Commentary on Acts of the Apostles.

There are 4 divisions in this Book, written down by Luke.

Chapter 1-7         The Foundation of the church at Jerusalem.

Chapter 9-12      The extension of the church beyond Judea.

Chapter 13-19     The missionary journeys of Paul.

Chapter 20-28   How Paul was brought to Rome.

CHAPTER 1 

Vs.1-11. The Risen Christ.

The Lord Jesus, in the same ( marked John 20:25-27 ) Body in which He died, now gives some final instructions to His disciples before He ascends to Heaven. He is still present with His church on earth while simultaneously in heaven ( where His human nature is seen), Matt. 28:20. He emphasizes the promised Holy Spirit, whose power will be needed for the work given to them to do (4,5). We are not to be idle while we wait for the Lord to return (11) ; witnesses for Christ must be vocal and active (8). There can be no such thing as a silent witness for Christ. The world needs the Biblical knowledge of Christ in order to be saved, not ignorance. To follow Christ the way must be made known. ' You shall be witnesses to Me ' says the Lord. Jerusalem would serve, for a while, as the base for going out with the Gospel in ever increasing circles (8).

Vs.12-26. Prayer and Prophecy.

Prayer united the church ; they had the same spirit and prayed to the same Person (14,24). They did not forsake gathering for worship ( Heb.10:25) as many do today. For the NT church the worship of God was the highest and most important activity. Mary, the mother of Jesus, also prayed to Him (14 ). No one in the Bible prayed to Mary - this is a modern superstition. Judas, as predicted, betrayed Christ ( Ps.69:25.109:8.41:9. & John 6:70,71), and now he had to be replaced. This was done by drawing lots (26). This was an OT practice ( Number 26:55. Prov.16:33) and this was the last time in the Bible it was done ; the modern practice of it is another superstition. Scripture alone guides us.

The qualification to be an apostle was to have seen the risen Christ ( 21,22. Acts 9:17)) - there are thus no modern apostles, none after 100 AD were alive. Matthias now was elected to join the others, as Elders ( 1 Peter 5:1) in the Jerusalem Presbytery. The Commander in heaven appoints the officers on earth. This little band of witnesses at Jerusalem had faith and acted accordingly.

CHAPTER 2 

Pentecost - the Spirit and the Truth. ( Ps.68:18)

The power of the Holy Spirit's power was promised, and therefore it was prayed for. Fifty days after the Passover ( now abolished, with the rest of the Ceremonial Laws by Christ's death) was the feast of Pentecost ( Leviticus 23). The Jews therefore gathered again in Jerusalem, including visitors from other countries. They had their own languages and the first gift seen from the Holy Spirit was ' tongues ', along with the unlearned ability to understand these foreign languages ( 3,8,11). This gift was temporary, confined to the early church. The Bible is now translated into the language of every nation ( NB, not every tribe, but every ' nation '.Mark 13:10.Matt.24:14).

Part of the gospel message is that Christ came into the world to fulfil the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament  as the Saviour (16-32). The essential focus of the message is that Jesus is still alive, despite the efforts of sinners to get rid of Him (33-36). This message of the gospel is believed only when the Holy Spirit adds His power to the Word ( Rom.1:16. 1 Thess.1:5. Heb.4:2)

What are the signs of the Spirit at work ?

a) Conviction of sin, especially about how we have treated Christ ( 37).

b) Repentance, turning from sin and self to Christ (38).

c) Faith, laying hold of Christ and the promises with Him (39,41 ), not doing but receiving.

This is the only gospel  for young and old, small and great (39). Acts 26:22. Those who were old enough to make a profession of faith (41) were baptized. Baptism was by putting water on the head in the name of the Trinity. It was not by immersion - there was no river in Jerusalem !

There was unity in the Spirit, unity in the Truth  ; worship and fellowship were the results of this (42,46). The fear of God was also a mark of genuine faith (43). This kind of fear produces a reverence in the soul which keeps the joyful soul (46 ) from presumption , worldliness and carelessness.

We see in this chapter how the Lord builds His church (47), how the Spirit gives life in Christ and how that life is lived - this is historic Christianity, NT Christianity. Our encouragement is that the Lord will build HIs church, irresistibly ( Mt.16:18).

