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Tag: gentiles

Iconium – A Pattern of Persecution
But having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, they went to Iconium.
Acts of the Apostles 13:51 LSB
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Their journey of about 90 miles on a Roman road connecting these two capital cities of Asia Minor through the mountains would typically take about a week on horseback or on foot.
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Paul and Barnabas have just been run out of Pisidian Antioch continuing on a mission from Cypress where the Church in Antioch of Syria had initially sent them to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus to all the world.

An Antioch Blueprint of Church Evangelism

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
– ACTS of the Apostles 11:19-20 LSB

Observe a developing pattern of reactions and consequent acts when the Good News of Christ Jesus is proclaimed to ALL sinners in a city.

Acts of Apostles on Mission
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In case you missed their last stop in Antioch of Pisidia:
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Who has believed our message?

So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. – ACTS 13:42 NKJV

And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region..
And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts of Paul and Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch 13:49,52 LSB

Iconium Lycaonia
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Lycaonia - background: 160 B.C. - After defeat of the Hellenistic King Antiochus Rome gave it to the king of Pergamum after which it became part of Galatia then to Cappadocia.
64 BC -Pompey gave the northern part of the tetrarchy to Galatia and the eastern part of the eleventh strategia to Cappadocia. The remainder was attached to Cilicia. Its administration and grouping changed often under the Romans.

Iconium Ἰκόνιον (Ikónion) in Greek (with regular Medieval Greek apheresis Kónio(n)) and as Iconium in Latin. Ikónion is the Hellenisation of an older Luwian name Ikkuwaniya.

Some claim that the name Ikónion was derived from εἰκών (icon), referring to an ancient Greek legend according to which the hero Perseus had vanquished the native population with an image of the "Gorgon Medusa's head" before founding the city.

The Konya region.. at different times under the rule of the Hittites, the Phrygians, the Classical Greeks, the Persians and the Romans.  - source: Wikipedia
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Acts 14

Now it happened that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.

2 But the unbelieving Jews instigated and embittered the [souls] of the Gentiles against the brothers.

3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that [miracles] signs and wonders be done through their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided;
- and some sided with the Jews,
- and some with the apostles.
The familiar pattern:
- Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together
  - Pisidian Antioch. And on the Sabbath day, they went into the synagogue and sat down. Acts 13:14
  - Salamis, Cypress. they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews Acts 13:5
- and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.
  - Pisidian Antioch. Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas.. And the next Sabbath, nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. Acts 13:43a,44
- 14:2 But the unbelieving Jews instigated and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers.
  - Pisidian Antioch. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, blaspheming. Acts 13:45
  - Paphos Cypress. they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus.. opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. – Acts 13:6b,8b
- 14:3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that [miracles] signs and wonders be done through their hands.
  - Pisidian Antioch. “Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through [Christ] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.. Therefore watch out, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you Acts 13:38,40
  - Paphos Cypress. “..will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him.. Acts 13:10b-11a
- 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided; and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles.
  - Pisidian Antioch.
  - And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48
  - But the Jews incited the worshipping women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their boundaries. Acts 13:50
  - Paphos Cypress. And when they had gone through the whole island .. they found .. a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus.. with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus..[who] summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. Acts 13:6-7 excerpt
  - Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on [Bar-Jesus].. “Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind..” Then the [Roman] proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 13:9b-10a,12
- 14:5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers to mistreat and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled..
  - Pisidian Antioch. [they] instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas..
  - Paphos Cypress. Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos..
And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers to mistreat and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled..

Paul, Barnabas and disciples who believed fled from persecution in Iconium to Lycaonia and the surrounding region

ACTS of these disciples of the risen Christ called Christians — To be continued…
November 12, 2022
Unworthy of Eternal Life
Acts unworthy of God–seeking men

יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Isaiah) 49:6 וַיֹּאמֶר נָקֵל מִֽהְיוֹתְךָ לִי עֶבֶד לְהָקִים אֶת־שִׁבְטֵי יַעֲקֹב ונצירי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהָשִׁיב וּנְתַתִּיךָ לְאוֹר גּוֹיִם לִֽהְיוֹת יְשׁוּעָתִי עַד־קְצֵה הָאָֽרֶץ׃ ס

Who has believed our message?

Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you – Acts 13:40 NIV

Acts 13: in Pisidian Antioch
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This scene unfolds on a second Sabbath when Saul of Tarsus and Joseph of Cypress have been invited back to share their GOOD NEWS of Israel's Messiah at the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch. 

