Acts 13:13-15 – From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
“From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch.” As we have before noted this Antioch was not the same Antioch from which they began the mission. They left from Syrian Antioch and now they were in Pisidian Antioch. Actually there were seven cities by the name of Antioch. Seleucus I was about twenty-three years of age when he served under Alexander the Great. Eventually he rose up from the ranks and ruled over much of the eastern part of Alexander’s empire. His father’s name was Antiochus and so Seleucus I honored his father by naming seven cities after him. Probably because Syrian Antioch was the first place the name of Christian was applied to the followers of Jesus, Antioch is now a popular name for cities across the world and there are at least twenty-one cities in the United States that share that name. Pisidian Antioch was not actually in Pisidia and was called, at the time “Antioch towards Pisidia.”
“On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.” It was the custom of Paul to first go to the Synagogues. It would seem a strategic starting point as those who attended there would know the Old Testament scriptures and the prophecies concerning the Messiah. In this synagogue were both Jews and Gentile converts and seekers-of-God. This location was not easy to get to. After landing in Asia Minor the port cities were surrounded by mountains. The roads were dangerous with thieves and murderers. It was about a one-hundred mile trek from the port to the city of Pisidian Antioch. Because of the dangers of criminals, of getting hurt traveling through the mountains and also because of the one hundred mile trek, not many outside Rabbi’s came to visit.
“After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”” The custom of the Jews was to first read from the Law and then to read from the Prophets. After that if some capable person in the congregation had a word they may be asked to share. This is really, even for Christians to this day, Preaching 101. Sometimes a believer will tell someone they need to be “saved.” Many times a person will want to know from what they must be saved? They don’t know what it is they must be saved from. So first they must be taught that all people have a need to be saved from their sinful nature that has separated them from God. So first the Law is preached so that people may know they have a need to repent. After they know how hopelessly they are lost, they must be given the hope of redemption offered through Jesus Christ. They must receive the promises of God to have hope for their future. Men with soft hearts and honest minds will see their need and come to Christ, if not at the first time of hearing, then in time as God continues to work on their hearts they will come to the Lord, if their hearts are right.
Paul had incredible Jewish credentials. Both Paul and Barnabas were Jews from Jerusalem which instantly gave them a good reputation. So they asked them if they would like to speak. Paul was like a starving wolf who was just thrown a lamb chop, he probably had to control himself not to run up and deliver a message in the name of Jesus.
We do not know why John Mark left after they had arrived in Perga (V13). There are a few guesses, but scripture does not tell us why. Could it have been because Uncle Barnabas was no longer the leader of the company? We know that Barnabas had been the most prominent member of the group and his name was mentioned first. In fact in V1 Barnabas was mentioned first and Paul (Saul) was mentioned last. But after the Lord used Paul so powerfully in Vs 6-12, in the next verse the group was mentioned as “Paul and his companions.” Some think that perhaps John Mark became resentful that Paul was elevated to take the lead and his uncle was now in the second spot. Maybe, maybe not. But one thing we can know is that God is the one who promotes and who demotes as best serves His purpose. And we all should be completely happy that it is He who makes the decisions. After all, we know that John the Baptist was the phenom on the scene until the time of the ministry of Jesus to start. Because God has put a person in charge at a location or certain duty, does not mean that God will always have that person in charge. A missionary may start a church where there was not one, but he may give way to a man with the gift of pastoring to then lead the new church. This has been a pattern well established by God. We all must learn to know that it is all God’s call. Every single time. It is God who establishes favor. Psalm 75:7 “It is God who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another.” So we, like the group with Paul, must not keep our eyes focused on men, but on God. We follow God. Not that we don’t admire, respect and even find good models of faith in men and women. Certainly we do. But ultimately God decides who sits in different positions. A person may be meant to lead and grow a group for a time and then that same man may be moved to another group to bless. As that happens, as it is ordained by God and not men, then both groups will be blessed. The group that the man leaves God will already have prepared another to lead. The ministry that the man is moved to will be blessed. God grants favor and not man. It is God’s plan that will succeed and will bless us. Neither should men fight against that favor lest they find themselves fighting against God at their own peril. Let us trust God. He is worthy and when we do trust Him, we are safely in His will. Let’s trust and praise God. He always has a person prepared. Praise God! Yes, praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.