At first glance, what is happening here is the birth of a new religion: the Christian proclamation, not being...
At first glance, what is happening here is the birth of a new religion: the Christian proclamation, not accepted by its mother environment, the Jews, goes beyond it and turns to the Gentiles. Formally, this is indeed so, but the preachers themselves, led by Paul, plainly do not think so (and this is clear from his preaching).
The point, perhaps, is that Christianity (not as a religion, but as a new experience of life with God) first touched those who were seeking not a religious system, but true, eternal life; those who were seeking Christ and finally received His presence in the Spirit. This directly concerns us as well: those who have not yet made up their minds and those who have long considered themselves Christians.
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13:24 John having first preached - He mentions this, as a thing already known to them. And so doubtless it was. For it gave so loud an alarm to the whole Jewish nation, as could not but be heard of in foreign countries, at least as remote as Pisidia.
13:25 His course - His work was quickly finished, and might therefore well be termed a course or race. Luk 3:16.