CHAPTER 3

The power of the risen Christ.

Vs.1-10. Christ's power to heal.The ninth hour (3pm) was the hour of prayer, and as Peter and John passed by, a lame man cried out to them.However, he cried out for less than he needed - what he needed was healing for his soul, not just for his body. Like the lame man, we need to be taught what we really need. This is what Peter did (6). All was to be done in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and what He gives lasts forever. When he was healed the man knew who to thank (8,9) ; it was not Peter's power that healed him ( Isaiah 35:6). This man became a witness for Christ (9) and the people recognised that a change had come upon him (10), a change which was beyond human power. God is given all the glory for a saving change ; if He does not receive it, it means it was not a change done by Him.

Vs.11-26. Peter's sermon.

Peter's first concern was to deny that he was the author of this change in the man ; servants of Christ do not talk about themselves. He did however tell the crowd at Jerusalem some unwelcome truths ie. they had agreed to the unjust death of their own Messiah and voted to free a murderer instead ! However, Christ was not dead but alive and demonstrated the power of His Name ; this man was now not only walking but on his way to heaven, by faith (16). Peter explained to the crowd that, in their ignorance, their sins had actually brought to pass what God had predicted by God in Scripture (18,19) eg. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. Being a sermon and not just a lecture, Peter now called for these sinners to repent, to turn from sin to Christ (19). This must be done before He comes again (20,21), because it will be too late to repent !

Christ as Prophet, the Teacher of His church, has revealed to us the way of salvation, but if we reject or contradict His Word there can be no salvation (22,23). All blessing must come through Him (25,26 ), in His Name ( Matt.1:21). A mark of grace is that you are willing to be saved by Him alone, in His way ; not by any work you have done, but by His work.

" How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, in a believer's ear." ( John Newton )

CHAPTER 4

Opposition, prayer, power and practice.

Vs.1-22. Opposition.  The Apostles were put in prison for preaching that Jesus was alive and could give eternal life to others. The religious leaders regarded this as a threatening message, as they do today. They claim to believe the Scriptures but oppose Christ's claim over their lives as King. However, the testimony of the Apostles could not be extinguished (19), was confirmed by miracles (14-16), and also by their own experience (20). They lived under a higher authority than man's (19). Even today, although many people see the evidence of Christ's power in changed lives, knowing this fact does not change their own lives ; they still live contrary to God (21,22).

Vs. 23-31. Prayer. The Apostles had their ' own company ' (23), church fellowship. When they heard the threats against them they prayed to God (24). What happened to them did not surprise them ; Bible predictions had prepared them for it (24-28). They did not pray primarily to be delivered from their persecutors but to receive the strength and courage to go on witnessing to the headship of Christ ( Psalm 2), not only over the church but over every nation and government on earth (28-30). They prayed for God's power to accompany His Word ( cf. John 15:5 ). A demonstration of God's power was given (31) and the witness of Christ's church continued, as it does today.

Vs.32-37. The Gospel has practical effects. Practice is the evidence that the gospel has genuinely been believed ; faith is known by its fruits ( Matt.7). Where there is harmony in the Truth there is mutual support (32). God's people did not just turn up to worship, say

 ' Hello ' and go their own way, they helped one another. This was the result of Christ's power and grace (33). The rich helped the poor (34-37), and there was a ' sustentation fund ' set up (37). " Let brotherly love continue," says Christ ( Heb.13:1).

If we do not get opposed in some manner as Christians ( Heb.10:33), we must ask why we have a different experience from Christians in the New Testament. 

CHAPTER 5

The wheat and the Tares.

Vs.1-11. Hypocrisy.  If satan sees a prospering congregation, as at Jerusalem and Galatia, he will soon put his people inside it. Tares are sown among the wheat, " An enemy has done this." ( Matt. 13:28). Ananias and Sapphira gave an appearance of generosity but the Holy Spirit revealed it as hypocrisy. ( The only way by which hypocrisy can infallibly be known ) It was the constraint of pride that made them sell their land, not altruism ; they wanted the attention and praise for themselves ( although they no doubt used God's name), and promotion within the church - this still happens today. The Holy Spirit revealed their deceit and dishonesty and they were openly condemned. John 8:44 tells us what satan is up to in the world and in the church. We must beware of doing things for ' the praise of men ', and also of keeping anything back from the Lord.

Vs.12-32. Apostolic signs and the opposition.

Contrary to the hopes of the Jewish leaders and others, the church grew ; it had a mighty Protector. The Apostles' message threatened their whole system and positions in it. ( eg. the Priesthood was abolished now) Miracles evidenced a Divine power, (as were the angels sent to help them). The miracles were " Signs of the Apostles " ( the name of W. Chantry's excellent book ) ; they are no more, as there are no Apostles now. The Word of God is God's sufficient testimony to Christ. We must remember that regeneration, being ' born again ', is a great miracle.

They put the Apostles in prison, but ' the Word of God is not bound.' The highest courts in the nation and in the church opposed Christ's claims ( of truth and sovereignty), as today. The Apostles asserted that there was only one Master (29) and eternal throne. It cost them to obey God but they looked to Christ's supremacy and exaltation (31), and this encouraged them to go on witnessing to Him (32).

Vs.33-39. Gamaliel, Mr.Facing-both-ways. ( Bunyan)

Pilgrim's Progress describes him well. He was a respected church leader, and as he wished to continue in the post, he was careful to be indecisive and vague in his advice. He advised to wait and judge by the results ; he refused to agree or disagree with something that was blatantly morally wrong ! He wanted to compromise with Scripture, which he said he believed. But unlike the Apostles he refused to be clear and definite. He would not judge something as right or wrong according to the Word of God. - May we be preserved from such leaders !Vs.40-42. 

By being tried and tested the church grew stronger in character. They rejoiced that God's power enabled them to continue faithful despite all the threats. They were not out to oppose the civil government, but they were bound to obey God above all, especially when the government contradicted God. Their protest was peaceful but uncompromising. Preaching and teaching are inseparable (42), and Christ has appointed a ministry to perpetuate His teaching publicly, besides encouraging prayer in private to be taught from the Word. Children can only grow on milk for so long, they soon need meat ..or growth is stunted ( Heb.5:12-14).

CHAPTER 6

The First Deacons.

Some poor people in the church did not think they were being treated fairly or equally (1). The Apostles therefore, knowing they did not have the time to ' serve at tables ' (2), were directed by God to institute the office of ' deacon ' ( servant), while they continued to give priority to the preaching of the Word, being Preachers and Elders (1 Peter 5:1).

What were the qualifications for those who were to be deacons ? Firstly, they were to be men not women (3). They were also to have a good ecclesiastical reputation for honesty and reliability (3). This meant that they had to be mature men, whose profession of faith had been tested over the years. Their lives were to be of active service, lives directed by the words of the Holy Spirit (3). Nor were they allowed to take the office unless approved and appointed by the Elders, the Session ( 3,6). They were to be men of faith (5), who would pray to the Holy Spirit for the wisdom and strength they needed to carry out their duties effectively (5).

Their duty  was to ' serve ' the Lord and others by distributing to those in need the goods of the church eg. money, food. " The church must have a heart, and the diaconate is the hand of the church." ( F.S.Leahy) Note that in verse 4 the Apostles emphasized prayer first before the Word is preached. The ministry should be prayed for, besides praying for themselves. Blessing must be prayed for (7).

In verses 8-15  we see how one of the deacons was persecuted because he was faithful to the Lord who appointed him. They could not defeat Stephen in argument (9,10), and Paul was probably one of these critics, being from Cilicia (9). They therefore bribed and coerced men to slander him (11-14), trying to twist his doctrinal statements. They were angry that Stephen gave no emphasis to the Law of Moses or to the Temple (13), both of which they regarded as essential to their salvation. Stephen taught that salvation did not come by keeping laws, attending buildings or performing ceremonies (14). He taught a spiritual religion, and they had only natural understanding. They soon became angry. Stepehn was arrested and put on trial for ' evil speaking.' Faithfulness to God's words will always attract angry words from men, but Stephen was not looking at them, he was looking to Christ ' crowned with glory and honour.' Did Paul learn this from Stephen when he himself came to die ? ( 2 Tim.4:16-18 ).

