The Message of the Gospel

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. suffered...: or bore, or fed them as a nurse beareth, or feedeth, her child ...: Gr perhaps, for , as a nurse beareth or feedeth her childe, . .macc , according to the Sept. and so Chrysost And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. mercies...: Gre. , holy or iust things, which word the Sept. both in the place of Esai 55.3. and in many others, vse for that which is in the Hebrew, Mercies Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 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: after...: Or, after he had in his owne age serued the will of God But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. - Acts 13:14-41

    When the rulers of the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia asked Paul and Barnabas if they had 'any word of exhortation for the people', Paul seized the opportunity (13:14-16). His sermon is recorded for us in verses 17-41. It is essentially the same message he had heard Stephen preach in chapter 7.

    The Jews were very interested in two things: the Old Testament Scriptures and the promise of the Messiah. Paul met them at the place of their interest and preached Christ to them. He did not debate with them. He simply preached Christ to them. He did so boldly in simple, unmistakable, irrefutable terms. He spoke with such clarity that when he came to the end of his sermon everyone in the synagogue understood exactly what he had said. Thus, by example as well as by precept, Paul shows us what preaching is. It is the bold and clear declaration of the free grace of God towards sinners through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 2: 1-8). In this passage of Holy Scripture the apostle Paul declared the message of the gospel in five points.

    1. The glorious sovereignty of God (13:17-19)

    When Paul stood to preach the gospel the first words that fell from his lips declared the sovereignty of God.

    First, he spoke of God's sovereignty in election. 'The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers' (13:17). In the Old Testament God chose to make himself known only to the children of Israel, passing by all other nations. His choice of Israel was a matter of unconditional grace and absolute sovereignty (Deut. 7:7-9). So also, in his sovereign, electing love, God chose to save a great multitude from Adam's fallen race through the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3-6; 2 Thess. 2: 13-14).

    Secondly, Paul spoke of God's sovereignty in redemption. 'With an high arm he brought them out of [Egypt]' (13:17). God's deliverance, or redemption, of Israel out of Egypt was typical of the redemption and salvation of his elect by Christ. As such, it was an act of particular, distinguishing, irresistible and effectual grace. No sacrifice was provided for, no mercy was offered to, no grace was exercised towards the Egyptians. Everything that God did in the affair was for an elect, chosen people. So too, in the redemptive work of Christ and in the saving operations of his Spirit, everything is for God's elect. Christ died for and redeemed God's elect (Isa. 53:8; John 10:11,15). The Holy Spirit regenerates and calls God's elect, those who were redeemed by Christ (Ps. 65:4). Even the intercessory prayers of Christ are made only for God's elect (John 17:9,20). Those whom God purposed to bring out of Egypt, he brought out. Not even a hoof of the herds of Israel was left behind (Exod. 10:26). And all whom God purposed to redeem by Christ were redeemed by him (Gal. 3: 13) and will be saved by him (John 6:37-40). Not one will be lost (Rom. 8:28-30).

    Thirdly, the apostle declared God's sovereignty in the operations of his grace and the works of providence. The inheritance of Israel in the land of Canaan was entirely the gift of God's sovereign grace. 'He divided their land to them by lot' (13:19). That means he did it without man's choice or will (Prov. 16:33). Israel did not conquer the land of Canaan. God conquered their enemies before them. Israel simply took possession of the land at God's command and received their inheritance by his decree. In the same way, God's elect do not conquer their enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil. Christ did that for us. We do not win eternal salvation. Christ won it for us! The believer simply takes possession of these things by faith at God's command.

    2. The total depravity and sinfulness of man (13:18-21)

    The history of Israel is a history of human sin and divine mercy (Ps. 78; 105). The people whom God chose and redeemed as types of his elect were a sinful, undeserving, rebellious people. Paul here declares that God's elect, like all other men, are fallen, depraved, justly condemned children of Adam (Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-4).

    3. The sure accomplishment of God's eternal purpose (13:22-23)

    Throughout this brief survey of Old Testament history Paul was driving one point home to his hearers: God's purpose of grace is sure. God promised a Redeemer, a King and a Saviour, and he must come! Our great God so wisely and sovereignly rules this world that even the depraved hearts and sinful acts of men cannot thwart his purpose. In fact, they are instruments by which God fulfils his eternal purpose of grace (Ps. 76:10). This is Paul's doctrine: in spite of our sin, rebellion and unbelief, God is faithful! 'God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.'

    4. The person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ (13:24-39)

    Paul's message was 'Jesus Christ, and him crucified' (1 Cor. 2:2). Everything he had said in the preceding verses was leading up to this point. In this part of his message the apostle tells us five things about the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    First, Christ came (13:24-27). John the Baptist had just one mission. He was sent to prepare the way for and identify the Lord Jesus Christ. When he saw the Lord, John pointed to him and said, 'Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world... This is the Son of God!' (John 1:29,34). God himself assumed human flesh! 'The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us' (John 1:14). The Son of God came into this world to save sinners by the sacrifice of himself.

    Secondly, Christ died (13:27-29). Though he was clearly an innocent, righteous man, one who 'knew no sin' (2 Cor. 5:21), he was despised and rejected by men and was put to death under the penalty of the law, according to the Scriptures. The Son of God died by the hands of wicked men, but he died according to the purpose of God (Acts 2:23). As the sinner's substitute he died as a common criminal under the wrath of God, to satisfy the justice of God for his people. Christ died that he might save guilty sinners from the wrath of God (Isa. 53:4-11; Rom. 5:6-8; Gal. 3:13; 1Peter 1:18-20; 3:18).

    Thirdly, Christ arose (13:30-37). The resurrection of Christ is God's public declaration that he is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Son of David, that he has put away the sins of his people which were imputed to him by the satisfaction of divine justice, and that the 'sure mercies of David' (the sure mercies of God in Christ), will be bestowed upon all his people.

    Fourthly, Christ reigns (13:33-34). Jesus Christ is King! He reigns as the Son of David, the Son of Man upon the throne of God to give eternal life, to dispense 'the sure mercies of David' to chosen sinners (John 17:2).

    Fifthly, Christ saves (13:38-39). The gospel of the free grace of God in Christ is the message of redemption accomplished by the substitutionary sacrifice of the Son of God. It is the proclamation of the free forgiveness of sins and complete justification for all who believe upon the grounds of justice satisfied and righteousness imputed (1 John 1:9; Rom. 3:24-26).

    5. The responsibility of man (13:26,40-41).

    To you is the word of this salvation sent.' It is the responsibility of all to believe it. If you do, if you trust the Lord Jesus Christ, you will live for ever. If you refuse to believe, if you reject the gospel and despise the Son of God, unutterable woe will be your eternal portion (Mark 16:16).