The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
June 20
Acts 13:16-41
Commentary by Nick Boork
June 20
Acts 13:16-41
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June 20 ~ Acts 13:16-41
Then 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 exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.
20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so 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 for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus— 24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’ 34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ 35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.’”
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
In this portion of Scripture we see the apostles Paul and Barnabas in a synagogue of the Jews receiving an invitation by the ruler of the synagogue to share any words of encouragement for those attending. This is like saying “attack” to a trained bulldog! So Paul jumps up and begins preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s important that we understand the context. Depending on the group of people that you’re addressing be sensitive about how to approach the topic of salvation. Paul knew the majority of his hearer were Jewish so he uses the well-known history of Israel and elaborates on the Messianic promises to send a Messiah which all the Jews were looking for.
Paul explains that this Jesus that was crucified in Jerusalem Whom God raised from the dead the third day and appeared to many fulfilled the Old Testament promises about God sending the Messiah. He lets everyone know that according to what is written in the Psalms, Jesus Christ fulfilled them perfectly and so must be the Son of God the promised Messiah and Savior of the world. Then he makes his message very personal and relevant to his hearers saying men brothers and whoever of you fears God to you this word of salvation is sent. In other words, this message is for you right now! He ends with a warning that his hearers should not fall into the group that disbelieves the message because the Bible prophesied that some would not believe in the supernatural work that God did through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Be ready to preach whenever you have the opportunity.
2) Try to connect hearers by using something that they can understand and are familiar with.
3) Focus your message on Jesus Christ and quote the promises and written Word of God.
4) Always bring your hears to a place of decision about what you’re preaching.
5) It’s okay to draw a line and paint a picture in peoples minds that they are on one side or the other when it comes to salvation and believing in Jesus Christ death and resurrection.
6) Whenever you preach or testify about Jesus there will be some that believe and others that decide not to. It’s just the nature of Gospel ministry. Be faithful preaching, trust the Holy Spirit to do His work and God will give you an eternal harvest of precious souls for Jesus!
Then 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 exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.
20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so 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 for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus— 24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’ 34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ 35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.’”
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
In this portion of Scripture we see the apostles Paul and Barnabas in a synagogue of the Jews receiving an invitation by the ruler of the synagogue to share any words of encouragement for those attending. This is like saying “attack” to a trained bulldog! So Paul jumps up and begins preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s important that we understand the context. Depending on the group of people that you’re addressing be sensitive about how to approach the topic of salvation. Paul knew the majority of his hearer were Jewish so he uses the well-known history of Israel and elaborates on the Messianic promises to send a Messiah which all the Jews were looking for.
Paul explains that this Jesus that was crucified in Jerusalem Whom God raised from the dead the third day and appeared to many fulfilled the Old Testament promises about God sending the Messiah. He lets everyone know that according to what is written in the Psalms, Jesus Christ fulfilled them perfectly and so must be the Son of God the promised Messiah and Savior of the world. Then he makes his message very personal and relevant to his hearers saying men brothers and whoever of you fears God to you this word of salvation is sent. In other words, this message is for you right now! He ends with a warning that his hearers should not fall into the group that disbelieves the message because the Bible prophesied that some would not believe in the supernatural work that God did through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) Be ready to preach whenever you have the opportunity.
2) Try to connect hearers by using something that they can understand and are familiar with.
3) Focus your message on Jesus Christ and quote the promises and written Word of God.
4) Always bring your hears to a place of decision about what you’re preaching.
5) It’s okay to draw a line and paint a picture in peoples minds that they are on one side or the other when it comes to salvation and believing in Jesus Christ death and resurrection.
6) Whenever you preach or testify about Jesus there will be some that believe and others that decide not to. It’s just the nature of Gospel ministry. Be faithful preaching, trust the Holy Spirit to do His work and God will give you an eternal harvest of precious souls for Jesus!
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll