Loading summary
Transcript42 lines
- [00:02]
Ainsley Earhart
Hello everyone. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 27th episode of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. This podcast picks up in Acts 13. It is the Sabbath day and Paul has gone to the synagogue to worship. If uncertainty remained in anyone's mind as to whether Paul had truly committed his life to the Lord, the sermon he delivered to the worshipers in Antioch removed all doubt. Let's listen in as Michael York portrays the writer of this book, Luke, and an amazing actor named Tony Macha Sr. Brings his considerable talent to bear in his depiction of the Apostle Paul. You're listening to the Life of Jesus. We'll be right back.
- [00:48]
Paul
Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God to us has been sent the message of this salvation for those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers. Because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him, though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they asked Pilate to have him killed. When they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. We bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us, their children, by raising Jesus as also it is written in the second Psalm, Thou art my son, today I have begotten thee. And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he spoke in this, I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David. Therefore he says also in another Psalm, thou wilt not let thy holy one see corruption. For David, after he had served the counsel of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption. But he whom God raised up saw no corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brethren, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him. Everyone that believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Beware, therefore, lest there come upon you what is said in the behold, you scoffers, and wonder and perish, for I do a deed in your days, a deed you will never believe if one declares it to you.
- [03:35]
Narrator
As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And when the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered together to hear the Word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy and contradicted what was spoken by Paul and reviled him. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly.
- [04:18]
Paul
It was necessary that the Word of God should be spoken first to you, since you thrust it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life. Behold, we turn to the Gentiles, for so the Lord has commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.
- [04:40]
Narrator
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of God. As many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Now at Iconium, Paul and Barnabas entered together into the Jewish synagogue. And so spoke that a great company believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided. Some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews with their rulers to molest Paul and Barnabas and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country. There they preached the Gospel. Now, at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was a cripple from birth who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking and Paul looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made, well.
- [06:49]
Paul
Said in a loud voice, stand upright on your feet.
- [06:54]
Narrator
And he sprang up and walked. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices.
- [07:03]
Paul
The gods have come down to us.
- [07:06]
Narrator
In the likeness of men. Barnabas, they called Zeus and Paul, because he was the chief speaker. They called Hermes and the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city. Brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude.
- [07:34]
Paul
Men, why are you doing this? We also are men of like nature with you and bring you good news that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself with witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.
- [08:13]
Narrator
With these words, they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city. On the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the Gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. When they had appointed elders for them in every church with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed. Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Ataliah, and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. When they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples. Some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses.
- [10:02]
Paul
You cannot be saved.
- [10:05]
Narrator
When Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles. And they gave great joy to all the brethren. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with Them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up.
- [10:50]
Paul
It is necessary to circumcise them and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.
- [10:58]
Narrator
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate.
- [11:06]
Peter
Peter Brethren, you know that in the early days gather, God made choice among you that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do you make trial of God? By putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear, but we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.
- [11:49]
Narrator
All the assembly kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, brethren, listen to me.
- [12:07]
James
Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written. After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David which has fallen, I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up that the rest of men may seek the Lord and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old. Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from unchastity and from what is strangled, and from blood. For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he has read every Sabbath in the synagogues.
- [12:58]
Narrator
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas, called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brethren, with the following.
- [13:18]
James
The brethren, both the apostles and the elders. To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Greeting. Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words unsettling your minds. Although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things, that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
- [14:18]
Narrator
So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. When they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and strengthened them. And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord with many others also. After some days, Paul said to Barnabas.
- [15:01]
Paul
Come, let us return and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaim the word of the Lord and see how they are.
- [15:11]
Narrator
Barnabas wanted to take with them John, called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. There arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to save Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. And Paul went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. And Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer. But his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and they increased in numbers. Daily they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia was standing beseeching.
- [17:07]
Peter
Him, come over to Macedonia and help us.
- [17:12]
Narrator
When Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Setting sail, therefore, from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days on the Sabbath day, we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer. And we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul. When she was baptized with her household, she besought us, if you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay. And she prevailed upon us. As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divorce divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul to us. These men are servants of the most.
- [18:43]
Ainsley Earhart
High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.
- [18:48]
Narrator
This she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed and turned and.
- [18:53]
Paul
Said to the spirit, I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to.
- [18:58]
Narrator
Come out of her. And it came out that very hour. When our owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, these men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.
- [19:22]
James
They advocate customs which it is not.
- [19:25]
Narrator
Lawful for us Romans to accept. The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rolls. When they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, it put them into the inner prison and fasten their feet in the stocks. But about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately, immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice.
- [20:38]
Paul
Do not harm Yourself, for we are all here.
- [20:42]
Narrator
The jailer called for lights and rushed in. And trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and said, men, what must I do to be saved?
- [20:58]
Paul
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.
- [21:07]
Narrator
They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the in his house. The jailer took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. And he was baptized at once with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God. When it was day, the magistrates sent the police let those men go. And the jailer reported the words to Paul. The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore come out and go in peace. But Paul said to them, they have.
- [21:52]
Paul
Beaten us publicly, uncondemned men who are Roman citizens and have thrown us into prison. And do they now cast us out secretly? No, let them come themselves and take us out.
- [22:07]
Narrator
The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them, and they took them out and asked them to leave the city. So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brethren, they exhorted them and departed. When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Paul went in as was his custom, and for three weeks he argued with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the to suffer and to rise from the dead.
- [22:57]
Paul
This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.
- [23:03]
Narrator
And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous and taking some wicked fellows of the rabble, they gathered a crowd, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the people. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities.
- [23:36]
Peter
These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them. They are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king Jesus.
- [23:48]
Narrator
The people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard this. When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. And when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now These Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so many of them therefore believed that not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the Word of God was proclaimed by Paul, as at Berea also, they came there too, stirring up and inciting the crowds. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
- [25:05]
Ainsley Earhart
More of the Life of Jesus Next you may have noticed that Luke's factual narrative shifts to a first person account in chapter 16. He seems to have joined Paul's missionary journey in a city named Troas. From this point on, Luke was an integral part of Paul's ministry. From this we can safely make the assumption that Luke's logical, factual mind led him to discover truth. As Jesus said, he is the way, the truth and the life. Revealed truth most likely led to an unshakable faith because Luke knew exactly what and in whom he believed. The opposite of a life based on revealed truth is a life based on feelings. When emotions determine life's core course, no direction is sure. Feelings change with lightning speed. If they are the motivation for decisions, no route is certain and all choices are subject to abrupt change. Let us strive to live lives directed and motivated by Jesus, the only truth. Father, may my life be motivated only by your truth and ruled only by your Son Jesus. Make of me a faithful witness of you. Thank you for listening to episode 27 of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. Make sure to spread the word. Listen ad free with a Fox News Podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts, Amazon prime members can listen ad free on the Amazon Music app.