(22) Have You Decided to Follow Jesus?

Last time we began to study the first of Paul's great missionary journeys. Paul and Barnabas were sent out from the beach head of Antioch in Syria. After clashing with a Jewish magician and witnessing the conversion of a Roman proconsul, they sailed from Cyprus to what would now be called Turkey. They ended up in a city in central Turkey that was also called Antioch.

As usual, they entered a Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath day. To no surprise the congregants heard readings from the "the Law and the Prophets" (Acts 13:15) which Jesus said point to him. As courtesy to a respected scholar and teacher the synagogue leaders invited Paul to address them. Specifically, they asked if Paul had "any word of encouragement" (15). "Encouragement" is a reasonable translation. But "exhortation" might be better. What Paul gives is a persuasive discourse. His sermon comforts only to the extent that his hearers respond in faith to his summons to believe the gospel. We too might be encouraged by Paul's word. But only by actively following Jesus.

Luke's report might be divided into three parts, the doctrine of Paul's sermon, the demand of his sermon, and the decision of the congregation.