Sunday Morning Bible Study: Acts 13 — Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New

Ken Kalis
22 hours ago
4 min read

Key Verse:“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” — Acts 13:38–39

The Setting: The Word Goes Out

Acts 13 marks the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey. The church at Antioch, guided by the Holy Spirit, sent out Barnabas and Saul to preach the Gospel. Their first stop was the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch — and it’s important to notice where they began.

They preached the Good News of Jesus Christ not to pagans, but to the Jews, within the structure of the old covenant. Paul stood up, beckoned with his hand, and began with what every Jewish listener knew well — the Old Testament story of God’s faithfulness.

The Old Testament Foundation

Paul’s sermon is a masterclass in continuity. He didn’t discard the Old Testament; he fulfilled it in Christ. He showed that the promises made to the fathers had now been realized:

“Of this man’s seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.” (v. 23) He cited Psalm 2, Isaiah 55, and Psalm 16, demonstrating that the resurrection of Jesus was the very fulfillment of prophecy.

The Law and the Prophets had pointed to this moment all along — but the people of Jerusalem, not recognizing Him, fulfilled those same Scriptures by condemning Him.

Putting Off the Old

The message of Acts 13 carried an inescapable truth: while the apostles preached in the synagogue, they were in fact preaching the end of Judaism as a salvific system. Paul’s words were revolutionary: “By Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (v. 39)

The Law had done its work — it had shown sin and prepared hearts for grace — but it could not give life. Now, through Christ, men and women were called to put off the old and put on the new.

The Reaction: Division and Determination

The reaction was mixed — some believed and followed, others rejected and blasphemed. But Paul and Barnabas pressed on:

“It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you… lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” (v. 46) The same Scriptures that once formed a nation now declared salvation to all nations.

Reflection: The Pattern of New Life

There’s a lesson here for every believer. Just as the Gospel replaced the law, so Christ must replace self. Old ways, old attitudes, old confidences — these must all go. As Paul wrote later,

“Put off…the old man, which is corrupt… and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24) We can’t cling to the old and receive the new at the same time. The synagogue had to give way to the Church, and the flesh must give way to the Spirit.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank You for fulfilling all that was written in the Law and the Prophets. Teach us to put off the old ways of sin and self-reliance,and to walk in the newness of life that comes through faith in You. May our hearts, like Paul’s, be anchored in Your Word and aflame with Your Spirit.In Your holy name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Question

When in your own life have you had to “put off the old” — a habit, a fear, or an attitude — to make room for something new that God was doing?

Two-Line Summary

Acts 13 bridges the Old and New Testaments: the Law fulfilled in grace, the synagogue yielding to the Church. Through Christ alone we are justified — no longer by law, but by faith.

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TWO COATS

TWO COATS WERE BEFORE ME THE OLD AND THE NEW

I COULD HAVE EITHER SO WHAT COULD I DO

THE FIRST COAT WAS UGLY AND TERRIBLY WORN

THE OTHER A NEW ONE HAD NEVER BEEN WORN

I'LL TELL YOU THE BEST THING I EVER DID DO

I LAID OFF THE OLD COAT AND PUT ON THE NEW

I'LL TELL YOU THE BEST THING I EVER DID DO

I LAID OFF THE OLD COAT AND PUT ON THE NEW

THE OLD COAT WAS UGLY AND NOT FIT TO WEAR

I THOUGHT OF IT OFTEN AND SHED MANY A TEAR