Acts 13:24 Themes and Topics

On reaching Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and exchanged greetings with the Church, and then went down to Antioch. Verse Concepts

The others went on from Perga and arrived at Antioch in Pisidia. There they went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath and took their seats. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the President of the Synagogue sent them this message--"Brothers, if you have any helpful words to address to the people, now is the time to speak." So Paul rose and, motioning with his hand, spoke as follows: "Men of Israel and all here who reverence God, hear what I have to say. read more.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, and during their stay in Egypt increased the prosperity of the people, and then 'with uplifted arm brought them out from that land.' For about forty years 'he bore with them in the Desert'; Then, after destroying seven heathen nations in Canaan, he allotted their land to this people-- For about four hundred and fifty years. In later times he gave them Judges, of whom the Prophet Samuel was the last. And, when they demanded a king, God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. After removing him, he raised David to the throne, and bore this testimony to him--'In David, the son of Jesse, I have found a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my purposes.' It was from this man's descendants that God, in accordance with his promise, gave Israel a Savior--Jesus; John having first proclaimed, before the appearance of Jesus, a baptism upon repentance for all the people of Israel. As John was drawing towards the end of his career, he said what do you suppose that I am? I am not the Christ. But there is "One Coming" after me, whose very sandal I am not worthy to untie.' Brothers, descendants of Abraham, and all those among you who reverence God, it was to us that the Message of this Salvation was sent. The people of Jerusalem and their leading men, failing to recognize Jesus, and not understanding the utterances of the Prophets that are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. They found no ground at all for putting him to death, and yet demanded his execution from Pilate; And, after carrying out everything written about him, they took Jesus down from the cross, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; And he appeared for many days to those who had gone up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and who are now witnesses for him to the people. We also have good news to tell you, about the promise made to our ancestors-- That our children have had this promise completely fulfilled to them by God, by his raising Jesus. That is just what is said in the second Psalm--'Thou art my Son; this day I have become thy Father.' As to his raising Jesus from the dead, never again to return to corruption, this is what is said--'I will give to you the sacred promises made to David;' And, therefore, in another Psalm it is said--'Thou wilt not give up the Holy One to undergo corruption.' David, after obediently doing God's will in his own time, 'fell asleep and was laid by the side of his ancestors, and did undergo corruption; But Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, did not undergo corruption. I would, therefore, have you know, brothers, that through Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, And that, in union with him, every one who believes in him is absolved from every sin from which under the Law of Moses you could not be absolved. Beware, therefore, that what is said in the Prophets does not come true of you-- 'Look, you despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I am doing a deed in your days--a deed which, though told you in full, you will never believe'." As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the Synagogue, the people begged for a repetition of this teaching on the next Sabbath. After the congregation had dispersed, many of the Jews, and of the converts who joined in their worship, followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue to rely upon the loving-kindness of God. On the following Sabbath, almost all the city gathered to hear God's Message. But the sight of the crowds of people filled the minds of the Jews with jealousy, and they kept contradicting Paul's statements in violent language. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out fearlessly, and said: "It was necessary that the Message of God should be told to you first; but, since you reject it and reckon yourselves not worthy of the Immortal Life--we turn to the Gentiles! For this is the Lord's command to us--'I have destined thee for a Light to the Gentiles, a means of Salvation to the ends of the earth'." On hearing this, the Gentiles were glad and extolled God's Message; and all those who had been enrolled for Immortal Life became believers in Christ; And the Lord's Message was carried throughout that district. But the Jews incited the women of position who worshiped with them, and the leading men of the town, and started a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their neighborhood. They, however, shook the dust off their feet in protest, And went to Iconium, leaving the disciples full of joy and of the Holy Spirit.

as well as of my persecutions, and of the sufferings which I met with at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. You know what persecutions I underwent; and yet the Lord brought me safe out of all! Verse Concepts

Presently, however, there came some Jews from Antioch, and Iconium who, after they had won over the people, stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the town, thinking him to be dead. But, when the disciples had gathered round him, he got up and went back into the town; the next day he went with Barnabas to Derbe. After telling the Good News throughout that town, and making a number of converts, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, read more.
Reassuring the minds of the disciples, urging them to remain true to the Faith, and showing that it is only through many troubles that we can enter the Kingdom of God.

