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.
“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 13:42 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.
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?
So it would seem..
One weeklater:
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.
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 -
sourceCould the Roman Governor of Galatia have been one in the same as we just convinced of the Gospel in Paphos?
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.
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
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
ACTS of the Apostles 6:1 ESV
Leading through diverse difficulties of a growing Church
‘.. but we have always done it THIS way?’
(This isn't going to be so easy, is it?)Luke reveals the cultural challenge of the church familiar to him, however most of us (in this 21st century) will not understand the root of the problem:
Mixing gentiles with Jews. Even bringing the traditional challenge of some Jews joining in fellowship with other Jews divides political alliances in the Sanhedrin of Jerusalem.
Therefore I will begin by including a background for our scene in first century Jerusalem, as well as outcomes of church ministry which have occurred over two millennia. - RH
First let’s clarify some ‘church‘ terms we derive from the Greek language of the New Testament.
Who are Apostles? (and who are Disciples?)
HOW MANY APOSTLES?
TWELVE (our standard answer)
WHO ARE THE APOSTLES?
No need here to recite them by name, but remembering:
ALL Apostles at this point in ACTS are leaders of the Church in Jerusalem.
Matthias has now replaced Judas.
Saul of Tarsus will soon encounter the risen Christ Jesus and join in ministry as Paul,the Apostle to the Gentiles.
And all thy children shall be taughtH3928 of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
prophesy of the Messiah by Yeshaiya (Isaiah) 54:13
μαθητήςmathētḗs, math-ay-tes’; from G3129; a learner, i.e. pupil:—disciple.
The Twelve were disciples of Jesus who followed their Teacher full-time for three years.
You’ve probably noticed that most translations of the Bible capitalize ‘disciple’ to avoid confusion when referring to the Twelve Disciples [Apostles].
Many others of the multitudes also became disciples and followed Jesus Christ in the early days before his crucifixion and resurrection.
Now, in our scene in Jerusalem after the Lord’s resurrection, the Church in Jerusalem has many disciples –disciples of theHoly Spirit (who of course first receive the Holy Spirit, as we have just read from Luke’s account).
Yet from Jesus’ instruction from the Gospel of the Apostle Matthew, note another distinction of this relationship between rabbi and pupil: that of master (or lord) and servant.
These also apply in Luke’s account describing the model by which the Apostles lead the early Church.
FIRST: Jesus was the Rabbi. And Jesus was the Master.
THEN: The APOSTLES became the Rabbis. And the Apostles were then masters of their sheep (students; flocks, servants, community, school, fold, gathering, or whatever you may choose to call this multitude of the Church).
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
Jeremiah 23:1, 50,17 KJV
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;G1249
Gospel of Matthew 20:26 KJV – Teaching of Jesus to His disciples
The Twelve, led by two of Jesus’ inner circle of Apostles, Simon Peter and John, now lead the New Testament Church as rabbis to a multitude of disciples.
Lambs of the Apostles’ fold
The Apostle John, who Luke records as standing at Peter’s side on the day of Pentecost, opens our eyes to the resurrected Jesus, where the Lord calls on Peter to restore the foundation of his calling:
“Tend My lambs.” .. “Shepherd My sheep.” .. “Tend My sheep.
These new disciples of the Twelve include NOT ONLY men from traditional Judaism, but also men, women and children accepted into fellowship, tender young lambs of Jesus who could NEVER before have been full members of their community of faith in the Lord God.
“And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice; and they will become one flock, with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it back.
Jesus teaching the Jews that He will Shepherd the gentiles, as scripture has said. – Gospel of John 10:16-17 NASB20
And what happens when ANY two groups of differing cultural traditions choose to follow one leader?
Dissension and murmuring by some unwilling to abide by rules and traditions imposed by others.
Who is the master ministering to these NEW lambs?
“They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
“Go; behold, I am sending you out like lambsin the midst of wolves.
Instruction of the Master Jesus to seventy-two [72] disciples + Gospel of Luke 10:3 NASB20
Master – διδάσκαλος – didaskalos
The KJV translates Strong’s G1320 in the following manner: Master (Jesus) (40x), teacher (10x), master (7x), doctor (1x).
a teacher (from didasko, “to teach”), cp. didaskalia, “teaching, doctrine, instruction,” is translated “doctors,” with reference to the teachers of the Jewish religion, Luk 2:46. Cp. paideutes, “a teacher.” See MASTER, TEACHER.
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words 1 Strong’s Number: g1320 Greek: didaskalos – via BlueLetterBible.org
The rabbis of Jerusalem quarreled with each other as they had also challenged the legitimacy that Jesus’ MANY disciples should call the Lord, ‘Master.’ Now that Peter, John and the Apostles have remained in Jerusalem as Jesus commanded, MANY disciples remained faithful to the church gathered under the leadership of the Apostles.
