The Way
The First Sermon in the Synagogue
A light to the ends of the earth
Story
Paul and his companions sailed from the port of Paphos to Perga. There John Mark left them and went back to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas climbed the mountain road and reached Pisidian Antioch, a city with the same name as Antioch in Syria. On the Sabbath, after the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue said, “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.”
Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and told the story of Israel. He said that God had sent Jesus, a Savior from the family of David. The people of Jerusalem and their leaders asked Pilate to have him killed, but God raised him from the dead. Paul said, “Everyone who believes in him is set right from everything the law of Moses could not set you free from.”
The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered, and the Jews were filled with jealousy and argued against them. Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly: “Since you reject the word, we now turn to the Gentiles. The Lord has made us a light to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” The Gentiles were glad and believed, but the Jews stirred up the leading women and the important men of the city and drove the two out. The two shook the dust off their feet in protest and went on to Iconium.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of the Lord and of Paul
Through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. From everything the law of Moses could not set you free from, everyone who believes is set right in him.
The Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.
The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Acts 13:13–52
Background
Pisidian Antioch belonged to the Roman province of Galatia. Many scholars think Paul's later letter to the churches of Galatia was written to the churches founded on this first journey.
Pause and Reflect
Who is the one person I most want to share the gospel with?