First Gentile Missions: Pisidian Antioch, Part 2

The first recorded message of Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, focuses on the reason for Jewish unbelief with respect to Jesus Christ. In the second part of his message (Acts 13:38-43), Paul exhorts the Jews not to miss the gospel and fulfill the prophet's prediction and perish as a consequence (citing Habakkuk 1:5).

The Jews failed to understand that the law was not a means of righteousness, but rather a guide for covenant sons to identify with God. God already knew that they were sinners and could never have a perfect righteousness. He gave them the tabernacle, the altar, the sacrificial system, and the priesthood to provide them a remedy for their failure under the law. While the Mosaic system provided a practical solution to sin, it was not a permanent solution, but it did point to God's permanent solution in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus would be the fulfillment of the law and the provision for forgiveness of failure to the law.

The Jews attempted to maintain an appearance of righteousness by law-keeping and, in so doing, rejected God's Son. In His mercy, God determined to save a remnant of the seed of Abraham and, together with a host of Gentiles, form a new Israel based on true righteousness and holiness—the “work” that God was doing in their days that they would not believe. Jesus is the righteousness of God to all who believe.