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Acts 13 Paul's Journey to Cyprus and Pisidian Antioch

1 Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
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 On Cyprus
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.”
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 In Pisidian Antioch
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.’

26 “Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.

27 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:

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.

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Analysis of Acts Chapter 13

The thirteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles is a pivotal moment in the narrative of early Christianity. It marks the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey, co-commissioned with Barnabas, and heralds the formal outreach to Gentile populations. This chapter can be divided into distinct sections for a detailed analysis: the commissioning at Antioch (verses 1-3), the adventures in Cyprus (verses 4-12), and the events in Pisidian Antioch (verses 13-52). Each section offers rich theological insight and historical context.

The Commissioning at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3)

Verses 1-3 focus on the church at Antioch, a critical center for early Christianity. The presence of diverse prophets and teachers such as Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul (later called Paul) highlights the cosmopolitan nature of this church. It indicates the reach of Christianity beyond the Jewish population into the broader Hellenistic world.

The role of the Holy Spirit is paramount as it directs the ministry. Verse 2 emphasizes, “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'” This demonstrates that the mission work is not a human initiative but divinely orchestrated. The Christian practice of fasting and prayer preceding major decisions reflects deep reliance on divine guidance.

Furthermore, the act of laying hands on Barnabas and Saul to commission them (verse 3) is significant. This is a ritual that symbolizes the impartation of blessing and authority. In the early church, it was a sign of unity and shared mission among believers.

The Adventures in Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12)

Paul and Barnabas, accompanied by John Mark, sailed to Cyprus, starting at Salamis and traveling through the island. Their initial steps mark the descent into a terrain rich with historical, spiritual, and political significance.

At Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in Jewish synagogues, which was a strategic approach given their initial audience was predominantly Jewish (verse 5). This was part of their mission strategy — preaching to Jews first and then Gentiles.

The real highlight of their time in Cyprus occurs in Paphos with the encounter of the magician Bar-Jesus, also called Elymas. This confrontation is significant on multiple levels:

  • Spiritual Warfare: Elymas, described as a false prophet, represents opposition to the Gospel. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebukes him strongly (verses 9-11). This confrontation underscores the power struggle between light and darkness, a recurring theme in Acts.
  • Apostolic Authority: Paul’s authority comes from the Holy Spirit. When he blinds Elymas, it not only demonstrates divine power but also serves as a metaphor for spiritual blindness (verse 11).
  • Conversion of Sergius Paulus: The event’s climax is the proconsul’s conversion. Sergius Paulus, a Roman official, believed the message when he saw what happened to Elymas (verse 12). This conversion indicates the Gospel’s reach into influential circles and foreshadows the broader acceptance of Christianity among Gentiles.

The Events in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-52)

The narrative shifts as they travel to Pisidian Antioch. John Mark departs from them at Perga, an event later causing significant conflict between Paul and Barnabas (verse 13). The missionary team proceeds to the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, and what unfolds is Paul’s first recorded sermon.

Paul’s Sermon in Pisidian Antioch (verses 16-41)

This sermon is a masterful work, weaving Jewish history, prophecy, and the fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The speech is divided into several parts:

  1. Introduction and Historical Review (verses 16-25): Paul starts by establishing common ground with his Jewish listeners, recounting God’s work in Israel’s history. This includes the deliverance from Egypt, the period of judges, the monarchy, and the rise of David. Paul uses these historical points to draw a lineage that culminates in Jesus.
  2. Jesus as Fulfillment (verses 26-37): Paul presents Jesus as the promised Savior from David’s line. He emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Specific references to Scripture (Psalms and the prophets) ground his arguments in Jewish tradition.
  3. Call to Conversion (verses 38-41): Paul concludes with a powerful call to action. He proclaims forgiveness of sins through Jesus, something adherence to the Mosaic Law could not achieve. This radical message is intended to encourage the acceptance of salvation through faith in Christ.

Paul’s sermon is a turning point. It encapsulates the core message of the Gospel — fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, the universal reach of salvation, and the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ.

The Mixed Reaction (verses 42-52)

The immediate aftermath of Paul’s sermon reveals the varied responses to the Gospel. Initially, there is enthusiasm and interest; many follow Paul and Barnabas, wanting to hear more (verse 43). The following Sabbath, almost the entire city gathers to hear the word of God (verse 44).

However, this popularity incites jealousy among some Jews who then contradict Paul and Barnabas, leading to tension and opposition (verses 45-46). This oppositional reaction is a recurring theme in Acts, reflecting the struggle within the Jewish community regarding the acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah and the inclusion of Gentiles in the faith.

Paul and Barnabas’ response to the opposition is crucial: they boldly declare that they will now turn to the Gentiles (verse 46). This declaration is backed by Scriptural justification, quoting Isaiah 49:6, affirming their mission to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

The Gentiles’ reaction is one of joy and acceptance, leading many to believe and marking the spread of the word of the Lord throughout the region (verse 48-49). This Gentile inclusion is a significant development, highlighting the universal nature of the Christian message.

Nevertheless, opposition persists. Prominent Jewish leaders incite persecution against Paul and Barnabas, expelling them from the region (verse 50). Despite this, the narrative concludes on a note of joy and triumph. Paul and Barnabas shake the dust from their feet as a sign of moving on, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (verses 51-52). This resilience emphasizes the unstoppable nature of the Gospel message and the unwavering dedication of its messengers.

Theological and Practical Implications

The episodes in Acts Chapter 13 provide numerous theological and practical lessons for contemporary believers:

  • Divine Guidance in Mission: The commissioning of Paul and Barnabas by the Holy Spirit underlines the importance of prayerful discernment and divine guidance in mission work.
  • Spiritual Authority and Opposition: The encounter with Elymas illustrates the reality of spiritual opposition and the authority believers have through the Holy Spirit to confront such challenges.
  • Inclusivity of the Gospel: The outreach to Gentiles showcases the universal scope of Christianity. The Gospel transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, emphasizing inclusivity.
  • Boldness in Proclamation: Paul’s sermon exemplifies bold proclamation rooted in scriptural foundations. It encourages believers to be knowledgeable in Scripture and confident in sharing the Gospel message.
  • Resilience in the Face of Opposition: The mixed reactions to the Gospel and the subsequent persecution seen throughout the chapter underscore the need for resilience. Despite opposition, the joy and empowerment from the Holy Spirit sustain the mission.

In conclusion, Acts Chapter 13 is a profound reflection of the early church’s mission dynamics, the transformative power of the Gospel, and the steadfastness required in the face of opposition. It serves as an enduring inspiration for contemporary Christian mission work, emphasizing the need for divine guidance, inclusivity, and resilience.