The Word is out

Acts Chapter 13.  We have Paul with Barnabas going forth to spread the Word off-shore to the island of Cyprus, of which Barnabas was a native.  The Holy Ghost is prominent here, e.g. the brethren are told to send Barnabas and Saul (Paul) off to do the work prepared for them; they are sent forth by the Holy Ghost; and Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost as he handled the matter of Elymas the sorcerer.

Venus was worshipped at Paphos, the seat of government on Cyprus, and the town had a reputation for laxity of morals. 

Well, it seems we can refer to Paul’s Epistle to the Galations with regard to verses 14-52.  My faithful Dummelow (One Volume Bible Commentary) has this to say:

“The cities which the apostles now proceeded to evangelise (Pisidian, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe) were situated in the southern part of the Roman province of Galatia, and it is now very generally supposed that the Epistle to the Galatians was addressed to the churches in these cities.  If so, we can use that Epistle to illustrate this narrative.” 

We find Paul in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia.  He is requested to speak – “…if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”  This is an invitation to give the sermon or instruction which was (and is) always the fifth part of the synagogue’s Sabbath service.  The other parts are:

(1) The recitation of the Shema (Deut. 6:4-9, 11:13-21, Num 15:37-41);

(2) fixed prayers and benedictions;

(3) a lesson from the Law;

(4) a lesson from the Prophets, intended to illustrate the law.

Paul’s sermon relates the history of the Jewish people leading up to Jesus, and emphasises David’s place in the golden thread of Christ’s coming, and the blessing left to them by Jesus’ message.  He invites them to share that blessing.

Hello!  The Gentiles requested that Paul preach the same truths to them.  By the next Sabbath “…came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.”  And, boy! Did that stir up the Jews – they “expelled Paul and Barnabas from their coasts.” 

However, it seems the converts stood firm.

Joyce Voysey

Ed.  I love the charmingly vivid language used by Luke in this book e.g. Acts 13: 16 “Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel...give audience.”  We are invited into the scene and can almost feel the expectation in the room as they wait for Paul to respond to their questions.  

It’s also interesting to note that verse 14 tells us Paul and company “went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down”.  Where did they sit? In the preacher’s or teacher’s seat.  All teaching was carried out while sitting.