Paul and Barnabas (minus John Mark) have now come to Antioch in Pisidia. There were 15 Antiochs in the Roman empire at that time. In the Jewish synagogues it was customary to invite competent guests to speak. The Jewish synagogues had many Gentile converts in them, especially in the synagogues outside of Palestine. Often the Gentile proselytes responded better to Paul's preaching than did the Jews. When the brethren were invited to speak, Paul used the opportunity to preach Christ. First, he gave a brief history of Israel. Then he climaxed the message by introducing a Messiah who had been foretold by all the prophets. This Messiah was crucified and resurrected, offering “justification from all things” which the old covenant was unable to cleanse.

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