Reading for May 10th

Read Acts 13.13-25
In verses 13-14: Paul's mission moves north to Pamphylia on the mainland.
John's departure later caused divisions (15.38).
In verse 15: As in Jesus' first address in the synagogue where he read from Isaiah (Lk 4.14-30), Paul is invited to speak after the reading of the law and the prophets (15.2).
To call them brothers meant to acknowledge them as belonging to the people of Israel.
In verse 16: The worship of the synagogue apparently included Jews (Israelites) and others who feared God (13.26), some of whom where probably gentiles and some converts (10.2; 13.43).
In verse 17: Like Stephen, Paul focused on God's faithful promise and Israel's need to repent (7.23, 37, 42; 13.23, 24).
God's uplifted arm is the means to salvation (Ex 6.1, 6; 32.11).
In verse 18: On forty years, see 7.36.
Paul does not mention Moses (unlike Stephen, 7.20-44), but dwells on God's forbearance (Deut 1.31).
In verse 19: The seven nations are identified in Deut 7.1.
In verses 20-22: the scriptural allusions of these verses point to Davidic kingship (see 1 Sam 10.21-24; 14.4; 15.23; 16.1), drawing on a verse from Isa 44.28 about Cyprus to speak of David "who will carry out all my wishes."
In verse 23: On Jesus as Israel's promised savior, see Lk 2.11; Acts 5.31.
In verses 24-25: John's baptism is carefully set before Jesus' coming (see Lk 3.18-21; Acts 10.36-38).
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