13:24
So God had sent His Messiah, but there is also our part, and John the Baptist showed what that it. He preached repentance and baptism. Moreover, this was preached to the nation of Israel. Israel considered themselves a special nation, and in many ways that was true. But they were, and are, a special nation of sinners, just like the rest of us. And the message of repentance, the message that prepared the way for the Messiah, was preached to Israel. Israel needed to repent for her own sins first. In the same way, all of us need to repent for our own sins first. Then we can teach others the ways of the Lord (Psalm 51:13).
13:25
As noted earlier, it is important that here Paul is basing his teaching on basic gospel teaching. Paul is sometimes presented as being totally separate from the gospels, even ignorant of them. This section demonstrates that this is simply not the case. He knew of John, and the quote in this verse is recorded in the gospels (eg Mark 1:7). John made it clear that He was not the One, but was merely pointing the way forward to the One. One who is much greater than he.
13:26
“Sons of the family of Abraham and those who fear God” is addressing both those who were ethnically Jewish, and those who were “God fearers”. The message Paul has is a message of salvation. Note yet again that this message of salvation included repentance. I know I keep going on about this, but this aspect of Biblical preaching is one that is so often lacking in modern day preaching, and often even frowned upon (or worse!).
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