Ep. 280. Acts 13 | Paul and Barnabas
EPISODE 280
PAUL AND BARNABAS: ACTS 13
Barnabas was immediately a friend to Paul. We saw that in chapter 9. Together, they spent about a year investing spiritually in the people of Antioch, but now it was pressed upon the prophets and teachers to commission some people for the ministry of the Gospel. The Spirit set apart Paul and Barnabas. This chapter and the next cover what for the Bible amounts to pretty great detail: the first missionary journey of these two men. They took John Mark along with them, though he would later be a dividing factor between the two friends. Now, keep in mind that the lengthy sermon recorded for us in chapter 13 was executed in the synagogue. As I said before about Stephen, I say here about Paul, he was well educated in the Scriptures and used them to speak the message of Christ. Remember, the oral tradition of what Jesus had done was being passed around, but the New Testament still needed to be established. Furthermore, just telling the story of Jesus would not be convincing to the Jews of the first century. Jesus, to be valid for the Jews, had to be connected to the Old Testament. So Paul preaches from Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, and 2 Samuel before moving to the New Testament Narrative. Then Paul speaks about the message of John the Baptist and connects the coming of Jesus to the Old Testament prophesies of Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Psalm 2, and Psalm 16. Finally, Paul warns the people with caution from Habakkuk. Ultimately, the majority of the Jews reject the message, and Paul says, "Since you thrust it [the gospel] aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles." Though Paul will continue to minister in the synagogues, one could argue that this is a turning point where he recognizes God's call on his life to proclaim the good news to the Gentile nations.
I can't overstate the importance of believers knowing and understanding the Scriptures. Being able to connect Christ to the prophesies and foreshadows of salvation that are throughout the Old Testament is vital for any mature believer.
ADDITIONAL READING: Psalm 2:7; Psalm 16:10; Habakkuk 1:5; Isaiah 49:6; Matthew 10:14
