Atos 13

John Phillips · Citado em PreceptAustin

Atos 13

Phillips says "The coastline was infested with pirates; the mountains were the home of brigands; the way ahead was steep and rugged and full of wild beasts and lawless men. The going would be tough. But none of that deterred Paul. To quit a missionary enterprise just because of some difficulties would mean to surrender all along the line." (see illustration below) Put out to sea (321)(anago from ana = up, again, away + ago = to bring, lead) literally speaks of movement from a lower to a higher point (Lk 4:5) but was the nautical technical term in the passive voice meaning to put out to sea or set sail. (Luke 8:22; Acts 13:13; 16:11; 18:21; 20:3, 13; 21:1, 2; 27:2, 4, 12, 21; 28:10, 11). All of Luke's uses of anago - Lk. 2:22; Lk. 4:5; Lk. 8:22; Acts 7:41; Acts 9:39; Acts 12:4; Acts 13:13; Acts 16:11; Acts 16:34; Acts 18:21; Acts 20:3; Acts 20:13; Acts 21:1; Acts 21:2; Acts 27:2; Acts 27:4; Acts 27:12; Acts 27:21; Acts 28:10; Acts 28:11 Marvin

Atos 13

Phillips - Exploring Acts) Get Mark, ... for he is useful to me (2 Timothy 4:11). Although we can never undo a failure, we can learn from the experience and profit by it. A baseball pitcher who loses a game because he throws a fastball right where the batter wants it may come back four days later and hurl a shutout. He'll never erase the lost game from his record, but his failure can teach him valuable lessons that will help him to chalk up more wins than losses. In Acts we read that John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas when they started their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5), but he soon departed from them (Acts 13:13). While he was at home, he apparently regretted what he had done, so he asked to be included the next time his older friends set out. Barnabas wanted to give him another chance, but Paul didn't, so they parted company and formed two teams—Barnabas taking Mark, and Paul taking Silas. Young Mark couldn't erase his first failure, but he must have learned from it because he became a respected Christian leader of his clay. Further-more, God used him to write one of the four gospels; and Paul, in his second prison epistle to Timothy, asked for Mark, saying, "He is useful to me for ministry." It doesn't do any good to brood about what went wrong. Wishing we could do something over is an exercise in futility. Each day is new. With God's help we can succeed, if we learn from yesterday's failure. Christians live in "the land of beginning again." —H.V.L. Failure doesn't mean you'll never succeed;it will just take longer. Acts 13:14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. (NASB95) KJV Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down A. M. 4050. A.D. 46. Antioch 14:19,21-24 went into the synagogue Acts 13:5; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4; 19:8 Acts 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Perga>Pisidian Antioch PAUL AND BARNABAS GO ON TO PISIDIAN ANTIOCH But going on from Perga - This is an interesting description because Luke gives no record of Paul and Barnabas preaching the Gospel in Perga. Knowing Paul's passion for preaching this is somewhat surprising, but one has to assume the team was being guided by the Holy Spirit. In addition, a subsequent note by Luke records that when had circled back from Antioch, Lyconium, Lystra and Derbe, they spoke "the word (GOSPEL) in Perga, (and then) they went down to Attalia." (Acts 14:25+). Perga is in modern day Turkey and the missionaries were taking the Gospel there so one pastor has quipped they were "stuffing Turkey with the Gospel!" Related Resource: Burdick, Donald W. “Pioneering With Paul Part I — Perga to Athens.” Bible and Spade 2, (Gives a first hand account of the significant archaeology that marked Perga as a significant ancient city). Tony Merida quips "Someone once advised, “When traveling, you should lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half your clothes and twice the money!” That sounds pretty wise because traveling usually costs more than anticipated—and not just in terms of dollars spent. Murphy’s Law often holds true on the road: Nothing is as easy as it looks; everything takes longer than you think; and if anything can go wrong, it will! (Especially if you’re traveling with five kids in a minivan!)" (Ibid) They arrived at Pisidian Antioch - This journey was long (and presumably on foot) with rugged terrain along a route that was barren, often flooded by swollen mountain streams. The Taurus mountains were on right side, and this area was known to be a haunt for robbers. Perga (at sea level) to Pisidian Antioch (elevation 3600 feet) is about 100 miles, a rugged and dangerous journey. THOUGHT - One could read this verse and miss a very important point regarding missions. Here is the point - one needs to be ready for potentially extreme physical challenges and even danger in order to make the Gospel known. Forewarned is forearmed. "The passage teaches an important missions