Podcasts about Pisidia

Send us a textActs 13:13-25Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'Support the show

Acts 14:19-28 KJV - 19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle Lectionary: 580/361The Saint of the day is Saint BarnabasSaint Barnabas' Story Barnabas, a Jew of Cyprus, comes as close as anyone outside the Twelve to being a full-fledged apostle. He was closely associated with Saint Paul—he introduced Paul to Peter and the other apostles—and served as a kind of mediator between the former persecutor and the still suspicious Jewish Christians. When a Christian community developed at Antioch, Barnabas was sent as the official representative of the church of Jerusalem to incorporate them into the fold. He and Paul instructed in Antioch for a year, after which they took relief contributions to Jerusalem. Later Paul and Barnabas, now clearly seen as charismatic leaders, were sent by Antioch officials to preach to the gentiles. Enormous success crowned their efforts. After a miracle at Lystra, the people wanted to offer sacrifice to them as gods—Barnabas being Zeus, and Paul, Hermes—but the two said, “We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God” (see Acts 14:8-18). But all was not peaceful. They were expelled from one town, they had to go to Jerusalem to clear up the ever-recurring controversy about circumcision, and even the best of friends can have differences. When Paul wanted to revisit the places they had evangelized, Barnabas wanted to take along his cousin John Mark, author of the Gospel, but Paul insisted that since Mark had deserted them once, he was not fit to take along now. The disagreement that followed was so sharp that Barnabas and Paul separated: Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus, Paul taking Silas to Syria. Later they were reconciled—Paul, Barnabas and Mark. When Paul stood up to Peter for not eating with gentiles for fear of his Jewish friends, we learn that “even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” (see Galatians 2:1-13). Reflection Barnabas is spoken of simply as one who dedicated his life to the Lord. He was a man “filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thereby, large numbers were added to the Lord.” Even when he and Paul were expelled from Antioch in Pisidia—modern-day Turkey—they were “filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” Saint Barnabas is the Patron Saint of: Cyprus Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Lecturas, interpretadas de La Santa Palabra de Dios, Elohim Aconteció que en Iconio entraron juntos en la sinagoga de los judíos, y hablaron de tal manera que creyó una gran multitud, tanto de judíos como de griegos. 2 Pero los judíos que no creyeron[a], excitaron y llenaron de odio los ánimos[b] de los gentiles contra los hermanos. 3 Con todo, se detuvieron allí mucho tiempo hablando valientemente confiados en el Señor que confirmaba[c] la palabra de su gracia, concediendo que se hicieran señales[d] y prodigios por medio de sus manos. 4 Pero la multitud de la ciudad estaba dividida, y unos estaban con los judíos y otros con los apóstoles. 5 Y cuando los gentiles y los judíos, con sus gobernantes, prepararon un atentado para maltratarlos y apedrearlos, 6 los apóstoles se dieron cuenta de ello y huyeron a las ciudades de Licaonia, Listra, Derbe, y sus alrededores; 7 y allí continuaron anunciando el evangelio.Pablo y Bernabé en Listra8 Y había en Listra un hombre que estaba sentado, imposibilitado de los pies, cojo desde el seno de su madre y que nunca había andado. 9 Este escuchaba hablar a Pablo, el cual, fijando la mirada en él, y viendo que tenía fe para ser sanado[e], 10 dijo con fuerte voz: Levántate derecho sobre tus pies. Y él dio un salto y anduvo. 11 Cuando la multitud vio lo que Pablo había hecho, alzaron la voz, diciendo en el idioma de Licaonia: Los dioses se han hecho semejantes a hombres y han descendido a nosotros. 12 Y llamaban a Bernabé, Júpiter[f], y a Pablo, Mercurio[g], porque este era el que dirigía la palabra. 13 Y el sacerdote de Júpiter, cuyo templo estaba en las afueras de[h] la ciudad, trajo toros y guirnaldas a las puertas, y quería ofrecer sacrificios juntamente con la multitud. 14 Pero cuando lo oyeron los apóstoles Bernabé y Pablo, rasgaron sus ropas y se lanzaron en medio de la multitud, gritando 15 y diciendo: Varones, ¿por qué hacéis estas cosas? Nosotros también somos hombres de igual naturaleza que vosotros, y os anunciamos el evangelio para que os volváis de estas cosas vanas[i] a un Dios vivo, que hizo el cielo, la tierra, el mar, y todo lo que en ellos hay; 16 el cual en las generaciones pasadas permitió que todas las naciones[j] siguieran sus propios caminos; 17 y sin embargo, no dejó de dar testimonio de sí mismo, haciendo bien y dándoos lluvias del cielo y estaciones fructíferas, llenando vuestros corazones de sustento y de alegría. 18 Y aun diciendo estas palabras, apenas pudieron impedir que las multitudes les ofrecieran sacrificio.Pablo apedreado en Listra19 Pero vinieron algunos judíos de Antioquía y de Iconio, y habiendo persuadido a la multitud, apedrearon a Pablo y lo arrastraron[k] fuera de la ciudad, pensando que estaba muerto. 20 Pero mientras los discípulos lo rodeaban, él se levantó y entró en la ciudad. Y al día siguiente partió con Bernabé a Derbe. 21 Y después de anunciar el evangelio a aquella ciudad y de hacer muchos discípulos, volvieron a Listra, a Iconio y a Antioquía, 22 fortaleciendo los ánimos de los discípulos, exhortándolos a que perseveraran en la fe, y diciendo: Es necesario que a través de muchas tribulaciones entremos en el reino de Dios. 23 Después que les designaron ancianos en cada iglesia, habiendo orado con ayunos, los encomendaron al Señor en quien habían creído. 24 Pasaron por Pisidia y llegaron a Panfilia. 25 Y después de predicar[l] la palabra en Perge, descendieron a Atalia; 26 y de allí se embarcaron para Antioquía, donde habían sido encomendados a la gracia de Dios para la obra que habían cumplido. 27 Cuando llegaron y reunieron a la iglesia, informaron de todas las cosas que Dios había hecho con ellos, y cómo[m] había abierto a los gentiles la puerta de la fe. 28 Y se quedaron mucho tiempo[n] con los discípulos.————1986, I995, 1997 by The Lockman FoundationMás información sobre La Biblia de las Américas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠paulino.solorzano@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Lecturas interpretadas de La Santa Palabra de Dios, Elohim AdonaiAconteció que en Iconio entraron juntos en la sinagoga de los judíos, y hablaron de tal manera que creyó una gran multitud, tanto de judíos como de griegos. 2 Pero los judíos que no creyeron[a], excitaron y llenaron de odio los ánimos[b] de los gentiles contra los hermanos. 3 Con todo, se detuvieron allí mucho tiempo hablando valientemente confiados en el Señor que confirmaba[c] la palabra de su gracia, concediendo que se hicieran señales[d] y prodigios por medio de sus manos. 4 Pero la multitud de la ciudad estaba dividida, y unos estaban con los judíos y otros con los apóstoles. 5 Y cuando los gentiles y los judíos, con sus gobernantes, prepararon un atentado para maltratarlos y apedrearlos, 6 los apóstoles se dieron cuenta de ello y huyeron a las ciudades de Licaonia, Listra, Derbe, y sus alrededores; 7 y allí continuaron anunciando el evangelio.Pablo y Bernabé en Listra8 Y había en Listra un hombre que estaba sentado, imposibilitado de los pies, cojo desde el seno de su madre y que nunca había andado. 9 Este escuchaba hablar a Pablo, el cual, fijando la mirada en él, y viendo que tenía fe para ser sanado[e], 10 dijo con fuerte voz: Levántate derecho sobre tus pies. Y él dio un salto y anduvo. 11 Cuando la multitud vio lo que Pablo había hecho, alzaron la voz, diciendo en el idioma de Licaonia: Los dioses se han hecho semejantes a hombres y han descendido a nosotros. 12 Y llamaban a Bernabé, Júpiter[f], y a Pablo, Mercurio[g], porque este era el que dirigía la palabra. 13 Y el sacerdote de Júpiter, cuyo templo estaba en las afueras de[h] la ciudad, trajo toros y guirnaldas a las puertas, y quería ofrecer sacrificios juntamente con la multitud. 