Jesus. John.

Pete Kersker - Jul 15, 2026

Barnabas and Saul left Antioch (in Syria) to go on a Holy Spirit led journey. It took them to the island of Cyprus, where Barnabas grew up, and then to Antioch in Psidia. They went to the synagogue, where Paul (Saul) began speaking to them from the Scriptures (Old Testament).

From [king David's] descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised (Acts 13:23 NIV).

Paul introduces Jesus into his speech as a descendant of David, Israel's former king. That's because the Jewish prophecies spoke of the coming of an Anointed One (Messiah, Christ) who would be in the bloodline of David. The people listening to Paul (Saul) had heard or read these Scriptures.

Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' "Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent (Acts 13:24-25 NIV).

The people listening to Paul (Saul) that day also knew that the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ) would be introduced to the world by someone who would prepare for him (Isaiah 40:3). Paul (Saul) let them know that there was a person who came before Jesus and prepared the way for the Lord. This person was John (the baptist).

Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent (Acts 13:26 NIV).

Have you read or heard the Old Testament Scriptures? How well do you know them?
Would you have seen how John fulfilled the prophecies for the one who prepared the way for the Lord?
Would you have known the prophecies that would be fulfilled by the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ?