Acts+13+and+Isaiah+49

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=Acts 13:47‐Isaiah 49:6= = = =Introduction=

In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas find themselves in Antioch declaring the truth to first Jews and then Gentiles. This consequently causes controversy, jealousy and dissension. In response, Paul and Barnabas point the listeners back to the Old Testament. They repeat the words of Isaiah 49:6 which reads: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Context of the passage in Isaiah
Chapter 49 begins Isaiah’s discussion of a “greater deliverance” that is going to be enacted. There will be redemption from Babylon (48) but there is still “no peace for the wicked” (48:22). 24 The text says, “I will make // you. //” At a first glace, it could seem that the “you” is the nation of Israel itself. Israel was meant to be a light to the nations (Genesis 22:18). However, this “you” is going to “bring back the preserved of Israel.” Israel is not going to bring back Israel. Thus, this // you //is an individual and his task encompasses not only the restoration of Israel but of the nations. The // light //is going to shine in darkness and bring about // salvation. //Therefore, the servant is at the same time the light and the salvation. The servant is not the agent of communicating salvation but he is the salvation. 25

Context of Paul and Barnabas’s speech in Acts
In Chapter 13 Paul and Barnabas are in leave from Antioch which has replaced Jerusalem as the center of the church’s mission. 26 They travel to many important cities and reach Antioch in Pisidia which was a flourishing Roman colony. 27 Paul takes the opportunity the rulers offer (13:16) and beginning at the Exodus, shares the good news. Consequently, “many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas.” They were “urged to continue in the grace of God” which denotes repentance (2:47, 4:33). 28

However, a week later they are “filled with jealousy” and begin to “blaspheme” and “contradict” what Paul is saying. They are recognizing that the truth is not for them alone. The first week, Paul appealed to the history of the Jews. He used their own prophets to point out that God had sent a redeemer for them (13:33,35). The word jealousy denotes a negative type of zeal; it is characterized by wrath and indignation. 29 It is also used in Acts 5:17 to speak of the Sadducees when they arrested the apostles. They were not angry at Paul’s content but rather jealous of his listeners. Paul even forewarns them (13:40) against this but fail to heed it. Paul’s theology, as later unpacked in the book of Romans (1:16, 2:9, 2:10), is now expressed “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you.” In the Isaiah passage, the suffering servant is first going to gather Israel back to himself (49:5) and then bring salvation to the world (49:6). In the same way, Paul and Barnabas are bringing this gospel message in Pisidia Antioch first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.

Paul and Barnabas therefore, are carrying on the mission of this suffering servant. The passage in Isaiah is directed towards the suffering servant but Paul says “the Lord commanded us.” The apostles “inherit” this promise in a sense. 30 They are continuing the work of Jesus Christ. 31 Luke establishes this reality in his previous book. In Luke 24:49 where Christ sends the disciples to “proclaim his name to all the nations beginning in Jerusalem.” Paul is defending himself to the Jews using their own prophet. They are “filled with jealousy” that what is true for them can also be true for the Gentiles. However, Paul makes his argument based on a command in scripture. Christ was the ultimate light and salvation to the Gentiles and how much more so is Paul justified in bringing the truth to them? This theology is expanded further in the later epistles. In Ephesians Paul states that he is “a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles” (3:1). In Philippians he declares that for him “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (2:22). Therefore, there should be no confusion that Paul and Barnabas are the light and the salvation. Rather they are the agents which bring the news of the light and salvation that the suffering servant has already accomplished. = = =Response of the Jews=

Finally, the completely contrasting reactions of the Jews and the Gentiles is shown. Morgan points out that while the Jews were “filled with jealousy” the Gentiles were filled with gladness (13:48). The Jews contradicted and blasphemed while the Gentiles glorified and rejoiced. 32 = = =Conclusion=

In the flow of Acts, this passage is developing the reality that the Gentiles have been grafted in. Peter receives his vision in chapter 11 that “to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” which is evidenced by the fact that they send aid to the Jews in Jerusalem (11:29). Furthermore, Sergius Paulus believed in chapter 13. Luke is proving that this Gentile salvation is not a theory. It was foretold by the prophets and is now happening in space and time. It also paves the way for the upcoming Jerusalem council. Paul and Barnabas have experienced what they are bringing before the council. They have seen the salvation of the Gentiles.

24 Motyer, // The prophecy of Isaiah //. 25 Ibid. 26 Abingdon Press, // The New Interpreter's Bible //. 27 Ibid. 28 Ibid. 29 Albert Barnes, // Notes on the New Testament, Explanatory and Practical //, Enlarged type ed. / by Robert Frew. (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Book House, 1949). 30 Beale, // Commentary on the New Testament use of the Old Testament //. 31 // The Expositor's Bible Commentary //. 32 G Morgan, // The Acts of the apostles, //(New York Chicago [etc.]: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1924).

Bibliography Beale, G. // Commentary on the New Testament use of the Old Testament //. Grand Rapids Mich. Bock, Darrell. // Acts //. Grand Rapids Mich.: Baker Academic, 2007. Bruce, F. // The book of the Acts //. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1988. Calvin, Jean. // Calvin's commentaries //. Grand Rapids Mich.: Baker, 1979. ———. // The Acts of the Apostles. //Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965. Harrison, Everett. // Acts : the expanding church //. Chicago: Moody Press, 1975. Lenski, R. // The interpretation of the Acts of the apostles //. Minneapolis Minn.: Augsburg, 1961. Morgan, G. // The Acts of the apostles, //New York Chicago [etc.]: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1924. Motyer, J. // The prophecy of Isaiah : an introduction & commentary //. Downers Grove Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1993. Ortlund, Raymond. // Isaiah : God saves sinners //. Wheaton Ill.: Crossway Books, 2005. Oswalt, John. // The book of Isaiah. //Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans, 1998. // The Expositor's Bible Commentary: With the New International Version of the Holy Bible //. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1976. // The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary //. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Book House, 1992. // The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary //. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Book House, 1992.
 * Nottingham England: Baker Academic ;;Apollos, 2007.

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