NOTES for Act 13:13-52

At first glance, a new religion is being born here: the Christian proclamation, not having been accepted by its native milieu, the Jews, goes beyond its boundaries and turns to the Gentiles. Formally, this is indeed so, but the preachers themselves, led by Paul, clearly do not see it that way (and this follows plainly 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 at last received His presence in the Spirit. It seems that this directly concerns us as well—both those who have not yet made up their minds and those who have long considered themselves Christians.