Session 1
Acts 13:1-12
Memory Verse: Acts 13:3
Acts 13 introduces readers to Saul’s call to ministry and traces his work through the first of many journeys. At the direction of God’s Spirit, the church in Antioch commissioned Saul and Barnabas to preach the Gospel. But this call from the Lord was not limited to Saul, Barnabas, and other church leaders of the time. God remains in the business of calling believers for His purposes. He still sets apart believers to share the gospel in today’s world.
As you prepare to teach this session, ask God to remind you of His call on your life. Like missions or any other God-ordained ministry, the call to teach cannot be separated from dependence on the Holy Spirit. Ask the Spirit to guide your preparation and leadership as you share how Saul’s life was changed in Acts 13. Also, pray that the adults in your Bible study group will embrace God’s unique call on their lives and seek to pursue His purposes with all their hearts.
What’s the difference between being sent and being called? The call comes from the Holy Spirit. He uses cooperating churches in sending-providing confirmation of the call and provision for service. Even if no agency is available, missionaries depend on churches to send them and support them. While Barnabas and Saul were sent by the church in Antioch, Jesus calls every believer to make disciples wherever they go. (PSG, p. 10)
The central character in Acts is the Holy Spirit. The Gospels provided a narrative about the life of Christ; however, the book of Acts continues where the ascension left off. As promised, Jesus sent a Comforter in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is the One who guides the continued growth of believers and development of the church in a post-Jesus world. For Paul’s part, he was committed to honoring God’s call on his life. But he also recognized that anything he accomplished was the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in his life.
Life was not easy for Jesus’s followers in the days after His ascension. The early Christians lived in a world dominated by Roman rule, which often included persecution against Christians. They also faced opposition from Jews who did not acknowledge Jesus as Messiah and fought against what they saw as an existential threat to the Mosaic law and Judaism.
This two-edged persecution perplexed Jesus’s followers as they tried to navigate their daily lives. Today, Christians can see how these struggles shaped theology in the early church. The challenges were theological in nature-requiring the followers to build a foundation upon what they believed about Jesus.
The book of Acts was written to provide a history of the work of the Holy Spirit rather than an interpretation of that work, as seen in most of the New Testament. Luke’s writing included a focus on three significant themes: world mission, God’s control, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Most Bible scholars agree that Acts has two primary divisions: Acts 1-12 and Acts 13-28. To put Acts 13 and following into proper context, readers need to reflect on the events of chapters 1-12. Pentecost and the mission of the church in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria set the stage for reaching the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The importance of Pentecost (Acts 2) cannot be overstated. The Holy Spirit came to exalt Jesus, and the church cannot exist outside this mission to glorify Christ. The rest of this first division of Acts focuses on Peter’s work, the Jerusalem church’s work, and Stephen’s story. Acts 9 also explains the conversion of Saul (Paul)-an event of great magnitude for the rest of the book.
Acts 13 begins the second division of Acts-Paul’s mission and witness across the Roman Empire. Before he was done, Paul would preach the gospel in places like Cyprus, Antioch, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Ephesus. Finally, he even shared the message of Jesus in Rome. This concluding section gives readers a look at the specifics of Paul’s work, along with the ministry of partners like Barnabas, Silas, and Timothy.
Read Acts 13:1-12 Why is it important that churches send God-called people to share the gospel? What blessings has your church received because it helped send others? (PSG, p. 11)
Distribute hymnals or copies of the lyrics to “Take My Life, Lead Me, Lord” (Baptist Hymnal 2008, No. 540). Lead the group to sing or read the lyrics. Ask: What does the line “Make my life useful to Thee” mean to you?
EXPLORE THE TEXT
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As 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 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.
The church at Antioch
Across its early years, significant prophets and teachers emerged from the church in Antioch. The Greek word rendered “prophets” was the same word used to identify those who proclaimed the inspired word of God.
The leaders identified in verse 1 formed a diverse group, including three Gentiles (Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen) and two Jews (Barnabas and Saul). Their different backgrounds emphasized diversity in language, customs, and traditions. The diversity of the leaders reflected the diversity among the believers.
(v. 1) Simeon: Some contend that Simeon was Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’s cross to Calvary. However, there is no strong evidence to support this. Simeon’s surname, Niger, comes from the Latin word for “dark” or “black.” This suggests he was African, which would have underscored the diversity of the Antioch church.