law: “We won’t reach the nations apart from personal sacrifice” (Azurdia, “Progression by Intention). Raymond L Cox in “Journey to Pisidia" (Pisidian Antioch) writes... Paul and Barnabas probably encountered “perils of waters, perils of robbers, perils in the wilderness,” besides “weariness and painfulness,” “hunger and thirst,” and probably even excessive “cold” (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:26, 27) as they hiked from the malarial coastlands of Pamphylia to the highlands of Pisidia, but I have nothing but fond memories of my journey to Pisidia. “I drive today where apostles walked,” the thought struck me as I steered my Hertz Volkswagen along the last 50 miles of roads and tracks which led to the ruins of Antioch. The highways Paul plodded likely were better than some of those I encountered in following his steps in modern Turkey, for he used Roman roads which were excellently engineered, well paved, and kept in good repair. But the difference between 40 miles an hour which I managed to drive and four miles an hour — the rate at which the apostles walked — more than made up for the dust and bumps of inferior tracks. “Throughout ancient history,” wrote W.M. Calder, “we find the Pisidian mountains described as the home of a turbulent and warlike people, given to robbery and pillage” (p. 2400, vol. iv, International Standard Bible Encylcopedia). The Romans enlisted Galatian king Amyntas to subject the region, and when Amyntas died in 25 B.C. they annexed Pisidia, along with the king’s other possessions, into their own province of Galatia. Pisidian Antioch was the westernmost of the churches planted by Paul that the apostle addressed in his epistle to the Galatians. Here was territory with a real “wild west” atmosphere. Throughout most of the region of Pisidia Roman occupation was strictly military. Numerous inscriptions attest to the presence of armed policemen and soldiers charged with keeping the peace in the area, and several mention attacks by highwaymen or rescues from drowning in rivers. Secular authorities confirm conditions to which Paul alluded, as both Conybeare and Howson and Sir William Ramsay point out....It was a thrill to walk in the very areas visited by Paul and Barnabas centuries before. But what a contrast! Today there is absolutely no one at the site of Antioch to resist or accept the message of Christ. The city has dissolved into a ghost of history. But the truths the apostles proclaimed there live on and continue to command devotion throughout the whole world. Pisidian Antioch was an architecturally impressive Roman colony (see note) like Philippi and so a free city.

Atos 13

Phillips - Many a time the Old Testament saints must have puzzled over Psalm 16 with its reference to death and preservation from corruption in the grave. How could the Holy One of the psalm, the Beloved One, the Messiah, possibly die, and how could He possibly escape the inevitable corruption of the grave if He did? As with so many other prophecies, suddenly all was clear (ED: PETER HAD EXPLAINED IT TO THE JEWS IN JERUSALEM AND NOW PAUL EXPLAINS THE FULFILLMENT OF PSALM 16 TO THE JEWS AT ANTIOCH). Your Holy One - The title Holy One is a messianic title. Clearly David had the Messiah, not himself, in view in Ps 16:10! The Jews for the most part did not recognize Jesus as the Holy One, but the demons did! (Mk 1:24, Lk 4:34). When most of the "disciples" of Jesus departed after His "hard" teaching on the Bread of Life (Jn 6:66), Peter, speaking for the other 11, declared "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. We (EXCEPT JUDAS) have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” (Jn 6:68, 69). Holy One (3741)(see hósios above). The most important use of hosios is as a title for the Messiah as the Holy One three times in the NT - Acts 2:27, Acts 13:35 and Rev 16:5+. Decay (corruption)(1312)(diaphthora from diaphtheiro = to corrupt, destroy, perish) refers to the decay or decomposition of the physical body. It is used only in Acts and always in reference to bodily decay after death (Acts 2:27; Acts 2:31; Acts 13:34; Acts 13:35; Acts 13:36; Acts 13:37). All of these uses in Acts are in the context of the a description of the resurrection of Christ. In the Septuagint diaphthora often translates the Hebrew word for pit (shachath) (Ps 9:15, 30:9, "destructions" in Ps 107:20) or another word for pit (beer Ps 55:23) William Larkin writes that "If we would receive the divinely intended spiritual good from the Old Testament, we must fix our eyes firmly on the fulfillment, Jesus Christ, and ask of each passage of promise, What does it teach us of Christ? What can we learn about the salvation that is appointed for the last day?"