PAUL S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY, PART 1. Acts 13:1-52

Transcription

1 1 PAUL S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY, PART 1 Acts 13:1-52

2 Paul s First Missionary Journey, Part 1 2 Text: Acts 13:1-52, 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. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. 4. The two of them, sent on their way 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. John was with them as their helper. 6. They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7. who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for 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 straight at Elymas and said, 10. You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11. Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.

3 3 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 amazed at the teaching about the Lord. 13. From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak. 16. Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17. The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, 18. he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, 19. he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. 20. All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do. 23. From this man s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25. As John was completing his work, he said: Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.

4 4 26. Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 28. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30. But God raised him from the dead, 31. and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. 32. We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33. he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 34. The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David. 35. So it is stated elsewhere: You will not let your Holy One see decay. 36. For when David had served God s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. 37. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 38. Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

5 5 41. Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you. 42. As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. 46. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. 48. When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50. But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

6 6 Introduction: I. Saul s first missionary journey is described in Acts 13:1-14:28. II. In the study of Acts 13:1-3 it is said that:... A. Barnabas and Saul were among teachers and prophets in the church in Antioch of Syria. B. The Holy Spirit directed that Barnabas and Saul be appointed to go on a missionary journey. C. The Antioch church sent Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey with their prayers and full encouragement. Commentary: Barnabas and Saul Sent Off Acts 13:1, 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. (NIV) I. The book of Acts can be divided into two (2) sections; viz.,... A. Chapters 1-12 dealing with the work in Jerusalem and the spread of the gospel from that center under the leadership of the apostles, the work of Peter being emphasized. B. Chapters dealing with the work of Paul (Saul) and his associates among the Gentiles. II. In the first three verses of chapter 13 we read of the commissioning of Barnabas and Saul and the beginning of their first missionary journey.

7 7 III. In the church in Antioch of Syria (There was another Antioch in Pisidia) were talented and Spirit filled Christians who, among them, were certain:... A. prophets and... B. teachers. IV. The named prophets and teachers were:... A. Barnabas,... B. Simeon called Niger,... C. Lucius of Cyrene,... D. Manaen, the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and... E. Saul (Paul). V. Were all these men prophets and teachers or were some prophets and others teachers? A. Most commentators take the position that all these men were both prophets and teachers. B. Prophets were inspired to exhort and instruct, sometimes predictively. C. Teaching was possible with or without inspiration. D. The church, among other things, was built upon the foundation laid by both the Old and New Testament prophets.

8 8 1. Ephesians 2:20, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (NIV) Acts 13:2, 3, 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. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (NIV) I. As these prophets and teachers ministered to the Lord... A. worshiped,... B. benevolently rendered service to the needy,... C. evangelism II. and fasted... A. The early church, now that Jesus had left them on earth to do his work, fasted. The bridegroom was no longer with them. B. Should the church fast in this generation as well? C. What were the reasons for and benefits of fasting? III. The Holy Spirit said evidently through one or more of the inspired prophets. A. Acts 20:22, 23, And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (NIV)

9 9 B. Acts 21:10, After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. (NIV) IV. Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. A. God through the Holy Spirit now sends Barnabas and Saul on missionary journeys to the Gentile world. B. Never would Christianity again be considered merely a sect of the Jews! C. What work does God have for us yet to do for him? V. When the church had fasted, prayed and formally laid their hands on them to appoint, ordain them to preach Christ to the nations... A. The church here wished the apostles, Barnabas and Saul, God speed and... B. with Christian fellowship and love encouraged them in the work on which they were embarking. C. The church gave them a rousing send off. D. Later they reported to the church the success God had given them in their travels. 1. Acts 14:26-28, From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened

10 10 the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples. (NIV) VI. They sent them on their way! On Cyprus Acts 13:4, The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (NIV) I. Leaving Antioch of Syria the Holy Spirit directed Saul and Barnabas to go to Seleucia and from there they sailed to the island of Cyprus. A. Seleucia was the seaport serving Antioch of Syria located some sixteen (16) miles down the Orantes River toward the Mediterranean Sea and some five miles north of the mouth of the river. B. From there Barnabas and Saul sailed to the island of Cyprus which was about one hundred (100) miles off the Syrian coast. C. Cyprus was the birthplace of Barnabas. Acts 13:5, When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. (NIV) I. Barnabas and Saul made their way to the city of Salamis on Cyprus where they preached Jesus in the Jewish synagogue. A. Romans 1:16, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. (NIV)

11 11 B. John Mark attended Barnabas and Saul on this journey. C. John Mark wrote the gospel of Mark. 1. He was the son of Barnabas sister Mary of Jerusalem, nephew of Barnabas. II. Salamis was the largest city on the eastern end of Cyprus. Acts 13:6, 7, They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. (NIV) I. Barnabas, Saul and John Mark traveled through the entire island (about 90 miles) crossing it east to west and came to Paphos on the west of Cyprus. A. Paphos was the Roman capital of Cyprus. B. The ruler (Proconsul) was Sergius Paulus. C. The Governor was a man of intelligence, understanding, wise and prudent, who must have had some knowledge of the Jewish religion as well. D. Sergius Paulus called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the gospel they preached. II. However, Sergius Paulus had an advisor who was a sorcerer, a Jew by the name of Bar-Jesus.

12 12 A. Let us pray that our rulers will have advisors of the highest quality. B. Our rulers need many advisors like Barnabas and Saul, none like BarJesus. Acts 13:8, But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. (NIV) I. Seeing his position threatened, Bar-Jesus (Elymas, by interpretation) resisted Barnabas and Saul and tried to persuade Sergius Paulus to reject the Christian faith. A. Bar-Jesus was this man s family name. 1. Elymas is an Arabic word meaning sorcerer, one who practices the black acts. B. Elymas continually used unscrupulous means to oppose the Gospel and retain his position of advisor to the proconsul. A. Elymas does not at all appear to have been sincere. Acts 13:9-11, Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be 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. (NIV)

13 13 I. Saul who is here also called Paul for the first time in Scripture fastened his eyes on Elymas and blew him away! A. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke firmly to Elymas as the Spirit gave him utterance. B. Paul said to Elymas: You are full of guile and all villainy. 2. You are a son of the devil. 3. You are the enemy of all righteousness. 4. Will you never cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 5. God s hand is against you! 6. You will be struck blind for a season. God was merciful even to Elymas. C. Immediately Elymas was struck blind and sought someone to lead him by the hand. 1. Paul had a similar visual experience on the Damascus road. II. Saul was a Jewish name. Paul was a Roman, Gentile name. III. A mist was Dr. Luke s statement as to the cause of Elymas blindness. A. This expression is found no where else in the New Testament.

14 14 B. Hippocrates, the ancient Greek father of Medicine, used this word to describe the dimming of the eyes by disease or cataracts. Acts 13:12, When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. (NIV) I. When Sergius Paulus saw this demonstration of divine power he believed in astonishment. II. The proconsul became a Christian. A. Believed as here used included everything necessary for conversion. B. Paul had been commissioned to preach to governors as was done here. Acts 13:13, From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. (NIV) I. Paul and his company now set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. A. This was the first time Paul is mentioned as the leader of the missionary group. B. It was here that John Mark left Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem where his mother Mary lived. C. Some believe John left because Paul replaced Barnabas as leader of the work.

15 15 D. Paul did not approve of John s leaving and refused to take him on the second missionary journey which also caused a break in the association of Paul and Barnabas. 1. Acts 15:36-41, Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing. Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (NIV) 2. Paul evidently did not return the support Barnabas had provided him earlier in his Christian life, especially in Jerusalem. In Pisidian Antioch Acts 13:14-16a, From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak. Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: (NIV) I. Paul and Barnabas passed through Perga and came to Antioch of Pisidia.

16 16 A. They went to the Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath and were present for the worship. B. The rulers of the synagogue invited them to speak. C. Paul was the lead speaker again on this occasion. II. Synagogues were found throughout the Roman Empire. A. Some in attendance at these synagogue services were devout Jews of the dispersion who looked for the coming of the kingdom of God. B. Paul by some characteristic gesture beckoned with his hand, evidently seeking the attention of the congregation. Acts 13:16b-41, Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do. From this man s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-

17 17 fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: You are my Son; today I have become your Father. The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David. So it is stated elsewhere: You will not let your Holy One see decay. For when David had served God s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you. (NIV) I. Paul s sermon in the synagogue at Antioch of Psidia made the following points:... A. I am seeking to address men of Israel who fear God. Listen to me!

18 18 B. God led Israel out of Egypt, through the wilderness and into Canaan where they were ruled by judges, then kings. C. The four hundred (400) years were evidently the time which elapsed from the crossing of the Red Sea to the construction of Solomon s Temple. D. From King David s seed came the promise to Israel of Jesus Christ the Savior. E. John came onto the scene preaching the baptism of repentance and pointing the multitudes to Jesus Christ. F. The Jews in the synagogue knew John had preached that Jesus: 1. is the lamb of God. a. John 1:29, The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (NIV) 2. would baptize with the Holy Spirit. a. John 1:33, I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. (NIV) 3. was the bridegroom. a. John 3:29, The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the

19 19 bridegroom s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. (NIV) 4. came from above and is above all. a. John 3:31, The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. (NIV) 5. was sent from God and spoke God s words. a. John 3:33, The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. (NIV) 6. promised eternal life to believers. II. Paul preached that:... a. John 3:36, Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God s wrath remains on him. (NIV) A. Jerusalem Jews slew Jesus. B. Jesus was taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb. C. God raised him from the dead! D. Jesus was seen for many days by his followers who are witnesses of his resurrection. III. Paul and Barnabas had brought good tidings to Antioch that the promise God had made to the Jewish fathers had been fulfilled in Jesus.

