Acts 13

Acts 13:1-3

Here is, 1. The fulmen ordination of Barnabas and Saul, by divine devotion, to the great work of spreading the gospel among the Gentiles, ver. 1—3. 2. Their preaching the gospel in Cyprus, and

the opposition they may teach about them. Slyman the forerere, ver. 9—13. 3. The hands of a person which Paul precluding the church in Pisalia, ver. 14—41. 4. The preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles at their request, and upon the Jesus refoiled it, ver. 32—49. 5. The trouble which the infidels Jesus gave to the apostles, which obliged them to remove to another place, ver. 50—52.

1. NOW there were in the church that was at Antioch, certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manam, which had been brought up with Herod the tetracah, and Saul. 2. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the holy Ghoft said, ‘Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work where unto I have called them. 3. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.’

Though the gospel had now begun to make its entrance into the Gentile world, none had yet been particularly ordained and appointed to thus service, till Paul and Barnabas, by the immediate order of the Holy Ghoft, were called thereunto.

1. The church at Antioch flourished greatly. There were certain prophets, who ranked next to the apostles in the church, and teachers, architect for their gifts and graces; as Barnabas and Simeon, who, probably from his dark complexion, was called Niger; and Lucius of Cyrene, an African by birth; and Manam, who had been brought up with Herod Antiques, the tetracah of Caldlee, his friend and companion; but now had quitted the honours of a court for the requests of the gospel; and Saul, to famous in the records of Christianity. They ministered to the Lord, and fasted, diligently employed in the service of immortal fools; and at Sadoka, in more solemn acts of prayer and fasting, waited upon God for his blessing and direction.

2. Whilst they were, on a certain day, thus engaged, the Holy Ghoft, by his immediate suggestion, and by his own divine authority, said, Separate me Paul and Barnabas for the work whereunto I have called them, to protect among the Gentiles the unfeasurable riches of Christ, and to be chiefly employed in their service. Learn hence. (1.) The personality of the Holy Ghoft, and his co-equal glory with the Father and Son. (2.) The true call to the ministry must come from above.

3. Pursuant to this order, Paul and Barnabas were solemnly set apart, with fasting and prayer and opposition of hands, for the peculiar service to which the Holy Ghoft had appointed them: and, wishing them all success in their arduous undertaking, the brethren sent them away. And henceforward we find them the two great apostles of the Gentiles spread the glorious gospel to distant lands, whither the glad tidings had never reached before.

4. ¶ So they being sent forth by the holy Ghoft, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they failed to Cyprus. 5. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to give minister. 6. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain forcerer, a safe prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjofus. 7. Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8. But Elymas the forcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9. Then Saul (who also is called Paul) filled with the holy Ghoft, set his eyes on him. 10. And said, O full of all futility and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11. And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness, and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. 13. Now when Paul and his company looted from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 13:4-13

Being in this solemn manner sent forth, Paul and Barnabas immediately applied themselves to their work.

1. They directed their course to Cyprus, the native land of Barnabas, going to Seleucia, and thence tailed for Salamis, the chief town of the eastern part of the island. And first, as was their custom, they preached the word in the synagogue of the Jews, giving them the preference; and, if they reached the gospel, having them thereby inexcusable: and they had John to their minister.

Acts 13:42-52

raised from his low estate to that high dignity, a man, to whom God bore the most honourable testimony, as one after mine man heart, approved and known to be faithful, which shall fulfil all my pleasers, and answer all my purposes and designs.

Herein the apostle seems to desire to conciliate the Jews to him, and engage their regard to his discourse; when it appears, that, far from having any prejudice against the Jewish nation, as was suggested, or despising their peculiar honours, he dwells upon them with pleasure, in order to introduce the discourse of that Messiah, the Son of David, which was the great object he had in view.

