First Missionary Journey Jerusalem Council

Commission from Church at Antioch

Travels

Ministry in Cyprus (13:4-12)

Ministry in Antioch Pisidia (13:13-52)

Ministry in Iconium/Lystra and Derbe (14:1-23)

Return to Antioch

Dissention (15:1-5)

Discussion (15:6-18)

Decision (15:19-29)

Dissemination (15:30-35)

13:1 3 14:24 28 15:1

15:35

13:1 14:28 15:1 15:35

“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (13:2)

“For the work which they had fulfilled” (14:26)

13:4 14:27

Acts 13:1-15:35

Major Structural Relationships:

A Causation - 2 separate and essentially unrelated movements from cause to effect, each one controlling the bulk of the material in the section:

(1)(1) 13:1-3 - Commissioning of Paul and Barnabas (Cause)

(2)(2) 13:1-14:28- Ministry to, and conversion of, the Gentiles (Cause)

B Recurrence of Contrast

C Recurrence

13:4-14:28 (15:35)- Missionary work of Paul and Barnabas (effect)

15:1-35 - Jerusalem council (effect)

Paul and Barnabas vs. Opponents (Persecution)

Word, Word of God, Word of Lord, etc. (13:5,7,15,26,44,46,48, 49; 14:3, [12],25;15:7,[15],[32],35)

Believers vs. Unbelievers (13:8-12,42-52; 14:1-5,19-23)

Believe, Faith ([13:8]; 13:12,39,41,48; 14:1,2,9,[22],23,27; [15:5]; 15:7,9,11)

(Response- Causal contrast-Witness/proclamation

Jews (13:44-45; 14:2, 4,5,19) (Also 13:8-11)

Gentile Persecutors (13:50; 14:5)

BeliefUnbelief

vs.

13:4-52

13:4-12 - At Paphos

13:13-43 At Pisidian Antioch- Jesus as Savior, Royal Son of David

13:44-52 - At Antioch

Jewish Rejection

Gentile acceptance - Faith (13:12)

Belief -> Freedom

Unbelief -> Obliteration

Jewish Rejection

Gentile acceptance - Faith (13:48)

The Crisis for Israel: Potentials of Grace and Promise (13:17-41)I. The Story (13:17-37) A. Story of God’s gracious activity to Israel -> Jesus (13:17-25)

Introduction - Men of Israel/ God-fearers1. In Exodus (13:17)2. In Wanderings - Bore with them - 40 yrs. (13:18)3. In possession - Land - Gave them inheritance (13:19) - Drove out Canaanites4. In Leadership (13:20-25) a. Gave judges (13:20) b. Gave King Saul (13:21) c. Raised up David

- Removal of SaulOf his seed-Savior-Jesus (Promise) [eternal, transcendent]

vs.John Baptist (temporary, inferior)

(Causn w/ partn) B. Story of God’s fulfillment of promise to Israel -> Jesus (13:26-37)

Introduction - Sons of family of Abraham/ God-fearers1. Genl - You (Israelites)-Sent message of salvation (13:26)

2. Particulars Fulfillment of Jesus’ death- Jerusalemites and rulers killed and (13:27-29) buried him (in unwitting fulfillment-scripture)Fulfillment of promise-Resurrection (13:30-37)3 Promises - David:Jesus Royal Son of God [eternal, permanent; ongoing service-

eternal living one]

David [mortal, dead one; temporary service]

Exalted People (u[ywsen)Led-Out-with uplifted (u`yhlou) arm

Man after heart (vs.Saul) (13:22)

Does all my will

vs.

Recurrence of Fulfillment Language

II. The Decision- 2 Possibilities, with consequences (13:38-41) (Climax)Introduction - Brethren

A. “Therefore”- To those who believe(Pos.) (Everyone)

B. “Therefore” - To those who do not believe (scoff) -> Perish (avfani,sqhte)

(Neg.)