On the the previous Sabbath:
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When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas..
Acts 13:43a – of Paul and Barnabas – NIV
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NOW (on this next Sabbath in Antioch)
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⁴⁴On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

Antioch in the direction of Pisidia
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Reminder: Antioch is not a Jewish city but a Roman one. 
Some facts:
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- During the reign of Emperor Augustus, the Romans established eight colonies in Pisidia, but only Antioch was honoured with the title of Caesarea.
- Roman legions were stationed near the city, and their veterans were given land in the area. Later, the city was awarded the title Socia Romanorum that is Loyal Ally of Rome.
- the road known as Via Sebaste.. connected Antioch with Perge on the Mediterranean coast.
- a branch of this road leading to Iconium (now Konya) and Lystra was added.
  - source
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First Century Antioch in the direction of Pisidia (third largest city in the Roman Empire) 
- a place with a small synagogue, several temples of gods of Rome and Greece and a theatre where crowds could hear an orator, a Roman politician or go to town for various entertainment.
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Luke does not tell us where Paul and Barnabas were at this point.

Perhaps just outside the synagogue (for there would not have been enough room for the crowds inside.) As was his later habit Paul and their disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ may have walked to a large public square or even the city’s large theatre.
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Click for pictures of the archeological site.
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Acts of the unworthy chosen

⁴⁵When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy.

Contradicting the Word of God

They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.

To the Jew first

Numbers 16:

28 And Moses said: “By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will..” 31 Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods.. 34 Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up also!” And a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.

“Remember these things, O Jacob,

And Israel, for you are My servant;

I have formed you, you are My servant;

O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me.

“I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud
And your sins like a cloud.

Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:21-22 LSB

He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to cause the preserved ones of Israel to return;

I will also give You as a light of the nations
So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Isaiah 49:6

And a Light to the Gentiles

Romans and Greeks drawn to Pisidian Antioch by the Lord God to hear the Good News of redemption preached by Paul to a remnant of Israel in the synagogues.

The light of the Gospel now shines in the Roman world as fulfillment of Scripture well-known to the Jews.

Psalm 67:
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excerpt
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אֱלֹהִים יְחָנֵּנוּ וִֽיבָרְכֵנו יָאֵר פָּנָיו אִתָּנוּ סֶֽלָה׃
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God be gracious to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us— Selah.

That Your way may be known on the earth,
Your salvation among all nations.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy;
For You will judge the peoples with uprightness
And lead the nations on the earth. Selah.

Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You.

God blesses us,
That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.
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I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Prophesy of Isaiah 42:6-7 King James Version

Isaiah 60:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,

And the glory of Yahweh has risen upon you.

“For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And dense gloom the peoples;

But Yahweh will rise upon you,

And His glory will appear upon you.

“Nations will come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Isaiah 60:3 KJV

The Apostle Paul has just preached:

For the Lord has commanded us

Acts of the Apostles 13:

47 “For so the Lord has commanded us,
‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES,

THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’
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Of course the reaction of the local Romans and Greeks would be joy at this Gospel.
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And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.
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Certainly this is also Good News to the faithful worshipers of the Lord who have waited for the Messiah, the Christ who saves and fulfills the promises of God.
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Lift up thine eyes round about, and see:

all they gather themselves together, they come to thee:

thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

.. the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
Isaiah 60:4,5b KJV

But the Jews..
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Ἰουδαῖος
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Remember: Saul of Tarsus and Joseph of Cypress are also Jews who have greeted their brothers in the synagogue as ‘brothers.’

MANY disciples of The Way of Jesus the Messiah are Jews who have turned from the darkness of their former disobedience to follow the Lord our God.

BUT, the GOSPEL is only Good News to those who will accept it –– to those who will turn from their sin —

Jew, Roman, Greek — European, African, American —

the Gospel is Good News ONLY to those willing to follow Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer as Lord.

And like today MANY will oppose the Gospel of Jesus Christ — Jew, Gentile or so-called ‘christian.’

But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas,

and expelled them from their region.
Acts of the Apostles 13:30 NKJV

ὅριον

13:50 οἱ δὲ Ἰουδαῖοι παρώτρυναν τὰς σεβομένας γυναῖκας τὰς εὐσχήμονας καὶ τοὺς πρώτους τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἐπήγειραν διωγμὸν ἐπὶ τὸν Παῦλον καὶ Βαρναβᾶν καὶ ἐξέβαλον αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν

Unworthy of Grace

Does this sound at all familiar?

Just as Saul of Tarsus had persecuted disciples of The Way and pursued them beyond the district of Judea, so too some Jews of Pisidian Antioch continue to refuse the grace of their Redeemer.

Yet even the Lord Jesus had encountered such opposition.

And when He came to the other side, into the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. And behold, they cried out, saying,

“What do we have to do with You, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” ..

And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they pleaded with Him to leave their region.
Gospel of Matthew 8:34 LSB [Mat 8:28-34]

Topical map Galilee to Judea

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Gospel of Matthew 11:21 LSB – The rebuke of Christ Jesus to the Jews unworthy of grace

“And any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.”
Gospel of Mark 6:11 – Instruction of Jesus to the Twelve

Acts of Paul and Barnabas leaving Pisidian Antioch

13:51

But having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, they went to Iconium.

