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Paul addresses both Jewish and Gentile unbelievers who are present (as well as those who may
have already been born again). He asks them to pay attention since it is time for visitors to
speak.

JEWISH HISTORY REVEALS JESUS

1. INTRODUCTION:

Verse 17 is the beginning of Paul’s sermon. The introduction sounds very similar to Stephen’s
sermon (7:2). Since Paul is mainly speaking to Jews, he will use Jewish history to reveal that the
God of Israel was indeed the Lord Jesus Christ, just as Stephen once had.

2. THE EXODUS:

Act 13:17 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.

Stephen had previously revealed the Lord Jesus Christ as the God of the fathers of Israel (7:52).
By His foreknowledge of their faith in Him, God had chosen Israel (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians
1:4).

Election has always been the pattern with the patriarchs (Malachi 1:2), and faith has always
been the means of pleasing the Lord (Hebrews 11:6). God exalted the chosen nation of Israel
because they trusted in Him.

This exaltation occurred when Israel was in captivity in Egypt. Despite the hardships, Israel
grew in numbers and became a threat to Egypt (Exodus 1:7-20). During this time of 400 years,
they grew from seventy-five people to over 2 million. Throughout the years, Jews had exalted
themselves, but now they will hear about the true one who chose, exalted, and delivered Israel,
the Lord Jesus Christ.

The “uplifted arm” is a reference to the salvation and supernatural deliveries God brought to
the nation through the exodus, Passover, and parting of the Red Sea.

13:17 strangers, paroikia (par-oy-kee-ah); Aliens, foreigners, strangers, sojourners,
noncitizens dwelling as resident exiles. (Compare “parochial” and “parish.”) Israel
sojourned in Egypt on a paroikia basis. The permanent home was the land of Canaan. 1
Peter 1:17 uses paroikia in the spiritual sense. Christians lived temporarily as aliens in an
unfriendly world. The Lord has prepared for them a final home based on permanency,

duration, and endless time.