Acts 13-14

(taught on July 20, 2008)

(Acts 13:1) Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 13:1: This was Antioch in Syria, on the north east coast of the Mediterranean Sea. About Antioch:

" One of 16 Antiochs, founded about 300 BC by Seleucus, named in honor of his father, Antiochus the Great

" It became the capital of the Romance province of Syria.

" It was the 3rd largest city of the Roman Empire

" A free city. All born there, even Jews, were considered Roman citizens

" Influence upon Rome was greater than Jerusalem's

" Heathenism's tempting influences were stronger than in Judea

" Antioch became the center from which the Gospel spreads (as we see in this chapter)

" Disciples first called Christians in Antioch - 11:26

Prophets are ones who proclaim the revelation of God, either revealed or new.

Teachers are those who explain God's revealed revelation.

These 5 were leaders in the Christian church in Antioch.

- Barnabas was originally named Joses or Joseph (Acts 4:36), but was renamed, to a name that means Son of Encouragement. He must have been an encourager. He was a Levite from Cyprus. He was influential in bringing Saul (Paul) from Tarsus to Antioch, and for having the Jews in Jerusalem accept him. He went with Paul on his first missionary trip, and was intending to go on the second, but separated from Paul over a dispute whether to take his nephew Mark on the trip. But, the friendship continued, for Paul speaks warmly of Barnabas in his letters.

- Simeon was also know as Niger, which may have meant he was black. He was a well-known leader in the Christian community at Antioch. Some speculate he may have been the Simon who carried Jesus' cross (Matt 27:32). If so, he was from Cyrene, a city in northern Libya, where Lucius was from.

- Lucius was also from Cyrene, so he may have been black as well as Simeon, and was a leader in the church.

- Manaen was raised at the royal court with Herod Antipas, probably because he had an older relative name Manaen, who was a famous Essene who was held in high respect at the court of Herod the Great. He probably supplied many details of the Herods to Luke, author of Acts.

- Saul was soon known as Paul (13:9). Here he is listed last, as also in 13:2, but soon he becomes the leader (13:13).

(Acts 13:2) As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Acts 13:2: They were ministering to the Lord, worshipping the Lord. They were also fasting. You don't fast for just a worship service, so this may have been a 3 day period. This appears to be during the fast, in worship, ministering to the Lord, when the Holy Spirit spoke through one of the prophets.

It appears that fasting was very common with the early Christians, yet we rarely see it in the lives of Christians today. See the note on Acts 14:23.

Two methods of evangelism:

1. Individual: In Acts 8:4- 8, Philip went out to preach to Samaria. No missionary society gave him an official stamp of approval, he simply went out because he saw a need.

2. Corporate: In this chapter, the Church directed by the Spirit sends out missionaries.

(Acts 13:3) Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Acts 13:3: Once they had prayed and the fast ended, they chartered Paul and Barnabas to go as missionaries. They did this by the laying on of hands, and then sending them on their way. The laying on of hands was how disciples were commissioned for special duty. The first 7 deacons (including Stephen) (Acts 6:5-6) were commissioned by the laying on of hands. The Samaritans received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:5,12,14-17). And later, the Holy Spirit was received in the same way again (Acts 19:6).

The laying on of hands is a means of identifying, or declaring we are partners with them. These Christians are indicating they are partners with them in getting out the Word of God.

Some think we should not have missionary work until we convert the U.S. If this principle were followed the Gospel would never have gotten outside Jerusalem.

Missionaries can be sent either by commissioning from others, or by going as led by the Holy Spirit (e.g. Philip, in Acts 8).

Some people feel we should not send out missionaries until our own country is saved. If this is how the early Christians felt, the Gospel would have never left Jerusalem, and we would not be saved today. There will always be those who do not believe - we must then go elsewhere, as the Holy Spirit directs us.

These missionary journeys shaped the history of the world. Here are some other examples:

- J. Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) was an English missionary to China. Founded the China Inland Mission which at his death included 205 mission stations with over 800 missionaries, and 125,000 Chinese Christians.

- John Wycliffe (d. 1384) was an English preacher, writer and Bible translator who has been called "the morning star of the Reformation." He preached and wrote against various doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome, translated the Bible into English, and sent itinerant preachers (later called Lollards) throughout England to bring to the common people the Word of God and the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

- Mary Slessor was the most important Scots African missionary. The benefits she brought local society were immeasurable, outlawing ritualised rape, infanticide and human sacrifice. She saved many women and children from enslavement and terrible death, and adopted many children in the process. She died in 1915, having done invaluable work to alleviate suffering and raise the local people from the mire of savagery.

(Acts 13:4) So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 13:4: Even though they were sent by the church in Antioch, they knew the real source of their sending was by the Holy Spirit, for He was the one who initiated their going (13:2).

They went from Antioch to Seleucia - founded in 300 B.C. by Seleucis I Nicator to provide a seaport for Antioch, and served as a naval base in Roman times.

Cyprus

- Caesar Augustus farmed out copper mines of Cyprus to Herod the Great

- Considerable numbers of Jews had moved to Cyprus to work there

- Barnabas was a native of the island & acquainted with conditions there

(Acts 13:5) And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.

Acts 13:5: Salamis

- The largest city on the island of Cyprus

- The people were mostly worshippers of Aphrodite, which included human sacrifices

- Must have had a large colony of Jews as it mentions synagogues

Their assistant was John (Jewish name) Mark (Latin or Gentile name) (Acts 12:25), who was Barnabas' nephew (or possibly cousin) (Col 4:10). He wrote the gospel of Mark. His mother's house was a meeting place for the disciples after the resurrection (Acts 12:12) - she apparently was a person of influence in Jerusalem. Mark left them (verse 13) part of the way into the missionary trip, which upset Paul to the point where he split with Barnabas when Barnabas wanted Mark on the second missionary trip. (Mark and Barnabas then went to Cyrus themselves.) Later, in Colossians, Paul showed that he had accepted Mark again (Col 4:10). Later, in Philemon, Paul refers to Mark as his fellow laborer (Philemon 24). Most scholars agree that much of the information Mark gathered to write his gospel came from Peter. All writings indicate Mark later died as a martyr.

(Acts 13:6) Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,

Acts 13:6: Paphos

- Length of the island of Cyprus is 150 miles. It is 100 miles from Salamis to Paphos, about the same as from Orlando to Sarasota. This was no trivial trip, as it seems here, and probably took 1-2 weeks.

- It is the Roman capital of the island.

- Temple of Aphrodite (Venus) was worshipped. Notorious for the licentiousness of the harlot-priestess who served in the temple.

It is curious what Bar-Jesus (means "Son of Jesus", also known as Elymas, in verse 8) was involved in. He was a Jew, yet he was prophesying false things. And, he was a sorcerer, which was strictly forbidden in the Jewish law (read Deut 18:10-12). He was probably an oracle (a person through whom a deity is believed to speak) for Sergius Paulus (verse 7).

(Acts 13:7) who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.

Acts 13:7: Sergius Paulus was the proconsul, or governor, of the island of Cyprus. Sergius Paulus was an official representative of the Roman Senate. He heard of Barnabas and Saul ahead of time, probably from their preaching in other areas of the island. He wanted to hear what they had to say, expecting them to be bringing a true word from God.

(Acts 13:8) But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

Acts 13:8: Elymas didn't want Sergius Paulus to hear the truth, because he would lose all the affect he had as a false prophet. He'd be out of business.

(Acts 13:9) Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him

Acts 13:9: Here is the point where Saul becomes known as Paul, and also where he takes over as leader.

(Acts 13:10) and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

Acts 13:10: Elymas (the other name of Bar-Jesus) was full of deceit, both as a magician and in what he presented as truth. Paul through the Spirit revealed Elymas heart - the Spirit knew he was a liar.

Paul doesn't mince words, does he? Can you imagine the boldness he had to say these words to the face of Elymas? But it he was filled with the Holy Spirit, so it was the Spirit giving the words to him.

This sure would not be politically correct speech today. Could we say these things to anything that perverts the truth of God? In effect, we can't but it sure would align with God's attitude about these things!

Anything that detracts from drawing people to Jesus can be considered "perverting the straight ways of the Lord."

(Acts 13:11) "And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

Acts 13:11: If only we could show those who teach a false religion (e.g. Islam, Mormon) the error of their ways in such a dramatic and convincing fashion! Note the proconsul's reaction to this in the next verse.

(Acts 13:12) Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Acts 13:12: How long the proconsul had been listening to the lies of Bar-Jesus. Now truth is finally revealed to him, and he believes.

(Acts 13:13) Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 13:13: See info on John Mark in the comments on 13:5.

Perga was the religious capital of Pamphylia. Those of the city worshipped Artemis, as shown by the large temple on the edge of the city.

(Acts 13:14) But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.

Acts 13:14: The traveled from the port city of Perga on an inland road leading to Antioch in Pisidia, one of the 16 Antiochs (see 13:1). It was on an important trading route between Ephesus and Cilicia. It had women in prominent positions, for they were some of those who forced Paul and party to leave the city (verse 50).

(Acts 13:15) And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on."

