Paul's First Missionary Journey - In Pisidian Antioch; Acts 13:13 – 52 Part 3

Church History: The usual service of the synagogue was performed. The law and the prophets were read, a portion of each, the lessons for the day. When that was done, they were asked by the rulers of the synagogue to give them a sermon. They sent a messenger to them with the respectful message, Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. It is probable that the rulers of the synagogue had met with them, and been in private conversation with them before; and, even if they did not have an affection to the gospel, they had at least the curiosity to hear Paul preach; and therefore not only did they give him permission, but begged him to speak a word of exhortation to the people.
Paul gladly embraced the opportunity given him to preach Christ to his countrymen the Jews. He did not object to them that he was a stranger, and that it was none of his business; nor object to himself, that he might get ill-will by preaching Christ among the Jews. He stood up, as one prepared and determined to speak, and beckoned with his hand, to excite and prepare them to hear. He waved his hand as an orator, not only desiring silence and attention, but endeavoring to show affection, and to show himself in earnest. Perhaps, because of their request of him to give an exhortation to the people, there were those in the synagogue that were ready to mutiny against the rulers, and opposed the toleration of Paul's preaching. That caused some turmoil and commotion, which Paul attempted to quiet by that decent motion of his hand; and also by his modest desire of a patient impartial hearing: "Men of Israel, that are Jews by birth, and you that fear God, that are proselyte to the Jewish religion, listen to me, let me beg your attention for a moment I have something to say to you which concerns your everlasting peace, and would not say it in vain." Now this excellent sermon is recorded, to show that those who preached the gospel to the Gentiles didn’t do it until they had first communicated with the Jews, to persuade them to come in and receive the benefit of it. They had no prejudice at all against the Jewish nation, nor any desire that they should perish, but rather that they should turn and live. Everything is touched in this sermon that might be proper either to convince the judgment or insinuate into the affections of the Jews, to prevail with them to receive and embrace Christ as the promised Messiah.