Expelling the False Prophet

Acts 13:1–12 LEB

Now there were prophets and teachers in Antioch in the church that was there: Barnabas, and Simeon (who was called Niger), and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. And while they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart now for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them away. Therefore, sent out by the Holy Spirit, they came down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed away to Cyprus. And when they came to Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John as assistant. And when they had crossed over the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and wished to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for his name is translated in this way) opposed them, attempting to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul (also called Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “O you who are full of all deceit and of all unscrupulousness, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness! Will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord! And now behold, the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a while.” And immediately mist and darkness fell over him, and he was going around looking for people to lead him by the hand. Then when the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was astounded at the teaching about the Lord.

Pray

The missions of Paul and Barnabas found in Acts 13-14 are usually referred to as Paul’s first missionary Journey. Though this isn’t exactly the truth. Paul has been on mission for some time now and traveling to do so. He was in Damascus. He was in Tarsus. He was in Antioch with Barnabas. What is different about this mission is that this is the first missionary journey of Paul westward. It is a great example of how when we are faithful to God He will expand your territory. We just have to be faithful with what he has given us here and now, And that will Grow.

Paul begins his missionary journey with a trip to the Island of Cyprus. This is a large island with 390 miles of coastline. Multiple cities on this island. And it is a natural place to begin their mission because its where Barnabas is from. So Barnabas wants to start with his home. When really excited tell the people we love first. But they are not the first ones there the Hellenist believers have already started laying the ground work for their mission. The island is still not a “Christian” island however with temples to many different gods on her.

As the two travel from town to town witnessing they come across two men we are told of.

Sergius Paulus

A Roman proconsul and a magician in his entourage.

Sergius Paulus the Roman proconsul. He was appointed by the roman senate as a ruler for one or two years. This is probably the ruler of the island.

He is an intelligent man.

Which means he can be a difficult man to witness two because he has heard all types of sales pitches and he thinks he knows what he believes and has rationalized it. It makes since to him that that goddess of sexual love Aphrodite. Who has a big temple on the island in fact one of the strongest early cults of Aphrodite was on this island. Was born from the foam of the ocean after her father Ouranos was castrated by Kronos and his genitals were hurled into the sea. That made since to him that was what he rationalized.

Reminds me of the rational people who believe we sprung up just out of some random chance and then evolved. What they don’t usually realize is that chance is another god.

Bar-Jesus or Elymas

Bar-Jesus or Elymas. We are told six things about him.

1. He is a magician or sorcerer. Could be a respectable astrologer. But from the context he was more of a charlatan a fake

2. False prophet. Which means he speaks through his own words not God’s and usually for self-interest.

3. He is Jewish. Jews had a reputation among the Romans for having unusual powers of prophecy and magic. Look at the bible this is true on many occasions.

4. He attends the proconsul. He manipulates the ruler

5. Given name bar-Jesus: Son of Jesus. Jesus is a common name. But when Paul calls him the child of the devil it’s a pun on his name

6. Name Elymas Comes from Aramaic word sage or interpreter of dreams.

He is a fake

This fake stood in the way of the intelligent man from hearing the truth. This false prophet was blocking the way and the false prophet had to be dealt with before the truth of the good news or gospel could be acted upon and even truly heard.

Lies Deny the Truth

The same for you and me. The false prophets have to be dealt with.

What is a false prophet?

All those self seeking lies we listen too.

If you only had a higher self esteem, Lie. Put God first and then you will have confidence for yourself through God.

If only you had more stuff. We all live in a society of possession. Gather as much stuff to you as you can. Even if you don’t need it. Books for me.

Evidence points away from God. Only if we start with man and look backwards. Like looking through a beer bottle and pretending it’s a telescope.

The guy on the TV said. Hear this a lot. Like it must be true because its on the magic box. Most people on TV have no business being on TV. But all are just stating their opinions and you can agree or disagree, Based on the facts you are aware off.

We all have false prophets that enter into our lives.

Every time you listen to anything, watch, read you are hearing a sermon. Listen to it or not. Most time we ignore the sermon. But are you listening to a false prophet

1 John 4:1–2 LEB

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

1 John 4 tells us to test the spirits we are listening too

How? By seeing if they declare Jesus Christ. Being born of flesh came and died to take away the punishment of sin. Can’t just say Jesus. There are lots of false gods out there especially in America named Jesus. Jesus the super hero. Jesus the doctor. Jesus the teacher. All good but they are only partial truths. False prophet just picks and chooses the truth they want to teach, Leaving the rest out.

Next Steps

Do you need to rid yourself of any false teaching or prophets?

Can’t hear the truth and can’t move forward in God’s will if listening to a false prophet

False prophets get you stuck at best and in hell at worst

Do you have one in your life or you have seen your brother or sister following one

Guard your gate

Pray