(IVP Commentary - Acts 13:1--21:16 Paul's Missionary Journeys) Acts 13:36 "For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; KJV Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: For David, after he had served the purpose of God. Acts 13:22; 1 Chronicles 11:2; 13:2-4; 15:12-16,25-29; 18:14; 22:1-29; Ps 78:71,72 fell asleep Acts 7:60; 2 Samuel 7:12; 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Corinthians 15:6,18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and was laid among his fathers Acts 2:29; 1 Chronicles 17:11; 2 Chronicles 9:31; 12:16; 21:1; 26:23 underwent decay Genesis 3:19; Job 17:14; 19:26,27; 21:26; Ps 49:9,14; John 11:39; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44,53,54 Acts 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries COMPARISON OF THE FATE OF JESUS VERSUS DAVID For - Term of explanation. Here Paul is explaining that even though David wrote Psalm 16:10, he did undergo decay so Psalm 16:10 could not refer to him. As Paul explains in the next verse (Acts 13:37) Jesus did not undergo decay. The upshot is that Psalm 16:10 was written by David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and was a prediction that the Messiah would be resurrected. David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation - David served the purpose of God in his lifetime. THOUGHT - To serve the purpose of God should be the goal of every follower of Jesus. One is reminded of Paul's words in Ephesians 2:10+ that "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." David was God's OT workmanship, created for "good works" and he walked in them. Did David walk perfectly? Of course not! And it is for that very reason that all of us should be rejoicing, that if God could use a man like David who fell into terrible sin, He can use any of us (for most of us have "blown it" one time or another!) for His purpose in our own generation! So even as David did, we need to "walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, (and we will) have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses (present tense - continually) us from all sin" as we "confess (continually - present tense) our sins." (1 John 1:7+, 1 John 1:9+) Served (5256)(hupereteo from huperetes = an attendant or assistant <> from hupo = under, beneath + eretes= a rower = an "under rower" ~ a subordinate who waits to carry out a superior's commands) means to serve as a rower (see huperetes below), to do service on board the ship and then came mean simply to serve, render service or assistance or be helpful to someone. The root word huperetes was used in everyday Greek to describe sailors who were down in the ship's hull doing one thing -- rowing with their eyes focused on one man standing at the front shouting "Row, Row, Row!" In classic Greek hupereteo meant to serve as an assistant to another as the instrument of his will. In the NT use hupereteo came to mean to serve under the direction of someone else, to act for someone or to minister. So in this context Paul us using this verb to picture David as a man who served under the direction of God, seeking to carry out His will in his life. This description fits perfectly with Acts 13:22 in which God describes David as a man "who will do all My will." In the present context David fulfilled God's purpose to be a human king who would give a faint shadow of the divine King Jesus. And he did so by penning the Messianic prophecy in Psalm 16 (in addition to other Messianic prophecies). Purpose (plan) (1012)(boule) that which one which one decides. There is an element of planning in the concept of boulē. In this context the boule was of God, so the picture is of David doing what God had purposed for him to do. This is similar to Paul's description of John the Baptizer that he "was completing his course." (Acts 13:25) THOUGHT - Would God grant that each of us that when we lie down and fall asleep on that final day of our life that we might be fully confident that we had completed our course and that we had served the purpose of God in our own generation. Yes, Lord by the transformative infusion of Thy Word and the enabling power of Thy Spirit let it be true in our lives, that we might fight the good fight, finish the course, keep the faith (2 Ti 4:7+) and thereby our short lives would greatly glorify the Name of Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen. David... fell asleep - In short, he died. In the NT when a saint dies, Scripture usually uses the euphemism of "sleep." (cf 1 Th 4:13+, Jn 11:11-14). The sleep, however, applies only to the body, for the soul and spirit are with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Sleep is a pleasant gift from God and a saint's death is a pleasant gift from God for it ushers them immediately into the presence of their Lord Jesus Christ. Not so with those who die without Christ. For a saint, this life is as bad as it gets! For an unsaved man or woman, this life is as good as it gets! The saint falls asleep in Jesus and enters bliss forever. The unsaved soul dies and enters into eternal torment! (Eternal punishment). And was laid among his fathers and underwent decay - I am reminded of Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones." Decay (corruption)(1312)see diaphthora The Work Of Our Hands One reason we’re left here on earth and not taken to heaven immediately after trusting in Christ for salvation is that God has work for us to do. “Man is immortal,” Augustine said, “until his work is done.” The time of our death is not determined by anyone or anything here on earth. That decision is made in the councils of heaven. When we have done all that God has in mind for us to do, then and only then will He take us home—and not one second before. As Paul put it, “David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep” (Acts 13:36). In the meantime, until God takes us home, there’s plenty to do. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day,” Jesus said. “Night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Night is coming when we will once for all close our eyes on this world, or our Lord will return to take us to be with Him. Each day brings that time a little closer. As long as we have the light of day, we must work—not to conquer, acquire, accumulate, and retire, but to make visible the invisible Christ by touching people with His love. We can then be confident that our “labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). By David H. Roper If you rely upon God’s strength And live a life that’s true, Then what you do in Jesus’ name Will be His work through you. —D. De Haan Acts 13:37 but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. KJV Acts 13:37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Acts 13:30; 2:24 Acts 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries RESURRECTION AGAIN REITERATED But - Striking term of contrast. David's body decayed. Jesus' body did not decay. He whom God raised (see egeiro) did not undergo decay - It is almost as if Paul is saying "Now just so you do not misinterpret what I meant by "decay" (Acts 13:35, 36), it means His body was resurrected from the grave, where bodies (like David) normally, naturally decay." Undergo decay (corruption)(1312)(see diaphthora) Swindoll comments that "Those who expected the Christ to be a political and military leader naturally believed that death invalidated any claim to be the Messiah. Paul argued the contrary. Each messianic prophecy he quoted finds fulfillment in the resurrection of the Messiah. By that line of reasoning, only someone who died and rose from the grave could claim to be the Christ. To make his point clear, he compared King David with Jesus. King David, acknowledged by all to be a great king died after a long life of obedience, and then his body rotted in a grave. Clearly, his death didn’t invalidate his life. Jesus, on the other hand, was bodily and miraculously resurrected by the Father and continues to live. Therefore, He must be greater than David." (Ibid) Acts 13:38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, KJV Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: Therefore let it be known to you Acts 2:14; 4:10; 28:28; Ezekiel 36:32; Daniel 3:18 that through Him forgiveness of sins Acts 2:38; 5:31; 10:43; Ps 32:1; 130:4,7; Jeremiah 31:34; Daniel 9:24; Micah 7:18-20; Zechariah 13:1; Luke 24:47; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Ephesians 1:7; 4:32; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 8:6,12,13; 9:9-14,22; 10:4-18; 1 John 2:1,2,12 Acts 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE APPEAL: FORGIVENESS IS FOR YOU Therefore - Based on all of the Scriptural evidence Paul has just presented, it is time to draw a conclusion. These truths were not given to make the Jews "more righteous" sinners, but to make them truly righteous like the Savior! Let it be known to you brethren - Let it be (esto from eimi = to be, to exist) is a command in the present imperative, to continually let it be to which Paul adds gnostos which means "known." (see gnostos) Let what be known? Paul is glad one would ask, as it indicates they are engaged in the flow of his argument. Paul now provides to give the culmination of the Gospel, the good news that sin can now once and for all be forgiven. Even with all the OT daily sacrifices and the annual day of Atonement, the only thing the Jews could hope for was that the sin would be covered. Of course all of these sacrifices and days were but a faint shadow that pointed to a perfect fulfillment in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, through Whom forgiveness would be available. The OT shadows never cleansed one's conscience, for only complete and total forgiveness can cleanse one's conscience (read Hebrews 9:8-9+ and Hebrews 9:13-14+ and then the incredible gracious invitation in Hebrew 10:19-22+). Notice that Paul uses brethren without adding and you who fear God, suggesting that with laser-like precision he is honing down on the hearts and minds of his Jewish brethren in the synagogue. That through Him - Through (dia) Christ (See simple study on phrase "through Him"). Jesus is instrumental Cause, the effecting Agent, or better the efficacious Agent! Not through the the blood of bulls and goats (Heb 9:12+), not through the solemn annual Jewish feast