(v. 1) Manaen: This name comes from the Hebrew word for “comforter.” The wording for close friend refers to a “foster brother,” a common term for boys adopted into a royal household as companions for princes. In this case, Manaen grew up with Herod the tetrarch. This is the same Herod who opposed Christ in the Gospels. Manaen’s relationship with Herod suggests a measure of social prominence.
(v. 2) The Holy Spirit said: Christians in Antioch were in the habit of listening for the Holy Spirit’s voice. During their worshiping and fasting, they received God’s direction through the Holy Spirit. The call in verse 2 was a clear command to set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary service.
(v. 2) Called: Believers still discover that calling through Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians. God’s call is a part of every believer’s life and helps define their service in God-chosen activities.
Ministers are often “called” by the church to serve. This does not exclude the Spirit; rather, if done properly, believers rely on the leading of the Spirit to make the decision clear. To be clear, no distinction exists between professional ministers and laity. All believers must trust the Spirit to prepare them and guide them as they serve.
(v. 3) Laid hands on them: The church followed their leaders and joined in the commissioning of Barnabas and Saul. The church again fasted and prayed, this time for God’s blessing upon the two missionaries. The laying on of hands demonstrated how Barnabas and Saul were chosen by God and sent out as the church’s representatives. Previously, individuals had gone out to serve. This was the first initiated by a congregation.
Acts 13:1-3
Spend time praying Scripture using Acts 13:1-3. Read the verses, then respond to these questions:
Example: Thank God for His Spirit’s leadership in our lives. Ask Him to call out members of your Bible study and your church to share the gospel in your community and around the world.
During the session, invite adults to pray this Scripture, as well.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
4 So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant. 6 When they had traveled the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (that is the meaning of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
(v. 4) By the Holy Spirit: Luke again reminded his readers that the Holy Spirit commissioned Barnabas and Saul. It would be easy to think that the church at Antioch sent the two men on their way, but it is clear that it was the Spirit doing the sending. While the church responds to the Spirit and completes the directed action, it is the Spirit who originates the action-the two work in concert with each other.
Cyprus
Barnabas and Saul set out first for Seleucia, the seaport that served Antioch. From there, they traveled to Cyprus, where Barnabas called home. The gospel was not completely unknown in Cyprus, as some of the population was associated with the church in Antioch. As with many islands, Cyprus had been ruled by Egypt, Phoenicia, Greece, Assyria, Persia, and finally, Rome over the years. As a province governed by a proconsul appointed by the Roman senate, Cyprus provided the missionaries with the first of many opponents to their ministry.
(v. 5) Synagogues: The first stop on their journey was Salamis. Barnabas and Saul began their ministry in each new location by preaching in the Jewish synagogues. Cyprus was prosperous and home to a large Jewish population. There were so many Jews that more than one synagogue was needed. Saul’s practice was to be present the message of Jesus to the Jews first.
(v. 5) John: Luke added that John was part of the travel party. The relative of Barnabas, John Mark had traveled with them as an assistant and was likely responsible for keeping an accurate account of all that occurred. As a servant, John Mark also would have provided any assistance required by Barnabas and Saul.
(v. 6) Paphos: Barnabas and Saul journeyed east to west across the island until they reached Paphos, about ninety miles west of Salamis. Some scholars suggest that the group shared the gospel in villages as they went. Paphos was the capital of Cyprus and home of the Roman government on the island. Like many cities in Asia Minor, false deities were prevalent. The Cyprians promoted the goddess Paphian, which was similar to the Greek goddess Aphrodite.
(vv. 6-8) Bar-Jesus: In the idolatrous setting of Paphos, Barnabas and Saul met the sorcerer, Bar-Jesus. Also known as Elymas, Bar-Jesus was a Jew caught up in worshiping false gods and tried to connect Judaism to the worship of false gods. Even in the face of strong opposition, Barnabas and Saul remained dedicated to teaching and preaching the Gospel of Christ. Bar-Jesus was in the inner circle of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus.