2. As God had made to David a promise, that of his seed the Messiah should spring, the glorious hope of Israel, that promise he had none fulfilled in Jesus, the Saviour of his people from sin, misery, death, and hell; to introduce whole appearing, John had presented the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel, inviting them to turn to that Messiah, whose forerunner he was, that by faith in him they might obtain remission of sins, (Mark 1. 4. Luke m. 5.) disclaiming that title himself, when the people were in doubt whether he were the Christ or not, but directing them to one perfectly to appear after him, so far transcending him in dignity, that he should count it an honour of which he was unworthy, to perform the meanest offices to him. This being then the main point in view, to bring them acquainted with him, to whom John bore record, he pathetically urges them to consider the matter. Acts and problem, justified of rational and immortal souls, children of the flock of Abraham, and of the promise made unto our fathers, and whisperer among you Fourth God, whether Jews or presidents, to you is the word of this Salvation first, and you are first called to partake of the inefirmable buildings of the redemption which this Jesus hath obtained. Note, (1.) It is among the most invaluable mercies, to have the word of salvation sent to us. (2.) No condemnation will be so great and aggravated as theirs who reject the gospel-word.

3. He plainly tells them of the great guilt and wickedness of the Jewish rulers, in rejecting, persecuting, and murdering the Lord’s Christ. They knew him not, he fatally blinded were their minds by the prejudices which they had entertained, and the expectations they had formed of a temporal Messiah; nor yet the rulers of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath-day, in which the sufferings and death of the Messiah were at large foretold: but God do overruled their wickedness, that undelogically they have fulfilled these scriptures in condemning him: and though, even by the confection of his judge, his innocence was acknowledged, and they found no cause of death in him; yet, so malicious and enraged were they against him, they deposed Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, concerning his sufferings and death, even in the most minute particulars, they had him down from the tree, and laid him as a feudeller; brought to the dust of death, the lowest step of his humiliation. Note, (1.) Ignorance of the scriptures is often found, where the found of them in the ears is heard every Sabbath-day. (2.) It will not excuse the sins of persecutors, that they did it ignorantly in unbelief, when they rejected the means of better information.

4. He insists at large on his glorious resurrection, as the grand foundation on which all the sure hope of salvation through Jesus was built. He enemies thought they had effectually defeated all his pretensions when they laid him in the grave; but God raised him from the dead, to their confusion, and as a token of the fullest approbation of his character and undertaking; a fact attached by a great cloud of wretches, who had been most intimately acquainted with him before his death, and, during forty days, had not yet commenced with him, and sat and drank with him after his resurrection; the truth of which some of them had already failed with their blood, and others in the face of death and danger fell continued to declare. And to this resurrection of Jesus we now present bear testimony, proclaiming it as the most joyful tidings, that the promise made unto the father, of that Messiah in whom all nations of the world should be blessed, he hath now fulfilled unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; whereby it appears that he was the glorious perishings of whom David speaks; as it is written also in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; from eternity the relation fulfilled; and as God bore testimony to the dignity and divine character of his Son, his baptism and transfiguration, so most eminently was Jesus declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, (Rom. i. 4.) And that God raised him from the dead, no more to his corruption, in evident from life, i.e., a where he saith, I will give you the pure mercies of David. Having there appointed his Son, according to the terms of the everlasting covenant, the leader and commander of the people, and by an oath confirmed his promise, it became necessary, that he who by his sufferings and death was to ratify the covenant, and obtain these mercies for his people, should rise again to make them sure, and ever live to maintain them in the possession of their invaluable privileges. In farther proof of which, he said in another Psalm, Thou shalt not suffer these holy One to his corruption, (Ps. xvi. 10.) which words can only be applicable to the Messiah; for as to David himself, it is evident, after he

had served his generation by the will of God, discharging his high office with great fidelity for his people’s good, he fell asleep in the arms of death, resting from all his labours, and was laid unto his fathers, and sent corruption, his corpse, like others, returning unto dust: but he whom God raised, even Jesus, the Messiah, of whom David spoke in this Psalm, exactly fulfilled it, and rising on the third day, Jesus as corruption, not over shall, God having exalted him to his own right hand in glory everlasting, to bellow these covenants mercies on all his redeemed people, until time shall be no more. Note, (1.) Like David we must learn not to live for ourselves, but for God’s glory, and the good of mankind. (2.) To a faithful soul death is but a drop, when he rests from his labours, and is in joy and felicity. (3.) The more we examine the scriptures, the more confirmed shall we be, that Jesus is the Christ, in whom we shall see all the prophecies so eminently and exactly fulfilled.

