Acts 13

Journeying by Faith: The First Steps of Mission

Bible Passage: Acts 13:1–52

Summary: Acts 13 narrates the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas as they embark on their first missionary journey, highlighting the significance of the Holy Spirit's guidance, the response of various audiences to the Gospel, and the challenges faced along the way.

This Chapter highlights a multitude of shifts in Luke’s history of the early church. The spotlight is no longer focused on Jerusalem but Antioch, not Peter but Paul, not Palestine but the Mediterranean world, cross reference Isaiah 49:6.

Charles Swindoll states “we’re observing the redemptive plan of God unfolding as He promised”

Act 1:8

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses...

In Jerusalem [Stage 1: Acts 2–7],

and in all Judea and Samaria [Stage 2: Acts 8–12],

and even to the remotest part of the earth [Stage 3: Acts 13-28].”

What I found interesting is the timeline in which this journey unfolds. Luke’s writing flows and it’s easy to think these events are closely sequential, however, Luke gives us a few time markers. One being the death of Herod of Agrippa in Acts 12:23. This is believe to have happened circa 44 A.D.

So this first Journey occurred some 15-16 years after the accession of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I want to drive home 4 points in today’s message.

Point 1: Prepared for God’s Call, The Spirit Directs the Mission (Acts 13: 1–4)

Point 2: Expect Opposition but Trust God’s Plan (Acts 13: 4-12)

Point 3: The Gospel is for All, Freedom is through Him (Acts 13: 38–40)

Point 4: Find Delight in Difficulties, Do Not Lose Your Reference Point

Teaching: We will learn that the mission of the Church is driven by the Holy Spirit, that believers are called to actively participate in spreading the Gospel, and that challenges and opposition are part of the journey but not insurmountable, and its for all.

Big Idea: Embracing the call to mission involves faith, obedience, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, no matter the circumstances.

1. Prepared for God's Call, The Spirit Directs the Mission

Acts 13:1-4

A quick overview of who these 5 men were:

Barnabas

The Son of Encouragement, the one who sold his possessions for the early church, and vouched for Saul to the Apostles Act: 9:27

Simeon called Niger

Niger, Latin for “black” showing church diversity

Many speculate he is the same Simon who carried Jesus’ cross.

Lucius of Cyrene

Cyrene, now modern Libya.

Thought to be one of the first to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles in Antioch Acts 11:20

Manaen

Grew up in the royal household alongside Herod Antipas (killed John the Baptist and tried Jesus)

Saul (Paul)

Pharisee from Tarsus, past persecutor to converted apostle.

Note the Acts 13:1 speaks to gifts being presents at the church of Antioch. Both Prophets and Teachers. And from Paul who wrote in Ephesians 4:11-13, we know that there are 5 gifts concerning the ministry of the body of Christ.

A Prophet: is someone who possesses the Spiritual gift whereby they are enabled, by the Spirit, to speak a message directly from God. 2 Peter 1:21 “for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

A Teacher: from Nehemiah 8:8 “They read from the book, from the Law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.”

Now, I want to draw your attention to the climate of the church, with Luke’s particular focus of fasting and prayer. It was through these disciplines that these five received and understood a calling from the Holy Spirit. They were not consumed with frantic activity, burned-out from never ending Congregational programs. The recipe was simple, worship through fasting and prayer.

We see the the Spirt spoke, most likely through a Prophet to set apart Paul and Barnabas. Notice that Paul and Barnabas did not immediately act, but again went to Fasting and Prayer. This is for a few reasons:

a. For Confirmation and Unity: this wasn’t doubt, but ensuring a united obedience.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

b. For Empowerment and Dependance on God

Also notice that their respond was still centered on the Lord, in fasting and prayer. They were prepared to answer the call. They did not need to go bury their dead as we see Luke 9:59.

There is a principle inherent in the Spirit's charge to set apart these two men. God's work calls for separation from the world. Pastor David Guzik says it well "You can’t really say “yes” to God’s call on your life until you can say “no” to things that will keep you from that call." (cf Mt 6:24+). God's most effective ministers of the Gospel are those men and women most separated from this godless world. 

The First Journey in its genesis begins with a call to work Acts 13:2 “While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.”.

Work is the bookends of the First Journey, as we will see this word “work” again used again in Acts 14:26 as conclusive evidence of mission accomplishment.

Acts 14:26 NASB 2020

From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished.

What Paul and Barnabas were about to do was going to be work, and it would take every ounce of reliance on the Lord to ensure accomplishment.

c. For Blessing

Laying hands with prayer wasn’t a ritual - it was the church blessing and commissioning them. Not for the Church’s purpose, not for the spreading of their brand, but for God.

So We see the early church at Antioch practicing communal worship, prayer, and fasting, leading to the Holy Spirit's call. This passage suggests that sensing God’s direction often involves an openness to the Spirit's prompting during collective spiritual disciplines.

Like the church in Antioch, we too can create space for God’s voice in our community.

Question: Are we running on human energy and plans, or are we actually seeking the Spirit’s leading in prayer and worship? Zechariah 4:6 ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of armies.” And are we prioritizing our life in order to hear his call?

2. Expect Opposition but Trust God’s Plan

Acts 13:4-12

Wherever the Gospel goes, resistance follows. The opposition did not stop the gospel - it actually highlighted God’s power.

Paul and Barnabas faced immediate opposition on their mission. However, empowered by the Spirit, they overcame the challenge of Elymas the sorcerer. This demonstrates the necessity of relying on the Spirit’s power to confront spiritual opposition and continue faithfully in God’s mission.

A correlation I found interesting is the prescription used for Bar-Jesus and how exact it was to Saul. A persecutor of the church meets Jesus on the road to Damascus and is blinded for three days. Knowing the goodness and heart-changing power of that prescription, Saul offers that same medicine to Bar-Jesus in Act 13:10-11… pretty gangster.

We also see how the blindness of one man, Bar-Jesus, became the light for another, Sergius Paulus.

Application: We can not measure success by ease or popularity. It must be measured by faithfulness to God’s call. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 states “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.” If he calls us, if he calls you, he will also equip and fulfill His purpose through you.

3. The Gospel is for All, Freedom is through Him

Acts 13:13-47

 The Gospel is "power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Ro 1:16+). In Acts 13:46+ the missionaries addressed the Jews stating "It was necessary (obligation) that the Word of God be spoken to you first...." Paul's unremitting concern was for his people (read Ro 9:1-5+, Ro 10:1+). In addition, Peter had already established that the inauguration of the coming Messianic Kingdom was dependent upon Jewish response to the Gospel (Acts 3:19-20+) Jesus Himself had declared to the twelve disciples "“Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost (apollumi literally "perishing" in perfect tense = their enduring state/status) sheep of the house of Israel." (Mt 10:5-6). Finally, Jesus Himself promised the Jews that "from now on you will not see Me until (implies they will see Him and will cry out - cf Zech 12:10-14+) you say, ("Baruch ha ba b'shem Adonai,") ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’” (Mt 23:39). 

The message of salvation history was shared with a receptive audience. The missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas included contextualizing the message of Jesus, the promised Savior. This reminds us to understand our audience and connect Christ’s story to their context and history.

Speak to this and drive this point home.

Acts 13:38–40 NASB 2020

Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Therefore, see that the thing spoken of in the Prophets does not come upon you:

Presenting the Powerful Gospel

4. Find Delight in Difficulties, Don’t Lose your Reference Point

Swim Qual Story and the importance of a reference point

Acts 13:48-52

There is a juxtaposition of persecution and joy as Paul and Barnabas face opposition yet are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. This point can illustrate how joy and hardship often coexist in the Christian journey, revealing how external circumstances do not dictate our inner joy. Highlight how, through suffering, believers can experience deeper communion with Christ and reliance on the Holy Spirit, leading to profound joy.

Application