“But God raised Him from the dead.” (Acts 13:30)
Paul’s message to the Jews in Antioch Pisidia is a study of the contrast between two groups – God and man. When God chooses, gives, removes, or raises up, it always turns out well. God chose Israel, God destroyed the nations in the land of Canaan, and then He gave them the land to live in; God gave them David, John the Baptist, and most importantly, God sent Jesus and raised Him from the dead.
On the other hand, the people had to be “put up with” (Acts 13:18) for forty years in the wilderness, they asked for a king instead of following God as their king, they didn’t recognize Jesus, and they ignored the Scriptures – which lead to the crucifixion of the innocent Messiah.
When we lead, everything falls apart. When God leads, even the darkest and strangest of turns lead to glory.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
Today’s Reading: Acts 13:22-31
Questions to ask:
- How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
- How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
- What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
- What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?
This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision