November 9, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Acts Chapter 13
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
23 Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
30 But God raised him from the dead:
31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction
Acts chapter 13 marks a significant turning point in the early Christian church. Here begins the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, who are sent by the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel beyond the boundaries of the Jewish people. This chapter emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and sending the apostles and shows how the Gospel is proclaimed to both Jews and Gentiles. It illustrates the challenges and resistances they encounter, as well as the joy and acceptance they find among many.
Commentary
The church in Antioch is a center of spiritual activity and diversity, with prophets and teachers from various backgrounds. During a period of fasting and worship, the Holy Spirit speaks and instructs the church to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which God has called them. This underscores the importance of prayer, community, and sensitivity to God’s guidance within the church.
On the island of Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas encounter the sorcerer Elymas, who tries to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronts Elymas and calls him a “son of the devil.” Elymas’ subsequent blindness serves as a sign of God’s power and leads the proconsul to believe. This event demonstrates how God removes obstacles and brings people to faith despite opposition.
In Antioch in Pisidia, Paul delivers an extensive message in the synagogue. He connects the history of Israel with the coming of Jesus as the promised Messiah. Paul emphasizes the resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture and offers forgiveness of sins through Him—something that the Law of Moses could not accomplish. He warns his listeners against unbelief and encourages them to accept the message of salvation.
The reactions to the sermon are mixed. While many Jews respond with jealousy and hostility, the Gentiles rejoice and embrace the word of God with enthusiasm. Paul and Barnabas declare that they will now turn to the Gentiles, symbolizing the expansion of the Gospel to all nations. Despite persecution and being driven out of the city, the disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Summary
In Acts chapter 13, Paul and Barnabas are sent by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel. They travel to Cyprus, where they face opposition from the sorcerer Elymas, but God’s power triumphs, and the proconsul comes to faith. In Antioch in Pisidia, Paul preaches in the synagogue, linking the history of Israel with Jesus Christ as the fulfilled Messiah. While some Jews reject the message, many Gentiles accept it joyfully. Despite persecution, Paul and Barnabas continue their mission, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. This chapter demonstrates the spread of the Gospel across ethnic boundaries and emphasizes God’s plan of salvation for all people.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 74—Gethsemane
This chapter is based on Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-50; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-12.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction:
Chapter 74, “Gethsemane,” leads us into the deepest and most moving episode in the life of Jesus: the prayer and inner struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, immediately before His arrest. The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John depict how Jesus, accompanied by His closest disciples, goes to Gethsemane at night and prepares for the impending suffering. This scene reveals the painful inner conflict that Jesus experiences in His human nature as He willingly takes on the burden of the world’s sins. Here in Gethsemane, His absolute dedication and obedience to the Father’s will become intensely visible. The disciples, exhausted and inattentive, fall asleep while Jesus engages in the most bitter spiritual struggle of His life. Gethsemane becomes the epitome of His sacrifice and His unparalleled love for humanity.
Commentary:
Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane is a portrayal of deepest devotion and pain. Here, we encounter a side of Jesus that is both human and divine: He wrestles with the burden of sin that threatens to separate Him from the presence of God. This scene reveals that Jesus, although divine, truly endures the wrath and consequences of human sin in His human nature. The words “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” demonstrate His anguish and simultaneously His willingness to follow God’s will, predestining Him as the sin offering for humanity.
Jesus’ dedication is all the more remarkable in light of the weakness of His disciples. He urges them to stay awake and pray, yet three times He returns to find them asleep. This scene highlights human frailty in the face of spiritual reality and accentuates Jesus’ loneliness and determination. The angels who appear to Him at the end serve as the final divine encouragement before He embarks on the painful path to the cross. Through this episode, it becomes clear that Jesus, fully aware of the magnitude of His sacrifice, resolutely continues the path to the redemption of humanity.
The climax comes when Jesus confronts His betrayers and the armed crowd without using divine power to defend Himself or flee. Instead, He faces His impending fate calmly and steadfastly. His example in Gethsemane is a powerful image of self-sacrifice and obedience to God’s will, regardless of personal pain and suffering.
Summary:
Chapter 74 describes the events in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus experiences the most severe inner struggle of His life before His suffering and crucifixion. In deep prayer, He wrestles with the burden of humanity’s sins and the separation from the Father that sin brings. Despite His anguish, He decides to fulfill the Father’s will and drink the “cup” that lies ahead. The disciples who accompany Him fail to stay awake and fall asleep despite His pleas. After a final prayer, Jesus receives divine strength from an angel that fortifies Him for His journey. When the soldiers and the betrayer Judas arrive, Jesus faces them without resistance and is taken captive. The scene in Gethsemane highlights Jesus’ willingness to sacrifice and dedication, becoming the symbolic center of His suffering for humanity.
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