What happensPermalink
The church at Antioch commissions Saul and Barnabas to preach the gospel even farther afield. They contend with a magician in Paphos of Cyprus, where a high-ranking Roman official believes the gospel. They preach in Antioch in Pisidia, and the Gentiles beg for more, but the Jews drive them out.
Why it mattersPermalink
Saul (now going by Paul) preaches first in the synagogue, going to the Jews first. But the Jews reject the message, so he turns to the Gentiles and preaches to them. This is the pattern of God, and of Jesus, and now of Paul.
Key versePermalink
And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.”