Paul's Sermon in Pisidian Antioch
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Introduction:
Paul's sermon in Pisidian Antioch, as recorded in Acts 13:13-52, marks a significant moment in the early Christian mission to the Gentiles. Delivered in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch, this sermon is a profound exposition of the gospel, rooted in Jewish history and prophecy, and it underscores the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ.

Context:
Paul and his companions, including Barnabas, arrived in Pisidian Antioch during their first missionary journey. On the Sabbath, they attended the synagogue service, where Paul was invited to speak. This setting provided Paul with an opportunity to address both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, laying the foundation for the spread of the gospel beyond Jewish communities.

Content of the Sermon:

1. Historical Overview (Acts 13:16-22):
Paul begins by recounting the history of Israel, emphasizing God's sovereign actions. He highlights the deliverance from Egypt, the period of the judges, the establishment of the monarchy, and the reign of King David. This historical recounting serves to remind the audience of God's faithfulness and sets the stage for the introduction of Jesus as the promised Savior.

· "The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made the people prosper during their stay in the land of Egypt; with mighty power He led them out of that country" (Acts 13:17).

2. Jesus as the Fulfillment of Prophecy (Acts 13:23-31):
Paul declares that from David's descendants, God has brought to Israel the Savior, Jesus, as promised. He references the ministry of John the Baptist as a precursor to Jesus' coming. Paul emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus' death and resurrection, which were foretold by the prophets.

· "From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised" (Acts 13:23).

3. The Resurrection (Acts 13:32-37):
Central to Paul's message is the resurrection of Jesus, which he presents as the ultimate validation of Jesus' divine mission. Paul cites Psalms and other scriptures to demonstrate that the resurrection was prophesied and that Jesus' resurrection confirms His identity as the Son of God.

· "But God raised Him from the dead, and for many days He appeared to those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people" (Acts 13:30-31).

4. Call to Faith and Warning (Acts 13:38-41):
Paul offers the message of forgiveness and justification through Jesus, which the Law of Moses could not provide. He urges his listeners to believe in Jesus to receive this salvation. Paul also warns them not to be like those who scoffed at the prophets and missed God's work.

· "Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you" (Acts 13:38).

Reaction and Impact:

1. Initial Reception (Acts 13:42-43):
The sermon was met with interest, and many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, eager to hear more about this message of grace.

2. Opposition and Turning to the Gentiles (Acts 13:44-49):
The following Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. However, some Jews, filled with jealousy, opposed Paul and Barnabas. In response, Paul boldly declared that since the Jews rejected the message, they would turn to the Gentiles, fulfilling the Lord's command to be a light to the nations.

· "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth'" (Acts 13:47).

3. Continued Spread of the Gospel (Acts 13:50-52):
Despite persecution and being expelled from the region, Paul and Barnabas left behind a community of believers filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. The word of the Lord continued to spread throughout the region, demonstrating the unstoppable nature of the gospel.

Significance:
Paul's sermon in Pisidian Antioch is a pivotal moment in the book of Acts, illustrating the transition of the gospel message from a predominantly Jewish audience to the Gentile world. It underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus Christ and highlights the inclusive nature of the gospel, offering salvation to all who believe.
Subtopics

Paul

Paul Escapes to Derbe, where he Preaches the Gospel, and Returns to Lystra

Paul is Bitten by a Viper and Miraculously Unharmed

Paul is Brought Before the Sanhedrin; his Defense

Paul is Confined in Herod's Judgment Hall in Caesarea

Paul is Confined in the Fortress

Paul is Delayed in Melita for Three Months

Paul is Encouraged by a Vision from God, Promising Him That he Will Give Testimony in Rome

Paul is Escorted to Caesarea by a Military Guard

Paul is Immersed

Paul is Persecuted

Paul is Persecuted by Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and is Stoned

Paul is Persecuted by the Jews

Paul is Received by the Brethren Gladly

Paul is Released by the Civil Authorities on the Grounds of his Being a Roman Citizen

Paul is Returned to the Fortress

Paul is Taken to Rome in the Custody of Julius, a Centurion, and a Detachment of Soldiers

Paul is Welcomed at the Household of Lydia

Paul: A Roman Citizen

Paul: A Zealous Pharisee

Paul: Also Called Saul

Paul: Appeals to be Heard by Caesar

Paul: Born in the City of Tarsus

Paul: Called to be an Apostle

Paul: Caught up to the Third Heaven

Paul: Chooses Silas As his Companion

Paul: Contends With Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the Sorcerer

Paul: Contends With the Judaizers Against Their Circumcision "Theology"

Paul: Conveys the Contributions of the Christians in Antioch to the Christians in Jerusalem

Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) With Greeks

Paul: Declares he Was Going Bound in Spirit to Jerusalem

Paul: Departs for Caesarea

Paul: Educated at Jerusalem in the School of Gamaliel

Paul: Enters the Temple Courtyard

Paul: Escapes by Being Let Down from the Wall in a Basket; Goes to Jerusalem

Paul: Escapes to Berea by Night

Paul: from the Tribe of Benjamin,

Paul: Goes Through Phrygia and Galatia

Paul: Goes to Caesarea

Paul: Goes to Troas, where he Has a Vision of a Man Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia

Paul: Has "A Thorn in the Flesh"

Paul: Has Barnabas As his Companion

Paul: He Declares to the Apostles at Jerusalem the Miracles and Wonders God had Performed Among the Gentiles by Them

