In the bustling assembly of Antioch, the stage is set for an extraordinary journey as Barnabas and Saul - known as Paul - are chosen to spread the gospel far and wide. Little do they know that their adventure will be filled with both miraculous encounters and fierce opposition.
The Reading: Acts 13
World English Bible1 Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
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2 As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”
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3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
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4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.
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5 When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. They had also John as their attendant.
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6 When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar Jesus,
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7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.
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8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
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9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,
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10 and said, “Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
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11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
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12 Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
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13 Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
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14 But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.
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15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.”
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16 Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.
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17 The God of this people chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it.
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18 For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
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19 When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years.
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20 After these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
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21 Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
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22 When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
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23 From this man’s offspring, God has brought salvation to Israel according to his promise,
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24 before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.
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25 As John was fulfilling his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
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26 Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.
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27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
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28 Though they found no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed.
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29 When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
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30 But God raised him from the dead,
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31 and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.
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32 We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers,
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33 that God has fulfilled the same to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your father.’
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34 “Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
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35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.’
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36 For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.
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37 But he whom God raised up saw no decay.
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38 Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins,
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39 and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
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40 Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the prophets:
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41 ‘Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to you.’”
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42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
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43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
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44 The next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
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45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
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46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
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47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”
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48 As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
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49 The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region.
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50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders.
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51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
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52 The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
Commissioning the Missionaries
In Antioch, the church leaders were gathered, and during a time of worship and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke. He instructed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a special mission. After a period of prayer, they laid hands on the two men and sent them off to begin their journey.
Journey to Cyprus
The duo first sailed to Cyprus, where they began their mission by speaking in the Jewish synagogues. Accompanied by John, the trio made their way across the island until they reached Paphos. Here, they encountered Bar Jesus, a sorcerer who was attempting to influence the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, from hearing the Word of God. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted the sorcerer and declared that he would be temporarily blinded, which left Bar Jesus groping in the darkness. This miracle led the proconsul to believe and be amazed by the teachings of the Lord.
Preaching in Antioch of Pisidia
Continuing their journey, they arrived in Antioch of Pisidia. On the Sabbath, they were invited to speak after the reading of the Scriptures. Paul seized the opportunity, recounting Israel's history and leading up to the good news of Jesus. He made it clear that through Jesus, there is forgiveness and justification from sin - something the law of Moses could never accomplish. Many were intrigued and wanted to hear more.
Rejection and Perseverance
However, jealousy ignited among some Jews as the townspeople celebrated the message of salvation. Paul and Barnabas boldly declared their decision to share the message with the Gentiles, emphasizing that this was a command from the Lord. As a result, many Gentiles rejoiced and accepted the Word of God. Despite facing persecution, they continued on their path, shaking off the dust from their feet as they moved on to Iconium, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Why It Matters
Boldness in Sharing Faith
Acts 13 encourages us to be bold in sharing our faith. Paul and Barnabas faced opposition yet remained unwavering in their mission. Their example teaches us to speak out about our beliefs, even when it's uncomfortable or when others push back.
Trusting God's Call
The chapter emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to God's calling. Barnabas and Paul didn't hesitate when the Holy Spirit directed them. We can learn to listen for God's guidance in our own lives and trust that He will equip us for the tasks He sets before us.
Community Matters
The support from the church in Antioch shows the significance of community. They prayed, fasted, and sent Barnabas and Paul on their mission. In today's world, local churches play a vital role in encouraging and equipping us to live out our faith. If you're seeking a community to connect with, use Sancta to find a church near you.
Joy Amidst Trials
Despite facing rejection and persecution, the disciples remained filled with joy. This reminds us that our joy doesn't depend on our circumstances but rather on our relationship with God. Even in tough times, we can find strength and happiness in Him.
Coming Up Next: Acts 14
The adventure continues in Acts 14, where Paul and Barnabas face even more challenges and miracles as they spread the message of Jesus. Join us for the next part of their journey and see how their faith impacts those around them.