Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia -- By: David A. deSilva

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 151:601 (Jan 1994)
Article: Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia
Author: David A. deSilva


Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia

David A. deSilva

[David A. deSilva is a Ph.D. candidate in religion, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.]

Acts 13 occupies a privileged place in Luke’s narrative. Beginning in chapter 13 Paul’s ministry dominates the narrative to the end of the book. The mission of the church begun in the first half of the book has now reached a new stage; no longer is Palestine the central geographical focus. While Jerusalem remains important for the remainder of Acts, the reader’s attention is turned to “the Gentiles over whom My name [the Lord’s] has been called” (15:17).1 This change was prepared for in the citation from Joel in Acts 2:21, the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham in 3:25, and the conversion of Cornelius recorded in Acts 10–11. As at other important junctures in Acts,2 so here Luke marked and illuminated the significance of the turning of this corner with a speech.

What is the significance of Paul’s review of God’s saving acts toward Israel recorded in Acts 13:17–22? How does the topic of promise and fulfillment work in this sermon? What argument is being developed through the three citations of Scripture in 13:33–35 (Ps 2:7; Isa 55:3; Ps 16:10)? What place does Acts 13:38–39 have in the argument? What “work” is referred to in verse 41 ? Through the answers to these questions a picture emerges of what Luke sought to accomplish through recording this sermon.

Setting

Paul and Barnabas had been set apart by the Holy Spirit for “the work (τὸ ἔργον) to which I have called them” (13:2). The

grammatical definiteness of the work causes one to look back to the ascended Lord’s description of the work He had in mind for Paul, as stated in 9:15 : “he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel.�...

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