Passage Breakdown

 

“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
(Acts 13:38–39, NKJV)

 

Who Wrote It?

 

The book of Acts was written by Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1). Luke records the historical transition from God’s covenant dealings with Israel to the revelation of the mystery of the gospel of grace through the apostle Paul.

 

Who Was It Written To?

 

Paul is speaking to Jews and God-fearing Gentiles in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia.

 

Acts 13:16 identifies the audience:

 

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.”

 

This audience includes:

• Jews
•  Gentile proselytes (God-fearers)

 

This is a mixed audience, unlike earlier Acts where Peter spoke exclusively to Israel.

This marks an important transition point.

 

When Was It Spoken?

 

This occurs during Paul’s first missionary journey, approximately A.D. 46–48.

 

This is well after:

• Pentecost
• Peter’s early preaching to Israel
• and after Paul’s conversion and apostleship had been established

 

Paul is now functioning in his divinely appointed role as apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13).

 

Immediate Context

 

Paul is preaching in the synagogue and reviewing Israel’s history, showing how Jesus fulfills the promises made to David.

 

Acts 13:23:

“From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus.”

 

Paul then proclaims Christ’s death and resurrection (Acts 13:27–37).

 

Acts 13:38–39 is Paul’s doctrinal conclusion.

 

Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown

 

“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren”

 

Paul is making a formal doctrinal declaration.

This is an authoritative apostolic proclamation.

He is revealing something of tremendous importance.

 

“that through this Man”

 

“This Man” refers to Jesus Christ.

Paul emphasizes that forgiveness and justification come through Christ alone.

Not through the Law.
Not through works.
Through Christ.

 

“is preached to you the forgiveness of sins”

 

Forgiveness is now being proclaimed based on Christ’s finished work.

 

This aligns with Paul’s later writings:

 

Ephesians 1:7:

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

 

This forgiveness is based on Christ’s death and resurrection.

 

“and by Him everyone who believes”

 

This phrase marks a major doctrinal expansion.

 

“Everyone who believes” includes:

• Jews
• Gentiles

 

This is no longer limited to Israel alone.

 

Faith is now the sole requirement.

 

“is justified from all things”

 

Justified means declared righteous before God.

 

This is courtroom language.

This is one of the clearest declarations of justification in Acts.

This aligns perfectly with Paul’s later epistles:

 

Romans 5:1:

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God.”

 

“from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses”

 

This statement was unheard of until Paul.

Paul explicitly declares that the Law of Moses could not justify.

This confirms:

• justification is not by Law
• justification is by faith in Christ

 

This aligns with Galatians 2:16:

 

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.”

 

This is clear grace doctrine.

 

What This Passage Clearly Teaches

 

Acts 13:38–39 clearly teaches:

• forgiveness of sins comes through Jesus Christ
• justification is by faith
• the Law of Moses cannot justify
• justification is available to all who believe
• Paul is proclaiming grace-based justification

 

This marks a major doctrinal advancement beyond Peter’s earlier covenant-focused preaching.

 

What This Passage Does NOT Teach

 

This passage does NOT teach:

• justification by the Law
• covenant-based national restoration language
• kingdom offer tied to Israel’s national repentance

 

Instead, it teaches individual justification by faith.

This aligns directly with Paul’s later epistles.

 

Why This Passage Matters

 

Acts 13:38–39 represents a major turning point in Acts.

Here, Paul clearly proclaims justification apart from the Law.

This is fully consistent with the mystery revealed to Paul.

This passage prepares the reader for the full development of grace doctrine in Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians.

 

Doctrinal Summary

 

Acts 13:38–39 marks a decisive transition from covenant-based kingdom proclamation to grace—justification by faith apart from the Law. Through the apostle Paul, God reveals that forgiveness and justification are available to all who believe the gospel alone, and that the Law of Moses cannot justify. This passage aligns directly with the revelation of grace given to Paul and forms a foundational declaration of justification by faith for the present administration of grace.

 

Final Summary

 

Acts 13:38–39 stands as one of the clearest points of transition from law to grace. Afterall the book of Acts is a book of transition.

Through Paul, God reveals that forgiveness and justification come through Jesus Christ alone—not through the Law.

This passage prepares the way for the full revelation of grace that Paul would later unfold in his epistles.