5. He applies what he did to their hearts, as a matter in which they were most nearly concerned. He it known unto you therefore, men and brothers, that though this man is prescribed unto you the forgiveness of sins; by his sufferings it is obtained, in his name it is declared, and by his authority beforaged: and by him, through the mercies of his obedience unto death, all that believe are justified from all things; discharged from the condemnation of the law, and the guilt of all their transgression, he they never so many, great, or aggravated; from which ye could not be justified by the laws of Messia, legal or ceremonial, none being able to fulfil the moral law in perfection, and the ceremonial prescribed no sacrifice for wilful transgression; and therefore all who looked for justification by the deeds of the law, were necessarily left under wrath and condemnation. Note, (1.) The great gospel promise and privilege is forgiveness of sins. In Christ Jesus there is a tree and full pardon promised to the miserable and the desperate. (2.) It is impossible for a fallen sinner to be just before God by any obedience of his own, or by any other means and method than that of his own appointment, even faith in the blood and righteousness of him who justifies the ungodly. (3.) All who may believe in Jesus, are complied in him; all he did, all he suffered, is reckoned to our account, and God is therefore righteous and just in forgiving our sins, since he hath accepted one for all, the just for the unjust.

Lately, He solemnly warns them of the danger of rejecting this salvation. Beware therefore, left, through your obituary infidelity, that fearful and alarming threatening should come upon you, which is spoken of in one of the prophets, (Heb. i. 5.) concerning the men of that generation in which he lived; Behold, ye detesters, and wander at your own stupidity, and my vengeance ready to light upon you; and perish, he covered with shame, and hide yourselves in terror at the approaching judgments; for I work a word, which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you; such as the destruction of their temple and nation by the Romans, a judgment more terrible than ever before fell upon them by the hand of the Chaldeans. Or perhaps it may refer to the glorious work of redemption and mercy which should be executed to the Gentiles, which the Jews would be rejected for their wilful unbelief and impenitence; neither of which would they believe, though told them by persons of the most undoubted credit and authority.

42. And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles befought that these words might be preached to them by the next Sabbath. 43. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews, and religious profeties followed Paul and Barnabas; who speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44. ¶ And the next Sabbath-day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 45. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and a spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contrasting, and blaspheming. 46. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but’ seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord; and ‘as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. 49. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. 50. But the Jews turned up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised the word of their coats. 51. But they should not of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. 52. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the holy Ghost.

v. 42—(2). Nothing could be more kindly spoken than this discourse of the apostle, and more respectful to the Jewish people. But we are told,

1. The ill reception many of the Jews gave to his sermon. They went out of the synagogue, in open contempt of the apostle, and of the doctrine of Christ which he preached; intimating thereby an avowed resolution never to hear him again, or regard ought that he could say. And justly are they abandoned to their infidelity, who obstinately reject the counsel of the Lord against their own souls, and will not even give the gospel a candid hearing.

2. The Gentiles hereupon, the proselytes of righteousness, who attended the Jewish worship, besinghe, that if the Jews refused to receive the gracious message, these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. They longed for that salvation which the others slighted.

3. Though the generality of the Jews turned their backs on the apostles and their preaching, many were affected by what they heard, both of the native Jews, and religious proselytes, and they followed Paul and Barnabas, that they might in private have been farther conference with them on a matter to important: and glad to see them thus impressed, they converted freely with them on the subject, to carry on the good work begun on their hearts, warmly exhorting and persuading them by every powerful argument, to continue to the grace of God, faithfully embracing, and boldly professing the gospel doctrines, depending on the spirit’s influence, and waiting in the use of all appointed means upon the Lord. Note, (1.) They who truly receive the word of Christ, will follow his ministers, and long for farther instruction in righteousness. (2.) Continuance in the grace of God, must prove we are truly partakers of it.

4. The next Sabbath the auditory was immense. Probably in the week days, the apostles had improved every opportunity to spread the truths of God; and as the Gentiles were graciously received by them, they flocked together on the Sabbath; and not only the religious proselytes, but many of those who were before idolatrous, invited by curiosity, or from better motives, assembled to hear the word of God.