CHAPTER 7

 Stephen's Trial, Testimony and Crown.

Stephen was brought before the supreme court of the Jews, the Sanhedrin. This was made up of elders who had to be 30 years old and married. Paul was a member ( Acts 22:20. 26:10. and therefore had been married ), but Nicodemus and Joseph had probably lost their seats by this time, perhaps resigned in protest at what they did to Christ.We must pray for our enemies, that God will change them, as he did Paul.

Vs.1-50. Stephen's Biblical, spiritual doctrine.

The Jews had plenty of outward religion ( ceremonies, buildings, regulations ) but did not have Christ ' in the heart by faith.' Stephen was on trial because what he taught threatened their entire religious system and lifestyle. Stephen now gave a summary of his teaching from the Bible. He began with the Covenant God made with Abraham and how Abraham believed God's promise and then followed Him (3,4). Thus Abraham was saved by faith and not by the works of the law. Stephen then showed from the Bible that the Jews throughout their history had constantly rejected those whom God sent to teach them the Truth, including Christ, Stephen's Master (9,39,52). [cf. Mark 12:1-12 ] The Jews also had a history of idolatry (41,43,48 ), an emphasis on ' what is seen ' - which is what the word ' idol ' means. Christians are called to ' walk by faith and not by sight.' ( cf. Heb.11:1 & 27.

1 Peter 1:8 ).

Vs.51-60. The Truth of God rejected.

The religious mind which is still in a natural state is unable to understand and there accept the truth of God ( Rom.8:7. 1 Corinth.2:11-14 ). The Jews were furious that Stephen accused them of not keeping the law of God (53). This wounded their pride ; it is natural to be angry when accused of failures, to be called a ' sinner.' But Christ only came to save sinners ( Luke 15:2.) . There is a great difference between knowing and respecting the law and keeping it ! The Jews had reduced the law to a series of outward doings, the appearance of conformity, in order to keep it, or so they thought. But God sees the heart, with all its sinful failures also ( 1 Sam. 16:7). Stephen now declared that the Christ whom they had crucified was alive, crowned with glory and watching this trial. Indeed, He stood as Stephen's Advocate against all His accusers ( as for Paul later 2 Tim.4:17). The word Stephen means ' crown ', and Stephen was about to receive one (Rev.2:10). He now fell asleep in death but immediately awakened to receive this crown from Christ, " Well done, good and faithful servant.' Paul held the coats while they stoned Stephen to death, but his future was not what he deserved or imagined. Stephen had prayed for him before he died, and ' Stephen's prayer gave us Paul.' ( Augustine) Christ was already praying for Stephen, and his faith did not fail.

CHAPTER 8

 Philip, Simon, Peter and a Eunuch.

Vs.1-13. Philip and Simon.

Stephen was taken from the work but the work continued. The Lord continued to build His church. Paul's persecution led to the people of God and the seed of the Word being scattered around the countries nearby (4). Philip's Master had visited Samaria before ( John 4 ) and He sent Philip to work there for a while - in Samaria, not Jerusalem ! This fulfilled what the Lord had said ( John 4:21,23). A wicked, greedy man called Simon said he believed (13). Philip was deceived by him [ this still happens] and he baptized him when he ' professed faith.' Simon entered the ' visible church ', but did not last long.

Vs.14-25. Peter and Simon.

The Presbytery in Jerusalem sent down Peter and John to examine the work being done in Samaria. They prayed that Christ would give more gifts through the Holy Spirit to the needy church there. This was done, and Simon was impressed by the power, so impressed that he wanted to buy it. [ This is where the word ' Simony ' comes from - trying to obtain a position of power in the church, by money or influence ]. Peter saw that Simon was not truly converted (21,23). This was a lesson for Philip also. Simon, despite Peter's warning, refused to pray for himself, and was only concerned about the consequences of his sin, not the wickedness of the sin itself (24) ; this is still a common attitude to sin.

Vs.26-40. Philip and the Eunuch.