It is about John's baptism. What was its origin? divine or human?" But they began arguing among themselves: "If we say 'divine,' he will say to us 'Why then did not you believe him?' Verse Concepts

Even tax-gatherers came to be baptized, and said to John: "Teacher, what are we to do?" Verse Concepts

John, also, was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there were many streams there; and people were constantly coming and being baptized. Verse Concepts

You yourselves know the story which spread through all Judea, how, beginning form Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed-- Verse Concepts

And were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Verse Concepts

And in fulfillment of this, John the Baptizer appeared in the Wilderness, proclaiming a baptism upon repentance, for the forgiveness of sins. Verse Concepts

(All the people, when they heard this, and even the tax- gatherers, having accepted John's baptism, acknowledged the justice of God. Verse Concepts

John's answer was--"I baptize with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; Verse Concepts

John having first proclaimed, before the appearance of Jesus, a baptism upon repentance for all the people of Israel. Verse Concepts

"What then was your baptism?" Paul asked. Verse Concepts

John, also, was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there were many streams there; and people were constantly coming and being baptized. Verse Concepts

John having first proclaimed, before the appearance of Jesus, a baptism upon repentance for all the people of Israel. Verse Concepts

"John's baptism was a baptism upon repentance," rejoined Paul, "and John told the people (speaking of the 'One Coming; after him) that they should believe in him--that is in Jesus." Verse Concepts

At that time Jerusalem, and all Judea, as well as the whole district of the Jordan, went out to him And were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. When, however, John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to receive his baptism, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who has prompted you to seek refuge from the coming judgment? read more.
Let your life, then, prove your repentance; And do not think that you can say among yourselves 'Abraham is our ancestor,' for I tell you that out of these very stones God is able to raise descendants for Abraham! Already the axe is lying at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I, indeed, baptize you with water to teach repentance; but He who is Coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor, and store his grain in the barn, but the chaff he will burn with inextinguishable fire."

The marks of the true Apostle were exhibited among you in constant endurance, as well as by signs, by marvels, and by miracles. Verse Concepts

Because the Good News that we brought came home to you, not merely as so many words, but with a power and a fulness of conviction due to the Holy Spirit. For you know the life that we lived among you for your good. Verse Concepts

Offering to men the Message of Life; and then I shall be able at the Day of Christ to boast that I did not run my course for nothing, or toil for nothing. Verse Concepts

So Paul rose and, motioning with his hand, spoke as follows: "Men of Israel and all here who reverence God, hear what I have to say. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, and during their stay in Egypt increased the prosperity of the people, and then 'with uplifted arm brought them out from that land.' For about forty years 'he bore with them in the Desert'; read more.
Then, after destroying seven heathen nations in Canaan, he allotted their land to this people-- For about four hundred and fifty years. In later times he gave them Judges, of whom the Prophet Samuel was the last. And, when they demanded a king, God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. After removing him, he raised David to the throne, and bore this testimony to him--'In David, the son of Jesse, I have found a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my purposes.' It was from this man's descendants that God, in accordance with his promise, gave Israel a Savior--Jesus; John having first proclaimed, before the appearance of Jesus, a baptism upon repentance for all the people of Israel. As John was drawing towards the end of his career, he said what do you suppose that I am? I am not the Christ. But there is "One Coming" after me, whose very sandal I am not worthy to untie.' Brothers, descendants of Abraham, and all those among you who reverence God, it was to us that the Message of this Salvation was sent. The people of Jerusalem and their leading men, failing to recognize Jesus, and not understanding the utterances of the Prophets that are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. They found no ground at all for putting him to death, and yet demanded his execution from Pilate; And, after carrying out everything written about him, they took Jesus down from the cross, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; And he appeared for many days to those who had gone up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and who are now witnesses for him to the people. We also have good news to tell you, about the promise made to our ancestors-- That our children have had this promise completely fulfilled to them by God, by his raising Jesus. That is just what is said in the second Psalm--'Thou art my Son; this day I have become thy Father.' As to his raising Jesus from the dead, never again to return to corruption, this is what is said--'I will give to you the sacred promises made to David;' And, therefore, in another Psalm it is said--'Thou wilt not give up the Holy One to undergo corruption.' David, after obediently doing God's will in his own time, 'fell asleep and was laid by the side of his ancestors, and did undergo corruption; But Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, did not undergo corruption. I would, therefore, have you know, brothers, that through Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, And that, in union with him, every one who believes in him is absolved from every sin from which under the Law of Moses you could not be absolved. Beware, therefore, that what is said in the Prophets does not come true of you-- 'Look, you despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I am doing a deed in your days--a deed which, though told you in full, you will never believe'." As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the Synagogue, the people begged for a repetition of this teaching on the next Sabbath. After the congregation had dispersed, many of the Jews, and of the converts who joined in their worship, followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue to rely upon the loving-kindness of God.