Note from earlier, after Peter preached in the Temple,
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.
These Apostolic Masters of the Church community now face division and opposition just as Jesus had encountered in Jerusalem prior to His execution and resurrection from the dead.
Lord
We will never understand our role as a servant of the Church until we know the sacrificial love of its servant-Master.
"lord" occurs 7,790 times in 6,587 verses in the NASB20. Page 1 / 132
Here too I urge caution and prayerful understanding of terms frequently used and misused by the church. i.e. Lord, Master, servant, slave (even God and ‘love,’ translated from several different Greek and Hebrew words in Scripture).
May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers, And may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you.”
And God said to Moses, “I AMH1961 WHO I AMH1961”; and He said, “This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel: ‘I AMH1961 has sent me to you.’”
I said to the LORD [Yᵊhōvâ}, “You are my Lord [;ăḏōnāy]; I have nothing good besides You.” – Tehillim (Psalms) 16:2
For this is what the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said:
“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,
Isaiah 30:15
Luke has only used the term ‘church’ once at this point in Acts of the Apostles to describe these ‘large numbers of men and women.’ He opens his second account describing the miraculous growth of the church:
Acts 5:11 KJV And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
The Church (that is, the early church) lives as a community of love in fear of God, yet joyful of Christ’s anointing Spirit given to His disciples of the Church who will ‘follow Jesus, as their Master.’
The saints of the Apostolic community serve the Living God and obey the Apostles as their lords and masters.
The discipleG3101 is not above his master [didaskalos],
Now that we have defined some of these ‘Christian‘ terms so foundational to understanding Luke’s account of the Acts of the Apostles; NEXT, God-willing, we will examine the role the these servants of the Church.
Herod the Great left a temple to Jerusalem’s elite where MULTITUDES could enter stadium-sized courts rivaling Rome’s great temples. Jewish religious officials would continue their façade of political power in a city held captive to a tolerant Roman ‘peace.’
Jerusalem was all abuzz. Tongues of fire, Galileans preaching about the Messiah Jesus to men in their own languages, and now a well-known beggar lame from birth STANDING beside Peter and John as they walked to worship in the Temple. The public courts seem more packed than usual and everyone looks for explanations of all this from the Apostles. So multitudes follow Peter to Solomon’s portico.
Simon Peter replies: “Men of Israel,
why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.
But you denied the Holy and Righteous One,
and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and youkilled the Author of life,
whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Do you have a question about the signs of God before your very eyes?
PETER preaches his response to the questions of the crowds who witness what has just happened. And the Apostle takes no credit for this miracle either by his personal power {dynamis} or piety, reverence or respect (eusebeia – often translated as godliness).
Amazed multitudes run to the Apostles, crowd in on them, look to them for an explanation in their response.
Peter replied to their amazement, yet with the same personal conviction AND compassion of his Lord Jesus who offered to those with ears to hear grace when He preached to the crowds.
Luke has already shown our Lord’s gracious encouragement though Jesus’ replies in his Gospel.
And Jesus answeredG611and said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.
And Jesus, answeringG611 them, said, “Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him,
And He answeredG611and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them.
HOW MANY SIGNS OF THE MESSIAH DO YOU NEED?
Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe [literally, fear was occurring to every soul]; and many wonders and [confirming miracles]signs were taking place through the apostles.
Acts of the Apostles 2:43 NASB20
Luke now shows the Apostles preaching to men wondering about many SIGNS of the day in ACTS of the APOSTLES. Peter replies in effect that ‘JESUS has done this through faith as a sign to you.’
Strong’s Number G611 matches the Greek ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrinomai),
“And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts of the Apostles 3:16 NASB20
“And now, brothers,
He first addressed them as ‘men of Israel.’ Peter replied to their fear (or awe) more personally now as the Apostle of Jesus calls them brothers.
(Are any already convicted by the Holy Spirit by the signs they have just witnessed?)
Countenances diminish from amazement in their crowd curiosity to faces of men showing humility as they cling to Peter’s words:
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.
Acts of the Apostles 3:17-18 ESV
Like his Lord and Master, Christ Jesus, the Apostle replies with great compassion, ‘I know that you didn’t know what you were doing’ (ignorance).
John had heard such forgiveness even from the foot of the Cross. Peter had experienced it from the risen Christ forgiving his ignorance and denials.
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
What does repentance mean once we are no longer ignorant?
“Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord GOD. “Repent and turn away from all your offenses, so that wrongdoing does not become a stumbling block to you.
Hurl away from you all your offenses which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why should you die, house of Israel?
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repentand live!”
The Prophet Ezekiel 18:30-32 NASB20
Peter replied to their ignorance in familiar fashion from the preaching of the Prophets.
And Jesus responded and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans just because they have suffered this fate?
No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Or do you think that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse offenders than all the other people who live in Jerusalem?
“No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Gospel of Luke 13:3-5 – Jesus preaching on repentance
Peter replied much as Jesus had taught, as well as John the Baptizer had warned and others.
“Repent G3340, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent G3340, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Gospel of Matthew3:2; 4:17 NASB20 – Repent – Strong’s G3340
AND notice how frequently in the Bible REPENT follows ‘THEREFORE’
‘Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 3:19 NASB20
AND Return
Peter replied also with an implied action required of those with ears to hear his call of repentance. You must now return to God.
You know the LORD God [brothers] and you are not ignorant of God’s requirements in the LAW, the Commandments Moses gave you from the Lord our God.
19 “Therefore, make teshuva (repentance, turning from chet [sin] to G-d) and turn in order that your chatta’im, your averos (sins) may be removed, [TEHILLIM 51:1; YESHAYAH 43:25; 44:22]
to the love for the children (of God, your fellow brothers)
to love wisdom and righteousness (now that you are no longer ignorant of G-d’s Messiah, WHO IS our Savior.)
Peter then proceeds with an amazing invitation to those who not only have rejected their Messiah, but some in the crowd of the Temple gathering at Solomon’s Portico who may have been part of the shouting crowds calling for Jesus’ crucifixion at Jerusalem’s most recent festival.
Revival of the Spirit
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.. – Ephesians 2:1
Turn your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. – Psalm 51:9
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.. – ACTS 3:19 NASB
ἀνάψυξις anápsyxis, an-aps’-ook-sis; from G404; properly, a recovery of breath, i.e. (figuratively) revival:—revival.
“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus..
You denied the Holy and Righteous One.. You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead..
that your sins may be blotted out,
in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
NO, brothers (and tell our sisters and children as well), we know that God will not and can not have any sinner in His Presence — NO sacrifice is sufficient to blot out our many sins.
and that He may send Jesus, the [Messiah, the anointed one] Christ appointed for you,
whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things,
The Christ, the One Who came to us in body and soul, Who Is now the presence of the Lord, will cover your sins by His Perfect Sacrifice – He has blotted out your sins so that you may in your living spirit be with Him until your body dead to sin is restored with all things.
about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times.
Peter replied pointing to Scripture
The Apostle includes Moses with God’s holy prophets, separated to speak the One truth of the Lord God.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
Of course every faithful Jew not only knew the Law of Moses, but also heard the Scripture of Moses WHEN rabbis chose to preach all of the truth of Scripture.
Therefore, many standing at Solomon’s Portico listening to Simon Peter preach knew these thingsSimon [שִׁמְעוֹן] Peter preaches..
“Moshe Rabbenu indeed said, “NAVI KAMOCHA [T. N. i.e., a prophet like Moses] for you Hashem Adonoi will raise up from your achim; to him you will give heed according to everything whatever he may speak to you.” [DEVARIM 18:15,18] ..
Gevurot 3:22 Orthodox Jewish Bible
How are you doing with 'hearing' all this in the native 'tongue' of your birth?
Peter replied to those God chose in the Temple to hear by the Spirit.
You will see shortly that Simon Peter's preaching truth from the Scripture of Moshe will not be received by all, in deference to the great sign Peter has just performed at the Beautiful Gate.
From the back of crowds temple officials begin to push their way to the front where Peter, the Apostles and a formerly lame beggar stand before Jerusalem's largest crowd praising God and the Messiah of Israel.
It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘ And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
Acts 3:25
.. God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Acts of the Apostles 3:26 ESV – Simon Peter Replies to the jews at Solomon’s Porch by Preaching Christ Crucified & Risen
And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob” – Romans 11:26
“And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” – Isaiah 59:20-21
[The true sons of Israel (Jacob) know the true Word of Scripture. – Roger@TalkofJESUS.com Let’s talk.]
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. – Gospel of John 4:22 – The Messiah Jesus to a woman in Samaria
And why does Peter preach also to those at the Temple who will not be saved along with those who by the Spirit have been blessed with ears to hear?
So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat.. And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them. For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel—
.. But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.
Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads..
If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.
But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
Simon Peter preaches repentance in Jesus Christ to Spirit-called crowds. Yet while the Apostles proclaim the Good News of the MESSIAH from Solomon’s Porch..
authorities of Herod’s religious/political bedfellows of the Sanhedrin (their ‘Congress,’ so to speak) move to oppose the Gospel.
As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being greatly disturbed
because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Christ, who IS risen, had been arrested by some of these same officials a few weeks back while Peter and the Apostles stood helpless.
And what would these men have just heard as Peter preached from Solomon’s Porch?
“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
.. “For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.‘ And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.
ACTS of the Apostles 3:22-23 NKJV
Peter replied differently than in Gethsemane
Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.”
The Apostle preached with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Peter is a rock now in the strength of the Word of the Lord. This is no cowering Disciple denying Jesus as he huddled up to a campfire within earshot of false testimonies.
