Acts 13

Fr. Matthias Shehad explores Acts 13, focusing on the beginning of Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey from Antioch. He explains the distinction between the two cities named Antioch and the role of fasting and liturgy in the early church’s decision to send out missionaries. Fr. Matthias highlights the importance of laying on of hands as an early form of ordination. The discussion covers Paul and Barnabas’s travels to Cyprus, encounters in synagogues, and the confrontation with the sorcerer Bar-Jesus, emphasizing the spread of the gospel first to Jews, then Gentiles. Fr. Matthias also unpacks Paul’s sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, emphasizing Jewish history, fulfillment of prophecy in Christ, and the call to repentance. The talk addresses the rejection of the message by many Jews, the acceptance by Gentiles, and the deeper theological concepts of salvation, free will, and God’s foreknowledge. Fr. Matthias concludes with reflections on perseverance in ministry and the apostles’ zeal, despite opposition and persecution.