14 Pero cuando lo oyeron los apóstoles Bernabé y Pablo, rasgaron sus ropas y se lanzaron en medio de la multitud, gritando 15 y diciendo: Varones, ¿por qué hacéis estas cosas? Nosotros también somos hombres de igual naturaleza que vosotros, y os anunciamos el evangelio para que os volváis de estas cosas vanas[i] a un Dios vivo, que hizo el cielo, la tierra, el mar, y todo lo que en ellos hay; 16 el cual en las generaciones pasadas permitió que todas las naciones[j] siguieran sus propios caminos; 17 y sin embargo, no dejó de dar testimonio de sí mismo, haciendo bien y dándoos lluvias del cielo y estaciones fructíferas, llenando vuestros corazones de sustento y de alegría. 18 Y aun diciendo estas palabras, apenas pudieron impedir que las multitudes les ofrecieran sacrificio.Pablo apedreado en Listra19 Pero vinieron algunos judíos de Antioquía y de Iconio, y habiendo persuadido a la multitud, apedrearon a Pablo y lo arrastraron[k] fuera de la ciudad, pensando que estaba muerto. 20 Pero mientras los discípulos lo rodeaban, él se levantó y entró en la ciudad. Y al día siguiente partió con Bernabé a Derbe. 21 Y después de anunciar el evangelio a aquella ciudad y de hacer muchos discípulos, volvieron a Listra, a Iconio y a Antioquía, 22 fortaleciendo los ánimos de los discípulos, exhortándolos a que perseveraran en la fe, y diciendo: Es necesario que a través de muchas tribulaciones entremos en el reino de Dios. 23 Después que les designaron ancianos en cada iglesia, habiendo orado con ayunos, los encomendaron al Señor en quien habían creído. 24 Pasaron por Pisidia y llegaron a Panfilia. 25 Y después de predicar[l] la palabra en Perge, descendieron a Atalia; 26 y de allí se embarcaron para Antioquía, donde habían sido encomendados a la gracia de Dios para la obra que habían cumplido. 27 Cuando llegaron y reunieron a la iglesia, informaron de todas las cosas que Dios había hecho con ellos, y cómo[m] había abierto a los gentiles la puerta de la fe. 28 Y se quedaron mucho tiempo[n] con los discípulos.————1986, I995, 1997 by The Lockman FoundationMás información sobre La Biblia de las Américas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠paulino.solorzano@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Lecturas interpretadas de la Santa Palabra de Dios, Elohim Adonai. 'En la iglesia que estaba en Antioquía había profetas y maestros: Bernabé, Simón llamado Niger, Lucio de Cirene, Manaén, que se había criado con Herodes el tetrarca, y Saulo. 2 Mientras ministraban al Señor y ayunaban, el Espíritu Santo dijo: Apartadme a Bernabé y a Saulo para la obra a la que los he llamado. 3 Entonces, después de ayunar, orar y haber impuesto las manos sobre ellos, los enviaron.4 Ellos, pues, enviados por el Espíritu Santo, descendieron a Seleucia y de allí se embarcaron para Chipre. 5 Llegados a Salamina, proclamaban la palabra de Dios en las sinagogas de los judíos; y tenían también a Juan de ayudante. 6 Después de haber recorrido toda la isla hasta Pafos, encontraron a cierto mago, un falso profeta judío llamado Barjesús, 7 que estaba con el procónsul Sergio Paulo, hombre inteligente. Este hizo venir a Bernabé y a Saulo, y deseaba oír la palabra de Dios. 8 Pero Elimas, el mago (pues así se traduce su nombre), se les oponía, tratando de desviar de la fe al procónsul. 9 Entonces Saulo, llamado también Pablo, lleno del Espíritu Santo, fijando la mirada en él, 10 dijo: Tú, hijo del diablo, que estás lleno de todo engaño y fraude, enemigo de toda justicia, ¿no cesarás de torcer los caminos rectos del Señor? 11 Ahora, he aquí, la mano del Señor está sobre ti; te quedarás ciego y no verás el sol por algún tiempo. Al instante niebla y oscuridad cayeron sobre él, e iba buscando quien lo guiara de la mano. 12 Entonces el procónsul, cuando vio lo que había sucedido, creyó, maravillado de la doctrina del Señor.13 Pablo y sus compañeros zarparon de Pafos, y llegaron a Perge de Panfilia; pero Juan, apartándose de ellos, regresó a Jerusalén, 14 mas ellos, saliendo de Perge, llegaron a Antioquía de Pisidia; y en el día de reposo entraron a la sinagoga y se sentaron. 15 Después de la lectura de la ley y los profetas, los oficiales de la sinagoga les mandaron a decir: Hermanos[a], si tenéis alguna palabra de exhortación para el pueblo, hablad.16 Pablo se levantó, y haciendo señal con la mano, dijo:Hombres de Israel, y vosotros que teméis a Dios, escuchad: 17 El Dios de este pueblo de Israel, escogió a nuestros padres y engrandeció[b] al pueblo durante su estancia en la tierra de Egipto, y con brazo levantado los sacó de ella. 18 Y por un período como de cuarenta años los soportó[c] en el desierto. 19 Después de destruir siete naciones en la tierra de Canaán, repartió sus tierras en herencia; todo esto duró como cuatrocientos cincuenta años. 20 Y después de esto, les dio jueces hasta el profeta Samuel. 21 Entonces ellos pidieron un rey, y Dios les dio a Saúl, hijo de Cis, varón de la tribu de Benjamín, durante cuarenta años. 22 Después de quitarlo, les levantó por rey a David, del cual Dios también testificó y dijo: «He hallado a David, hijo de Isaí, un hombre conforme a mi corazón, que hará toda mi voluntad[d]». 23 De la descendencia de este, conforme a la promesa, Dios ha dado[e] a Israel un Salvador, Jesús, 24 después de que Juan predicó, antes de su venida, un bautismo de arrepentimiento a todo el pueblo de Israel. 25 Cuando Juan estaba a punto de terminar su carrera, decía: «¿Quién pensáis que soy yo? Yo no soy el Cristo; mas he aquí, viene tras mí uno de quien yo no soy digno de desatar las sandalias de sus pies». 26 Hermanos, hijos del linaje de Abraham, y los que entre vosotros teméis a Dios, a nosotros nos es enviada la palabra de esta salvación. 27 Pues los que habitan en Jerusalén y sus gobernantes, sin reconocerle a Él ni las palabras delos profetas que se leen todos los días de reposo, cumplieron estas escrituras, condenándole. 28 Y aunque no hallaron causa para darle muerte, pidieron a Pilato que le hiciera matar. …————1986, I995, 1997 by The Lockman FoundationMás información sobre La Biblia de las Américas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠paulino.solorzano@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Reading IActs 14:21-27After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good newsto that cityand made a considerable number of disciples,they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.They strengthened the spirits of the disciplesand exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardshipsto enter the kingdom of God.”They appointed elders for them in each church and,with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lordin whom they had put their faith.Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.From there they sailed to Antioch,where they had been commended to the grace of Godfor the work they had now accomplished.And when they arrived, they called the church togetherand reported what God had done with themand how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.Reading IIRevelation 21:1-5aThen I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,and the sea was no more.I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,coming down out of heaven from God,prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,“Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race.He will dwell with them and they will be his peopleand God himself will always be with them as their God.He will wipe every tear from their eyes,and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,for the old order has passed away.”The One who sat on the throne said,“Behold, I make all things new.”GospelJohn 13:31-33a, 34-35When Judas had left them, Jesus said,“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.If God is glorified in him,God will also glorify him in himself,and God will glorify him at once.My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.I give you a new commandment: love one another.As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.This is how all will know that you are my disciples,if you have love for one another.”

