CHAPTER 13

1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Antioch became the "hub" of missionary efforts.
It was in Antioch that the name "Christian" was first applied to those who surrendered to Jesus as Lord.
(See Acts 11:26)

Antioch became Paul's headquarters for his missionary journeys.

It was in Antioch that God gathered His people for the Gentile mission work.
And God began by calling Barnabus and Saul for a special "work."
We will see, in this chapter, how that partnership began.

The term "laid their hands on them" does not mean the church at Antioch commissioned Baranbus and Paul.
God had ALREADY commissioned them.
The church at Antioch simply acted in obedience to and recognition of God's call and commissioning.

We must be careful not to send someone on a "work" for which God has not "commissioned" them!
However, when the evidence is clear that God has called them, we (as churches) should act immediately in obedience to and recognition of God's call!

4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

Seleucia was the seaport about 16 miles from Antioch.
From there, the party sailed to Cyprus which was an island off the coast of Syria.
They entered Salamis, a town on the Eastern coast of Cyprus.

There, Barnabus and Paul preached "the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews." The primary purpose was to deliver the Gospel to the Jews, then to teach them the "Great Commission" (Matt. 28:18-20).
After that, the Jewish converts would spread the word to the Gentiles.

One might take note that "they had also John to their minister."
This John was John Mark, who acted as their assistant.

6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

The words "through the isle unto Paphos" indicate that Barnabus and Paul traveled through almost ALL of the island!
Paphos is located on the Southwestern end of Cyprus.

In that town (Paphos), they met a Gentile man, Sergius Paulus, who wanted to hear the Gospel.
He had heard about Barnabus and Paul and what they were doing.
So he arranged a meeting with them.

Keep in mind, "deputy", means officer in charge.
Sergius Paulus was probably the officer in charge of the Roman force located in Cyprus.

However, Sergius Paulus had a "false prophet, a Jew" who hung around him all the time.
Being a false prophet, he probably profited by his so-called prophecy.
This man, Bar-jesus, "withstood" Barnabus and Paul with the intent of keeping Sergius Paulus from believing.

Keep in mind, the "deputy" highly admired Bar-jesus.
Sergius Paulus had been acting upon advice from this man.

Now, the Scripture says, Paul "being filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes upon" the sorcerer.
What Paul does and says is by Divine authority!
Can you imagine those piercing eyes, filled with faith and God's Holy Spirit, looking deep into the eyes of the sorcerer?

Then Paul pronounced a prophetic promise directly from God!
The man (Bar-jesus) would go BLIND!
And, for proof of the prophetic promise, God struck the man blind!

This instance was enough for Sergius Paulus (the "deputy) to have "believed."
He placed his trust in Jesus Christ!

13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

Not much is said here about John (Mark) leaving the mission company.
We don't know WHY Mark left.

Later, when Mark wanted to go with them again, the subject becomes a "tension" between Paul and Baranbus.
Paul did not want Mark to go with them; Barnabus wanted him to come with them. This tension was enough to split up the team.
And, this split perhaps was devised by our Lord to DOUBLE the efforts of evangelism!

Sometimes, when good Christian people are divided about a matter, it CAN BE a "good thing."
We just have to "back off" and try to see what God wants done.

Mark evidently exhibited diligence in the ministry later on.
In two of his letters, Paul mentions Mark.
Mark was WITH Paul when he wrote Colossians (Col. 4:10) from Rome during his first captivity.
And, Paul wanted Mark to come to him in (2Timothy 4:11), during his second captivity.

We are all human.
We will all make mistakes.
When we LEARN from our mistakes and GO ON, that is beneficial to our Lord!

14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

This "Antioch" is some 300 miles Northwest of the one mention in verse 1 of this chapter.

Being Jewish, and being visitors, they would be immediately accepted and allowed a seat in the synagogue on the Sabbath day.

Ordinarily, this was their first action when entering a new town.
They approached the Jews first, because they should be familiar with the Word of God, and
because it was appropriate (Paul and Barnabus being Jews) would speak first to their own people.

15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

It was customary for visitors to have an opportunity to share in the worship time.
(See Luke 4:16-20)

The following is a rather lengthy text, however it represents only a short sermon.

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
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.
18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30 But God raised him from the dead:
31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

Paul was a very well educated Jewish man.
Before Jesus called him into the ministry, Paul was on his way to being one of the most influential men in Judaism.
Needless to say, he had a tremendous knowledge of Scripture.