Though you may have thousands of instructors in the Faith of Christ, yet you have not many fathers. It was I who, through union with Christ Jesus, became your father by means of the Good News. Verse Concepts

If I am not an Apostle to others, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal that stamps me as an Apostle in union with the Lord. Verse Concepts

Whether, then, it was I or whether it was they, this we proclaim, and this you believed. Verse Concepts

You yourselves are our letter--a letter written on our hearts, and one which everybody can read and understand. All can see that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, a letter written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on 'tablets of stone,' but on 'tablets of human hearts.'

For though his crucifixion was due to weakness, his life is due to the power of God. And we, also, are weak in his weakness, but with him we shall live for you through the power of God. Verse Concepts

"John's baptism was a baptism upon repentance," rejoined Paul, "and John told the people (speaking of the 'One Coming; after him) that they should believe in him--that is in Jesus." Verse Concepts

This was in fulfillment of what is said in the writings of the Prophet Isaiah--'The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness: "Make ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. Every chasm shall be filled, Every mountain and hill shall be leveled, The winding ways shall be straightened, The rough roads made smooth, And all mankind shall see the Salvation of God."'

"Elijah indeed does come," Jesus replied, "and will restore everything; Verse Concepts

It is said in the Prophet Isaiah--'Behold! I send my Messenger before thy face; He shall prepare thy way.' 'The voice of one crying aloud in the Wilderness: "Make ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight."' And in fulfillment of this, John the Baptizer appeared in the Wilderness, proclaiming a baptism upon repentance, for the forgiveness of sins. read more.
The whole of Judea, as well as all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, went out to him; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. John was clad in clothing of camels' hair, with a belt of leather round his waist, and lived on locusts and wild honey; And he proclaimed--"There is coming after me one more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to stoop down and unfasten his sandals. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord; he shall not drink any wine or strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth, And shall reconcile many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. He shall go before him in the spirit and with the power of Elijah, 'to reconcile fathers to their children' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and so make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him."

And thou, Child, shalt be called Prophet of the Most High, For thou shalt go before the Lord to make ready his way, To give his people the knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the Dawn will break on us from Heaven, read more.
To give light to those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, And guide our feet into the way of peace."

He came as a witness--to bear witness to the Light that through him all men might believe. He was not the Light, but he came to bear witness to the Light.

(John bears witness to him; he cried aloud--for it was he who spoke--"'He who is Coming' after me is now before me, for he was ever first"); Verse Concepts

"Who then are you?" they continued; "tell us, that we may have some answer to give to those who have sent us. What do you say about yourself?" "I," he answered, "am--'The voice of one crying aloud in the Wilderness--"straighten the way of the Lord"', as the Prophet Isaiah said." These men had been sent from the Pharisees; read more.
And their next question was: "Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor yet 'the Prophet'?" John's answer was--"I baptize with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; He is coming after me, yet I am not worthy even to unfasten his sandal." All this took place at Bethany, across the Jordan, where John was then baptizing.

I myself did not know him, but, that he may be made known to Israel, I have come, baptizing with water." John also made this statement--"I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of the heavens, and it remained upon him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water, he said to me 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining upon him--he it is who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' read more.
This I have seen myself, and I have declared my belief that he is the Son of God."