The Lord now sends Philip away from preaching to hundreds to preaching to one man in a desert. Philip obeyed without hesitation, preferring to obey God than remain among the praises of men. Philip, being taught by the Spirit, was able to help this man who was trying to read the Bible without the Spirit (31). Philip showed him that Christ was at the centre of Scripture (32-35); indeed, it was why Scripture was written ( Ps.40:7). The Bible is firstly about Christ and then about sinners, we must not put second things first. The Eunuch was enlightened by the Spirit and believed the Word ( Eph.1:18). He was baptized and went on his way rejoicing, because he had not only met Philip but had met Christ with His Word. How many rejoice for this reason ?

CHAPTER 9 

A Wolf is turned into a Sheep.

Paul was at the worst point of his life when Christ met him. He was not looking for Christ but Christ was looking for him ! ( Rom.10:20 ) Paul was turned from ' religion ' to Christ ; he knew the Word of God but not the Author of it. In this he was like young Samuel ( 1 Sam.3:7 ). When he met Christ he did not recognise Him, but he asked two important questions (5,6) - saving knowledge leads to submission and obedience. Love for Christ constrains us, and faith in Christ makes our works acceptable now ( Heb.11:6). It is difficult for some in the Church to accept that a notoriously wicked sinner can be converted ( 13,14), but the example of Paul proves the opposite ; we are saved by grace alone.This man was a chief persecutor, and.like the Inquisition he used God's name to justify it. Now he would labour in love and suffer for his faith (15,16) - are we the same ?

Paul began to preach immediately and met the prejudice and anger he had exemplified before ( 20-23 ). The disciples in Damascus saw the danger of assassination and helped him to escape and continue his labours elsewhere (25). However, when he tried to join other disciples at Jerusalem they were afraid of him (26), but Barnabas vouched for him (27) and he was recognised as an Apostle.Soon he was again threatened because he kept defeating the opposing arguments against Christ's Person and work. Paul had the knowledge as well as the zeal ( which do not always go together ) and escaped to fight another day (29,30).

Two lessons arise from this : 

a) ' Every saint has a past and every sinner can have a happy future with Christ.' 

b) A true believer can say with Paul, " For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."

CHAPTER 10

A Vision and a Visitor.

Vs.1-33. The Preparation.

Peter obviously believed that the death of Christ had abolished the OT ceremonial laws, because he stayed with Simon the Tanner ( ch.9:43), a man who worked with dead bodies, which would have meant ceremonial defilement under the Old Testament regulations. This principle, this effect of Christ's death, had to be made public, and God's means for making this known was the conversion of the Roman Cornelius, a Gentile ( non-Jew).

Cornelius had great respect for the true God,the God of Israel, but still did not have a saving knowledge of Christ ( 33,43), and so Peter was sent by God with the gospel (34-43). However, Peter's Jewish prejudices had to be removed first ; he had to be persuaded that God approved the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles, indeed commanded it ( Mark 16:15). The Jews had always been reluctant to do this, despite the many OT prophecies concerning this, that the Gentiles would " sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Peter was convinced by a vision from God (9-16) that all were sinners in the sight of God, there was no distinction ; all needed forgiveness and cleansing, all needed righteousness by faith and peace with God, Jews and Gentiles ( Rom.3:28-30). Peter was convinced and went with the men who came for him to bring him to the Gentile gathering (20). We see how God prepares preacher and people - we should remember this in prayer.

Vs.34-48. Peter's sermon.

Peter began his sermon by proclaiming that there were no longer any barriers between Jew and Gentile (28), God is no respecter of persons (34) ; all are equally sinners. Peter spoke of how Jesus had the Holy Spirit, and how we need Him too. He preached on the life, death and resurrection of Christ, and of how He had chosen witnesses to testify of His exaltation as King and Judge, that Christ was the fulfilment of the Old Testament promises.

