Analytical Bible Expositor

3. The Product of the Sermon (Acts 13:42–52)The product of the preaching of Paul’s sermon was soon manifested in the city of Antioch

of Pisidia.• The desire for the Gospel. One of the products of the sermon was a desire for the

Gospel. First, the desire for the message. “When the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath” (Acts 13:42). The Gentiles were not alone in this desire as the text seems to say, for the next verse indicates many Jews were also interested in hearing the Gospel. Second, the desire for more. “When the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes [Gentiles] followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43). The interest for the Gospel message was so great that some followed Paul and Barnabas after the service desiring to hear more, and Paul and Barnabas did give them more. Third, the desire of many. “The next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God” (Acts 13:44). The desire to hear the Gospel spread throughout the city so that many came to the synagogue the next Sabbath to hear the Gospel.

• The dissidents against the Gospel “When the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things … spoken by Paul” (Acts 13:45). Not all the Jews were interested in the Gospel. Many dissident Jews (these were religious leaders here) were envious of Paul’s popularity which attracted the big crowd and so they criticized Paul and verbally abused him. Church dissidents today behave the same way.

• The departure from the Jews. “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold … lo, we turn to the Gentiles … for so hath the Lord commanded us” (Acts 13:46,47). The opposition of the Jews to the Gospel resulted in their losing the privilege to hear Gospel message. The principle here, which is true in every age, is—spiritual privilege must be respected or you will lose it—so if you refuse the Gospel message, God just may take it away from you, and you will lose your opportunity to be saved.

• The decisions for Christ. “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). Hear we note in four words what was involved in the decision of the Gentiles to receive the Gospel message. First, heard. “The Gentiles heard.” (Acts 13:48). The Gentiles heard that they were included in the Gospel message. Second, happy. “They were glad” (Acts 13:48). With joy they received the Gospel message. Third, honored. “They … glorified the word of the Lord” (Acts 13:48). When a person is truly saved, that person will honor the word of God which means they will be interested in the Word. Fourth, heaven. “Eternal life” (Acts 13:48). Those who believed received eternal life which is a heavenly future.

• The dissemination of the Word. “The word of the Lord was published throughout all the region” (Acts 13:49). The Gospel message spread throughout the area. Much of this was a result of the conversion of many folk in Antioch of Pisidia who would proclaim to others the Gospel they had received. When people are truly saved, they will spread the Gospel by their life and lips. It is the best promotion of the Gospel known to man.

     • The demeaning of the missionaries. In spite of the great interest in the Gospel and the many converts to the Gospel, the enemy of the Gospel continued to express their opposition by demeaning the missionaries. First, the crowd in the demeaning. “The Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city” (Acts 13:50). The devil always likes to get people of esteem and high position on his side to make his attack on the Gospel look more acceptable. And many folk in high position are only too glad to oppose Christianity. The famous and powerful in society are seldom a friend of the Gospel. Second,

the cruelty in the demeaning. “Persecution” (Acts 13:50). The meaning of the word “persecution” involves pursuit. The persecutors are not content to attack when a Christian comes in view but chase after the Christian and hound him by cruelties. Third, the casting out in the demeaning. “Expelled them out of their coasts [borders]” (Acts 13:50). Unbelief runs out of society the best people in society. Christ was run out of Gadara (Luke 8) after working a marvelous miracle. Christians are the best blessing a community can have, yet they are often attacked and run out of the community.

• The denouncing of unbelief “They shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium” (Acts 13:51). This denouncing demonstration was commanded by Christ when He sent out His disciples (Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11 and Luke 9:5). It symbolically is an anathema upon the people of that community. This action will be too strong for many in our churches today, but you will never gain the victory over evil unless you oppose it forcefully.

• The delight for the disciples. “The disciples were filled with joy” (Acts 13:52). In spite of the opposition to the Gospel, the believers still experienced much delight. They were “filled with joy.” Many times in Scripture we observe believers rejoicing where normally one would think they would be doing the opposite because of their circumstances. But spiritual joy is not dependent upon earthly circumstances. The world tries so hard to be happy, but until they include Christ in their life, they will never know true joy.

     • The dynamic for the disciples. “The disciples were filled … with the Holy Ghost.” To be filled with the Holy Spirit means you will have the power to live and experience the Christian life to its fullest.1

1Butler, J. (2009). Analytical Bible Expositor: Acts (151). Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.