In the second half of Paul’s formidable sermon in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia in Acts 13:26, Paul hearkens to both Jews (the sons of Abraham) and Gentiles (God-fearers), explaining how God has sent to them “the message of salvation.” He further explained the ignorance of the Jewish leaders who failed to understand the writings of the prophets, despite them being read aloud in the synagogues every sabbath. In further ignorance, they asked Pilate to have Jesus executed … every one of their sinful actions fulfilling all that had been foretold of Jesus by the prophets.
Jesus was taken down from the tree of execution and buried in a tomb, pointing to the fact that He really died. But He did not stay dead, for God raised Him from the dead, after which Jesus appeared to many of His followers who became witnesses of Him and His gospel after He ascended back into heaven. The Good News that the witnesses bear is the same Good News that Paul now declared to these people of Antioch.
The Good News that God had promised to their fathers had been fulfilled in their midst through Jesus. Jesus IS the fulfillment of Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 55:3, and Psalm 16:10, regarding His begotten-ness, the giving of the blessings of David, and His dead body not seeing any corruption. David had served God’s purposes of redemption in his generation but then died, was buried, and experienced corruption of his body. This stood in great contrast with David’s greater Son, the One who God raised up and who “did not see corruption” (Acts 13:37).
Concluding his sermon, Paul declared that it was through THIS man that forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to them; for it is through Him that everyone (Jew or Gentile) who believes in Jesus is freed from all that the law of Moses brought bondage to the unbelieving heart. With such a wondrous offer of salvation extended to them, Paul gave 1 final warning to beware that another prophecy given by Habakkuk would not come about in their hearts … that they would not be the scoffers who perish without believing the gospel. God was doing a work in their day, and they had better not miss it!
Like Peter, Paul used OT Scripture when presenting the gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Next week, we will see the response to Paul’s sermon and the significant statement made by Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:46-47. You can listen to this teaching on Acts 13:26-41 by clicking on the following link: What God Promised To the Fathers