Acts 13:13-43 13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.' 26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son,     today I have begotten you.' 34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.' 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: 41 “‘Look, you scoffers,     be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days,     a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'” 42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. Key Words: Give, Encouragement, Message, Good News, Promise, Fulfilled, Jesus, Grace, Raising Keystone Verse: And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this He has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” (Acts 13:32-33) Download Bulletin

Reading 1Acts 13:14, 43-52Paul and Barnabas continued on from Pergaand reached Antioch in Pisidia.On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats.Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaismfollowed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to themand urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.On the following sabbath almost the whole city gatheredto hear the word of the Lord.When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousyand with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,but since you reject itand condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,we now turn to the Gentiles.For so the Lord has commanded us,I have made you a light to the Gentiles,that you may be an instrument of salvationto the ends of the earth.”The Gentiles were delighted when they heard thisand glorified the word of the Lord.All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,and the word of the Lord continued to spreadthrough the whole region.The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipersand the leading men of the city,stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,and expelled them from their territory.So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them,and went to Iconium.The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.Reading 2Revelation 7:9, 14b-17I, John, had a vision of a great multitude,which no one could count,from every nation, race, people, and tongue.They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.Then one of the elders said to me,“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;they have washed their robesand made them white in the blood of the Lamb.“For this reason they stand before God's throneand worship him day and night in his temple.The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.They will not hunger or thirst anymore,nor will the sun or any heat strike them.For the Lamb who is in the center of the thronewill shepherd themand lead them to springs of life-giving water,and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”GospelJohn 10:27-30Jesus said:“My sheep hear my voice;I know them, and they follow me.I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.No one can take them out of my hand.My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.The Father and I are one.”

After leaving Antioch in Pisidia following the persecution from the Jews Paul and Barnabas come to Iconium and enter the synagogue and begin preaching. Chapter 14 of Acts tells of the unbelieving Jews who stir up the peace of the city, whose people then make an attempt to stone the two Apostles. Their response is to flee to the nearby cities of Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia (which means “wolf country”) in the wild north of Turkey. Verse 10 says that the Apostles cure a crippled man. The unsophisticated heathen now decide that Paul and Barnabas are gods clothed as men. These citizens think that Barnabas is Zeus, the chief god; and Paul is Hermes, the messenger of Zeus. Paul and Barnabas quickly tear their own clothes trying to convince the pagan priests that the Apostles are men like themselves. Paul and Barnabas teach the people of Lystra from the Word of God. The first quotation used was from Jeremiah 10:12 – one should read the entire context where “Yahweh the Living God” is contrasted with the idols of the nations. Next the population of Lystra turn on Paul, who continues to be persecuted by the Jews who came from Iconium. They stone Paul and drag him out of the city thinking that he was dead. Paul writes on this in 2nd Timothy 3 and I believe he also alludes to it in2 Corinthians 1 verse 8-10 (which seems to imply that he was in fact resurrected at that time). Did Paul avoid these vicious foes? No! He stands again and walks back into Lystra – what a witness this is to the power of God. The next day the Apostles continue to travel to Derbe. These cities are part of Galatia – the Apostle Paul would later write a letter to the Galatians. Shortly after the events we have read, Paul and Barnabas revisit those believers and tell them (14:22) that, “it would be with great pressures on believers that God would bring them into His kingdom”. Paul's personal example strongly bore witness to that. The Apostles make administrative arrangements in the communities of the believers and return to Antioch in Syria from where the first missionary journey had started. There they rejoice with their home ecclesia about what God had accomplished through them. Chapter 15 commences by telling us that the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas, had not been with their home ecclesia for very long before believers from Jerusalem come to Antioch in Syria seeking to enforce Jewish customs on these newly baptised converts. A decision is made to resolve the matter by way of a conference in Jerusalem- the year is 44AD. Verse 5 speaks of the matters which are of prime concern to the converts from the Pharisees ie circumcision and the keeping the laws of Moses. Peter commences the discussion by explaining how by the conversion of Cornelius God had indicated that these matters were not necessary. What mattered was what they believed. Further the keeping of law was a yoke of bondage which the Jews themselves were not able to keep. Paul and Barnabas speak next and describe how the miracles and signs God did through those Apostles was evidence of God's acceptance of Gentiles, who He would save by His grace. James, the Lord's half brother, who had acted as Chairman of the Conference, summarises the outcomes in verses 13-21. He adds many supporting Scriptures in his summary. The Council (Conference) writes a letter, the contents of which we are told in verses 22-35; only four binding essentials were to be required of Gentile believers and these were mostly moral behaviours and an attempt not to offend Jewish believers. Two representatives from Jerusalem (Judas and Silas) are chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas with the circular letter letter to Gentile converts which was to begin its journey at Antioch. The chapter concludes with a sad rift between Barnabas and Paul over the matter of whether Barnabas' nephew John Mark should accompany them in this task.

Our chapter today (10) in Acts is most thought provoking. The message of the Gospel is now spreading and what is most fascinating is all the different reactions Paul and Barnabas experienced as they travelled. What is also significant is the extent to which they quoted from the Old Testament – but that was their Bible. Our chapter contains no less than 7 quotations from the Old Testament made in the speech at Antioch in Pisidia. The Old Testament is God's word just as much as the New Testament.Their initial preaching was to Jewish communities, for they visited them first as they travelled from place to place and supported their message about Jesus with all these quotations from the Old Testament. Evidently the Jews, and sadly it is the same today, only read their Bible selectively – but God's word must be read in totality.“Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.” [v.46,47] There is some comparison in this in what has happened over the last 50 years. Belief in God and his word has shrunk alarmingly in the ‘western' world. – and so those who earnestly believe his word have turned to other countries such as India, where, for example, there are now about 100 congregations – and growing each year – but we know of none in India 40 years ago – or Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal or Bangladesh for that matter.How many today are not taking the word of God seriously? Or maybe only taking it selectively in an endeavor to try to prove, for example, that they go to heaven when they die, or that “grace” is ever abounding so they do not have to really strive against sin. If they are not taking God's word seriously – and ‘thirstily' into their hearts, they are, to quote Paul and Barnabas, starting to “judge themselves unworthy of eternal life”Let us make sure we are among those who accepted and obeyed the message and “began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord …” [v.48]