Paul: Heals an Immobile Man

Paul: Heals the Ruler's Father and Others

Paul: His Defense

Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii

Paul: His Independence of Character

Paul: His Message Received Gladly by the Gentiles

Paul: His Resolute Determination to Go to Jerusalem Despite Repeated Warnings

Paul: His Trial Before Governor Felix

Paul: His Trial Before Governor Festus

Paul: His Vision and Conversion

Paul: Jewish Leaders Conspire Against his Life

Paul: John (Mark), a Companion of, Departs for Jerusalem

Paul: Kind Treatment by the Inhabitants of the Island

Paul: Lives in his own Rented House for Two Years, Preaching and Teaching

Paul: Makes his Second Tour of the Congregations

Paul: Meets some Brethren Who Accompany Him to Rome from Appii Forum

Paul: Persecuted and Expelled

Paul: Persecuted by Jews, Drawn Before the Deputy, Charged With Wicked Lewdness

Paul: Persecuted by the Jews Who Come from Thessalonica

Paul: Persecuted, Beaten, and Cast Into Prison With Silas

Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen

Paul: Persecutions Endured By

Paul: Persecutions of

Paul: Personal Appearance of

Paul: Preaches at Paphos

Paul: Preaches at Salamis

Paul: Preaches in Damascus for the First Time

Paul: Predicts Misfortune to the Ship; his Counsel not Heeded, and the Voyage Resumes

Paul: Proceeds to Macedonia After Strengthening the Congregations in That Region

Paul: Reasons in the Synagogue Every Sabbath

Paul: Rebukes the Exorcists

Paul: Received by the Disciples in Jerusalem

Paul: Refers the Question of Circumcision to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem

Paul: Remains in Custody for Two Years

Paul: Reproves the Soothsayer

Paul: Returns to Antioch, Accompanied by Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, With Letters to the Gentiles

Paul: Returns to Ephesus

Paul: Returns With the Apostle John to Antioch (Of Syria)

Paul: Re-Visits Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and Antioch, in Syria, where he Lived

Paul: Sends for the Elders of the Congregation of Ephesus

Paul: Sends Timothy and Erastus Into Macedonia, But he Himself Remains in Asia for a Period of Time

Paul: Sent to Damascus With Letters for the Arrest and Return to Jerusalem of Christians

Paul: Sent to the Gentiles

Paul: Sergius Paulus, Governor of the Country, is a Convert of

Paul: Sickness of, in Asia

Paul: Summons the Local Jewish Leadership

Paul: Supports Himself

Paul: Teaches at Antioch (In Syria) for One Year

Paul: The People Attempt to Worship Him

Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm

Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta)

Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes With the Makers of Idols

Paul: This Plan is Thwarted by his Nephew

Paul: Transferred to a Ship of Alexandria

Paul: Visits Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica; Preaches in the Synagogue

Paul: Visits Antioch (In Pisidia), and Preaches in the Synagogue

Paul: Visits Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium

Paul: Visits Coos, Rhodes, and Patara; Boards a Ship Bound for Tyre

Paul: Visits Corinth

Paul: Visits Ephesus, where he Leaves Aquila and Priscilla

Paul: Visits Iconium, and Preaches to the Jews and Non-Jews

Paul: Visits Lystra; Circumcises Timothy

Paul: Visits Much of the Island of Cyprus

Paul: Visits Perga in Pamphylia

Paul: Visits Samothracia and Neapolis

Paul: Visits Seleucia

Paul: Visits Troas

Paul: Waits at Tyre for Seven Days

Sarcasm: Paul

Select Readings: Paul and Silas in Prison

Select Readings: Paul in Front of Agrippa

Select Readings: Paul in Front of Governor Felix

Select Readings: Paul on Mars' Hill

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Appoint (114 Occurrences)

Elect (32 Occurrences)

Pick (37 Occurrences)

Selected (23 Occurrences)

Choose (116 Occurrences)

Apocrypha

Unanimously (1 Occurrence)

Journey (214 Occurrences)

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Wail (50 Occurrences)

Fittest (1 Occurrence)

Try (84 Occurrences)

Task (37 Occurrences)

Reputation (12 Occurrences)

Responsibility (17 Occurrences)

Esther (48 Occurrences)

Elite (2 Occurrences)

Exclusive (1 Occurrence)

Eagle (27 Occurrences)

Draw (212 Occurrences)

Duke (14 Occurrences)

Day's (19 Occurrences)

Decided (54 Occurrences)

Marriage (74 Occurrences)

Popular (1 Occurrence)

Party (47 Occurrences)

Berothah (1 Occurrence)

Berothai (1 Occurrence)

Creature (73 Occurrences)

Clean (298 Occurrences)

Choice (113 Occurrences)

Abi (2 Occurrences)

Adopt (4 Occurrences)

Acceptable (48 Occurrences)

Acceptation (2 Occurrences)

Assign (22 Occurrences)

Army (401 Occurrences)

Accept (106 Occurrences)

Single (65 Occurrences)

Separate (115 Occurrences)

Swim (8 Occurrences)

Seldom (1 Occurrence)

Sort (143 Occurrences)

Partridge (2 Occurrences)

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Dear (120 Occurrences)

Night (3322 Occurrences)

Business (147 Occurrences)

Hawk (6 Occurrences)

Report (127 Occurrences)

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)

Prophets (270 Occurrences)

Attitudes (1 Occurrence)

Septuagint

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Friends (152 Occurrences)

Seven (404 Occurrences)

Brothers (574 Occurrences)

Company (287 Occurrences)

Prophecy (37 Occurrences)

Master's (52 Occurrences)

Scribes (85 Occurrences)

Deluge (17 Occurrences)

Charge (379 Occurrences)

Turn (963 Occurrences)

Noah (55 Occurrences)

Worthy (92 Occurrences)

Judaeus

Philo

Text (5 Occurrences)

Manuscripts

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Throne (181 Occurrences)

Mark (182 Occurrences)

According (7613 Occurrences)

Ethics

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)

Sabbath (126 Occurrences)

Paul's Second Visit
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