About this episode

In this episode, we follow Paul and Barnabas from Paphos to Perga and then on to Pisidian Antioch, where John Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem. On the Sabbath, Paul and Barnabas go into the synagogue. Jesus chose Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles, yet in city after city Paul goes to the synagogue first because he longs for his own people to be saved (Romans 9:1–5).

After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders invite the visitors to speak. Paul had been trained under Gamaliel. He stands up and addresses both the men of Israel and the Gentiles who worship God. Luke records only one of Paul's many synagogue messages, and this is it.

Join us as we walk through the first part of Paul's message (Acts 13:16–20). Paul reminds his audience that the God of Israel is a saving God. He chose their ancestors and made them prosper in Egypt. He led them out with mighty power. He endured their grumbling and rebellion for forty years in the wilderness, from the manna and quail to the golden calf to their refusal to enter the Promised Land. And He overthrew seven nations in Canaan to give His people their inheritance. In spite of His people's unfaithfulness, God kept saving them.

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