Walk Through the WORD Acts 13-14

Walk Through the WORD – Previous Posts

Acts 1-3
Acts 4-6
Acts 7-8
Acts 9-10
Acts 11-12

Today we walk through the WORD Acts 13-14. The main focus of our lesson yesterday was that God’s great good news wasn’t just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well. Our study today will take us into the first missionary journey of Saul (who will also be called Paul) and Barnabas.

Walk Through the WORD Acts 13-14

Read: Acts 13:1-52
Key Points:

{vss. 1-3} From this point forward, Saul/Paul becomes the dominant figure in the book of Acts. In this particular passage, five men from the church in Antioch are mentioned. Barnabas we studied in greater detail yesterday. Simeon, called Niger, is mentioned only here as one of the prophets and teachers in Antioch. The word “Niger” means black, and often refers to someone of African descent (as in the country Nigeria). Acts 11:19-20 might give us insight into Lucius the Cyrene as one of the founders of the church in Antioch. A Lucius is also mentioned in Romans 16:21, but we have no way of knowing if he is one and the same. However, commentators have identified the Lucius in the passage in Romans with Luke, the author of the book of Acts. Manaen was the foster brother of Herod Antipas, most likely educated in Rome. His name means “consoler.” Notice the activity of these five teachers/prophets. They were worshiping the Lord and fasting. This brought down the Spirit, who told them to set apart Saul and Barnabas for the work to which He was calling them. The term “set apart” is used throughout the Bible as those “separated” (made holy) by God for His purposes. As His saints, we have been set apart as a royal priesthood and ambassadors for Christ to continue His work and purposes on Earth.

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{vss. 4-5} We cannot ignore the impetus behind this first missionary journey. The Bible very clearly tells us it was “by the Holy Spirit.” Any work done without God’s prompting and in our own strength is doomed to fail, because apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). From Antioch, Paul and Barnabas traveled to the port city of Seleucia and set sail for the island of Cyprus. Though we’re not told why the two first went to Cyprus, all of the following reasons could have played into choosing this first stop on their journey:

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and approximately 60 miles from Syria.
The proximity of Cyprus to the mainland made it a likely migration location for Jews, who had probably been settled there for some time since the two men were able to preach the Word in several synagogues.
Barnabas was from Cyprus (Acts 4:36). It may have also been the home of John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). Notice that John Mark was with them as their helper. (For more on John Mark, see these verses: Acts 12:12; Acts 13:13; Acts 15:38-40; 2 Timothy 4:11.)


{vss. 6-12} Paul and Barnabas traversed the island to Paphos, the home of a sorceror by the name of Bar-Jesus/Elymus and his proconsul boss, Sergius Paulus. All we know about Elymus is in this passage. For whatever reason (magical arts or Jewish religion?), Elymus was against God and the Christian faith, and did all he could to keep the Roman governor of Cyprus from the faith. Paul accurately describes him as “a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right.” For that reason, he is enshrouded in a cloud of darkness, a punishment fitting for people of darkness and evil. This act resulted in Sergius Paulus believing in the Lord.
{vss. 13-15} Paul and his friends now sailed to Perga, where John Mark left to return to Jerusalem. (This act will later cause disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. See Acts 15:38-40). From this coastal city they moved on to Pisidian Antioch (not to be confused with Antioch, Syria.) Though Christians now count Sunday as their Sabbath because of the resurrection of Jesus on that day, the early disciples apparently met in synagogues on Saturday for the purpose of proclaiming the testimony of Christ. We see that very scenario played out in this passage, and the synagogue rulers invited Paul and his friends to speak a word of encouragement to the congregation.
{vss. 16-41} This was the open door Paul was looking for. He stood and led the congregation on a historical journey of how God had: chosen Israel and endured them through the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness; dispossessed seven nations to give the land of Canaan to Israel; given them judges and prophets and kings; given one king in particular, King David, known as a man after God’s heart who obeyed Him; given Israel, from that same royal lineage, Jesus the Christ, as promised through the prophets; and sent John the Baptist to make the way ready. Paul then laid it on the line. The Jerusalem Jews had rejected Jesus, though they continued to read the words in the temple that prophesied about Him. This same Jesus had been executed and raised by God from the dead. Many witnesses had seen Him after His resurrection and now testified to who He really was. Paul, who had been educated in the rabbinical schools in Jerusalem under Gamaliel, lent proof to his testimony by quoting Old Testament prophecy (Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 55:3; Psalm 16:10). Next Paul gives the good news of the forgiveness of sin and justification (i.e. just as if I’d never sinned) through belief in Jesus, something they could never acquire through the law of Moses. He ended with an Old Testament prophetic warning that scoffers of God’s work in their midst would perish (Habakkuk 1:5). That sobering thought should prompt us to do all we can to turn scoffers into brothers and sisters.
{vss. 42-47} Their interest aroused, the people invited Paul and Barnabas to speak again on the next Sabbath. In addition, many devout Jews followed the two men to learn more. The whole city gathers on the following week, which undermines the power of the Jewish leaders. They begin to talk abusively against the message Paul proclaimed. The Spirit-filled apostle lets them know that their rejection of the Gospel message will result in the Gentiles coming to know the Lord and gaining eternal life (Isaiah 49:6). This of course resulted in great rejoicing among the Gentiles, who honored the word of the Lord, and “all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”
{vss. 48-52} As the word of the Lord spread, the Jews, in their jealousy for power, incited people against Paul and Barnabas. In a move supported by Jesus during His earthly ministry (Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; Luke 10:11), the two missionaries shook the dust from their feet in protest against them, and then moved on to Iconium. In sharp contrast to the bitter jealousy of the Jews, “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”


Read: Acts 14:1-28.
Key Points:

{vss. 1-6} Once more we see the usual missionary strategy of Paul and Barnabas to attend the Jewish synagogues on the Sabbath, this time in Iconium. I’ve had the great privilege of being part of a missionary team, and from my experience I learned the importance of being strategic. How might our world be impacted for Christ if we were more strategic (and intentional) in our efforts to reach our little corner of the world for Jesus? Returning to the story in Acts, many Jews and Gentiles believed because of the effectiveness of Paul’s and Barnabas’ speaking. Each of us has a voice and a testimony of Jesus. Are we willing to work on effectively communicating the good news? What would result if each of us followed through? Once more in the story, those who refused to believe stirred up trouble and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the message. Paul and Barnabas didn’t give up. They stayed and spoke boldly for the Lord. By His grace, He gave them the ability to perform miraculous signs and wonders. The proverbial line in the sand was drawn, sharply dividing the Jews and apostles. A plot was hatched to persecute and stone the men, but they heard about it and fled to Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding country, where they continued their mission to preach the good news.
{vss. 8-20} In Lystra, Paul healed a crippled man. The crowd, who because of the centralization of power in Rome were heavily steeped in Roman mythology, immediately began to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas, convinced that they were Zeus and Hermes. The two apostles quickly pointed out that they were mere men on a mission for the One True God. Jewish leaders from Pisidion Antioch and Iconium showed up to sway the crowd against the two missionaries. Paul was stoned, dragged outside the city, and left for the dogs and wild beasts to eat. The believers gathered around him–most likely to pray–which resulted in the miracle of Paul being able to leave the area the very next day. We should remember that no weapon that’s fashioned against us can stand (Isaiah 54:17) when God has a plan and purpose and we are committed to following through with that plan and purpose. God wasn’t yet finished with Paul. Some believe the vision Paul references in 2 Corinthians 12:1-5 may have occurred at the time of his stoning. It also may have caused the marks he speaks about in Galatians 6:17.
{vss. 21-28} Now in the city of Derbe, Paul and Barnabas preached the good news and won large numbers of disciples. Showing no fear, they then returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch to encourage the disciples to remain true to the faith in spite of hardships. They appointed elders for each church, and with prayer and fasting, committed them to the care of the Lord. In just a few short words, Luke gives us a magnificent pattern for Christian discipleship: 1) strengthen the souls of new disciples; 2) urge them to continue in the faith; 3) warn them that their journey as a disciple of Christ will be filled with opposition and potential danger. They then retraced their steps to Perga and on to the seaport of Attalia. (For more on Attalia, see http://bibleatlas.org/attalia.htm.) From there they returned to their home base of Antioch, Syria, where they gathered with the church and reported the great success of the mission in spite of peril and persecution. Of utmost importance was how God had opened the “door of faith to the Gentiles.” It’s important for us today, as followers of Christ, to be on the look out for these open doors of opportunity, both here and abroad (2 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Colossians 4:2-3; Revelation 3:8). Through the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, we are all called to “go and tell” in some capacity, perhaps through being vocal about our connection with Christ in our own communities and social media outlets, participation in actual mission trips, or in both financial and prayer support of those like Paul, who make missions their life’s work. Each of us play a part in continuing the work of Jesus to “seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).



Walk Through the WORD Acts 13-14 Wrap-Up

Prayerfully consider the following questions, and feel free to add your thoughts and answers in the comment section:

What can we learn from the example set by the five prophets/teachers in the Antioch church? In what ways do you sense the Spirit leading you to be “set apart” for God and His work?
How did God use the opposition faced by Paul and Barnabas  to result in saved souls?
What can we learn from Paul’s message to the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch? Do you see a clear pattern for believers to follow in sharing Christ?
What seems to be the underlying reason for most opposition to the faith? How does Paul’s message to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 6:12 factor in to this opposition?
How does God’s plan to include the Gentiles in His plan of salvation make a difference in your life?
As modern-day disciples/missionaries, what can we learn from the example of Paul and Barnabas toward those who rejected the good news? What are your thoughts on this practice?
How might our world be impacted for Christ if we were more strategic (and intentional) in our efforts to reach our little corner of the world for Jesus?
Each of us has a voice and a testimony of Jesus. Are we willing to work on effectively communicating the good news? What would result if each of us followed through?
What can we learn from the example of Paul and Barnabas as they faced opposition to their work of sharing the good news? How can their example alleviate any fears we may have about being bold in the face of opposition?
Why is each step of the pattern for Christian discipleship given by Luke so important?
Why is it important for us to be on a constant look-out for open doors?
In what ways do you fulfill the Great Commission? In what ways could you do a better job?

All Posts in Our Study of Acts:

Acts 1-3
Acts 4-6
Acts 7-8
Acts 9-10
Acts 11-12
Acts 13-14

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