Continuing with Paul and his group on the island of Cyprus in Acts 13, we learn in verse 13 that they sailed from Paphos to Perga (which is northwest of Paphos), crossing part of the Mediterranean Sea to the south side of the western part of what we know today as Turkey [Türkiye]. Perga appears to be a little bit inland, though, so there may have been some overland travel after they landed. [ref. Bible Map: Perga (bibleatlas.org)]
Verses 14-25 describe how Paul and his party went to “Pisidian Antioch” (see v.14). Remember that there were multiple cities called Antioch in the Bible. This one appears to be west and a little north of the other one, but well inland in the western part of Turkey. [ref. Antioch of Pisidia – Wikipedia]
The group visited a synagogue, and they were invited to speak. Paul delivered a message, describing some history leading up to John the Baptist, and introducing Jesus as a Savior from the line of David. I encourage you to read the entire message in Acts 13:16-41, including a key point in verse 23.
“From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.
Acts 13:23 NIV
I see here some similarities to the message that Peter delivered in Jerusalem on Pentecost (see Acts 2), while a couple of commentators [Lookout, Gaertner] also draw parallels to Stephen’s sermon before his martyrdom (see Acts 7). And, that shouldn’t be a surprise to us: The gospel isn’t just any random message that we want to present. No, the good news about Jesus Christ is the truth about Him, His ministry, His sacrifice, and His salvation. While there may be different ways to present these truths, and many teachings related to them, the message about Jesus should always revolve around the actual person of Jesus Christ.
In this case, Paul appears to be addressing both Jewish people and Gentiles who fear God. He recounts the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, along with the fact that Jesus appeared to people after His resurrection: people who could personally testify to the reality of His return.
These events are set in the context of prophecy, though, and weren’t some sort of mistake or happy accident. Paul quotes from multiple scriptures, providing a connection between what the people would have already known and the fulfillment of those passages in Jesus Christ. All of this was God’s plan, and even those who tried to suppress Jesus’ ministry played right into that plan, despite not necessarily understanding that – in some cases – they were living in the middle of the same prophecies that they had studied.
Paul’s message of forgiveness is just as true for you and me today as it was for his first-century audience.
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
Acts 13:38-39 NIV
It is indeed good news that we can be forgiven – set free! – from our sins, through Jesus Christ, no matter what “laws” we thought were going to be sufficient to earn our righteousness before a perfect and holy God. And, once we learn that no amount of rule-following can live up to the perfection of the holy God, salvation as a gift becomes our only option. I hope that you have found and received this gift, but if not, won’t you reach out to me (or a trusted follower of Jesus) and let us share more details with you? In the meantime, here’s a link to how a friend of mine put it: It’s All About Relationship
From Sunday School lesson prepared for November 12, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, November 12, 2023, © 2023 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- New Testament History: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Acts, by Gareth L. Reese. © 1976, College Press Publishing Company.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Acts, by Dennis Gaertner. © 1993 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 