of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), but through the One Who made the final atonement. Prior to this message, the Jews only knew about the scapegoat, who each year carried their sins into the wilderness (Lev 16:7, 8, 9, 10+), but which was always meant to be "a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ" and His better sacrifice (cf Col 2:17+, Heb 9:23+). In the OT sins were only temporarily "covered," but here Paul uses a word (aphesis) which means they are sent away forever! Forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you - Forgiveness of sins is found 4 times in Acts, 3 by Peter, 2 by Paul (Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38; Acts 26:1) In context to you seems to focus primarily on the Jewish hearers, but in the following verse he opens the offer up to everyone who believes. Jesus saves us from: the penalty of sin (past), the power of sin (present), and one day (future) from the presence (and pleasure) of sin. Forgiveness (859)(aphesis from aphiemi = action which causes separation and is in turn derived from apo = from + hiemi = put in motion, send) literally means to send away or to put apart, a letting go, a leaving behind, a removal. Aphesis refers to a remission as when one remits (pardons, cancels) a debt, or releases then from an obligation. To release from captivity. Remission (see definition of English word) of sins means once and for all taking them away, removing the guilt, punishment and power of sin. And so to release one’s sins, is not just release from the ("legal" or forensic) charge and the just penalty of sin but also release from the power and dominion of sin (and in Heaven the release from the presence of sin and the pleasure of sin). Given the fact that Paul's audience was predominantly Jewish, the Septuagint version may be the OT Scriptures they used. With that thought it is interesting that the OT gives us a beautiful picture of the meaning of aphesis in the celebration of the Year of Jubilee. In fact there are 11 uses of aphesis in the Septuagint translation of Leviticus 25 (Lev 25:10-13, 28, 30-31, 33, 40, 41, 50, 52, 54) where aphesis is frequently substituted for the Hebrew word Jubilee, so that instead of the phrase Year of Jubilee the Lxx translated into English reads "Year of the Release" in Lev 25:13 (or "Jubilee of Release in Lev 25:11). One aspect of the Year of Jubilee involved the setting free of indebted servants or slaves (cf Lev 25:10). It is interesting that the OT release from debts was associated with a time of celebration. THOUGHT - How much more should NT saints daily celebrate and revel in the truth that we have been released from our sin debt! I fear I do not ponder this profound truth often enough and begin to take it for granted and become complacent and even indifferent which makes me vulnerable to committing sin! We need to remember that the Year of Jubilee was an OT picture which pointed to and was fulfilled in the crucifixion of the Messiah Whose fully atoning, substitutionary death made release from sin, Satan and death possible for all who receive this truth by grace through faith. Sins (266) (hamartia) literally conveys the idea of missing the mark as when hunting with a bow and arrow (in Homer some hundred times of a warrior hurling his spear but missing his foe). Later hamartia came to mean missing or falling short of any goal, standard, or purpose. Hamartia in the Bible signifies a departure from God's holy, perfect standard of what is right in word or deed (righteous). It pictures the idea of missing His appointed goal (His will) which results in a deviation from what is pleasing to Him. In short, sin is conceived as a missing the true end and scope of our lives, which is the Triune God Himself. As Martin Luther put it "Sin is essentially a departure from God." Forgiveness of sins - praise God this phrase is repeated 9 times in the New Testament... Matthew 26:28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 3:3 And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; Luke 24:47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (cf Acts 1:8) Acts 5:31 “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 10:43 “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” Acts 13:38 “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, Acts 26:18 ( to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ Colossians 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Proclaimed (2605)(kataggello from kata = an intensifier, down + aggelos = messenger and aggello = to declare, report) literally means to "declare down". It means to announce, with focus upon the extent to which the announcement or proclamation extends and so to proclaim throughout. It means to declare plainly, openly and loudly! It was used of solemn religious messages. Kataggello - 18x in 18v - announced(1), proclaim(7), proclaimed(5), proclaiming(5). Acts 3:24; Acts 4:2; Acts 13:5; Acts 13:38; Acts 15:36; Acts 16:17; Acts 16:21; Acts 17:3; Acts 17:13; Acts 17:23; Acts 26:23; Rom. 