Acts 12:25-13:12

From this point, Paul will become the main focus of the book of Acts. The book of Acts will record his three missionary journeys, his arrest, his trials, and his journey to Rome.

1. Preparing to go on mission (Acts 12:25-13:3)

A. Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch with John Mark. (Acts 12:25)

Acts 12:25 CSB

25 After they had completed their relief mission, Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, taking along John who was called Mark.

John Mark was Barnabas’ cousin and would become the one who would pen the Gospel of Mark under the direction of Peter.

B. The church at Antioch contained diverse people with diverse spiritual gifts. (Acts 13:1)

Acts 13:1 CSB

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Two specific gifts are mentioned: prophets and teachers. These two spiritual gifts are distinct from one another. Teaching involves the conveying of information for living the Christian life. Prophets provided special guidance from God. Before we move on from verse one, we should note the ethnic and cultural diversity of the church at Antioch. Barnabas was a Greek speaking Jew from Cyprus. Simeon is a Jewish name, but being called Niger, likely he was from Africa. Lucius was from Cyrene, which would have been northern Africa, present day Libya. Manaen is a Jewish name and he is described as being a close friend of Herod, probably a childhood friend who was brought up in the court. Finally, Saul who was from Tarsus, which would have been on the Mediterranean Coast of Turkey. This was a diverse group of people who were united in Christ.

C. During their worship and fasting, the Holy Spirit gave them a message. (Acts 13:2)

Acts 13:2 CSB

2 As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

The word used here for “worshipping” is the word from which we get our word liturgy. The word was used in the Old Testament translation into Greek of the work of the priests and the Levites in the temple. Sometimes, to this day, we refer to our worship gatherings as “service” because of the way this word was used.

Likely this group of believers was fasting because they wanted to know what the Lord wanted them to do. They were seeking to hear from God. God answered them through the Holy Spirit and told them what he wanted them to do. Barnabas and Saul were to set apart for a special work. At this point, we aren’t told what the work is specifically, but it was understood that it would be a call to evangelism.

D. Barnabas and Paul are commissioned to do the work of the ministry. (Acts 13:3)

Acts 13:3 CSB

3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.

They conducted a ceremony to commission these two men to do the work of the Lord. It was as if the church was giving them their blessing. This was not an ordination, but rather a commissioning to a special task.

2. The Mission to Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12)

Cyprus is an island southwest of Antioch in the Mediterranean Sea. Barnabas was originally from the island.

A. The journey begins with a reminder of the Holy Spirit’s calling upon them. (Acts 13:4)

Acts 13:4 CSB

4 So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Seleucia was a port city and it was from there they sailed to Cyprus.

B. They began by taking the gospel to the Jewish people. (Acts 13:5)

Acts 13:5 CSB

5 Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant.

This would become a pattern. First, they would take the gospel to the Jewish people, but then they would branch out to the Gentiles.

C. Next, they traveled to Paphos, where they encounter a sorcerer. (Acts 13:6-8)

Acts 13:6–8 CSB

6 When they had traveled the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (that is the meaning of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

Paphos was on the southwestern side of the island. In Paphos they encountered a sorcerer named Bar-Jesus or Elymas. This sorcerer had influence with the proconsul and tried to turn the proconsul away from the teachings of Barnabas and Saul. Apparently, the proconsul, named Sergius Paulus, believed the word of the Lord from Barnabas and Saul. This false prophet was trying to turn the proconsul away from the truth of the gospel.

D. Saul, from this point Paul, spoke words of judgment from God upon Elymas. (Acts 13:9-11)

Acts 13:9–11 CSB

9 But Saul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at Elymas 10 and said, “You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery, you son of the devil and enemy of all that is right. Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord? 11 Now, look, the Lord’s hand is against you. You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

Luke wanted his readers to know this judgment did not come from Paul. It was by the Holy Spirit it was done.

E. As a result, Sergius Paulus believed. (Acts 13:12)

Acts 13:12 CSB

12 Then, when he saw what happened, the proconsul believed, because he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Being amazed by the teachings of God and seeing the power of God displayed through the judgment of Elymas, the proconsul believed in Jesus.

Five Questions

1. Should we purposefully try to create multiethnic and multicultural churches? Why or why not?

2. The Scriptures often emphasize the necessity for unity in believers? What are some examples of things in which we need to have unity? In what areas is it okay to disagree?

3. In what ways is worship service?

4. Should we still be following Paul’s pattern of Jews first, then Gentiles for missionary work today? Why or why not?

5. Elymas was judged with blindness for his opposition. Does God still judge people in this manner today? Why or why not?