Read: Acts 13:13-41
So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.” (v. 16)
In Romans 1:16, Paul said: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Today’s reading shows us that this was Paul’s mission strategy from the beginning. After arriving in Pisidian Antioch, Paul and his companions (note that Paul was now the primary leader of the mission team) entered the Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath.
When invited to speak, Paul did not hesitate to tell the good news of Jesus. He did so by retelling the history of Israel. He mentioned important events like the captivity in Egypt and the exodus, and important people like King Saul and King David, and spoke of the significance of Jesus being a descendent of David.
He then told the story of Jesus and how he was executed on the cross but that he was raised from the dead. This Jesus he proclaimed to them as the one who gave salvation and forgiveness of sins, something the law of Moses could not do.
The striking thing here is that over the years, God has been working out a plan. That plan continues even now—a plan that includes God’s ultimate victory over sin and death. No matter how bad things get in this world, God is still sovereign. He will have the final say. —John Koedyker
As you pray, thank God for his plan of salvation.
About the Author
Rev. John Koedyker has been a pastor in the Reformed Church in America for more than forty years. His ministry began in Japan where he served as a missionary for ten years. After that he has served churches in Iowa and Michigan. He has served as the Stated Clerk of Muskegon Classis, RCA, for the past sixteen years and also presently serves as pastor of congregational care at First Reformed Church of Grand Haven, Michigan. John has written a number of times previously for Words of Hope and he has a bi-monthly religion column in the Grand Haven Tribune. He is married to Marilyn, and they have four grown children and seven grandchildren.