1:8; 1 Co. 2:1; 1 Co. 9:14; 1 Co. 11:26; Phil. 1:17; Phil. 1:18; Col. 1:28 Related Resources: What is forgiveness? Got Forgiveness? How can I receive forgiveness from God? What is the relationship between salvation and forgiveness? Do Christians have to keep asking for forgiveness for their sins? In regards to forgiveness, is there a difference between willful sin and ignorant sin? I have committed _____ sin. Will God forgive me? If the Jewish people do not offer animal sacrifices, how do they believe they can receive forgiveness from God? Will God forgive me? Why do we need to confess our sins if they have already been forgiven (1 John 1:9)? Acts 13:39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. KJV Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. NET Acts 13:39 and by this one everyone who believes is justified from everything from which the law of Moses could not justify you. (Act 13:38 NET) and through Him everyone who believes is freed Isaiah 53:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Luke 18:14; John 5:24; Romans 3:24-30; 4:5-8,24; 5:1,9; Romans 8:1,3,30-34; 10:10; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 2:16; 3:8 from which you could not be freed Job 9:20; 25:4; Ps 143:2; Jeremiah 31:32; Luke 10:25,28; John 1:17; Romans 3:19; Romans 4:15; 5:20; 7:9-11; 8:3; 9:31; 10:4; Galatians 2:16,19; 3:10-12,21-25; 5:3; Philippians 3:6-9; Hebrews 7:19; 9:9,10; 10:4,11 Acts 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE BEDROCK OF SALVATION: JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH Remember that Paul is preaching in Pisidian Antioch which is in the province of Galatia and it is here that his message begins to address justification by faith, the very doctrine that became a major theme in his epistle to the Galatians. (written not long after this sermon if you favor as I do the "Southern Galatian Theory"). Stanley Toussaint in fact feels that "Acts 13:39 gives the thesis of Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, which was probably written shortly after his first missionary journey and before the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)." (Bible Knowledge Commentary) TECHNICAL NOTE ON THE TWO "GALATIAN THEORIES" - Toussaint's comment indicates he favored the "Southern Galatian theory" which holds that Galatians was Paul's first epistle and was written about AD 48-49 before the Jerusalem Council. Others hold the "Northern Galatians theory" which dates the writing later, in the mid 50's during Paul's second or third missionary journey. Evidence is divided (See Utley's summary on these two theories at top of his comments on Acts 14). Note that these two theories account for the considerable difference in dating of the Epistle to Galatians in different resources - those who favor the Southern theory date Galatians at 48-49, before the Jerusalem Council: Northern theory adherents date it at from 55-57). And- The "and" clearly links forgiveness with justification. "God not only forgives our sins, but He also gives us the very righteousness of Christ and puts it on our account!" (Wiersbe) Through Him - Literally in Him (IN CHRIST). Only through (in) Him as Peter said in Acts 4:12. All grace that flows to sinners is through Christ, Who is also the Source of that grace and the power of grace, for as Paul commanded Timothy "be strong (endunamoo in the present imperative - be continually empowered) in the GRACE that is IN CHRIST JESUS." (2 Ti 2:1). Everyone who believes - Everyone would include Jews and Gentiles (read Lk 24:47+; Acts 2:38,39+; Acts 10:43+). The only qualification is that they believe in Jesus. Justification is by believing, not by doing, as the Jews had been trying to do for centuries! Believes (4100)(pisteuo) describes not just an intellectual reception of the Gospel (obviously we do need to first hear it "intellectually"), but is also a firm conviction in one's heart that the Gospel is true, and which results in a change of one's behavior. And notice that the verb pisteuo is in the present tense which speaks of continuous belief. Yes, there must be a single moment in time in which one initially places their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but that belief continues throughout the person's life of progressive sanctification, for just as we were justified by faith alone, we are daily sanctified by faith alone (by the work of the Spirit and the Word - cf Jn 17:17, 2 Cor 3:18+). To be sure, faith alone saves, but the faith that genuinely saves a soul is never alone, but is shown to be genuine faith by one's works (Eph 2:10+, James 2:14-26+), one's changed life (a manifestation of repentance). Here is W E Vine's description of saving belief - (1) a firm conviction which produces full acknowledgment of God's revelation of Truth (2) a personal surrender to the Truth (3) a conduct inspired by and consistent with that surrender. Is freed - More literally is justified or declared righteous which describes a saved sinners standing before the throne of God.