Commentary on Acts 13:42-47

By Bob Myhan

⁴²So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Depending on which manuscripts one gives preference to the word “Gentiles” may not be supported. The Greek seems to be simply “they begged.” The NASB says, “….the people kept begging….” At any rate, the context does seem to indicate that Gentiles showed up a week later.

⁴³Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

The entire audience in the synagogue would have been made up of “Jews and devout proselytes” (or “proselytes of the gate,” who had not yet been circumcised as opposed to “proselytes of righteousness” who had been). These may be the Gentiles mentioned in some versions at verse 42. Many of these were following Paul and Barnabas to their place of lodging, apparently with interest. The phrase “to continue in the grace of God” could mean to go on and become disciples of Christ or, having become disciples, to continue being faithful. It is most likely, though, that none have become Christians at this point.

⁴⁴On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

Word had apparently spread that certain men were claiming that the Jews’ Messiah had come. Now even Gentiles who were not proselytes are in attendance. However, the Jews did not want to share their Messiah with those who had not even become “proselytes of the gate.”

The synagogue had probably never been so well attended as it was this day. The Jews were envious that so many would show up to hear the words of a stranger as opposed to the few who usually showed up to hear the various local speakers.

⁴⁶Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

The nation of Israel was chosen by God who made a covenant with them, exclusively. He did not make such a covenant with their ancestors nor with any other nation, before or since (Dt. 5:1-3; Ex. 19:1-6). The Ten Commandments [also given solely to Israel] formed the basis of that covenant (Dt. 5:4-21; Ex. 20:1-17). While this was the first and only time God made a covenant with a particular nation, He’s always had moral expectations of all men in every nation (Jer. 18:7-10; Prov. 14:34; Jon. 3:10; Rom. 1:18-32).

This covenant was necessary for at least three reasons:

1. To reveal and magnify sin (Rom. 7:7-13)

2. To insulate the Jews from the idolatry of the Gentile nations around them (Eph. 2:11,12; Dt. 12:29-32)

3. To conduct the Jews to Christ [by whom justification for all men would be provided, in accordance with the promise of God to Abram] (Gal. 3:19-24).

This covenant was imperfect, as implied by the very existence of the New Testament (Jer. 31:31-35; Heb. 8:6,7). It was imperfect because it placed a curse on those who did not keep it (Gal. 3:10-12), it was not able to free man from law of sin and death (Rom. 8:1-3), and it was not able to make worshippers perfect (Heb. 10:1-4).

This covenant was temporary; it was intended to last only until the time was full for God to begin fulfilling His promise to bless all families through Abram’s seed (Gal. 3:15-19,23-25; 4:1-5). Jesus “took away the first that he might establish the second” (Heb. 10:5-9). It was “abolished” by Jesus (Ephesians 2:11-16). It was “nailed to the cross” (Col. 2:8-17). It was replaced by "the faith" (Gal. 3:25-29; Jude 3).

But now Messiah had come and a new covenant had been made with all men. All men, Jews and Gentiles alike, have sinned and are in need of the forgiveness that can only come through obedience to the gospel of Christ as revealed in the new covenant. The Israelites were to have been “’a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'“ (Ex. 19:5-6)

While it was necessary for Jesus to die, it was now necessary for the Jews to accept the terms of the covenant that was dedicated by His blood. Only thus could they continue to be included among God’s people.

(To be continued)

A Study of the Holy Spirit (Part 12)

By Bob Myhan 

God had promised, through the prophet, Joel, that He would one day pour out His Spirit upon all mankind, without regard to one’s nationality, age, gender or social position.

"And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.” (Joel 2:28-32)

On the first Day of Pentecost, following the ascension of Jesus back to heaven, the apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit “and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).

Then [the people] were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." (Acts 2:7-13)

Peter then quoted the prophecy of Joel and explained that the promise was being fulfilled—the Spirit of God had begun to be poured out on mankind. He then preached Jesus of Nazareth as the Lord on whose name they would have to call in order to be saved (Acts 2:14-36).

(To be continued)