The Holy Spirit accompanied the word preached and gave life to the hearers. They believed in Christ and were forgiven (43). The Holy Spirit also gave them evidences that they had eternal life (46). ' Tongues ', speaking in an unlearned foreign language, ceased with the Apostolic age, but we still have the duty and evidence of ' magnifying God.' (46).Having believed, they were baptised and added to the ' visible church'. ( ' visible,' because not every profession of faith is genuine - we can only judge by what we see.) We see in the case of Cornelius that respect for God is not the same as faith in Christ. Which do we have ?

CHAPTER 11

The Gentile Church at Antioch, in Syria.

Vs.1-18. Peter's defence of preaching to the Gentiles.

There were critics in the church who opposed Peter's action, but Peter defended himself from Scripture ( Isaiah 42:1-6. 49:6.) ; it was God's command to spread the Gospel. The witnesses who accompanied Peter testified that the same Holy Spirit who enabled Jews to believe also enabled Gentiles. The majority of the church agreed that this was the work of God and glorified God for bringing salvation to the Gentiles (18), by giving them the grace needed for repentance.

Vs.19-30. The Church at Antioch.

Instead of preventing the gospel from spreading, the persecution of believers acted as a wind, which scattered the seed far and wide ; to Cyprus, Cyrene (in Africa) and north to Syria. The hand (power) of the Lord took hold of sinners and brought them to Himself and His church (21).

The church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to examine the work at Antioch. He saw that it was a work of grace, and encouraged them to continue in grace. God, and not man's efforts, continued to build up the church there. Because of the numbers,Barnabas saw that he needed help and he went to look for Paul, who had returned to Cilicia (25), to assist him. 

The unbelievers at Antioch called the disciples of Christ ' Christians '(26), because of their likeness to Christ in their doctrine, worship and practice. The difference between Christians and the world was obvious to them. Is it obvious today ? For a while the early church still had prophets (27) to reveal the future from God, but that also ended when the Apostles died. The church, being a family of God's adopted children, sent help to Jerusalem (29,30), as many there were in poverty ( probably because of ostracism and non-employment / dismissal by unbelievers). Thus they helped the brethren not only by their prayers but gave practical help also ( James 2:15-17).

CHAPTER 12

Peter is arrested by men and delivered by God.

Vs.1-5. Peter is arrested.

King Herod continued his grandfather's practice of violently opposing Christianity. He killed John and now arrested Peter. The devil attacks Christian leaders first. Congregations must pray for faithful preachers, as they did at Jerusalem (5). There is a history of government opposition to Christ's rule. (Psalm 2)

Vs.6-11. Peter is delivered.

Herod relied on soldiers and stone walls, but the church prayed ; their confidence was in God. Peter was asleep. He awaited death but " worse things can happen to a Christian than death " ; Peter had peace with God through Christ, he was safe forever ( Rom.5:1. Ps.4:8). God does not always restrain death (2) but He has taken the sting out of it ( 1 Cor.15). An angel was sent from heaven (Heb.1;14) to bring Peter out of the prison. Guards and chains cannot frustrate the power and purpose of God. Christ has set us free from greater powers ( John 8:34,36).Perhaps it was the same angel who was sent to kill Herod later (23) !

Vs.12-17. At Mary's house ( Mark's mother). No-one was asleep there, they were all praying for Peter. Yet when their prayer was answered, they found it hard to believe it !Peter also seemed bewildered at one point (9). Why is the church ' slow to believe '( Luke 24:25) that God can do more than we think He can ? ( Epohes.3:20)

Vs.18-23. The death of God's enemies. Firstly the soldiers - they should have obeyed God and not man. Secondly, Herod - he was made a public example of how suddenly God can change things ! He had been seeking his own glory and not God's. Angels are still active !

Vs.24,25. The word and the workers go on. John had died, but Paul, Barnabas, Peter and others laboured on. Barnabas took Mark ( his nephew) with them as they served the Lord. Mark was a ' student for the ministry ' and it was good that he was in the company of older servants - and, as we shall see, he had a lot to learn !

CHAPTER 13 

The First missionary Journey.

The people of this world are all sinners, condemned by God and rebellious, opposing God's lawful authority. The gospel has been sent out with peace terms, " Be reconciled to God." through faith in Christ. The world opposes the message and satan opposes the mission.

Vs.1-3. Barnabas and Paul were separated by the Holy Spirit for this work. 