Acts 13:15: In the synagogues, the service always had the same order - first, the "you shall love God..." passage was recited, then a prayer, then a Scripture reading, then a message, then a prayer. Those in the synagogue often invited visitors to give the message, as they did to Paul here. Generally, the protocol was for Jews to teach sitting, but others would teach standing. Paul may have stood (verse 16) as a statement of his Roman birth.

(Acts 13:16) Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:

Acts 13:16: It is interesting to see how Paul gives them a brief overview of the Old Testament, and then shows how it led to the coming of Jesus (vs 23).

(Acts 13:17) "The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.

(Acts 13:18) "Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness.

(Acts 13:19) "And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.

(Acts 13:20) "After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

(Acts 13:21) "And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

(Acts 13:22) "And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'

(Acts 13:23) "From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior; Jesus;

(Acts 13:24) "after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

(Acts 13:25) "And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.'

(Acts 13:26) "Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.

(Acts 13:27) "For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.

Acts 13:27: As Paul condemns those in Jerusalem who would hear the voices of the prophets read so regularly did not know God, he could indirectly be implying that they could be n the same situation in this synagogue.

(Acts 13:28) "And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.

(Acts 13:29) "Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.

Acts 13:29: See notes on Matthew 1:22.

(Acts 13:30) "But God raised Him from the dead.

(Acts 13:31) "He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.

(Acts 13:32) "And we declare to you glad tidings; that promise which was made to the fathers.

(Acts 13:33) "God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.'

(Acts 13:34) "And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: 'I will give you the sure mercies of David.'

(Acts 13:35) "Therefore He also says in another Psalm: 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.'

(Acts 13:36) "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

(Acts 13:37) "but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.

(Acts 13:38) "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;

Acts 13:38: Note Paul says "brethren". He is identifying with them, from one Jew to another. Quite a contrast from vs 41.

For all his sermon, this here is the central message, this is what all the rest is for, to get to this point. This is the heart of the message.

What a terrific presentation of the gospel. He certainly had fulfilled what God asks, that we be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks (1 Peter 3:15).

(Acts 13:39) "and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Acts 13:39: Paul culminates his presentation of the gospel with the key to it all - believe and you will be justified.

(Acts 13:40) "Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

(Acts 13:41) "Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.'"

Acts 13:41: Paul by the Spirit prophesies that some of these Jews here will not believe. Others would, both Gentiles and Jews (vs 42-43).

(Acts 13:42) So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:42: This was an area of the synagogue in which the Gentiles were allowed. So, they also were able to hear Paul presentation.

(Acts 13:43) Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

(Acts 13:44) On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

Acts 13:44: This proclamation had become quite an event! For whatever reason they came, they all were there.

Paul did not give up after one message. He came back, since they were still willing to listen. And the second visit was much more significant than the first.

(Acts 13:45) But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

Acts 13:45: Here the Jews had proclaiming in the synagogue for ages, and Paul and Barnabas walk in and draw crowds like they'd never seen. Instead of seeing truth, they could only feed their selfish desires, and so fought to destroy the credibility of Paul.

This rejection of the message of Paul was a fatal decision to them. How many don't realize this is a matter of life and death. Rejection might as well be suicide.

(Acts 13:46) Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46: This is a good principle for witnessing - bring it to the people that want to hear it!

(Acts 13:47) "For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

Acts 13:47: From this point forward Paul and Barnabas concentrated their ministry on the Gentiles.

(Acts 13:48) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Acts 13:48: See Romans 8:30, John 6:37, Rom 11:7-8, 2 Th 2:13, John 17:2,6,9,11,12*, Matt 22:14

(Acts 13:49) And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

(Acts 13:50) But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

Acts 13:50: Paul went from being the persecutor to being the persecuted.

(Acts 13:51) But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.

(Acts 13:52) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 14:1) Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

(Acts 14:2) But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

(Acts 14:3) Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

(Acts 14:4) But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

(Acts 14:5) And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them,

(Acts 14:6) they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.

(Acts 14:7) And they were preaching the gospel there.

(Acts 14:8) And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.

(Acts 14:9) This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

(Acts 14:10) said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked.

(Acts 14:11) Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"

(Acts 14:12) And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

(Acts 14:13) Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

(Acts 14:14) But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out

(Acts 14:15) and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

(Acts 14:16) "who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.

(Acts 14:17) "Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

(Acts 14:18) And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

(Acts 14:19) Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

(Acts 14:20) However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

(Acts 14:21) And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,

(Acts 14:22) strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

(Acts 14:23) So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Acts 14:23: "Fasting helps express, deepens, confirms the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves, to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God." - Andrew Murray

(Acts 14:24) And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

(Acts 14:25) Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

(Acts 14:26) From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

(Acts 14:27) Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

(Acts 14:28) So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.