Paul In The Capital Of Pisidia

"From Paphos, Paul and his companions set sail and came to Perga in Pamphylia.  There, John left them and returned to Jerusalem, while they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia.  On the Sabbath day they entered the synagogue and set down.  After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent this message to them, 'Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the assembly, please speak up.'

So Paul arose, motioned to them for silence and began, 'Fellow Israelites and, also, all you who fear GOD, listen.  The GOD of our people Israel chose our ancestors; and after HE had made them increase during their stay in Egypt, HE led them out by powerful deeds.  For forty years HE fed them in the desert; and after HE had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, HE gave them their land as an inheritance.  All this took four hundred and fifty years.  After that, HE gave them Judges, until Samuel the prophet.  Then they asked for a king; and GOD gave them Saul, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin; and he was king for forty years.  After that time, GOD removed him and raised up David  as king, to whom HE bore witness saying: I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after MY own heart, who will do all I want him to do.

It is from the descendants of David that GOD has now raised up the promised Savior of Israel, JESUS.  Before HE appeared, John proclaimed a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel.  As John was ending his life's work, he said: 'I am not what you think I am, for, after me, another one is coming, whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.'" - Acts 13:13-25 

(Once the mission began, Paul becomes the obvious leader.  They do not stay in Cyprus; they leave behind groups of believers who have been hastily instructed.

When they arrive on the continent, at the inhospitable area of Perga, John Mark leaves them.  Paul's daring plans may have scared him.  They go through the mountain range of modern Turkey and reach the heart of the province of Pisidia--Antioch [which must not be confused with the other Antioch].

Luke gives all the details of the events at Antioch in Pisidia, because they were typical of the situations Paul was going to face in various parts of the Roman empire.

Paul speaks at the Sabbath gathering in the "synagogue" [house of prayer of the Jews].  The worship involves psalms and biblical readings [obviously, from the Old Testament].  Then, one or several of the leaders make comments.  Since Paul is a visitor, out of deference, they ask him to speak.

Paul's discourse, this return to the history of Israel may seem to us to hold little interest, as was the case for Peter's [Chapter 2] and Stephen's [Chapter 7].  But it was Jewish way of preaching, and for all these emigrants, there was nothing more interesting than being reminded of this history that they knew by heart and which gave them their identity in the midst of other people.  So Paul presents this history, highlighting a series of facts that gives it meaning and clearly leads to CHRIST.  Paul shows that GOD's promises to Israel have been fulfilled in the resurrection of CHRIST.)

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