Acts Bible Study: Day 22
Today’s passage: Acts 12:25 to Acts 13:52
Focus verse: 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.” (Acts 13:2)
Our narrative of the early church now returns to Barnabas and Saul, also called Paul.
In Antioch, as the church worships God and fasts, the Holy Spirit gives them instructions. “I have an assignment for Barnabas and Saul. Bless them, and send them out.”
When the church completes their fast, they place their hands on the two, dispatching them for their new adventure. It’s their first missionary journey.
The Holy Spirit sends the pair, joined by John Mark, to Seleucia, then Cyprus, and on to Salamis. They go to the synagogues and tell the Jews about Jesus.
On Paphos they meet a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet, named Bar-Jesus (Elymas). Elymas opposes them and tries to turn his boss, the proconsul, from his faith in Jesus.
Saul, who now goes by Paul, has a spiritual smackdown with Elymas. Guided by Holy Spirit insight, Paul calls Elymas a child of the devil, an enemy to all that is right.
“You’re full of deceit and tricks. Stop perverting God’s ways.” Paul says God will blind Elymas for a time. Immediately Elymas loses his sight. That gets his attention and amazes his boss.
Next Barnabas and Paul go to Perga and then Pisidian Antioch (a different city than Antioch in Syria). On the Sabbath, they go to the synagogue.
The leaders ask if they have anything to share. Paul does. He preaches a sermon, connecting their history and their scriptures to explain about Jesus.
Paul quotes several passages and wraps up by citing Habakkuk, who prophesies that God will do a new thing.
As the meeting wraps up, the people invite Paul and Barnabas to come back the next week. They do. Most of the city shows up to hear what they have to say. Some of the Jews, however, grow jealous and oppose Paul, arguing against what he says.
Paul and Barnabas have an answer, a somber one. “We wanted to tell you Jews about Jesus, first. But because you won’t listen and reject this good news, we’ll tell the Gentiles instead.” The Gentiles are overjoyed and begin following Jesus.
This is the third time where it’s made clear that Jesus didn’t come just for the Jews, but for everyone. This is good news indeed.
Questions:
- Jesus came for everyone, but do our actions truly show that we believe this?
- What actions or attitudes do we need to change?
[Discover more about God’s desire for everyone to come to him in Isaiah 2:2, Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:6, Obadiah 1:15, Haggai 2:7, and Matthew 28:19.]
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Read more about the book of Acts in Acts Bible Study: Discover How the Early Church Can Inform What We Do Today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.
Revitalize your faith with Acts Bible Study by Peter DeHaan. This 40-day journey through the early church reveals timeless lessons on community, perseverance, and Holy Spirit power.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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