BRUCE C WEARNE looks at what Paul tells those gathered in the Pisidian synagogue about the ‘Good News’ of Jesus in Acts 13…
And putting to sea from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia. John meantime tore himself away and returned to Jerusalem. And going on from Perga they came to Pisidian Antioch.
And on the Sabbath they went into the synagogue, taking their place having prepared to teach. With the reading of the law and the prophets done, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Fellows and brethren, if you have any word to encourage the people, please speak up”.
So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand in blessing, said: “Fellows of Israel, and you who fear God, pay attention. The God of this nation, the people of Israel chose our forefathers …[and]…he promoted David in his stead to be their king. It was of him that he gave approval in these words, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a fellow after my own heart, who will give shape to all I have in store [for my people].’ From the descendents this one God has presented a saviour to Israel, Jesus, just as He promised…Though they could find no charge to condemn Him to death, yet they asked Pilate to have Him put down. And having fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and allowed Him to be laid in a tomb. But God promoted Him from the grave and for many days He presented Himself (alive) to those who came up with Him to Jerusalem from Galilee, who are now the ones who are the witnesses to the [same] people [of Jerusalem]. And so, what we are bringing to you is the Good News of what God had [always] promised to our forefathers, this He has brought to fulfillment in us, their children, in the raising of Jesus from the dead, as also it stands written in Psalm 2: ‘You are my very own son; this day I have become your father’. And as for promoting Jesus to life, no more to return to corruption [of the grave], this too is confirmed in the following words [of the prophets], ‘I will endow upon you God’s firm assurances to David.’ Hence it is said in another place: ‘You will simply not allow it for the one consecrated to you to suffer decay.’…So my brothers, know of a truth that is here openly proclaimed to you, that the release from [all] your sins is being offered to you through Him. There are many sins for which you could not find right standing [even] under Moses’ law, but everyone who believes has right-standing through Him. Watch out then, in case what the prophets say come true for you what is said in the prophets: ‘Take note you are so pompous [and arrogant], be [completely] entranced and disappear; for I am performing a deed in your lifetime, a deed you will never believe, even though someone recount it to you in [full] detail.’
And as they were dispersing, they were prevailed upon to speak more of these things on them the next Sabbath. When that assembly had finally dispersed many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. – Acts 13:13-43/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne.
Ruins of Pisidian Antioch in modern Turkey. PICTURE: Maderibeyza from tr/CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons
IN A NUTSHELL
Paul now delivers an address in the synagogue which is very similar to the addresses given by Stephen before the Sanhedrin and Peter on the day of Pentecost.
Luke tells us about Mark’s departure. There is no conflict mentioned here between Paul and Barnabas, even if the word [‘HAPOCHÕRESAS] might indicate some emotional intensity. That was to come later. Here, Luke gives us an outline of how synagogue worship of Almighty God was conducted on that occasion.
Look at Deuteronomy 26 – “And rejoice in all the good which the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you and the Levite and the sojourner who is among you” (26:11). The Lord gave Moses a pattern for how Jews were to discuss His dealings with them when they met to worship.
Paul was conducting the worship service according to the regular pattern. Maybe psalms 2, 16, 78 and 89 were listed for singing that day. The prophet Habakkuk is quoted: “Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I do a deed in your days, a deed you will never believe, if one declares it to you” (1:5).
The service was organised around a passage from Deuteronomy, plus the section from the Prophet Habakkuk and the Psalms. But when the synagogue dispersed for the week, there was still work to do before the next Sabbath, because some of those hearing Paul’s message believed and wanted to know more.
The precede to this article mistakenly refered to Peter instead of Paul. It has now been corrected.
OPEN BOOK – HINTS FROM THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS: PAUL’S ADDRESS IN THE PISIDIAN SYNAGOGUE
BRUCE C WEARNE looks at what Paul tells those gathered in the Pisidian synagogue about the ‘Good News’ of Jesus in Acts 13…
And putting to sea from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia. John meantime tore himself away and returned to Jerusalem. And going on from Perga they came to Pisidian Antioch.
And on the Sabbath they went into the synagogue, taking their place having prepared to teach. With the reading of the law and the prophets done, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Fellows and brethren, if you have any word to encourage the people, please speak up”.
So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand in blessing, said: “Fellows of Israel, and you who fear God, pay attention. The God of this nation, the people of Israel chose our forefathers …[and]…he promoted David in his stead to be their king. It was of him that he gave approval in these words, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a fellow after my own heart, who will give shape to all I have in store [for my people].’ From the descendents this one God has presented a saviour to Israel, Jesus, just as He promised…Though they could find no charge to condemn Him to death, yet they asked Pilate to have Him put down. And having fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and allowed Him to be laid in a tomb. But God promoted Him from the grave and for many days He presented Himself (alive) to those who came up with Him to Jerusalem from Galilee, who are now the ones who are the witnesses to the [same] people [of Jerusalem]. And so, what we are bringing to you is the Good News of what God had [always] promised to our forefathers, this He has brought to fulfillment in us, their children, in the raising of Jesus from the dead, as also it stands written in Psalm 2: ‘You are my very own son; this day I have become your father’. And as for promoting Jesus to life, no more to return to corruption [of the grave], this too is confirmed in the following words [of the prophets], ‘I will endow upon you God’s firm assurances to David.’ Hence it is said in another place: ‘You will simply not allow it for the one consecrated to you to suffer decay.’…So my brothers, know of a truth that is here openly proclaimed to you, that the release from [all] your sins is being offered to you through Him. There are many sins for which you could not find right standing [even] under Moses’ law, but everyone who believes has right-standing through Him. Watch out then, in case what the prophets say come true for you what is said in the prophets: ‘Take note you are so pompous [and arrogant], be [completely] entranced and disappear; for I am performing a deed in your lifetime, a deed you will never believe, even though someone recount it to you in [full] detail.’
And as they were dispersing, they were prevailed upon to speak more of these things on them the next Sabbath. When that assembly had finally dispersed many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. – Acts 13:13-43/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne.
Ruins of Pisidian Antioch in modern Turkey. PICTURE: Maderibeyza from tr/CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons
IN A NUTSHELL
Paul now delivers an address in the synagogue which is very similar to the addresses given by Stephen before the Sanhedrin and Peter on the day of Pentecost.
Luke tells us about Mark’s departure. There is no conflict mentioned here between Paul and Barnabas, even if the word [‘HAPOCHÕRESAS] might indicate some emotional intensity. That was to come later. Here, Luke gives us an outline of how synagogue worship of Almighty God was conducted on that occasion.
Look at Deuteronomy 26 – “And rejoice in all the good which the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you and the Levite and the sojourner who is among you” (26:11). The Lord gave Moses a pattern for how Jews were to discuss His dealings with them when they met to worship.
Paul was conducting the worship service according to the regular pattern. Maybe psalms 2, 16, 78 and 89 were listed for singing that day. The prophet Habakkuk is quoted: “Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I do a deed in your days, a deed you will never believe, if one declares it to you” (1:5).
The service was organised around a passage from Deuteronomy, plus the section from the Prophet Habakkuk and the Psalms. But when the synagogue dispersed for the week, there was still work to do before the next Sabbath, because some of those hearing Paul’s message believed and wanted to know more.
The precede to this article mistakenly refered to Peter instead of Paul. It has now been corrected.
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