Welcome to Acts 13! This in some ways gets more exciting the further in we get. It’s another wonderful chapter and this time, fewer parts. Sharing the message that there is eternal salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Let’s pray:
Lord Jesus You are our Life and Light and we are asking now for illumination regarding these words we’re about to read. Show us what we can do to make them stick in our lives. Thank You, Lord. Lead us.
Please read Acts 13:1-3
First Missionary Journey
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets [who spoke a new message of God to the people] and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called [a]Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with [b]Herod [Antipas] the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them [in approval and dedication] and sent them away [on their first journey].
Footnotes
[a] Niger Acts 13:1 A Latin word spelled with Greek letters.
[b] Herod Antipas Acts 13:1 Herod Antipas, the Herod who beheaded John the Baptist.
Sometimes fasting is the only way to get yourself in the place where you can pray. But pray you must. If you want to hear Him respond, you can sign up and get my free 5 ways I hear and experience God in my life.
For example, let’s ask this… Lord is there a reason I need to fast or is just talking to you what you want me to do? It’s not an ideal question for a beginner, but the example is an A or B type question. Listen, and meditate on the question (fast or just keep praying) and it’s more than likely that He will make His choice for you known.
Please read Acts 13:4-8
Proclaiming Eternal Salvation Through Faith
4 So then, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When Barnabas and Saul arrived at Salamis, they began to preach the word of God [proclaiming the message of eternal salvation through faith in Christ] in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John [Mark] as their assistant. 6 When they had traveled through the entire island [of Cyprus] as far as Paphos, they found a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was [closely associated] with the [c]proconsul [of the province], Sergius Paulus, an intelligent and sensible man. He called for Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ]. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is how his name is translated) opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul away from accepting the faith.
Opposition is everywhere. But Jesus is Omnipotent. Proclaim Him and tell of what He’s done for you.
Please read Acts 13:9-12
The Holy Spirit’s Power & the Gift of Salvation
9 But [d]Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit and led by Him, looked steadily at Elymas, 10 and said, “[e]You [Elymas] who are full of every [kind of] deceit, and every [kind of] fraud, you son of the devil, enemy of everything that is right and good, will you never stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord? 11 [f]Now, watch! The hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, [so blind that you will be] unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately a mist and darkness fell upon him, and he groped around, seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 The proconsul believed [the message of salvation] when he saw what had happened, being astonished at the teaching concerning the Lord.
Footnotes
[c] Sergius Paulus Acts 13:7 In a Roman province, the proconsul was head of the local government.
[d] Saul Acts 13:9 Saul was the apostle Paul’s Jewish (Hebrew) name. As his ministry to Gentiles began he became known by his Roman (Latin) name, Paul.
[e] Elymas Acts 13:10 Elymas’ claims of having “special power” or “secret knowledge” were based on his deceitful use of illusions.
[f] Acts 13:11 This is Paul’s first recorded miracle.
Faith in Him is how you too get eternal salvation.
We have this book full of the Words of God and we do well when we read and study it. But there is nothing like experiencing Him too. For He is Word and Life and Light and Love incarnate.