But now, since Paul had surrendered to Christ, he knew how to interpret that Scripture!
And, that's what he did here.

Paul went back to the history of the Jewish nation and it's beginnings in Jacob and his sons.
He spoke about the 400 year captivity in Egypt, and how God had saved them from it.
He told about how the Lord gave them the "Promised Land."
And, he told them about the 450 years of living under "judges."
Then Paul told them about their first king, Saul.

These things caught the attention of the listeners, for they could see Paul was learned.
Then, Paul came to the second king, David.
As he talked about David, Paul said God has ALREADY raised a "seed" of David according the the promise God made to David.
(See Psalm 89:35-37, and Isaiah 11:1-10)

This "Seed," Paul proclaims (vs 23 above) is "JESUS!"

Paul spoke about how John the Baptist had prophesied of Jesus. (vss 24-25 above)

Then, Paul redirects all of the former conversation to those who are listening!
He says (in effect), "To YOU is word of this salvation sent!" (vs 26 above)

Now Paul begins to tell how Jesus was rejected, crucified, and resurrected - seeing "no corruption," again - according to the prophecies (vss 27-37 above).

Then, Paul affixes a conclusion and invitation at the same time.
He stated that through Jesus "forgiveness of sins" is offered.
And, finished with a warning not to reject this offer from God, again using Scripture (Vss 39-40 above).

SHORT sermon!
VERY effective!

42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

First, the "Gentiles" wanted to hear MORE!
They reacted just like the prophecy had said! (See Isaiah 11:10)

Second, "many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas," because
they wanted to hear MORE!

Third, the "NEXT sabbath day," almost the WHOLE city came to hear!
Those who HAD heard, told others!

When a person is preaching JESUS,
it doesn't take a whole lot of preaching
to be EFFECTIVE!

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Yes, some people hear the Gospel and get GLAD - wanting to hear MORE!
But, some people hear the Gospel and get MAD - wanting to put a stop to the conviction they feel.

Notice these folk even went so far as to contradict Paul and Barnabas, and to blaspheme, or to speak evil!

When people do that, Jesus already told us what to do.
((See Matthew 10:14 and See vs 51 below))

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Jesus had told the disciples to begin FIRST with Jerusalem and the Jewish people.
(See Luke 24:47, and Acts 1:8)

Quoting Isaiah 42:6, Paul states that Jesus' disciples are to bring "salvation unto the ends of the earth."

Salvation is IN God! (See Psalm 68:20)
Salvation is OF Christ, and Christ alone! (See Acts 4:12)
Salvation is BY grace to ALL (WHOSOEVER) will surrender to Christ! (See Ephesians 2:8-10)

And salvation is MADE KNOWN by "ambassadors" of Christ taking the message to the "ends of the earth!"
(See 2Corinthians 5:17-21)

THAT'S how the Gospel was spread in Paul and Barnabas' day; and, THAT'S how the Gospel is spread today!

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

At this point, perhaps it is best to take a moment and try to "clear the air," so to speak, of some often misinterpretation of this setence.

The word "ordained" is translated from the Greek tasso (pronounced tas'so), meaning: to set, or appoint.
The meaning of that word NEVER implies predestination.

It simply means that the Gentiles were "set" to receive the Gospel; desiring to receive.
Therefore, as their inclination led them - they "believed," placed trust in Christ.

However, some of the Jews were "set" NOT to receive the Gospel.
Their inclination led them to disbelief and to riotous action against Paul and Barnabas.

God has not predestinated some to believe and some not to believe.
ANY and ALL may receive and believe (See Romans 10:13, and Matthew 10:32-33)

It is a person own inclination that determines whether they will receive and believe or reject and disbelieve.

49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

There are two reasons why "the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region."
First, there were many who were willing and eager to hear.
Second, Paul and Barnabas were willing and eager to share.

Some of the Jews (who rejected the Good News) "stirred up" some of the leaders of the city.
This caused "persecution" to rise against Paul and Barnabas.
Paul and Barnabas were actually "expelled" from the area!

However, again, they did as Jesus had told them (vs 51 above).
They went on and began sharing the Gospel with others!

There's a wonderful concluding note here: "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost!"

As we do what our Lord says, we are filled with joy, and with His comforting Presence!

A genuine Christian finds happiness and fulfillment in doing what God has called him/her to do!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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