Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” July 8, 2013

Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Monday, July 8, 2013 Read – Acts 13:44-52 What would be the result of Paul and Barnabas’ visit to the synagogue? As we have learned, the response was mixed. Some wanted to hear more, others became believers, and others rejected the message. It is important to note that both Jewish and non-Jewish people who had converted to Judaism responded positively to Paul’s message (Acts 13:43). At this point it seems that the only ones at Antioch in Pisidia who became believers were Jews and Jewish proselytes. It is simply not true that all Jewish people rejected the gospel. Luke wants us to know that and insists that we hear about Jewish believers. That has been one of his themes both in his gospel and in the book of Acts. It is also true, tragically, that there were some Jewish people who became jealous and rejected the message. So, Paul and Barnabas now turn to the Gentiles and offer them the good news. Proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles was already the practice of the church in Antioch (Acts 11:29) so Paul’s turning to the Gentiles in Antioch of Pisidia was not completely new – but highlighting it as is done in this text is. And Paul provides the justification for such a move by quoting from the prophet Isaiah. God had said there of his servant – “I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47). That is not an exact quote from Isaiah 42:6 and Isaiah 49:6 – two of the Servant Songs – but it is clear that Luke is quoting from these texts. What is important for us to hear is that moving on to the Gentiles comes only after the Jews have had an opportunity to hear. The mission is still first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. That pattern will continue to the end. The outcome at Antioch in Pisidia seems to be more positive than negative, but in the end Paul and Barnabas are driven out of town and out of the whole territory. And so they move deeper into the territory that would later be referred to as Galatia. It was to the people in these churches that Paul would later write his letter to the Galatians.