Acts.7

The Boldness of Paul’s Mission

Bible Passage: Acts 13, Acts 14

Summary: Acts 13-14 recounts Paul’s first missionary journey, illustrating his unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel despite significant adversities and dangers. We see the establishment of Antioch as a missional church, the work of Barnabas as an early leader in missions, and the role of John Mark as a team member. The passages underscore the transformative power of faith, the divine calling on believers, and the establishment of the early church amidst persecution.

1. Apostles Appointed by Authority - Acts 13:1-12

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.””

Holy Spirit directs the mission of the church. He empowers, gives gifts, guides, and provides. He is waiting for faithful believers to pick up the call of the Great Commission (Mt 28:19-20). Sometimes we just need some encouragement. This is what Barnabas provided. Saul was never far from his thoughts and when the time was ready Barnabas sailed to Tarsus and brought Saul to Antioch, the missional church of Israel.

At Cyprus - Acts 13:4–5 “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 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.”

Young John Mark, Barnabas’ cousin (Col 4:10), was along for the mission.

Acts 13:6–8 “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, 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. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.”

The Gentile was hungry for the Word and the Jew had not just rejected it but was actively opposed it.

Paul gave him a dose of straight street doctrine (Acts 9:11), something he had to learn. Don’t be an enemy of God.

2. Preaching Proclaims the Promise - Acts 13:13-41

At Perga - 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.”

Barnabas and Paul becomes Paul and Barnabas. Paul assumes leadership of the mission team. Barnabas had know Cyprus, but Paul knew Asia Minor. John Mark went home and departed the mission field. This disappointed Paul and he would later have to deal with this (Acts 15:36-40)..

At Antioch in Pisidia - Acts 13:14-50

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

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

First to the Jew (Ro 1:16), Paul first went to the Synagogue. There he usually experienced two responses. One was acceptance, the second was distain. Paul did not preach a gospel that could be ignored.

Paul’s response to persecution - Acts 13:51 “But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.”

3. Reactions Reveal Resolve - To Iconium - Acts 13:51-14:7

Acts 14:1–3 “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. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 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.”

This was the usual response that Paul experienced. Many believed and the rest caused trouble. This response to the gospel starts out as individual illness but soon spreads to become infectious evil. More and more take on this social contagion and reject the saving gospel.

4. Misunderstood Miracle Moment At Lystra - Acts 14:8-18

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 14:11 “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 14:13 “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.”

How do you handle misunderstandings? This was a big one and it involved the misrepresentation of God.

They absolutely showed their disgust with pagan recognition, but verses 15-17 tell us that they used the opportunity to still preach the gospel.

Timothy was from Lystra (Acts 16:1-3).

5. Courage Continues the Course

Escape to Derbe - Acts 14:19–20 “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. 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.”

The infectious persecution becomes communal evil as evil men band together against the gospel and follow Paul and his team to Lystra. They persuaded others, it was an active hostility that caused a community to try to destroy the messenger so that they didn’t have to hear the message. In this case they didn’t want anyone to hear so they followed Paul to Lystra.

The Thorn in the Flesh. Vision of heaven… Did Paul die?

2 Cor 12:2,7 describe a man caught up to Paradise, the third heaven. Could that be from this episode in Lsytra? he was supposed dead. Gal 4:13 describe preaching to the Galatians during this trip with a physical infirmity. He calls it a trial in Gal 4:14 for which in Galatians 4:15 “What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.”

The thorn is thought to be an eye disease because of his vision in heaven. It was to humble him and it did. He wrote in large letters in Gal 6:11 or dictated his epistles.

Strengthen the Church - Return Trip to Antioch- Acts 14:21-28

Acts 14:21–22 “And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 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 14:26–28 “From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. 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. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.”

2 years 1,2000-1,400 miles

Preaching the gospel

Making disciples

Strengthening souls

Exhorting faithfulness - in tribulations.

Reported back to home church.