Chapter Thirteen — Part Two: The Book of Acts
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 01/23/2022
Foundation Scriptures:Acts 13:13-22
1. Paul and His Party.
a. Acts 13:13 NKJV — Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
b. Before this, Luke put Barnabas’ name ahead of Paul’s, but now he mentions Paul’s name first (Acts 11:30; 12:25).
c. He also refers to the whole group as “Paul’s party” which means that, by then, Paul was recognized as their leader.
d. Then John Mark chose to leave them and go home, which is one reason why Paul did not want to take him on the next missionary journey (Acts 15:36-41).
2. An Invitation to Preach.
a. Acts 13:14 NKJV — But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.
b. Perga was the capital of Pamphylia and Antioch was the capital of Pisidia, a Roman colony.
c. Not to be confused with the city of Antioch in Syria.
d. They sat quietly until they were called upon to speak.
e. Acts 13:15 NKJV — And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
f. The Law and the Prophets was read every sabbath.
g. And it was customary to have seven persons take turns to read: a priest, a Levite, and five ordinary Israelites.
h. Exhortation (Greek paraklēsis) — a calling near; summons, (esp. for help); importation; supplication; entreaty; exhortation; admonition; encouragement; consolation; comfort; solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment.
i. The greatest consolation we can receive is to know Jesus—Who He is, and what He has done for us.
j. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 AMPC — Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), 17 Comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word.
3. Paul’s Exhortation.
a. Acts 13:16 AMPC — So Paul arose, and motioning with his hand said, Men of Israel and you who reverence and fear God, listen!
b. Paul made sure he had their attention, and then he began by addressing both the Jews and the Gentiles, who were Jewish proselytes.
c. First, he lays the foundation for his Gospel message from the Old Testament.
d. Acts 13:17 AMPC — The God of this people Israel selected our forefathers and made this people great and important during their stay in the land of Egypt, and then with an uplifted arm He led them out from there.
e. God chose the nation of Israel, exalted them in Egypt, and then delivered them from the same (Ex. 6:1, 6.).
f. They were His favorites from among the nations, but more for the sake of His promises and His faithfulness, than their worthiness.
g. They took pride in their favored status yet bristled at any mention of their or their ancestors’ stubbornness and rebellion.
h. Acts 13:18 AMPC — And for about forty years like a fatherly nurse He cared for them in the wilderness and endured their behavior.
i. Even though they were stubborn and rebellious, Father God protected and provided for them for 40 years in the wilderness (Num. 14:33-34; 32:13; Dt. 1:31; 2:7; 8:2-4).
j. Acts 13:19 AMPC — When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave them [the Hebrews] their land as an inheritance [distributing it to them by lot; all of which took] about 450 years.
k. The seven nations were the Canaanites, Hittites, Girgasites, Amorites, Hivites, Perizzites, and Jebusites (Deut 7:1; Josh. 14:1).
l. The land was divided amongst them by lot (Joshua ch.13-22).
m. Acts 13:20 AMPC — After that, He gave them judges until the prophet Samuel.
n. For 450 years they were ruled by various judges (Judges 3:7 to 1 Samuel 8:5).
4. Three Kings.
a. Acts 13:21 AMPC — Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
b. They had Almighty God as their King, but they wanted a flesh and blood king like the heathen nations.
c. They complained until God gave them the king they wanted, Saul, who stood head and shoulders above all others.
d. 1 Samuel 8:7 NKJV — And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.
e. Outwardly, Saul seemed like a good choice, but he had a wrong heart attitude.
f. Because of his rebellion and disobedience, God was forced to depose him (1 Sam. 8-21; 15:28; 1 Chr. 10).
g. Hosea 13:11 AMPC — I have given you a king in My anger, and I have taken him away in My wrath.
h. Acts 13:22 AMPC — And when He had deposed him, He raised up David to be their king; of him He bore witness and said, I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart, who will do all My will and carry out My program fully.
i. David was God’s choice, and a man after God’s own heart.
j. God, Himself, described him thus (1 Sam. 13:14; Ps. 89:20; Isa. 44:28).
k. David had great respect for God’s laws and diligently sought His leadership and direction in his public and private life.
l. Even when he sinned, he did not try to deny it as Saul had done, but he acknowledged it before God and repented.
m. He remained small in his own eyes, not stooping to arrogance or dictatorship.
n. He did not tolerate idolatry and was unashamed of his love for, and worship of, the Lord.
o. Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise to David concerning his throne.
p. Luke 1:32-33 KJV — He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.