Well, Barnabas and Saul (Paul) silenced Elymas and the deputy was won over. Now, they are leaving the native land of Barnabas,Cyprus, and traveling to Pamphylia. This is a district on the coast of Asia Minor which included the city of Perga, 20 miles inland.
Acts 13:13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
At this point John left the group and went back to Jerusalem. Many speculations as to why, but Paul saw this as inexcusable disertion, as we will see in later chapters.
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.
There is discussion that Antioch is not in Pisidia, but near there. Because it was near there it became known as Pisidian Antioch and much discussion surrounds this particular item. But, on to Barnabas and Paul - as was their custom they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and sat down. At this synagogue the rulers were not clergy, but lay leaders who were given authority to invite anyone from the audience to give a word of exhortation. So.......
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.
Well, you know what is coming! Paul cannot stay quiet about the LORD JESUS CHRIST! This was Paul's opportunity to evangelize people of the Roman colonies. Paul stands, and then gestures with his hand, which does a man of authority who is presiding over an audience.
16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
Paul, with his voice and hand gesture basically says - L I S T E N !!! Or maybe shut-up and listen. Anyway, oh, well let's delve into his sermon tomorrow. Thank you for reading. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
p.s. here is a link (after the 5 second commercial: Jesus is the Answer
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