Analysis of Acts Chapter 13: Paul's Sermon and the Proclamation of Christ

Rebuke of Elymas and Persistence of False Teachers

• Dr. Harley Howard examines Paul’s description of Elymas the sorcerer in Acts 13:10, characterizing him as full of subtlety, mischief, a child of the devil, and an enemy of all righteousness.
• The speaker critiques modern church leaders for a lack of bold, public rebukes against false teachers.
• Key assertion: Popularity on radio, television, or possessing books/degrees do not equate to biblical soundess or personal holiness.
• Elymas is described as a man dedicated to perverting the right ways of the Lord and plotting against God’s saving purposes.

Divine Judgment and Judicial Blindness

• In Acts 13:11, Paul declares the hand of the Lord is upon Elymas in judgment.
• Elymas is struck with blindness for a "season," meaning a limited amount of time.
• The blindness happened immediately, forcing him to seek others to lead him by the hand.

The Conversion of the Deputy

• Acts 13:12: The deputy (governor), witnessing the judgment of Elymas, believed.
• The text emphasizes that his belief was fueled by being astonished at the "doctrine of the Lord," rather than solely by the miracle.
• The miracle served to validate the Gospel message already heard by the deputy.

Travel and the Departure of John Mark

• Acts 13:13: The group loosed from Paphos and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
• John (John Mark) departed from Paul and Barnabas to return home to Jerusalem.
• This departure is noted as a significant event that influenced Paul’s future requirements for his ministry companions.

Synagogue Ministry in Antioch in Pisidia

• In Antioch in Pisidia, Paul established his typical ministry pattern: initially preaching in the synagogue of the Jews before turning to the Gentiles after rejection.
• A typical first-century synagogue service included:
  • The Shema.
  • Liturgy of the $18$ benedictions.
  • Readings from the Law and the Prophets.
  • A free address (exhortation) by a competent Jew.
• Paul is invited to speak after being identified as a teacher (possibly due to Pharisaic dress).

Paul’s Historical Address (Israel’s Election to Kingship)

• Paul’s sermon (Acts 13:17-22) summarizes Israel’s history to establish the lineage of Christ:
  • God chose the fathers and exalted the people in Egypt.
  • He brought them out with a "high arm" (the plagues).
  • He endured their behavior in the wilderness for approximately $40$ years.
  • He destroyed $7$ nations in the land of Canaan.
  • He gave judges for about $450$ years until Samuel the prophet.
  • The people desired a king; God gave them Saul, son of Kish (tribe of Benjamin) for $40$ years.
  • Note: Saul means "asked for," and Kish means "a snare."
  • God removed Saul and raised David, a man after His own heart who would fulfill His will.

Proclamation of the Savior and the Resurrection

• Acts 13:23: From David’s seed, God raised Jesus as a Savior according to His promise.
• John the Baptist served as a forerunner, preaching the baptism of repentance and acknowledging he was not the Messiah.
• The Rejection of Christ: The rulers in Jerusalem condemned Jesus in ignorance, fulfilling the voices of the prophets they read every Sabbath.
• Execution and Burial: Despite finding no cause for death, they demanded Pilate slay Him, eventually laying Him in a sepulchre.
• The Central Message: "But God raised him from the dead" (Acts 13:30), which serves as the core apostolic testimony.

Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy

• Paul quotes Psalm 2:7: "Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee," identifying the resurrection as God’s public affirmation of Christ’s kingship and authority.
• Acts 13:34-37: Paul utilizes Psalm 16:10 ("thou shalt not suffer thine holy one to see corruption") to differentiate between David and Jesus.
  • David served his generation, died, and his body saw corruption (decay).
  • Jesus was raised by God and did not see corruption.
• Application: Believers are called to "course living," serving the purposes of God in their specific generation as David and John did.