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Reflection 12: Acts of the Apostles 13-15

Paul and Barnabas are called by the Holy Spirit to preach the word of God and teachings of Jesus.
The first time we see proof of Gods existence is in chapter 13. Paul recognizes the evil of the
governors magician, who was rejecting the Lords teaching. He was made blind by the power of God,
which made the governor believe in the teachings. God had proved himself to his people. Not only that,
but this shows how good always trumps evil. God is always the most powerful, especially against his
rejecters. In Perga, Paul preaches about the past kings of Israel who were linked to the covenant,
Abrahams descendants. This is an Old Testament reference linking the New Testament to the Old. Also,
there is a comparison made between David and Jesus. David was Gods chosen one of the Old
Testament, similar to Jesus in the New Testament. They both were the anointed ones. Again, the
connection is made between Jesus and David, reminding us that Jesus is a descendent of David. Paul also
makes a significant distinguish between Jesus and David to prove Jesus as the Son of God. Basically, he
says that while Davids body was buried and rotted, Jesus resurrected and his body disappeared. Only
through Jesus, not David, are sins forgiven. However, does Jesus important connection to David mean
that without David, Jesus would not have been? The end of chapter 13 and into chapter 14 shows how two
religions, Christianity and Judaism, began to separate from each other. At first, both Gentiles and Jews
believed Pauls words and believed in Jesus. But when some of the Jews saw how many people believed
in Jesus, they rejected him as the Messiah. However, the Gentiles still believed.
In chapter 14, the theme from the end of chapter 13 repeated itself. The non-believers would not
believe, and eventually they started to stone the apostles. In a way, Chris is still being crucified here.
People are still refusing to believe in him and they continue to spread their hate and evil towards him in
order to tear him down. Only now, theyre hurting him through the apostles. The apostles are now Jesus
voice and they are receiving the same treatment he received.

In verses 14: 8-11, God proved that Jesus is his son and the savior of man. He shows how those
who believe will receive the grace of God. An old crippled man who could never walk believed in Jesus
teachings as Paul preached. He showed his belief in the Son and he was saved and able to walk. God
had blessed him. God kept his promise to his people all along. He gave them a redeemer and those who
chose to believe in him were blessed. In verse 17, Paul tells the non-believers how God has always
proved his existence. Symbolically, Paul is saying that the entire world, all of the good things on earth
such as nature and naturally grown food, is proof of Gods existence. It is all God-given.
In chapter 15, the separation between the two religions, Christianity and Judaism, is apparent. The
Jews were still only following the Law of Moses and doing circumcisions without any acknowledgement
of Christ. However, Peter makes an important point. I think he seems to say that circumcision is no
longer necessary if one believes in Jesus, because we are already saved by believing in him. Once again,
the Jews were rejecting Jesus as their savior. They maintain that Moses words were preached for a long
time and nothing will change that. This is interesting because this is another Old Testament connection
made to Jesus. Jesus is compared to Moses. In this case, it appears to be Jesus word against Moses.
Jesus was a descendent of David, but his role seems more similar to Moses role. They both were chosen
by God to preach the word of God. Their births other aspects of their lives were similar as well. Moses is
to the Old Testament and the Jews what Jesus is to the New Testament and Christians.
After the occurrence in Jerusalem in chapter 15, the apostles agreed to send a letter to the
believers. What I think the letter addressed was the apostles advising the Gentiles to no longer follow
Jewish practices and continue following Christs teachings. I think this signifies when the Jews and
Christians decided to officially split their religions and follow their own practices.

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