(v. 8) Opposed: As Barnabas and Saul explained the gospel, Sergius Paulus appeared curious. This moved Bar-Jesus to argue against the missionaries’ message. Confronting arguments requires believers to be well-informed of the truths in God’s Word as they prepare to share the gospel.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
9 But Saul - also called Paul - filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at Elymas 10 and said, “You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery, you son of the devil and enemy of all that is right. Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord? 11 Now, look, the Lord’s hand is against you. You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then, when he saw what happened, the proconsul believed, because he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
(v. 9) Also called Paul: Because of his background as a Pharisee from Tarsus, Saul could identify with both Jews and Greeks. The identifier Luke had been using was a personal name used by the Jewish people. However, Paul was moving into the Greek world, which led the writer to shift to the Greek name, Paul, for the remainder of the book.
(vv. 9-10) Stared straight: Aware of Elymas’s attempts to impede the gospel and distract the proconsul, Paul-guided by the Holy Spirit-turned a steady eye toward the magician. Again, spiritual warfare is evident as Paul denounced Elymas and proclaimed judgment.
Paul spoke plainly in his condemnation of Elymas. Paul attacked Elymas with three distinct accusations. Deceit and trickery were the methods Elymas was using to distract the proconsul. The text suggests Elymas was pushing Sergius Paulus with false accusations. Paul also called Elymas a son of the devil and an enemy of all that is right. Both stood in contrast with a holy God who reigns in righteousness. In summary, he was trying to pervert or twist God’s truth, making it more difficult for people to understand and believe.
(v. 11) The Lord’s hand: Elymas’s demonic powers and wicked behavior were the cause of the judgment Paul proclaimed from God. The curse upon him was based on his actions of leading others away from the new covenant of the gospel-a covenant that he would have known well, based on his Judaism.
(v. 11) Blind: Just as Moses’s curses on Egypt occurred immediately, so too did the curse of Paul on the false prophet. God struck Elymas blind, so he had to depend on others to lead him. The blindness was more than an outward sign as it also symbolized the results of Elymas’s spiritual condition. It was appropriate that a man who held such influence over leaders was robbed of his power and vision.
Paul’s blindness
In Acts 9, Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus. And, like Elymas, he was blinded and had to be helped by others. Spend time studying and comparing Paul’s experience with what happened to Elymas. Make a list of similarities and differences that you can share with the adults in your Bible study group.
(v. 12) Believed: In previous chapters of Acts, one can read how the Holy Spirit used miracles to open the hearts and minds of observers, preparing them for conversion to Christ. Sergius Paulus believed Paul’s message and became the first recorded convert of the mission among the Gentiles. Though there were likely additional conversions during the Cyprus journey of Paul and Barnabas, Luke shared only the proconsul’s conversion.
Kingdom work calls us to share the gospel. Most believers encounter non-believers every day, yet they do not offer a witness of Jesus. God’s wisdom allows us to recognize witnessing opportunities, and faith empowers us to follow the Spirit’s direction in obedience.
(v. 12) Astonished: The miracle impressed Sergius Paulus, but the message-once clearly explained and received with no distractions-astonished him. The Greek wording suggests amazement. But it also can relate to panic or shock. The Lord’s teaching, more than anything else, is what moved his heart.
Summarize: Review these points from Apply the Text on page 18 of the PSG:
Guide: Lead the group to reflect on the statement that challenges them the most. Suggest that they pray each day this week to demonstrate that statement in their actions.
Discuss: Encourage the group to respond to the first set of questions on page 18 of the PSG.
Challenge: Direct adults to read the second set of questions on page 18 of the PSG during the week and to record their responses.
Pray: Distribute copies of Pack Item 8 (Handout: Praying Scripture). Challenge the group to continue praying through Acts 13:1-3 to seek the Spirit’s leadership in their lives, as noted in the “Praying Scripture” activity. Close the session in prayer.
Reinforce the session by texting or emailing the group during the week. Remind adults that the Holy Spirit will give them power to share their faith as they do the work to which they have been called. Challenge them to be on the lookout for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus as they walk through the week. Remind them to pray Scripture using Pack Item 8 as directed.
Evangelism and Missions
It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. (See Luke 24:46-49; Romans 10:13-15.)
Use other Scripture to help understand a Bible passage.
Paul’s accusations against Elymas in Acts 13:10 express the sorcerer’s intention to distort the straight paths desired by God. Old Testament passages also examine God’s path for His followers. Read these passages from your Bible: Proverbs 10:9; Isaiah 40:3; 59:8; Hosea 14:9; and Micah 3:9. How do these Old Testament passages provide greater understanding of Paul’s point in Acts 13:10? Write a brief description of God’s path as depicted in the selected passages.