Atos 14

Atos 14

Chart from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission THE EXPANDING WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT-EMPOWERED CHURCH Considering the fact that Acts 13 is such a strategic chapter in regard to world evangelism, take a moment and study Irving Jensen's chart at top of the page (click it to enlarge it which is what I have to do at age 72!). Notice the bold vertical line (|) at the end of Acts 12 and beginning of Acts 13 which Jensen estimates to be about year 47 (it could be a short time prior). Note the horizontal description of "Church" - Church Established in the first 13 years from Acts 1 through Acts 7, then the Church Scattered between Acts 8 through Acts 12, which occurred over a period of about 14 years (and remember all dates and times are at best approximations because Luke gives only a few events that allow us to give specific dates, such as the death of Herod in A D 44 in Acts 12:23) and lastly, beginning in Acts 13 (and until the end of this age), the Church Extended, this extension being the primarily the fruit of Paul's Three Missionary Journeys which"upset the world!" (Acts 17:6) Now, you have a good grasp of the chronological context of Acts 13. And as they say in the restaurant when your delicious meal is served "Enjoy!" The three missionary journeys are summarized below (this note will be repeated in subsequent chapters). Click links for the maps of each journey. Paul's First Missionary Journey Acts 13:4-14:28 Paul's Second Missionary Journey Acts 15:36-18:22 Paul's Third Missionary Journey Acts 18:23-21:26 Maps in table above are from the Holman Bible Atlas (digital book; Hardcover/Paperback version) copyrighted © 1998 B&H Publishing Group, used by permission, all rights reserved. This is one of the best resources for Bible maps as the maps also include helpful short descriptions of the events portrayed on the maps. Please do not download for use on another website. Thank you. Here is a map with all three journeys on one map. THE ITINERARY OF PAUL'S THREE MISSIONARY JOURNEYS FIRST SECOND THIRD Phrygia/Galatia Acts 16:6 Phrygia/Galatia Acts 18:23-28 Charles Swindoll (Insights on Acts) points out that "When we study the journeys of Paul in the book of Acts, we’re not just reading the travel log of a man; we’re observing the redemptive plan of God unfolding as He promised. Through the ministry of Saul of Tarsus, God’s mission to reclaim His creation from the death grip of evil would move to its next stage. The plan of this mission was outlined in the Lord’s promise at His ascension, where He said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses... In Jerusalem [Stage 1: Acts 2–7], and in all Judea and Samaria [Stage 2: Acts 8–12], and even to the remotest part of the earth [Stage 3: Acts 13–‍28].” (Acts 1:8+) Greg Herrick's outline of the First Missionary Journey 1. The Holy Spirit Set Paul and Barnabas Apart (Acts 13:1-3) 2. Cyprus and the Proconsul (Acts 13:4-12) 3. Pisidian Antioch: Paul's Sermon & the Reaction (Acts 13:13-52) 4. From Iconium to Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:1-7) 5. Lystra: A Lame Man Healed & the Reaction (Acts 14:8-20a) 6. The Return to and Stay at Antioch (Acts 14:20b-28) Acts 14:1 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. (NASB95) KJV Acts 14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. NET Acts 14:1 The same thing happened in Iconium when Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large group of both Jews and Greeks believed. they entered the synagogue of the Jews Acts 9:20; 13:46; 17:1,2,17; 18:4; 19:8 that a Acts 14:21; 11:21; 13:43,46; 17:4; 18:8 Greeks Acts 14:2; 16:1; 17:12; 18:4; 19:10,17; 20:21; 21:28; Mark 7:26; John 7:35; *marg:; John 12:20; Romans 1:16; 10:12; 1 Corinthians 1:22-24; Galatians 2:3; 3:28; Colossians 3:11 Pisidian Antioch > Iconium > Lystra > Derbe PAUL'S PATTERN: TO THE JEW FIRST LOCATION REFERENCE Damascus Jerusalem Salamis Pisidian Antioch Iconium Philippi Thessalonica Berea Athens Corinth Ephesus Rome Acts 18:19; 19:8 A FRESH START IN ICONIUM So here we see that in spite of the clear declaration of purpose in Acts 13:46+, Paul did not indicate he was completely turning away from the Jews but in context was turning away from the "rejecters" in Antioch. (cf Jesus' words in Mt 7:6+. Pr 23:9, Heb 10:29+). And so in Iconium he seeks to make a fresh start with the Gospel of grace. Time context - There is no clear cut consensus, so with that caveat, the First Missionary Journey is estimated as AD 46-47 (some say 47-48) Note that the old version of the NAS (1977), Young's Literal and the KJV all begin with the word "And" which serves to couple or link Acts 13 closely with Acts 14. Ray Stedman has some challenging words for the church in America - We call this series of messages "The Pattern Setters" because, in this section of Acts, you find the pattern for all Christian witness in any age. If this pattern is followed it will always result in the same reactions that you find recorded in this book. The church is intended to live in the atmosphere and to manifest accomplishments of the book of Acts -- throughout its whole history. If it has not (as it certainly has not at times) it is because the pattern has been neglected. This is why it is so important that we pay careful attention to this pattern. There have been many zealous evangelical organizations, both contemporary and past, which have taken the motto, "The evangelization of the world in our generation." That is a perfectly scriptural goal. The fulfillment of the great commission is to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15KJV). But these organizations ultimately have failed of their goal, not because they were not zealous, eager, committed, and dedicated, nor because there were not tremendous amounts of money made available to back them in their enterprise. They failed because they missed the apostolic method." (Acts 14:1-28 Counterattack) In Iconium - Context - We are still following the missionaries on their First Missionary Journey, (Acts 13:4-14:28). They have been run out of Antioch and traveled the 80 miles to Iconium on the paved highway, Via Sebaste (PICTURE Greek word "Sebaste" = Latin "Augustus"), which was a Roman road that extended from Ephesus to the Euphrates. Paul and Barnabas traveled through rolling countryside, then past the snow-capped peaks of the Sultan mountain range. The strenuous nature of this trip was obvious.