After leaving Antioch in Pisidia following the persecution from the Jews Paul and Barnabas come to Iconium and enter the synagogue and begin preaching. Chapter 14 of Acts tells of the unbelieving Jews who stir up the peace of the city, whose people then make an attempt to stone the two Apostles. Their response is to flee to the nearby cities of Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia (which means “wolf country”) in the wild north of Turkey. Verse 10 says that the Apostles cure a crippled man. The unsophisticated heathen now decide that Paul and Barnabas are gods clothed as men. These citizens think that Barnabas is Zeus, the chief god; and Paul is Hermes, the messenger of Zeus. Paul and Barnabas quickly tear their own clothes trying to convince the pagan priests that the Apostles are men like themselves. Paul and Barnabas teach the people of Lystra from the Word of God. The first quotation used was from Jeremiah 10:12 – one should read the entire context where “Yahweh the Living God” is contrasted with the idols of the nations. Next the population of Lystra turn on Paul, who continues to be persecuted by the Jews who came from Iconium. They stone Paul and drag him out of the city thinking that he was dead. Paul writes on this in 2nd Timothy 3 and I believe he also alludes to it in 2 Corinthians 1 verse 8-10 (which seems to imply that he was in fact resurrected at that time). Did Paul avoid these vicious foes? No! He stands again and walks back into Lystra – what a witness this is to the power of God. The next day the Apostles continue to travel to Derbe. These cities are part of Galatia – the Apostle Paul would later write a letter to the Galatians. Shortly after the events we have read, Paul and Barnabas revisit those believers and tell them (14:22) that, “it would be with great pressures on believers that God would bring them into His kingdom”. Paul's personal example strongly bore witness to that. The Apostles make administrative arrangements in the communities of the believers and return to Antioch in Syria from where the first missionary journey had started. There they rejoice with their home ecclesia about what God had accomplished through them. Chapter 15 commences by telling us that the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas, had not been with their home ecclesia for very long before believers from Jerusalem come to Antioch in Syria seeking to enforce Jewish customs on these newly baptised converts. A decision is made to resolve the matter by way of a conference in Jerusalem- the year is 44AD. Verse 5 speaks of the matters which are of prime concern to the converts from the Pharisees ie circumcision and the keeping the laws of Moses. Peter commences the discussion by explaining how by the conversion of Cornelius God had indicated that these matters were not necessary. What mattered was what they believed. Further the keeping of law was a yoke of bondage which the Jews themselves were not able to keep. Paul and Barnabas speak next and describe how the miracles and signs God did through those Apostles was evidence of God's acceptance of Gentiles, who He would save by His grace. James, the Lord's half brother, who had acted as Chairman of the Conference, summarises the outcomes in verses 13-21. He adds many supporting Scriptures in his summary. The Council (Conference) writes a letter, the contents of which we are told in verses 22-35; only four binding essentials were to be required of Gentile believers and these were mostly moral behaviours and an attempt not to offend Jewish believers. Two representatives from Jerusalem (Judas and Silas) are chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas with the circular letter letter to Gentile converts which was to begin its journey at Antioch. The chapter concludes with a sad rift between Barnabas and Paul over the matter of whether Barnabas' nephew John Mark should accompany them in this task. The result is that Barnabas takes Mark with him and goes to Cyprus; while Paul travels with Silas throughout Syria and Cilicia.

Acts 13 speaks of Saul's name being changed to Paul – meaning “little”; since he now saw himself in that way (see 1 Corinthians 15:9). We see that Barnabas and Saul were chosen from a very select group of believers. Barnabas and Paul first sail to Cyprus – quite possibly where Barnabas has connections (he sold his land and business). It was here that the Apostles were aided by God in the face of a powerful enemy. From verses 13-52 we read of the Apostles' journeys to Perga and to Antioch in Pisidia. Antioch was in the mountainous region of Turkey. Paul appears to have been sick at this time. Ramsay speculates that it was perhaps malaria. Paul's address in the synagogue at Antioch is masterful and contains many echoes from Stephen's defence in Acts 7. In addition to bringing salient points from Israel's history to the fore – especially those which focus on the coming Messiah – Paul shows how the Scriptures (in particular Psalm 2, Psalm 16 and Isaiah 55) reveal that Christ would die and be raised to eternal life. Through the Lord Jesus Christ forgiveness of sins would be granted to those believing and accepting God's offer. The next Sabbath the entire city comes to hear Paul's message. The Jews stir up opposition and are denounced by Paul, who declares that from now on Paul and Barnabas would preach to the Gentiles. The Apostles left Antioch shaking the dust from their feet as the Lord Jesus had commanded his disciples to do in Matthew 10 verse14).

Acts 13 speaks of Saul's name being changed to Paul – meaning “little”; since he now saw himself in that way (see 1 Corinthians 15:9). We see that Barnabas and Saul were chosen from a very select group of believers. Barnabas and Paul first sail to Cyprus – quite possibly where Barnabas has connections (he sold his land and business). It was here that the Apostles were aided by God in the face of a powerful enemy. From verses 13-52 we read of the Apostles' journeys to Perga and to Antioch in Pisidia. Antioch was in the mountainous region of Turkey. Paul appears to have been sick at this time. Ramsay speculates that it was perhaps malaria. Paul's address in the synagogue at Antioch is masterful and contains many echoes from Stephen's defence in Acts 7. In addition to bringing salient points from Israel's history to the fore – especially those which focus on the coming Messiah – Paul shows how the Scriptures (in particular Psalm 2, Psalm 16 and Isaiah 55) reveal that Christ would die and be raised to eternal life. Through the Lord Jesus Christ forgiveness of sins would be granted to those believing and accepting God's offer. The next Sabbath the entire city comes to hear Paul's message. The Jews stir up opposition and are denounced by Paul, who declares that from now on Paul and Barnabas would preach to the Gentiles. The Apostles left Antioch shaking the dust from their feet as the Lord Jesus had commanded his disciples to do in Matthew 10 verse14).

April 30, 2025

The gospel of Christ is both a comfort and a confrontation, and as we faithfully proclaim it, we can expect a variety of responses. Yet, regardless of how people respond, at the core of our mission is the love of Jesus that compels us to continue sharing his truth. In this sermon, let us be encouraged to faithfully declare the gospel, trust God to bring about transformation, and respond with grace to whatever unfolds.

The gospel of Christ is both a comfort and a confrontation, and as we faithfully proclaim it, we can expect a variety of responses. Yet, regardless of how people respond, at the core of our mission is the love of Jesus that compels us to continue sharing his truth. In this sermon, let us be encouraged to faithfully declare the gospel, trust God to bring about transformation, and respond with grace to whatever unfolds.

The Rev. Nick Lannon continues his class on the book of Acts with a look at the bulk of chapter 13. First, Paul preaches on the Sabbath in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia (v.13-43). Then, he preaches again, with almost the entire city turning out to hear him (v.44-49). Finally for this session, Paul and Barnabas are run out of the city by a mob stirred up by Jews jealous for their synagogue (v.50-52).

Barnabus and Paul are on a missionary journey together, traveling through towns in the Roman empire to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. They have just left Antioch of Pisidia where they preached Christ in a Jewish synagogue, and while many of the people received them warmly, the Jewish community at large was displeased and expelled them from their district. Today, Barnabus and Paul visit Iconium where the Lord performs signs and wonders through them. When they discover some have plans to stone them, they flee to Lystra. There, a man who is unable stand is healed, and the crowds declare our missionaries to be Greek gods in human form. Jews come from the previous two towns and successfully stone Paul, but escapes death and continues preaching the gospel. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, we concluded midway through Paul's sermon at a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. Attending the synagogue on the Sabbath, the two men sat down only to be addressed by the leaders, asking if they had any word of encouragement. Today, he continues that sermon and at its conclusion it's clear that his teaching has gained an audience. When he returns to teach on the following Sabbath, the whole town shows up to hear him. The Jews in Antioch are displeased with his popularity and begin to contradict and insult him. When Paul mentions that they are turning to the Gentiles with their message of salvation, the crowd rejoices and the good news continues to spread. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Acts 14:19-28Paul Stoned at Lystra19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria24Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Acts 13:13-52 Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia 13Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.' 23Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.' 26“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead, 31and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.' 34And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' 35Therefore he says also in another psalm, “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.' 36For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: 41 “‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'” 42As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 13 - Speaker: Lukus Counterman - The gospel spread from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and by Acts 13, it was beginning to extend to the “ends of the earth.” When persecution scattered the Christian community, people witnessed about Jesus, the exalted Lord. At first, the message was just to the Jews, but then it spread to Gentiles. The beautiful result was the first multi-ethnic church in Syrian Antioch. Barnabas was sent to see what God was doing, and while he ministered in Antioch, more and more were saved. The power of God's word produced such a harvest, that Barnabas went and got help from Saul. The two of them became teachers in the church… that is, until the Holy Spirit called them to missionary service. The Spirit set them apart, the church sent them out, and soon the gospel was spreading to Cyprus, Antioch of Pisidia, and finally the region of Galatia. Acts 13 recounts Paul's first missionary journey and helps us understand key principles associated with the spread of the gospel around the world. May the Lord teach us about missions and may his message of salvation extend to the neediest places on earth.

