Acts 13: Paul’s First Missionary Journey Begins (Acts 15:36–41; Acts 18:23–28)
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. 2 While 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.” 3 And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Paul/Saul and Barnabas have ministering and teaching in Antioch of Syria, and things are going beautifully. The congregation is growing, and people are receptive. By every criterion, their ministry is booming. And that’s when God chooses to shake things up. While the congregation is praying and fasting, God directs them to set Barnabas and Saul apart for a special work. The congregation obeys instantly, praying and fasting further and then commissioning Saul and Barnabas, sending them off.
If things are going so well in Antioch, why does God pluck the two most outstanding leaders to send them somewhere else? The answer is simple: Barnabas and Saul have taught so effectively that they have worked themselves out of a job at Antioch. The church is growing, and new leaders are developing who can continue the work. Now God needs Barnabas and Saul elsewhere.
When we first entered missions, we were told repeatedly that one of the main jobs of a missionary is to work himself/herself out of a job, developing local Christians so that they can take over the work. We remain in Ghana because we work in a deprived area to which it is difficult to recruit qualified medical personnel. My husband was instrumental in establishing the Local Council of Churches group, but at this point, others are taking the lead. Does this mean our efforts are unnecessary? On the contrary, our population is growing and the needs for evangelism will always be there. In the case of Saul and Barnabas, their missionary careers are just getting started. It’s going to be a wild ride!
On Cyprus
4 So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. And John was with them as their helper.
6 They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas 10 and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
It’s a good thing that Christians in Antioch are still praying for Saul and Barnabas, for on Cyprus they find themselves confronting an agent of the devil. Elymas, a local sorcerer, has nicknamed himself “Bar-Jesus,” or “Son of Jesus.” This name is blasphemous as well as deceitful. Were Elymas to name himself correctly, he should call himself “Bar-Satan,” for his entire focus is on gaining and maintain spiritual and political power. The local Roman proconsul is highly intelligent and spiritually desperate. When Barnabas and Saul preach the word of God, the proconsul is thrilled; however, Elymas does everything in his power to undermine them, realizing that his grip on the proconsul is slipping. That’s when Saul confronts Elymas.
“O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
As Saul is speaking, Elymas is immediately struck blind, being forced to depend on others to guide him. This event unmasks the treachery Elymas has been promoting. The proconsul realizes that the spiritual power behind Saul and Barnabas is far greater than anything Elymas has. In addition, the Holy Spirit has been speaking to the heart of the proconsul, and he realizes that Saul and Barnabas are holy men who are teaching God’s truth. Recognizing the gulf between the spiritual darkness of Elymas and the light of Christ, the proconsul becomes a believer.
We do ourselves a disfavor if we ignore this small story, for it carries much weight. Roman officials are sent throughout the Empire to govern in obscure places. But the Roman pantheon of gods offers nothing in the way of holiness or righteousness, and many Roman officials find themselves hungry for spiritual truth. Although neither Saul nor Barnabas know this proconsul, God has known his name from the foundations of the world and God loves him and longs for him to be reconciled to God. God sovereignly selects Barnabas and Saul because Barnabas is a man of good will and Saul is a brilliant intellectual. The two men complement each other in their giftings, and this combination is something the proconsul has never experienced before. As a politician, the proconsul is used to those seeking favors with gifts or flattery; however, these two men offer neither. But there is no faking the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit draws the proconsul to Himself.
Later, writing to Timothy, a young church leader, Saul/Paul will advise, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Pray for all government officials! Pray for those with whom you agree and those with whom you disagree. Pray that God will enlighten them, that they will work in righteousness, justice, mercy and peace. And pray for the peace of all countries, for God is a God of peace.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to pray regularly and consistently for all those in leadership positions of any kind. Help us to pray especially hard for international leadership. May revival spread throughout the world. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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