Acts 13

Doctrine of Christ

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Acts 13:12

Sergius Paulus believes and is amazed by the doctrine of the Lord, the gospel of Jesus that Barnabas and Saul were teaching.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Jehovah

The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. Acts 13:17–19

The God of Israel who chose the fathers, brought Israel out of Egypt with a high arm, and gave them their land is Jehovah, the premortal Christ. Paul's history lesson leads directly to Jesus.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Exodus 6:6 — "I will redeem you with a stretched out arm."
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — Christ is He who covenanted with His people Israel.

Savior

Saviour — the One who delivers from sin and death

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Acts 13:22–23

God promised David that a descendant would reign forever. Paul declares that promise fulfilled in Jesus, the Savior raised up from David's line, the son of Jesse.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — God's promise to raise up David's seed and establish his throne forever.
• fulfils Isaiah 11:1 — A rod out of the stem of Jesse.
• the same title in Luke 2:11 — Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour.

Jesus

When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. Acts 13:24–25

John the Baptist prepared the way and pointed beyond himself to Jesus, the One so great that John felt unworthy even to untie His sandals.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in John 1:27 — John's own witness of the One coming after him.
• the same event in Mark 1:7 — "The latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose."
• fulfils 1 Nephi 10:8 — Lehi foretold the prophet who would say he was not worthy to unloose the Messiah's shoe's latchet.

The Crucifixion

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. Acts 13:27–29

The leaders in Jerusalem read the prophets every Sabbath but did not recognize Jesus. By condemning Him they fulfilled those very prophecies. He was innocent, was crucified, and was laid in a tomb, just as it was written.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Luke 23:22-24 — Pilate finds no cause of death in Him, yet gives sentence.
• the same event in John 19:38-42 — Jesus is taken down and laid in a sepulchre.

The Resurrection

But God raised him from the dead: Acts 13:30–31

God raised Jesus from the dead, and He appeared over many days to disciples who now testify of Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Acts 1:3 — He shewed himself alive, being seen of them forty days.
• the same event in 1 Corinthians 15:5-7 — The list of the risen Lord's appearances.

Son of God

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, Acts 13:32–33

Paul says the promise to the fathers is fulfilled in the risen Jesus, and he reads Psalm 2 as the Father speaking to His Son: "Thou art my Son."

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Psalm 2:7 — Paul applies the Father's declaration to Jesus.
• the same title in Hebrews 1:5 — The same psalm applied to the Son.

The Resurrection

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Acts 13:34

Paul reads Isaiah's "sure mercies of David" as fulfilled in the risen Christ. Because He will never die again, the covenant blessings promised to David are forever certain.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Isaiah 55:3 — "I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."

The Resurrection

Holy One — the sinless, consecrated One of God

Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts 13:35–37

David's psalm promised that God's Holy One would not decay in the grave. David died and his body decayed, so the psalm cannot be about him. It is about Jesus, whose body rose before it could see corruption.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Psalm 16:10 — "Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."
• the same title in Acts 2:29-31 — Peter makes the same argument about David and the Holy One at Pentecost.

Justification through Christ

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: Acts 13:38–39

Forgiveness comes through Jesus. Believers are made right with God through Him in ways the law of Moses never could accomplish on its own. Lehi and Abinadi teach the same truth (2 Nephi 2:5-8; Mosiah 13:28).

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

Light of the Gentiles

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Acts 13:47

In Isaiah these words describe the Lord's Servant, the Messiah, who would bring salvation to all nations. Paul and Barnabas take up that commission because they carry Christ's light to the Gentiles.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Isaiah 49:6 — The Servant Song Paul cites.
• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:6 — Nephi's text of the same Isaiah passage.
• the same title in Luke 2:32 — Simeon calls the infant Jesus "a light to lighten the Gentiles."