20 20 A. The Lord Jesus Christ had indeed been resurrected never again to die. 1. Psalm 16:10, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. (NIV) 2. Isaiah 53:3, He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (NIV) B. Jesus is God s only begotten Son. 1. Matthew 3:17, And a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. (NIV) 2. Romans 1:4, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (NIV) C. It was Jesus, not David, who saw no corruption. 1. David s sepulcher could still be seen. 2. Where is the occupied grave of Jesus? IV. Through Jesus is proclaimed the remission of sins and justification through faith in his name. A. We could not be justified through the law of Moses. B. Only through Jesus the Christ can we be justified.

21 21 V. It is a terribly serious thing to fail to believe in the Risen Christ. A. Habakkuk 1:5, Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. (NIV) B. Isaiah 53:1, Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? (NIV) Acts 13:42, 43, As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. (NIV) I. The Jews in the synagogue were very interested in what Paul and Barnabas had said and requested that they return the following Sabbath to tell them more about Jesus the Christ. II. When the synagogue service ended many Jews and proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas who further instructed them to continue seeking, living in the grace, favor of God. Acts 13:44, 45, On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. (NIV) I. Next Sabbath a huge crowd, evidently Jews and Gentiles, gathered to hear Paul and Barnabas preach the word of God. II. The Jews, seeing the success of Paul and Barnabas, became intensely jealous and disputed everything being preached by the apostles.

22 22 A. The Jews spoke blasphemously evidently against Jesus our Lord as well as against Paul and Barnabas. B. These Jews were no longer open-minded. Acts 13:46, 47, Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. (NIV) I. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly in view of the opposition they were facing and the danger involved in the situation. II. Paul and Barnabas said:... A. The word had to be first spoken to the Jews. B. Since the Jews rejected the gospel they were now going to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. C. By rejecting the word of God preached by Paul and Barnabas these Jews had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. D. The apostles said the Scriptures had commanded them to preach to Gentiles everywhere. E. Jews believed they were the sole heirs of salvation and must have been really offended that Paul and Barnabas were going to preach to uncircumcised Gentiles.

23 23 F. They shouldn t have been surprised because the Scripture had spoken to this question. 1. Isaiah 49:6, It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. (NIV) 2. Hosea 1:10, Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, You are not my people, they will be called sons of the living God. (NIV) 3. Hosea 2:23, I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called Not my loved one. I will say to those called Not my people, You are my people ; and they will say, You are my God. (NIV) 4. Isaiah 65:2, All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations. (NIV) Acts 13:48, 49, When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. (NIV) I. The Gentiles who were present were glad when they heard they were to be full subjects of the gospel. II. As many as were ordained to eternal life believed, were converted; that is, as many as were favorably disposed toward the gospel believed in Jesus and the resurrection.

24 24 Acts 13:50, But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. (NIV) I. The Jews used their influence to incite prominent people including devout women of honorable estate and chief men of the city against Paul and Barnabas. II. The people of Antioch of Pisidia persecuted Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. A. The Jews were able to manipulate the political and social leaders of the city for their own purposes. Acts 13:51, 52, So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (NIV) I. According to Jewish custom, Paul and Barnabas shook off the dust of their feet against them. A. Luke 9:5, If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town as a testimony against them. (NIV) B. Paul and Barnabas were indignant in regard to their rejection at Antioch after a most promising start. C. They also were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit that they had brought some to the Lord and that they had been found worthy to suffer for the Name of Jesus.

25 Questions 25 on Acts 13: and were sent on their way by the. They went down to and sailed from there to. 2. When they arrived at, they proclaimed the of in the. Traveling with them was. 3., and traveled through the whole island of until they came to where they met a and named - who was an attendant of the. 4. was an man. He sent for and because he wanted to hear the of. 5. the (for that is what his name means) did everything he could to persuade not to pay any attention to and.

26 26 6., who was also called, called a of the and an enemy of everything that is who was full of all kinds of and. 7. The hand of the struck blind. He about seeking someone to him by the. 8. When the saw what had happened, he, for he was at the about the. 9. From, and his sailed to in, when left them to return to. 10. From they went on to. On the they entered the and. After the from the and the, the invited and to speak if they had anything to say. 11. Paul rehearsed Jewish history and showed by the Scriptures that was the, crucified and from the. When the service was over, the people invited and to speak to them again the next.

27 On the next almost the gathered to hear the of the. The saw the and were filled with and talked against what was saying. 13. When the refused to believe the gospel, Paul and Barnabas turned to the. All among the who heard the word were glad. All who were for. The of spread through the. 14. The stirred up against and and them from their. and shook the from their in against them and went to. The were filled with and the. 15. In the church at were and :, called, of, and. 16. The said and were to be set apart for a special work, missionary work. 17. The Antioch church and, their on them and them off.

28 How does the church of which you are a member appoint people to do special work for Christ? 19. What were the similarities and differences between Saul s blindness and Elymas blindness? 20. John the Baptist had preached that Jesus was 21. Why did John Mark leave Paul and Barnabas and return to Jerusalem? 22. Where in scripture is Saul first called Paul and what is the significance of these two names?

29 Is it true that only through Jesus can people be saved? If so, what is the significance of this fact in today s world? 24. How would you compare Elymas and the jealous Jews of Pisidian Antioch? 25. How would you compare Sergius Paulus and believing Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch?