Isaiah. In Christian thought Jesus of Nazareth is identified... More, creates much excitement and interest but also division in the community.
ANALYSIS
In Acts 13:9 SaulThe first king of Israel More becomes known as Paul and assumes his role as a leader and evangelist for Jesus Christ. In Antioch of Pisidia he and his companions go to a synagogue and are invited to address the local worshipers. Paul delivers a speech that is a brief general review of the history of God with God’s people. His speech is brilliantly designed for the context of its delivery. He identifies the people in the synagogue as God’s people, designated to receive God’s promises. He identifies Jesus as the descendent of DavidSecond king of Israel, David united the northern and southern kingdoms. More and the one who would receive “the holyHoly is a term that originally meant set apart for the worship or service of God. While the term may refer to people, objects, time, or places, holiness in Judaism and Christianity primarily denotes the realm of the divine More promises made to David” (v. 34).
Paul’s speech is a great success, emphasizing the continuity of God’s promises and the reliability of Scripture. In fact, the success of the speech is the undoing of continued mission activity. So many respond, Jews and devout Gentiles, that some other Jews become jealous and collude with local leaders to drive Paul and BarnabasChristian missionary and companion of Paul on his early journeys. More away. In v. 47, Paul and Barnabas quote from IsaiahIsaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied in Jerusalem, is included among the prophets of the eighth century B.C.E. (along with Amos, Hosea, and Micah)--preachers who boldly proclaimed God's word of judgment against the economic, social, and religious disorders of their time. More 49:6, words also said by Simeon in LukeThe "beloved physician" and companion of Paul More 2:32. Paul and Barnabas speak these words, concerning the call of the Jews to be a “light for the Gentiles,” and apply them directly to themselves. They insist that they will go henceforth to the Gentiles, although this is not the way Acts works out. This passage, however, sets the stage dramatically for the success of the mission to Gentiles.