Reading IIs 62:1-5    For Zion's sake I will not be silent,        for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,    until her vindication shines forth like the dawn        and her victory like a burning torch.    Nations shall behold your vindication,        and all the kings your glory;    you shall be called by a new name        pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.    You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,        a royal diadem held by your God.    No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”        or your land “Desolate,”    but you shall be called “My Delight,”        and your land “Espoused.”    For the LORD delights in you        and makes your land his spouse.    As a young man marries a virgin,        your Builder shall marry you;    and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride        so shall your God rejoice in you.Reading IIActs 13:16-17, 22-25When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in theland of Egypt.With uplifted arm he led them out of it.Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;of him he testified,‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;he will carry out my every wish.'From this man's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am?  I am not he.Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'”GospelMt 1:1-25The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.Abraham became the father of Isaac,Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,whose mother was Tamar.Perez became the father of Hezron,Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab.Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,Nahshon the father of Salmon,Salmon the father of Boaz,whose mother was Rahab.Boaz became the father of Obed,whose mother was Ruth.Obed became the father of Jesse,Jesse the father of David the king.David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,Rehoboam the father of Abijah,Abijah the father of Asaph.Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,Joram the father of Uzziah.Uzziah became the father of Jotham,Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,Manasseh the father of Amos,Amos the father of Josiah.Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothersat the time of the Babylonian exile.After the Babylonian exile,Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.Abiud became the father of Eliakim,Eliakim the father of Azor,Azor the father of Zadok.Zadok became the father of Achim,Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar.Eleazar became the father of Matthan,Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.Thus the total number of generationsfrom Abraham to Davidis fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile,fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,fourteen generations. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.Such was his intention when, behold,the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfillwhat the Lord had said through the prophet:    Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,        and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”When Joseph awoke,he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

Reading IIs 62:1-5    For Zion's sake I will not be silent,        for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,    until her vindication shines forth like the dawn        and her victory like a burning torch.    Nations shall behold your vindication,        and all the kings your glory;    you shall be called by a new name        pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.    You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,        a royal diadem held by your God.    No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”        or your land “Desolate,”    but you shall be called “My Delight,”        and your land “Espoused.”    For the LORD delights in you        and makes your land his spouse.    As a young man marries a virgin,        your Builder shall marry you;    and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride        so shall your God rejoice in you.Reading IIActs 13:16-17, 22-25When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in theland of Egypt.With uplifted arm he led them out of it.Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;of him he testified,‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;he will carry out my every wish.'From this man's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am?  I am not he.Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'”GospelMt 1:18-25This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.Such was his intention when, behold,the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfillwhat the Lord had said through the prophet:    Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,        and they shall name him Emmanuel,which means “God is with us.”When Joseph awoke,he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comWelcome:Today, we embark on an exciting journey with Paul and Barnabas as they navigate uncharted territories, bringing the gospel to eager and some not-so-eager ears. Our episode is drawn from Acts 13:14-52, a passage filled with excitement, challenges, and Godly encounters.We'll witness how the Holy Spirit orchestrates every step, turning obstacles into opportunities for joy. We'll explore the amazing joy that springs from fulfilling God's mission, a joy that sustains and empowers us even amidst trials.Episode NotesEpisode Title: The Journey and the Joy ContinueScripture Reference: Acts 13:14-52Summary:In this episode, we follow Paul and Barnabas on their mission in Antioch of Pisidia. As they proclaim the transformative message of Jesus Christ in the synagogue, we see the Holy Spirit at work, turning challenges into opportunities and bringing joy amidst trials. We'll delve into the key sections of Acts 13:14-52, examining the boldness and conviction with which Paul and Barnabas spread the gospel, despite opposition.Key Points:Arrival in Antioch of Pisidia:Paul and Barnabas enter the synagogue and are invited to speak.The synagogue service structure and Paul's opportunity to share the gospel.Paul's Sermon:Paul recounts Israel's history, emphasizing God's promise of a Savior.The fulfillment of this promise through Jesus' death and resurrection.The importance of salvation, forgiveness, and justification through faith in Jesus.Reactions to the Message:Positive reception from Gentiles and some Jews.Opposition from jealous Jewish leaders.The spread of the gospel despite persecution.Continued Mission:Paul and Barnabas' response to rejection: turning to the Gentiles.The joy and filling of the Holy Spirit experienced by new believers.Reflection Questions:How do you handle opposition when sharing your faith?What does the joy of the Lord mean to you, especially in difficult times?How can you continue in the grace of God daily?Action Steps:Reflect on past experiences of sharing your faith and how you can grow from them.Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in turning challenges into opportunities for joy.Encourage others to embrace the joy and grace of God in their lives.Thank you for joining us on this journey through Acts 13. We hope this episode inspires you to embrace the joy and continue spreading the good news, no matter the obstacles. Support the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comToday, we embark on an exciting journey with Paul and Barnabas as they navigate uncharted territories, bringing the gospel to eager and some not-so-eager ears. Our episode is drawn from Acts 13:14-52, a passage filled with excitement, challenges, and Godly encounters.We'll witness how the Holy Spirit orchestrates every step, turning obstacles into opportunities for joy. We'll explore the amazing joy that springs from fulfilling God's mission, a joy that sustains and empowers us even amidst trials.Episode Notes:In this episode, we follow Paul and Barnabas on their mission in Antioch of Pisidia. As they proclaim the transformative message of Jesus Christ in the synagogue, we see the Holy Spirit at work, turning challenges into opportunities and bringing joy amidst trials. We'll delve into the key sections of Acts 13:14-52, examining the boldness and conviction with which Paul and Barnabas spread the gospel, despite opposition.Key Points:Arrival in Antioch of Pisidia:Paul and Barnabas enter the synagogue and are invited to speak.The synagogue service structure and Paul's opportunity to share the gospel.Paul's Sermon:Paul recounts Israel's history, emphasizing God's promise of a Savior.The fulfillment of this promise through Jesus' death and resurrection.The importance of salvation, forgiveness, and justification through faith in Jesus.Reactions to the Message:Positive reception from Gentiles and some Jews.Opposition from jealous Jewish leaders.The spread of the gospel despite persecution.Continued Mission:Paul and Barnabas' response to rejection: turning to the Gentiles.The joy and filling of the Holy Spirit experienced by new believers.Reflection Questions:How do you handle opposition when sharing your faith?What does the joy of the Lord mean to you, especially in difficult times?How can you continue in the grace of God daily?Action Steps:Reflect on past experiences of sharing your faith and how you can grow from them.Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in turning challenges into opportunities for joy.Encourage others to embrace the joy and grace of God in their lives.Thank you for joining us on this journey through Acts 13. We hope this episode inspires you to embrace the joy and continue spreading the good news, no matter the obstacles. Support the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Acts 13:13-41 – Antioch Pisidia

