The Call of Saul and Barnabas (032424)

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Resurrection Sunday

Starting Point Class - Sunday, April 7

Scripture Reading: Acts 13:1-3.

Title: The Call of Saul & Barnabas

Acts 12:25 KJV 1900

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

After having taken the financial support to the church in Jerusalem (as recorded in 11:27-30) Saul and Barnabas, along with John Mark, returned to Antioch and got busy serving the Lord.

The Call of Saul & Barnabas

The leaders of the church in Antioch are listed in vs. 1:

Barnabas

Simeon

Lucius

Manaen

Saul

These men were busy serving the Lord.

These men spent time fasting.

Why were these men fasting? What was more important to them than physical food?

It was, Lord, what do you want us to do next?

Has there ever been something so important that you were willing to go without food for it?

David Brainerd, missionary to native Americans before the founding of our country who, in three years of missionary work traveled some 3,000 miles on horseback, many times, in his journal wrote:

"Monday, April 19. I set apart this day for fasting, and prayer to God for his grace; especially to prepare me for the work of the ministry, to give me divine aid and direction in my preparations for that great work, and in his own time to send me into his harvest.”

Brainerd, David; Jonathan Edwards. The Life and Diary of David Brainerd . Kindle Edition.

Is there anything that you desire from God so greatly that you are willing to go without food for it?

Is there anything that we, as a church, desire from God so greatly that we would be willing to go without food for it?

There was no doubt to these men and the the church in Antioch that the God responded and that the Holy Spirit was directing Saul and Barnabas.

Acts 13:2 (KJV 1900)

…Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Saul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13)

Missionary Party: Saul, Barnabas, & John Mark

Antioch to Seleucia where they departed. (vs. 4)

Island of Cyprus

Salamis (vs. 5)

Acts 13:5 KJV 1900

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.

This was their first stop on their journey.

Imagine the excitement.

Imagine the anticipation.

Imagine the expectation.

Not only on the part of Saul & Barnabas but also on the part of the church in Antioch.

There’s no reason not to believe that they thought, “Certainly what happened in Antioch will happen in Salamis!”

However, the only record we have of their activity in Salamis is that they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.

Acts 13:5 KJV 1900

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.

We have no record of any converts.

Might that have been discouraging? Might that have caused them to question? Might that have dampened their excitement?

Yes, it is discouraging when we give out thousands of tracts and invitations and don’t see more fruit.

Yes, it is discouraging that we don’t see souls saved by the hundreds.

Yes, it is discouraging when we don’t see more students enrolling in the Academy.

But we must remember…

Isaiah 55:10–11 KJV 1900

For as the rain cometh down, And the snow from heaven, And returneth not thither, But watereth the earth, And maketh it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

God’s Word will not return void.

God’s Word will accomplish that which God pleases.

God’s Word will prosper.

1 Corinthians 3:6–7 KJV 1900

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Paul planted; but ultimately it is God that gives the increase.

Romans 10:13–17 (KJV 1900)

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

How shall they call upon Christ if they have not heard about Christ? They won’t.

How shall they hear the Word of God without a preacher? They won’t.

Will they all respond positively to the message of the Gospel? No.

We must stay faithful in our proclamation of God’s Word.

So, what did Saul do?

Acts 13:6 (KJV 1900)

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos…

Paphos (vv. 6-13)

Turn to and read Acts 13:6-12.

Here in Paphos we have the spiritual, unseen battle erupting in the physical realm.

What was at stake?

The soul of one individual, Sergius Paulus. (vs. 7)

The truth (vs. 8)

The combatants?

Saul - full of the Holy Ghost (vs. 9)

Note: Saul’s name is changed to Paul in vs. 9.

Bar-jesus/Elymas - full of the devil (vs. 10)

The results?

Acts 13:12 KJV 1900

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

What was used to accomplish this victory?

The Word of God (vs. 7)

The Holy Spirit (vs. 9)

Turn to and read Ephesians 6:12-19.

Paul’s First Missionary Journey