The Journey – Acts 13
As we come to this point, chapter 13 is a fresh brand new beginning. So far we saw the amazing works happening in and around Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria through the apostles. We also see the start of Transition happening from Peter to Paul.
Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We saw in chapter 12 about the wonderful works happening in the city of Antioch. At the end of chapter 12 we see that Barnabas and Saul returning from Jerusalem to this city. Also there was John Mark who was assisting them. Here in the beginning verse we see that there were also few other men mentioned.
It’s so interesting to see that this team comprises people of various races and culture. It says there were Barnabas, Saul, Prophets and teachers, Simeon, Lucius and Manen. So it seems that it was a cosmopolitan city with a congregation of people from various backgrounds. They were not focused on a specific people or a limited group, it seems that there was open to everyone.
- Simeon who was called Niger: Since Niger means black, he was presumably a black African among the congregation at Antioch, and possibly the same Simeon who carried Jesus’ cross
- Lucius of Cyrene – Roman Province of Libya – north coast of Africa
- Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch: This was the same Herod who beheaded John the Baptist and presided over one of Jesus’ trials
Isn’t it interesting to see 2 people grown up in a same setup and 1 turns out to be a cruel and wicked killing John the Baptist & Jesus. Whereas the other working prominently for the same Jesus and making the gospel reaching everywhere. Even today in our lives we have people who grew up along with us but have been gone all the way on other side. Hope that we are not like Herod turning to be on the other side.
Now let’s have a look at this map of the journey that Paul & Barnabas has went on. They started from Antioch and moved to the city called Seleucia. It was not too far from where they started – Antioch. As they left I feel that they had no clue where they are heading to. They know for sure that church has sent us and also most importantly it is God who has asked them to be sent. They seems to be landed in the island of Cyprus.
Acts 4:36-37 – 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
It is the place where Barnabas comes from. Barnabas and Paul might have been discussing where to go and Barnabas felt that let’s go to Cyprus as I know few from there who need Gospel. It was not much recorded what was happening over there. They were proclaiming the word of God in every Synagogue they go. It was the Jewish custom that if any scholar or notable person is found in Synagogue they are asked to explain the scripture or speak the word of encouragement for the congregation. As Paul was really a remarkable person they ask him to speak up always.
John The Helper – This man, also known as John Mark, was mentioned previously in Acts 12:25. He traveled with Barnabas and Saul on this trip and was the same Mark who later wrote the Gospel that bears his name. Mark was a valuable companion for Barnabas and Saul. He grew up in Jerusalem, and was an eyewitness of many of the events in the life of Jesus and could relate them with special power to Barnabas and Saul, and to others whom they preached to.
Paphos: This city on the west coast of Cyprus was known for its immorality. Here Barnabas and Saul faced a combination of immorality and spiritual darkness that was common across the pagan world of the Roman Empire.
The proconsul, Sergius Paulus: This was an important man. A Roman proconsul was responsible for an entire province and answered to the Roman Senate.
All Roman provinces were divided into two classes, those that required troops and those that did not. The latter were administered by the Senate and ruled by proconsuls; the former were under the administration of the emperor.” (Williams)
As they were preaching in synagogues this amazing door has opened up for them to share the gospel with the Proconsul. But the problem is that there is this man named Bar-Jesus who trying to turn him away from the faith. What a courage Paul got, he spoke up straight against this man and a great miracle happened. He became blind and at the very moment proconsul was amazed and believed in the word of God.
“Sir William Ramsay reports that inscriptions bearing Sergius Paulus’ name have been found on Cyprus confirming that he was a Christian and that his entire family became Christians.”
Don’t be a stumbling block: Analyze ourself and see if we are being a stumbling block for anyone from reaching to God. Is there anything that is there for me which is the stumbling block and how can I overcome it.
We see that they are moving on from this Paphos, to Perga. There was no record of great multitude seems to be accepted Christ so far in the journey. But they saw a great transformation and an influential person has been transformed and believed. Even today in our life we may also come across someone who is very influential, how are we reaching out to them and sharing the gospel.
Distraction/ Discouragement: Here as they came to Perga it says that John returned to Jerusalem. It was not clearly mentioned here what is the reason for him to return. But let me tell u that as part of our Journey with God, we may face many such people who might backoff at a very crucial point. Who might leave us alone in the middle way. There might a great discouragement or distraction happens that makes us to pause or halt or even turn back. But it is not for us to sulk into the distraction or discouragement but rather we need to move forward. As powerful as this distraction was, Paul did not allow it to affect what he was there to do.
Grab the Opportunities: Paul knew the custom and he was always ready to share the gospel. He was literally waiting for them to call him up. This is the first recorded sermon of Paul. Very simple but yet very powerful. Paul opens up his message with an introduction of Truth he continues with make them hearing the truth. Slowly he comes to a point where they can see the truth through Jesus Christ. He did not stop there, he goes on and also tells them about what happens if they don’t believe in this Truth.
It is very heavy to bear the cost of Rejection of the gospel. We would perish and disappear.
God is at Work: No matter how the situation is, God is always in work. We see here that the people were wanting them to stay with them for another week and tell them more about it. The whole city has come to hear from them what the good news is all about. On the other side there are people opposing them because of Jealousy. But God stir the hearts of the people and you know these are the people of Galatia to whom Paul writes later the book of Galatians.
So let us analyze today and see where we are standing in this scripture portion.
Are we part of the team whom God chosen, are we ready to be set apart for his work that he has called us for? Are we there like the sorcerer being a stumbling block for someone from knowing Christ? Can we reach out to the influential people like the proconsul? Are we the person of Distraction or discouragement, pulling others down from what they have been called? Are we able to grab the opportunities that God has given? Do we believe that God is always at work irrespective of what we are able to see?
Acts 3:38-39 – 38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
Paul Anand is a Software engineer and worships at Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community church is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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