Scripture Reading: Acts 14:21-15:35 14:21 After they had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch. 14:22 They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions.” 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in the various churches, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the protection of the Lord in whom they had believed. 14:24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia, 14:25 and when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 14:26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 14:27 When they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all the things God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. 14:28 So they spent considerable time with the disciples.15:1 Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 15:2 When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate with them, the church appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this point of disagreement. 15:3 So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they were relating at length the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. 15:4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all the things God had done with them. 15:5 But some from the religious party of the Pharisees who had believed stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and to order them to observe the law of Moses.” 15:6 Both the apostles and the elders met together to deliberate about this matter. 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 15:8 And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 15:9 and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith. 15:10 So now why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 15:11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are.” 15:12 The whole group kept quiet and listened to Barnabas and Paul while they explained all the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 15:13 After they stopped speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 15:14 Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for his name. 15:15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written, 15:16 ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 15:17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, namely, all the Gentiles I have called to be my own,' says the Lord, who makes these things 15:18 known from long ago. 15:19 “Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 15:20 but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. 15:21 For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 15:22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to send men chosen from among them, Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leaders among the brothers, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. 15:23 They sent this letter with them: From the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, greetings! 15:24 Since we have heard that some have gone out from among us with no orders from us and have confused you, upsetting your minds by what they said, 15:25 we have unanimously decided to choose men to send to you along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 15:26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15:27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas who will tell you these things themselves in person. 15:28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules: 15:29 that you abstain from meat that has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what has been strangled and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from doing these things, you will do well. Farewell. 15:30 So when they were dismissed, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the entire group together, they delivered the letter. 15:31 When they read it aloud, the people rejoiced at its encouragement. 15:32 Both Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a long speech. 15:33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming (along with many others) the word of the Lord. Bonus Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:1–142:1 Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too. 2:2 I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people, to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain. 2:3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek. 2:4 Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves. 2:5 But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 2:6 But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people)—those influential leaders added nothing to my message. 2:7 On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was to the circumcised 2:8 (for he who empowered Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised also empowered me for my apostleship to the Gentiles) 2:9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who had a reputation as pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 2:10 They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing I also was eager to do. 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong. 2:12 Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision. 2:13 And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy. 2:14 But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” OutlineBack to AntiochReturning to prior locationsPersevere!Paul appoints “elders” for each “assembly”The Jerusalem CouncilIs Galatians 2 about Acts 15?Why does Paul omit the decrees?Did Luke invent consensus?Schism in AntiochIn Antioch yet againSchismatics in AntiochCircumcision for salvation?Paul and Barnabas are sent yet againThe Meeting in JerusalemWho were the elders?Backseat drivers?Received joyfully in other churches but not JerusalemThe sect of the PhariseesReports before the whole assembly, then (maybe) a private meetingPeter's SpeechThe church—the assemblyA leader speaksSaved through graceBarnabas and Paul Recount Miraculous SignsJames' SpeechJames who?James speaksQuoting AmosImposing no extra difficulty

Scripture Reading: Acts 14:21-15:35 14:21 After they had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch. 14:22 They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions.” 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in the various churches, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the protection of the Lord in whom they had believed. 14:24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia, 14:25 and when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 14:26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 14:27 When they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all the things God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. 14:28 So they spent considerable time with the disciples.15:1 Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 15:2 When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate with them, the church appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this point of disagreement. 15:3 So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they were relating at length the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. 15:4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all the things God had done with them. 15:5 But some from the religious party of the Pharisees who had believed stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and to order them to observe the law of Moses.” 15:6 Both the apostles and the elders met together to deliberate about this matter. 15:7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 15:8 And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 15:9 and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith. 15:10 So now why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 15:11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are.” 15:12 The whole group kept quiet and listened to Barnabas and Paul while they explained all the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 15:13 After they stopped speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 15:14 Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for his name. 15:15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written, 15:16 ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 15:17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, namely, all the Gentiles I have called to be my own,' says the Lord, who makes these things 15:18 known from long ago. 15:19 “Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 15:20 but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. 15:21 For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 15:22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to send men chosen from among them, Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leaders among the brothers, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. 15:23 They sent this letter with them: From the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, greetings! 15:24 Since we have heard that some have gone out from among us with no orders from us and have confused you, upsetting your minds by what they said, 15:25 we have unanimously decided to choose men to send to you along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 15:26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15:27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas who will tell you these things themselves in person. 15:28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules: 15:29 that you abstain from meat that has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what has been strangled and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from doing these things, you will do well. Farewell. 15:30 So when they were dismissed, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the entire group together, they delivered the letter. 15:31 When they read it aloud, the people rejoiced at its encouragement. 15:32 Both Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a long speech. 15:33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming (along with many others) the word of the Lord. Bonus Scripture Reading: Galatians 2:1–142:1 Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too. 2:2 I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people, to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain. 2:3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek. 2:4 Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves. 2:5 But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 2:6 But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people)—those influential leaders added nothing to my message. 2:7 On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was to the circumcised 2:8 (for he who empowered Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised also empowered me for my apostleship to the Gentiles) 2:9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who had a reputation as pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 2:10 They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing I also was eager to do. 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong. 2:12 Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision. 2:13 And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy. 2:14 But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” OutlineBack to AntiochReturning to prior locationsPersevere!Paul appoints “elders” for each “assembly”The Jerusalem CouncilIs Galatians 2 about Acts 15?Why does Paul omit the decrees?Did Luke invent consensus?Schism in AntiochIn Antioch yet againSchismatics in AntiochCircumcision for salvation?Paul and Barnabas are sent yet againThe Meeting in JerusalemWho were the elders?Backseat drivers?Received joyfully in other churches but not JerusalemThe sect of the PhariseesReports before the whole assembly, then (maybe) a private meetingPeter's SpeechThe church—the assemblyA leader speaksSaved through graceBarnabas and Paul Recount Miraculous SignsJames' SpeechJames who?James speaksQuoting AmosImposing no extra difficulty

Scripture Reading: Acts 14:1-28 14:1 The same thing happened in Iconium when Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large group of both Jews and Greeks believed. 14:2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 14:3 So they stayed there for a considerable time, speaking out courageously for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace, granting miraculous signs and wonders to be performed through their hands. 14:4 But the population of the city was divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 14:5 When both the Gentiles and the Jews (together with their rulers) made an attempt to mistreat them and stone them, 14:6 Paul and Barnabas learned about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region. 14:7 There they continued to proclaim the good news. 14:8 In Lystra sat a man who could not use his feet, lame from birth, who had never walked. 14:9 This man was listening to Paul as he was speaking. When Paul stared intently at him and saw he had faith to be healed, 14:10 he said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man leaped up and began walking. 14:11 So when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 14:12 They began to call Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 14:13 The priest of the temple of Zeus, located just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 14:15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We too are men, with human natures just like you! We are proclaiming the good news to you, so that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them. 14:16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own ways, 14:17 yet he did not leave himself without a witness by doing good, by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and your hearts with joy.” 14:18 Even by saying these things, they scarcely persuaded the crowds not to offer sacrifice to them. 14:19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning the crowds over, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, presuming him to be dead. 14:20 But after the disciples had surrounded him, he got up and went back into the city. On the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 14:21 After they had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch. 14:22 They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions.” 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in the various churches, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the protection of the Lord in whom they had believed. 14:24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia, 14:25 and when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 14:26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 14:27 When they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all the things God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. 14:28 So they spent considerable time with the disciples.OUTLINETwo Missionaries Causing TroubleIntroduction—conflict continues in towns of southern Asia minorThese towns were (probably) part of GalatiaA return of miraculous signsJews and GreeksIconiumGreek paganism and the Roman cultJewish influenceMiraculous signs of grace are performedPaul is threatened with stoningPaul escapesLystraPaul's first described healingThe people's response to Zeus and HermesLanguage barrierPaul and Barnabas try to set the record straightGod has always been partially revealed but now is fully revealedTrouble Comes Looking for the MissionariesJews from Antioch and Iconium come to stone PaulThe disciples help Paul back into the cityPaul seemed deadTo Derbe and BackDerbeReturning to prior locationsPersevere!Paul appoints “elders” for each “assembly”

‘Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: he has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.' Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered round him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples. (Acts 14.15-28, NIV)

