The first Journey, Part 1: Set Apart for the Work

Introduction

We are in the midst of the book of Acts. We have looked at the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom with His ascension and at Pentecost in Acts 1-2. Then we saw the witness of the early church in Jerusalem in Acts 3-7, and then to the surrounding regions in Acts 8-12. The Kingdom of Israel was reunited with the conversion of Samaria, the Gentiles were grafted in with the falling of the Spirit on Cornelius’ household, and then, the Gentile church begins to expand with the establishment of a work in Antioch, the third largest city in the Roman empire.

And I would like to emphasize the demonstration of the Spirit’s Power throughout this section of Scripture because it is downplayed by other eschatological interpretations of the text.

The Spirit’s Power

Acts 3 - Lame beggar healed

Acts 4 - Second Spirit empowerment for boldness in witness after praying Psalm 2.

Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira struck dead, signs and wonders performed by the Spirit, Apostles miraculously released from prison.

Acts 6 - Stephen was doing signs and wonders among the people.

Acts 7 - Stephen sees a vision of Jesus at the right hand of God.

Acts 8 - Philipp is doing signs and wonders.

Acts 9 - Saul is cast down, Peter is doing signs and wonders.

Acts 12 - Peter is miraculously released from prison, Herod is struck dead

Do these events sound like an impotent church? Or do they sound like God is on His throne accomplishing His holy will?

The Holy Spirit is empowering His witnesses. Just like Gideon was robed with the Spirit in Judges 6 and empowered to do the work that God had established for him to do, the Spirit has been propelling these witnesses into the land, doing signs and wonders, as the church grows. He even destroys those who profane the sanctuary (Acts 5), casts down those who persecute His body (Acts 9), and crushes those who raise themselves up in pride against the Lord and His Anointed One (Acts 12).

When looked at from this lens, one can see how in control the Spirit actually is. Things are happening exactly according to His plan: the Church, the final uncut stone in Daniel’s vision, is rising to destroy the idol and will eventually cover the entire earth with the Gospel. This is how Christ has chosen to mediate His rule: He subdues men to Himself by means of the Gospel.

In our text today, we will see the Holy Spirit set apart Saul and Barnabas for the work that God had for them. We will then see the power of the Spirit on display once again with Saul’s battle against the wicked magician, Elymas.

Outline

I. Set Apart for Work (Acts 13:1-3)

II. The First Conquest (Acts 13:4-12)

Let’s pray as we consider God’s Holy Word.

Set Apart for Work (Acts 13:1-3)

Acts 13:1–3 LSB

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

The First Conquest (Acts 13:4-12)

Acts 13:4–12 LSB

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John as their helper. And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

The Work

The Holy Spirit empowers His church to accomplish His work. And does this through...

Liturgy

Service, prayer, and fasting

Bold Witness

Paul fixed his gaze on him and rebuked him frankly. Then taught the proconsul. He believed when he saw what happened, but was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.