The Life and Times of Paul (3)

The man that God Chooses to use.

Review

Paul and Barnabas teach in Antioch for a year.

Paul and Barnabas take relief to those in Judea due to a drought.

In the spring of 44 AD Paul and Barnabas are called out to the work to which I have called them.

What work is this speaking of?

Galatians 1:15–16 NKJV

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,

Galatians 1:15-

Galatians 2:9 NKJV

and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

The work was to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.

How were they called out, what was the process.

They were called out after they had Fasted.

Biblical Fasting

Types of Fast and the Reasons to Fast

Partial

Daniel 10:2–3 NKJV

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Normal

This would have been the fast that Jesus did for 40 days and 40 Nights

Extreme

Fating is associated with...

Morning of Transgressions by others.

The Need for Spiritual Cleansing

Isaiah 58:6 NKJV

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?

Breaking Strongholds and Building Faith

Matthew 17:21 NKJV

However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

The Trip Begins Acts 13:4

They first go to the port city Seleucia

Seleucia was founded by the Greek General Seleucus

They set sail for Cyprus and the principal city of Salamis

1. Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea

2. Cyprus is the birthplace of Barnabas

It’s in Cyprus that we are told that John Mark had come as an Assistant.

Paul, Barnabas and John Mark travel all across Cyprus from Salamis to Paphos

Not one convert is mentioned

In Paphos they meet with the Governor or Proconsul Sergius Paulus.

1. Governors or Proconsuls were appointed by Ceaser

2. Procurators were appointed by the Senate

They also meet with a sorcerer named Bar-Jesus or Elymas (Arabic or Aramaic Name)

1. Elymas would come with the meaning of “wise or Sage”

2. Bar (Son of) Jesus which comes with the meaning “to save”

3. However the Bar does also mean “lesser or little”

However the Bar does also mean “lesser or little”

This Elymas tried to turn away the Proconsul from the Faith

He was close to but had not accepted Christ.

Footnote: Paul is called Saul here for the last time

Paul, by the power of the Holy Spirit, strikes Elymas blind.

Sergius Paulus receives Christ

1. It was a man at the top of society that first recieved Christ

2. It was a man of great intelligence who first recieved Christ

3. It was a man who had a lot to lose who first recieved Christ,

4. It was a man who had already been persuaded otherwise who first received Christ.

They sailed from Paphos to Perga

1. Perga is located on the coast of modern day Turkey.

2. It doesn’t appear that Perga was their destination.

John Mark departs unexpectedly.

1. He had grown weary.

2. Something not written in Acts had scared him.