Acts 14:1-28 (ESV) | 1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel. 8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, ·Stand upright on your feet.· And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, ·The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!· 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 ·Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.· 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Acts 14:1-28 (ESV) | 1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel. 8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, ·Stand upright on your feet.· And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, ·The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!· 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 ·Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.· 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Acts 13:1-52 (ESV) | 1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ·Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.· 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, ·You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.· Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. 13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, ·Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.· 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: ·Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ·I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.· 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ·What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.· 26 ·Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, ··You are my Son,·    today I have begotten you.· 34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, ··I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.· 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, ··You will not let your Holy One see corruption.· 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: 41  ··Look, you scoffers,·    be astounded and perish;·for I am doing a work in your days,·    a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.·· 42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ·It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ··I have made you a light for the Gentiles,·    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.·· 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:1-52 (ESV) | 1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ·Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.· 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, ·You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.· Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. 13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, ·Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.· 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: ·Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ·I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.· 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ·What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.· 26 ·Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, ··You are my Son,·    today I have begotten you.· 34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, ··I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.· 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, ··You will not let your Holy One see corruption.· 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: 41  ··Look, you scoffers,·    be astounded and perish;·for I am doing a work in your days,·    a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.·· 42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ·It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ··I have made you a light for the Gentiles,·    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.·· 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

She was born in Antioch of Pisidia to pagan parents; her father was a pagan priest. When she was about twelve years old her mother died, and she was given into the care of a woman who told her of the Gospel of Christ. She was immediately filled with love for Christ and consecrated her life to His service. Her father, hearing of this, was furious and disowned her. When she was fifteen years old, she was brought before the governor Olymbrius, who first desired to marry her and, when she refused, ordered her to make sacrifice to the idols. She refused and proclaimed herself a Christian. For this she was harshly tortured, imprisoned, and finally beheaded. While she was in prison she was tormented by demons, but drove them away by her prayers. For this reason she is especially invoked for deliverance from demonic possession. One of her hands is preserved at Vatopedi Monastery on the Holy Mountain, and some of her relics are preserved at an Albanian Monastery dedicated to her.

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, July 10, 2024Worship Service: 2:00 p.m.Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. — The Book of HebrewsAll are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relativeVisit our YouTube channel — Click the red “subscribe” box, and then click on the “bell” next to that box to receive Live Streaming notifications. You must be logged into YouTube to activate these features.Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”Archive of BULLETINSJudges 6:1-24 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds. For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey. For they would come up with their livestock and their tents; they would come like locusts in number—both they and their camels could not be counted—so that they laid waste the land as they came in. And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the LORD. When the people of Israel cried out to the LORD on account of the Midianites, the LORD sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. And I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.' But you have not obeyed my voice.” Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” And he said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. Please do not depart from here until I come to you and bring out my present and set it before you.” And he said, “I will stay till you return.” So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them. And the angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and put them on this rock, and pour the broth over them.” And he did so. Then the angel of the LORD reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight. Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.” But the LORD said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites. Acts 14:19—15:5 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples. But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The Sacrament of the AltarWhat is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.Where is this written?The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

A new MP3 sermon from Arbor Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Preaching God’s Covenant Mercies in Antioch, Pisidia Speaker: Steve Woodman Broadcaster: Arbor Church Event: Sunday - AM Date: 3/28/2021 Bible: Acts 13:13-25 Length: 52 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Arbor Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Preaching the Risen Christ in Antioch, Pisidia Speaker: Steve Woodman Broadcaster: Arbor Church Event: Sunday - AM Date: 4/4/2021 Bible: Acts 13:26-41 Length: 49 min.

Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Jun 23, 2024 ========== June 23 | Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo June 23, 2024 Micah Cating Paul's First Missionary Journey Acts 14 ACTS 14:1-7 ESV Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel. GOD'S PEOPLE ARE GIFTED FOR MINISTRY OPPOSITION REQUIRES A RESPONSE ACTS 14:8-18 ESV Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. CULTURE SHAPES WORSHIP KNOWING GOD SHOULD PUSH US TOWARDS THOSE FAR FROM HIM Romans 1:18-20 ESV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. ACTS 14:19-28 ESV But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples. OPPOSITION IS PERSISTENT What you think about, you will care about. What you care about, you will chase. -Ben Stuart THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ALWAYS INCREASING Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org

Istrouma en Español Jun 23 – 25, 2024 ========== 23 de Junio , 2024 La Respuesta del Evangelio Hechos 14 ========== ‭‭Hechos‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭28‬‬ Aconteció en Iconio que entraron juntos en la sinagoga de los judíos, y hablaron de tal manera que creyó una gran multitud de judíos, y asimismo de griegos. Mas los judíos que no creían excitaron y corrompieron los ánimos de los gentiles contra los hermanos. Por tanto, se detuvieron allí mucho tiempo, hablando con denuedo, confiados en el Señor, el cual daba testimonio a la palabra de su gracia, concediendo que se hiciesen por las manos de ellos señales y prodigios. Y la gente de la ciudad estaba dividida: unos estaban con los judíos, y otros con los apóstoles. Pero cuando los judíos y los gentiles, juntamente con sus gobernantes, se lanzaron a afrentarlos y apedrearlos, habiéndolo sabido, huyeron a Listra y Derbe, ciudades de Licaonia, y a toda la región circunvecina, y allí predicaban el evangelio. Y cierto hombre de Listra estaba sentado, imposibilitado de los pies, cojo de nacimiento, que jamás había andado. Este oyó hablar a Pablo, el cual, fijando en él sus ojos, y viendo que tenía fe para ser sanado, dijo a gran voz: Levántate derecho sobre tus pies. Y él saltó, y anduvo. Entonces la gente, visto lo que Pablo había hecho, alzó la voz, diciendo en lengua licaónica: Dioses bajo la semejanza de hombres han descendido a nosotros. Y a Bernabé llamaban Júpiter, y a Pablo, Mercurio, porque este era el que llevaba la palabra. Y el sacerdote de Júpiter, cuyo templo estaba frente a la ciudad, trajo toros y guirnaldas delante de las puertas, y juntamente con la muchedumbre quería ofrecer sacrificios. Cuando lo oyeron los apóstoles Bernabé y Pablo, rasgaron sus ropas, y se lanzaron entre la multitud, dando voces y diciendo: Varones, ¿por qué hacéis esto? Nosotros también somos hombres semejantes a vosotros, que os anunciamos que de estas vanidades os convirtáis al Dios vivo, que hizo el cielo y la tierra, el mar, y todo lo que en ellos hay. En las edades pasadas él ha dejado a todas las gentes andar en sus propios caminos; si bien no se dejó a sí mismo sin testimonio, haciendo bien, dándonos lluvias del cielo y tiempos fructíferos, llenando de sustento y de alegría nuestros corazones. Y diciendo estas cosas, difícilmente lograron impedir que la multitud les ofreciese sacrificio. Entonces vinieron unos judíos de Antioquía y de Iconio, que persuadieron a la multitud, y habiendo apedreado a Pablo, le arrastraron fuera de la ciudad, pensando que estaba muerto. Pero rodeándole los discípulos, se levantó y entró en la ciudad; y al día siguiente salió con Bernabé para Derbe. Y después de anunciar el evangelio a aquella ciudad y de hacer muchos discípulos, volvieron a Listra, a Iconio y a Antioquía, confirmando los ánimos de los discípulos, exhortándoles a que permaneciesen en la fe, y diciéndoles: Es necesario que a través de muchas tribulaciones entremos en el reino de Dios. Y constituyeron ancianos en cada iglesia, y habiendo orado con ayunos, los encomendaron al Señor en quien habían creído. Pasando luego por Pisidia, vinieron a Panfilia. Y habiendo predicado la palabra en Perge, descendieron a Atalia. De allí navegaron a Antioquía, desde donde habían sido encomendados a la gracia de Dios para la obra que habían cumplido. Y habiendo llegado, y reunido a la iglesia, refirieron cuán grandes cosas había hecho Dios con ellos, y cómo había abierto la puerta de la fe a los gentiles. Y se quedaron allí mucho tiempo con los discípulos. 1- Compartieron el evangelio y formaron discípulos. 2- Consolidaron a los hermanos en la fe 3- Constituyeron y organizaron iglesias. 4- Comunicaron informes y dieron cuentas a la iglesia. ‭‭Acts‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭28‬‬ Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel. Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples. 1- They shared the gospel and formed disciples. 2- They strengthened the brothers in the faith. 3- They created and organized churches. 4- Communicated reports and gave accounts to the church. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1662179323184.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1714053307093.jpg Campamento Familiar 2024 https://onrealm.org/Istrouma/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NGZhOWQ4MjEtZGU2Ni00ODlhLWJhMWEtYjE1NTAwZjJhY2E4 [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1705700493680.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/117574509-1697561260831.jpg Regístrate ¡Si es la primera vez que asistes te invitamos a que te registres utilizando el siguiente link! https://istrouma.org/nuevo Nuestro Facebook Link de nuestro facebook donde nuestros servicios estarán en vivo ¡Acompáñanos! https://www.facebook.com/IBCespanol/ Visita nuestra pagina oficial: ¡Te esperamos! https://istrouma.org/espanol

