We read through Paul's sermon at Pisidian Antioch in the Jewish Synagogue. We highlight by topic the themes of Paul's message. Paul recounts Israel's history up to the resurrection of Christ. God's actions were done to fulfill His promises that were given to the fathers. Interspersed with God's saving actions were human actions of rebellion against God. The promises were pointing to Christ, and He was rejected by the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem. Paul started his message with the shared premise that God had chosen Israel as the people God chose to carry forward His promises. Reading through Paul's speech we see that he mentions over 20 actions of God. He also mentions human response of sin and rebellion. Paul emphasizes the promises of God and the fulfillment of Scripture. The point is to bring his hearers face to face with the promise that whoever believes "is freed from all things from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses" (Acts 13:39). Paul preached the forgiveness of sins. We have an extended discussion about what the church is to be and what should be preached in Christian churches. The institutional church usually exists for many other reasons than preaching Christ and the forgiveness of sins through His blood.

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