Forgiveness-Sins

Justificationvs. Contrast

Paul’s Sermon at Pisidian Antioch1 Election. Key concern of sermon - Note Paul’s rehearsal of

Israel’s history begins with a reference to Israel’s election: “The God of the people Israel chose

(evxele,xato) our fathers.”

a This election, or selection, by God of those who are to experience his blessings in a unique way necessarily involves the rejection or destruction of those not selected (Canaanites, Saul). Thus, the destruction or removal of the non-elect is a direct corollary of election.

b This election is synergistic. On one hand, it is initiated by God’s gracious choice (v.17; cf. Deut 7:1); but on other hand, it is influenced by human response and behavior,

esp. doing will of God (v.22). The reference to God’s selection of Israel over the seven nations of Canaan emphasizes God’s sovereign choice (v.19), while the removal of Saul in favor of David emphasizes the role of human obedience. Thus - primary - initiation by God

necessary - human response

Paul’s Sermon at Pisidian Antioch, con’t c Election is not absolute, or necessarily permanent. God

can replace the selected person (or people) with another. Note - Saul was chosen, but was replaced by God. Thus, past state of election is no guarantee of future election or benefits. Specifically, failure to do will of God may lead to loss of election (special standing), in favor of those who are inclined to do will of God. Acc. to v. 22, the heart of God is attached to those who will do his will.

d Election is 2-fold:

Election- For the receiving of divine gifts/blessings. Israel chosen from among all nations uniquely to receive gifts from God’s hand.

Election- Agents of blessing. The Judges, Samuel, Saul, and David were chosen as agents through whom blessing would come to Israel

The purpose of Israel’s election was the experience of divine favor, but Israel could experience that divine favor only as God chose persons to mediate God’s goodness and favor to Israel. Thus, if Israel were to reject the favor of God mediated through these chosen agents, its election would be meaningless.

Paul’s Sermon at Pisidian Antioch, con’t e The ultimate end/goal of Israel’s election is salvation. The

mighty acts of God in Israel’s history were acts of deliverance, but their significance was not finally to be found in themselves, but in the great deliverance that was promised to come thru the eschatological savior (note - “exalted” Israel-v.17; “led” Jesus to Israel). The election of Israel has its goal/purpose in the experience of salvation in Christ. Thus, if Israel rejects this great deliverance through the end-time savior, it would amount to Israel’s rejecting its own election.

f This election is Christological - It is contingent upon one’s response to the eschatological deliverer, Jesus. Because Jesus is chosen specifically to the role of Savior (v.23), the only proper way to respond to him is to allow him to fulfill his role as Savior. Those who allow him thus to function are de facto elect, for they participate in the salvation that is the content and goal of election; on the other hand, those who do not allow him to function as savior are de facto not of the elect. Thus - every one who believes (in him) is justified (v.39), while every one who does not believe in him is destroyed (vv.40-41). Implies-Election now understood (largely) in individual terms Implies-The possible election of Gentiles as Gentiles

Paul’s Sermon at Pisidian Antioch, con’t

g Yet election is related specifically to the nation of Israel - Both in terms of history and in terms of promise (vv.23,26).

Thus, Israel remains privileged. But this privileged status does not involve automatic salvation, but rather priority in hearing the message of salvation (v.26; cf.v.46). Priority of proclamation (Note- Paul’s practice of going to synagogue first.) God’s election of Israel is historically characterized by longsuffering and patience (v.18 “bore with”; v.19- 450 yrs.)- 2 implications:(1) God will not quickly (arbitrarily) cast aside his people

Israel;(2) But - Israel must be careful not to presume upon God’s

thinly-worn patience. Thus - Despite constant rejection by the Jews, Paul continues to proclaim his message first to the synagogues; but the book closes w/ the message being sent to those who

will listen - the Gentiles.

Acts 15

Controversy - Problem: What is required for salvation? (15:1-5)

(soteriology, ecclesiology, christology)In Antioch Judeans - Circumcision acc. to custom of Moses necessary - Salvation (15:1)

To Jerusalem Paul and Barnabas Disputed Sent by church -> Jerusalem Reported- Conversion of Gentiles (15:2-4)

At Jerusalem Pharisees - Necessary to circumcise them, charge them to keep law of Moses (15:5)

Resolution - Jerusalem Council (15:6-35)

Resolution - Jerusalem Council (15:6-35)A. Arguments (15:6-12) 1. Peter (15:6-11)

Whereas, at the beginning of our movement God chose me to preach the word of God to the Gentiles, with the result that they should believe (15:7),And whereas, God confirmed that calling by bearing witness to the true salvation of the Gentiles by acting toward them in the same way he acted toward us, specifically by giving them the Holy Spirit (as to us), and thereby cleansing their hearts by faith (as to us),Therefore- Do not put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, Because by doing this you would be testing God And because both we and our fathers have found such

requirements impossible to bear And because the fact that our hope of (future) salvation is

found only in the grace of our Lord Jesus implies that their hope of salvation is likewise in the grace of the Lord Jesus.

2. Paul and Barnabas (15:12)Whereas God has given approval and attestation of our ministry among the Gentiles (which proclaimed only necessity of faith vs. circumcision) by signs and wonders,Therefore (implied)- Do not lay further, unnecessary burdens- Gentiles

Acts 15B. Decision - James (15:13-21) Whereas Peter has witnessed to the work of God, how God visited

the Gentiles to take out from them a people for his own name, And whereas this testimony agrees with the words of the prophet,

found in Amos 9:11-12, which God himself made known long ago, Therefore, we should not trouble the Gentiles who turn to God,

But we should require of them only the following basic and necessary demands:

To abstain from pollutions of idolsTo abstain from unchastityTo abstain from what is strangledTo abstain from blood.

The reason we make these basic demands is that Moses is both preached and read in every city on every Sabbath

Causation

Acts 15A Note - Another challenge to the unity of the church - this time

theological.B Note - Major theol. issue: What is required for salvation? Is faith in X. sufficient, or is more needed? -> Xology. The

sufficiency of X vs. X.- plus.C Note - The method/character of resolution - Concern for fair and

proper procedure - Careful argument - Careful listening to argument.

Arguments (Theological)(Appeal to reason/

truth)

Proposal Leader (vv.13-21)

Acceptance - Whole body (vv.22ff)

Implementation (vv.22ff)

(Revelation, including gospel tradition) (vv.6-12)

Experience[Note that leaders of the church are able to argue theologically-not primarily-here-bureaucrats, managers, or politicians]

Integrity- Truth of revelation (theological)- Q.- What does God think/will?Sensitivity - Both groups

(vv. 6-12)

The Commissioning (13:1-3)

Introduction

Prepn/Realn

I. Announcement to the church (13:2)

A. Circumstances - While

B. Command

Causation

II. Action of the church (13:3)

A. Circumstances - After

B. Action - Sent them off (avpe,lusan)

Place - Church at Antioch

PersonsGeneral-Office

Particular-Names- a Barnabasb Simeon-Nigerc Luccus-Cyrened Manaen-Member of court- Herod the Tetrarche Saul

ProphetsTeachers

ActivityPersons-They (cf.v.1)

Worshiping (GREEK) -> LordFasting

Speaker-Holy Spirit (said)

SpeechDemand- Set apart (VAfori,sate)PersonsPurpose-Work-Which I called them

FastingPrayerLaying hands-Them

BarnabasSaul

SubstantiationRecurrence

Prepn

Partn

Paul’s Speech at Pisidion Antioch and the Great Speeches in Acts:

Acts 2 - Peter - Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy-

(Primary appeal - Repentance) w/ emphasis upon esch. fulfillment and Israel’s initial repudiation of it

Acts 7 - Stephen - Jesus as rejected and exalted Savior, w/ ultimate implications for the law and worship

(Primary appeal - Confession and recognition of guilt and experience salvation by submitting to God’s appointed deliverer.

Acts 13 - Paul - Jesus the goal and fulfillment of salvation history, w/ special attention to election of Savior in David’s line

(Primary appeal - Believe [Faith])

Note: Points of continuity and points of difference.

- Prophets

-Joseph/ Moses

-David