Paul and Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch

Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia. There John left them and returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas travelled on to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the readings from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders invited them to speak a word of encouragement to the people.

Paul stood up and spoke to the Israelites and to those there who feared God. He traced God’s work through Israel’s history, from the ancestors, to Egypt, the wilderness, the land, the judges, Saul, and then David. From David’s family line, Paul said, God brought the promised Saviour, Jesus. He also reminded them that John had prepared the way by preaching repentance.

Then Paul said this message of salvation had been sent to them. He explained that the people living in Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognise Jesus, yet by condemning him they fulfilled the prophets read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper cause for death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. Jesus was laid in a tomb, but God raised him from the dead, and many witnesses saw him.

Paul said this was the good news God had promised long ago. He used the Scriptures to show that Jesus is the one God raised and that, unlike David, he did not see decay. Because of Jesus, Paul announced forgiveness of sins. He said that everyone who believes is justified in a way the law of Moses could not provide. He also warned them not to dismiss God’s work.

As they left the synagogue, the Gentiles asked to hear these things again on the next Sabbath, and many Jews and devout converts followed Paul and Barnabas. They urged them to continue in God’s grace. The next week almost the whole city gathered.

Some of the Jews became jealous and argued against Paul, so Paul and Barnabas said God’s word had to be spoken to them first, but now they would turn to the Gentiles. Many Gentiles rejoiced and believed, and the Lord’s word spread through the region. After local leaders drove them out, Paul and Barnabas went on to Iconium, while the disciples were full of joy and the Holy Spirit.