5. When the Jews, who were enemies to the gospel, saw the multitudes, and among them many of the idolatrous Gentiles whom they abhorred, they were filled with envy, that to them the word of God should be spoken, and that these new preachers should grow so popular; and spoke against their things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming; with the utmost rage and passion they disputed against the doctrines of the gospel, abused and vilified the preacher, and blasphemed the holy name of Jesus, who was the great subject of the apostle’s discourse. Note, It is no new thing to hear the glorious truths of Christ and his salvation, treated with virulence and blasphemy by men of corrupt minds.

6. The Paul and Barnabas waved bold; far from being intimidated by such opposition, they appeared inflicted with greater zeal, and chewed more undaunted courage in delivering their message, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken unto you in respect to the privileges of your birth, and the command of our master, who lent us forth to publish his gospel, beginning at Jerusalem, and sending the first calls to the last sheep of the house of Israel: but being ye put it from you, and wilfully reject and vilify this great salvation of the Messiah, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, which can only be obtained by that faith in him and his gospel, which you despise, and are unworthy to hear any more, as we now to the Gentiles, leaving you of this place to your obstinate impenitence and infidelity, and henceforth proclaiming the salvation which is in Jesus Christ to the heathen; and herein we act by divine warrant, and in exact correspondence with the scriptures. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thee shouldst be for salvation unto the ends of the earth, lfs. xlix. 6. Note, (1.) The more obstinately sinners oppose the word of God, the more bold and zealous should his ministers be, in maintaining the truths of his gospel. (2.) They who reject God’s ministers, and their message, pronounce sentence on themselves, as unworthy of eternal life. (3.) Christ is the sun of righteousness arisen on this benighted world; in him we see the way to pretext and eternal salvation opened; and all, to the ends of the earth, are invited to look to him, and be saved.

7. When the Gentiles heard this, that the salvation which the apostles preached extended to them, according to God’s express word and warrant, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord, praising him for sending the light of his truth among them; and as many as were ordained to eternal life, who not only, like the flurry ground hearers, expressed a testimony joy to what they heard, but were in God’s eternal and all-wife decrees appointed unto glory, to stand amidst the shining ranks of the church triumphant, they believed to the saving of their souls. And the word of the Lord, which was with such gracious effect preached in the capital, was published throughout all the region, both by the apostolic labours, and the Gentile converts, who longed to engage their brethren to share with them in this common salvation. Note, (1.) The gospel is glad news to the sinner

that fees and feels the need of that pardon and grace therein promised. (2.) They who have tailed the preciousness of God’s word, cannot but glorify him for his unbreakable gift. (3.) Eternal life is the gift of God; and in their hearts, who are ordained to partake of it, doth he work the work of faith with power. (4.) If we have ourselves received the knowledge of Jesus, and his rich grace, we shall delight to spread abroad the favour of his name.

8. The unbelieving Jews, filled with malice and enmity against the apostles, offered up the decent and honorable women, who were proselytes, and most zealous for Judaism, and the chief men of the city, probably by their means, representing the apostles as dangerous men; and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their cages. Note, (1.) Wherever the gospel is preached with success, there the ministers of it may expect the devil’s rage. (2.) None persecute so bitterly as those who are devout, and make profession of religion. (3.) The best of men have been expelled with ignominy from places where their successful labours provoked the enmity of those, who should have preached and bounced them; but such reproach is their highest honour, such suffering their trust’s preferment.

Lastly, Being thus violently driven out of the city, they hold off the dust of their feet against them, in defecation of their wickedness; and as a testimony against their persecutors in the judgment-day, according to their master’s order, Luke ix. 5. and they came to Iconium, the chief city of Lycaonia, a neighbouring province. And the disciples, whom they left behind, though deprived of their faithful teachers, and beholding these persecutors, far from being disheartened, were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost; bleed with the most abundant confessions in their souls, mightily enriched with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, and making a bold and noble profession of their faith, amidst all opposition. Note, (1.) Who to the place against which the rejected ministers of Jesus shake off the dust of their feet; Sodom’s vengeance shall be lighter than the doom of that city. (2.) As our tribulations for Christ abound, he can, and usually doth, cause our confessions to abound also.