Istrouma Baptist Church (ASC) Jun 9, 2024 ========== June 9 l Acts Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo Called, Commissioned, and Sent - Part 2 Acts 13:13-16 ‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬-‭16‬‬ Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 1. A setback 2. An opportunity ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬-‭8‬‬ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 3. An invitation ‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭38‬-‭39‬‬ Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle Lectionary: 580/360The Saint of the day is Saint BarnabasSaint Barnabas' Story Barnabas, a Jew of Cyprus, comes as close as anyone outside the Twelve to being a full-fledged apostle. He was closely associated with Saint Paul—he introduced Paul to Peter and the other apostles—and served as a kind of mediator between the former persecutor and the still suspicious Jewish Christians. When a Christian community developed at Antioch, Barnabas was sent as the official representative of the church of Jerusalem to incorporate them into the fold. He and Paul instructed in Antioch for a year, after which they took relief contributions to Jerusalem. Later Paul and Barnabas, now clearly seen as charismatic leaders, were sent by Antioch officials to preach to the gentiles. Enormous success crowned their efforts. After a miracle at Lystra, the people wanted to offer sacrifice to them as gods—Barnabas being Zeus, and Paul, Hermes—but the two said, “We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God” (see Acts 14:8-18). But all was not peaceful. They were expelled from one town, they had to go to Jerusalem to clear up the ever-recurring controversy about circumcision, and even the best of friends can have differences. When Paul wanted to revisit the places they had evangelized, Barnabas wanted to take along his cousin John Mark, author of the Gospel, but Paul insisted that since Mark had deserted them once, he was not fit to take along now. The disagreement that followed was so sharp that Barnabas and Paul separated: Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus, Paul taking Silas to Syria. Later they were reconciled—Paul, Barnabas and Mark. When Paul stood up to Peter for not eating with gentiles for fear of his Jewish friends, we learn that “even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy” (see Galatians 2:1-13). Reflection Barnabas is spoken of simply as one who dedicated his life to the Lord. He was a man “filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thereby, large numbers were added to the Lord.” Even when he and Paul were expelled from Antioch in Pisidia—modern-day Turkey—they were “filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” Saint Barnabas is the Patron Saint of: Cyprus Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Acts 16:1   Paul embarked on his second missionary journey from Antioch in Syria to Derbe and Lystra, travelling over land. Acts 16:6-8   As they travelled, God kept dissuading them from going to Asia Minor or Bithynia—places that were obvious choices for missionary work. Instead, they kept travelling. It took them 350 miles to get from Antioch in Pisidia to Troas. Acts 16:9-12   Sleeping on the west coast of the continent of Asia, Paul's dream convinced him they should cross the Aegean Sea into Macedonia. Acts 16:13-15   Lydia was a merchant of purple cloth from Thyatira. After she believed in Christ, she invited Paul, Silas, Timothy, and probably Luke. Acts 16:16-24   Paul cast the spirit of a python out of a fortune-telling slave girl, resulting in the city government beating him and Silas with rods and throwing them in jail. Acts 16:40   After Paul and Silas had caused a riot, suffered a public beating, and spent a night in jail, Lydia still received them back into her house. Lydia and the Philippians sent Paul money twice while he was in Thessalonica (Phil 4:15-16), when he was in Corinth (2 Cor 11:9), and when he was imprisoned in Rome (Phil 4:18). Because of these gifts, Paul could focus on evangelism, teaching, and writing his epistles instead of making tents. The post Lydia of Thyatira first appeared on Living Hope.

Monday, 22 April 2024   And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. Acts 27:5   More literally, it reads, “And having sailed through the depth against Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra of Lycia” (CG).   Luke just noted that when they put out from Sidon, they had to sail under the lee of Cyprus due to contrary winds. This brought them between Cyprus and the main continent. He now notes, “And having sailed through the depth.”   Here are a couple of rare words. One is found only here, diapleó. It comes from dia (through) and pleó, to sail. Thus, they are sailing through the deep. The next word, translated as deep, is found only in Matthew 18:6 and in this verse, pelagos. In Matthew 18:6, it says –   “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth [pelagos] of the sea.”   It signifies the high seas, meaning the deep. In this case, it is the depth of the waters north of Cyprus and south of the mainland.  Thus, Luke says this is “against Cilicia and Pamphylia.”   These would have been the two major regions on which the sea borders. They would have been to the starboard, or right side of their ship as they crossed through this deep area of ocean. From there, using the first-person plural, he says, “we came to Myra of Lycia.”   Myra was a city in the province of Lycia. This is in the southwest area of Asia Minor. It has “Phrygia and Pisidia on the north, the Mediterranean on the south, Pamphylia on the east, and Carla on the west” (Barnes).   Life application: Luke is specific in his use of wording. A lot of this information seems unnecessary, but by providing it, we find things that are verifiable. As such, we can reasonably conclude that the events recorded by him really took place. As such, Paul really left to be taken to Rome.   From there, they really were caught up in the storm that will be described. They really were stranded on a particular island, and so forth. As these things seem certain to have occurred, then we can be more assured that the details concerning the spread of the gospel, the writing of Paul's letters by the apostle, the accuracy of how the church was established, etc., actually occurred as well.   Luke's careful attention to particular words and details gives us a really confirming sense that all of this is reliable and accurate. Therefore, let us hold fast to the idea that Paul's epistles are exactly what is inspired by God for our edification and instruction during this church age. Luke and his writings stand as a reliable and exemplary witness to this fact.   Lord God Almighty, when we look into the contents, structure, and reliability of what is found in Scripture, it sure helps us to be confident that what it proclaims about Your plan of redemption is also sure and reliable. Thank You for those who have compiled it, preserved it, translated it, and evaluated it for us. Thank You, above all, for Jesus, the Subject of this wonderful gift. Amen.

Barnabus and Paul are on a missionary journey together, traveling through towns in the Roman empire to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. They have just left Antioch of Pisidia where they preached Christ in a Jewish synagogue, and while many of the people received them warmly, the Jewish community at large was displeased and expelled them from their district. Today, Barnabus and Paul visit Iconium where the Lord performs signs and wonders through them. When they discover some have plans to stone them, they flee to Lystra. There, a man who is unable stand is healed, and the crowds declare our missionaries to be Greek gods in human form. Jews come from the previous two towns and successfully stone Paul, but escapes death and continues preaching the gospel. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, we concluded midway through Paul's sermon at a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. Attending the synagogue on the Sabbath, the two men sat down only to be addressed by the leaders, asking if they had any word of encouragement. Today, he continues that sermon and at its conclusion it's clear that his teaching has gained an audience. When he returns to teach on the following Sabbath, the whole town shows up to hear him. The Jews in Antioch are displeased with his popularity and begin to contradict and insult him. When Paul mentions that they are turning to the Gentiles with their message of salvation, the crowd rejoices and the good news continues to spread. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org