Acts 13: Highlights and Discussion

Highlights:

Acts 13:1-3: Barnabas and Paul appointed by the Holy Spirit to be sent away.

Acts 13:4-12: Sailed to Cyprus and preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews in Salamis. Going to Paphos, on the other side of the island of Cypus, they met Bar-Jesus (false prophet/sorcerer, a Jew) and he was blinded by Paul, the proconsul believed and was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Acts 13:13-41: Paul and Barnabas went to Antioch in Pisidia and entered into the Jewish synogogue on Sabbath and Paul preached (history of Jews to the risen Savior).

Acts 13:42-52: Many Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas and the Gentiles begged to hear more the next Sabbath. The next Sabbath almost all the whole city came together to hear the word of God. The Jews were filled with envy and opposed Paul, but the Word of God continued to spread to many.

Discussion:

This chapter marks the beginning of Paul's first missionary trip. The author, Luke, shifts the focus now to Paul in Antioch. Paul and Barnabas set sail from Seleucia in Antioch to the island of Cyprus. They preached first in Salamis, which is a city in the eastern part of the island. They also had John as their assistant there (Acts 13:5). Then they went to the western part of the island to the city of Paphos, and there they met the sorcerer, who is a false prophet and Jew, Bar-Jesus (Elymas). The sorcerer was with the proconsul (governor), Sergius Paulus, and when the proconsul asked to hear the word of God from Paul and Barnabas, Bar-Jesus (Elymas) tried to turn the proconsul away from Paul and his party. Bar-Jesus was blinded by Paul (vss. 9-11). Then, the proconsul believed and was astonished by the teaching of the Lord. What an event!

Now, Paul and Barnabas would set sail from Paphos and go to Perga and from Perga they went inland to Antioch in Pisidia. John did not accompany them from here, he returned to Jerusalem (vs.13). Then, Paul preached an amazing sermon (vss.16-41), covering the history of the Jews all the way to the risen Savior. His sermon was so wonderful that the Gentiles begged to hear God's words again the following Sabbath. Then, the following Sabbath, nearly the whole town was there! Again, the Jews were filled with envy and opposed the things spoken by Paul. But, the word of God continued to spread.

I have included a 30 minute youtube video, In the Footsteps of Paul. This may help some of you as we begin Paul's missionary journeys. This video begins with some background from our previous chapters to give viewers a good context to Acts 13. If you have the time, this is a good video to watch as you read Acts 13.