Acts of the Apostles and disciples: To be continued in Iconium…
November 9, 2022
Who has believed our message?
יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Isaiah) 53 :: מִי הֶאֱמִין לִשְׁמֻעָתֵנוּ וּזְרוֹעַ יְהוָה עַל־מִי נִגְלָֽתָה׃

and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

Paul and Barnabas SENT with the Gospel

Now in the church that was at Antioch [Syria]..

.. the Holy Spirit said,

“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

ACTS of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas 13:1a,2b NKJV

Saulos of Tarsus has just completed an exhortation in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch.

Who is asking to hear more of the Gospel?

The response of the brothers gathered for worship on the Sabbath will determine who has believed the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ (Χριστός Greek) of the Jews.

Many proselytes also sought the message of God in this Hellenist-Roman city near Pisidia Antioch.

Who has heard these messengers of Good News?
Saul’s Sermon – part 1

Saul’s Sermon – part 2
Acts of the Apostles 13:

“Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”
Acts 13:40-41 NKJV

ACTS 13:42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Although some Bibles translate from the Greek, ‘the people,’ Luke clearly points to the Goyim or gentiles [ethnos] included in the Sabbath, many who are proselytes seeking the true God.

Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas,
who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts of the Apostles 13:43 New King James Version

The physician and gospel-writer Luke has included some details in his account of their response:
- πολύς Ἰουδαῖος
  - MANY of the Jews
- AND of the
- σέβω προσήλυτος
  - God-fearing proselytes
Mission accomplished?
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So it would seem..
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One week later:

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

We might speculate from Luke’s account that too many gentiles in this capitol city of Galatia, Antioch (with most of the citizens either Roman or Greek) may have shown up to hear Paul at this little local Jewish synagogue.

So it may have been surrounded by much bigger crowds than a small synagogue could hold.
- “MANY JEWS,” but also many “God-fearing” Greek and Roman citizens of Antioch
- PLUS crowds from nearby towns.
What should the Jews expect?

Judean or Hellenist, the Jews knew their Scriptures.

Each Sabbath the Law and the Prophets were read not only in the Temple of Roman-occupied Jerusalem, but read in every synagogue throughout the Roman Empire.
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Context of this time of Paul's first mission;
A.D. 47-49, the years of this mission trip:
Claudius is Emperor of Rome.
Claudius had intended to bestow Judea to his family friend Herod Agrippa but instead appointed a Prefect or Governor.
Tiberius Julius Alexander, a Roman general born of a Jewish father became Judea's Governor

(And closer to Cypress, Asia and Pisidian Antioch)

Sergius Paulus may have been the first of several successive senators named Lucius Sergius Paullus, of Antioch, Pisidia - 
source
Could the Roman Governor of Galatia have been one in the same as we just convinced of the Gospel in Paphos?
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The renowned Saul of Tarsus has just proclaimed that those in Jerusalem

.. had fulfilled all that was written concerning a savior iēsous..

“But God raised Him from the dead.

Last Sabbath the Jews of Antioch heard Saul proclaim the gospel of Christ crucified and risen! We are now more than a decade after this fulfillment of Scripture. Furthermore, by now many more must have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Those who seek God MUST know more!

So they go to Antioch to hear Paul’s Gospel.

What did the Gentiles expect?

What rumors and witness had circulated among these Romans of Galatia and Greeks seeking Good News of the One God?

(For these Gentiles had formerly worshiped many gods.)
- .. the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
  - – Acts 10:45
- Some Jews in Jerusalem had said, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
  - – Acts 11:18
- Several years ago a Roman Centurion in Capernaum had met Jesus, who healed his paralyzed servant by only His word.
  - – Matthew 8
- Other Roman Centurions had followed The Way once they had witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion personally.
  - “Truly this was the Son of God!”
  - – Gospel of Matthew 27:54
- Many Romans knew the witness of Cornelius of the Italian Regiment from not so long ago:
.. I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing [and Jesus’ Apostle Simon Peter proclaimed to me and my family in Caesarea] “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.“
Witness of the Roman Centurion Cornelius, excerpts from ACTS 10

So the Crowds converged in Antioch to hear the Gospel

Acts in Pisidian Antioch continued:

The next Shabbat almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.

But when the Yehudim saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Sha’ul, and blasphemed.
Acts of the Apostles 13:[44,]45 Hebrew Names Version

No Second Sermon in the Synagogue

Now what?

ACTS of the Apostles 13 of Saul of Tarsus and Joseph of Cypress in Pisidian Antioch: To be continued…
October 26, 2022