God initiated the work and supplied the men with the gifts for it. God chose the men, not women, and they were willing to go wherever God would send them. The NT church at Antioch fasted, prayed and commended the two missionaries to God's care - as we must.

Vs.4-12. The power and the opposition.

Barnanbas and Paul sailed to Cyprus, the island nearest to Syria. The Roman governor of the island was interested in the message of the gospel, but the devil opposed them (10) and used a Jewish false prophet to do so. The devil always opposes a salvation by God's free and sovereign grace. Paul called upon the power of God, who blinded the enemy and saved the governor (12).

Vs.13. Mark deserts them.

Mark returned to Jerusalem. He had wrong expectations about the ministry and was repelled by the hardships. Perhaps he was also too young and inexperienced to enter the ministry. ( 1 Tim.3:6) " Either he did not like the work or he wanted to go and see his mother." ( M. Henry )

Vs.14-43. Paul's sermon at Antioch in Pisidia.

 Paul was now labouring in the south Turkey area. When he arrived at this Antioch he first of all preached in the local synagogue.

- He reminded them of God's mercies to the Jewish nation (16-22)

- He proclaimed that the Messiah had come (23-26)

- The Jewish rulers had influenced the people to crucify the Messiah, but God had predicted this would happen ( eg. in Isaiah 53), and Christ crucified was indeed the Saviour (27-29).

- Christ had conquered death and now reigns as King, the resurrection had been predicted also (30-37)

- the good news is that sinners cannot be saved by keeping the Law given by Moses but by faith in the living Christ (38,39).

The sermon ends with a warning against unbelief (40,41) and an exhortation to seek salvation by grace (42,43) and not by works [ our natural way of thinking]

Vs.44-52. Jewish envy and Apostolic response.

 A week later the Gentiles crowded into the same synagogue to hear the message about justification by faith alone. But the Jews resented their presence and contradicted the Biblical message - they preferred the law ! Paul responded by saying that Christ came into the world to save sinners and not just Jewish sinners. All those chosen by God to be saved believed the Word (48). In response the Jews drove the Apostles away, and so the gospel spread to other towns. The same gospel comes to us today - but how do people respond ?

CHAPTER 14

Through much tribulation !

The Lord had revealed to Paul (9:16) that to serve Him would involve ' much suffering '. What kinds of danger is the Christian exposed to ?

Vs. 1-6. Danger from false followers of Christ. In Iconium the ' unbelieving Jews ' stirred up the people against Paul and Barnabas. The ' word of His grace ' (3) never fails to offend those who wish to be saved by their own work and not Christ's. The persecution became violent, so they moved on to another town.

Vs.7-20. Danger from the heathen world.

They now came to Lystra and Derbe and preached the gospel there.These Greeks thought that the gods had visited them and were like themselves ( Ps.50:21) ; people still think that . Paul told them that the ' living God ' had revealed Himself through Christ in Creation and in the Word (15-18), and he warned them not to worship God's servants. These hearers still wanted to see signs and wonders and when the false Jewish teachers arrived they were easily persuaded to turn against Paul ; such is the fickleness of human nature. They stoned Paaul and left him for dead, but God preserved him alive ( 19,20) - he still had work to do. " We are immortal here until our work is done." Verse 20 mentions " disciples " - among whom were Timothy and his family.Doubtless these troubles could have been avoided by Paul, but only by turning back and quitting the service of the Lord ( always a temptation, cf. Mark). God is faithful to the faithful ( 2 Tim.3:1,2).

Vs.21-28. Encouraging the disciples.

 Despite the opposition, the Holy Spirit had led many to Christ (21). Faith and tribulation always go together in the Christian life (22), and this is why we need encouragement, from God and from one another ( 1 Sam. 30:6. Heb. 3;13,14. ). The new congregation needed to be organized ( Titus 1:5), and, at God's command. Elders were chosen and appointed (23). There are two kinds of Elder : those who rule only, and those who rule and preach ( 1 Tim.5:17 ) ie. Ministers. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch and reported what GOD had done among the Gentiles. A Door to heaven had been opened by God for sinners, and that Door is Christ ( John 10).