Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 And while they were ministering to 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, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
On Cyprus
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John as their helper. 6 And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, 10 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 13: 1-12 LSB
Acts 13: 1-12
We saw Paul before as Saul, persecuting the Christians, and we saw in the first part of Acts, the birth of the church and some highlights from the ministry of Peter, first to the Jews and then to Cornelius. The early church has fallen under much persecution, and much time has past from Acts 1 until now. We will now see the parallel ministry of Paul, the apostle to the gentiles.
David Jeremiah - Another way to outline the book of Acts is to center it on the book’s key character: the apostle Paul. More than half of the book of Acts (chapters 13–28) chronicles Paul’s missionary activity. Chapters 1–12 can be read as a prologue to Paul’s work, as these chapters identify him as the leading persecutor of the church, describe his conversion to Christ, and record his pre-missionary activities.Prologue (Acts 1–12): The church is born; believers are persecuted and scattered; Saul of Tarsus, the Christians’ chief persecutor, is converted; Paul is gradually accepted by the church.
Paul’s first missionary journey and the council at Jerusalem (Acts 13–15:35): Paul preaches to the Gentiles in Cyprus, Turkey, and Syria, taking Barnabas and John Mark with him; the council at Jerusalem declares that Gentiles who come to Christ do not need to be circumcised.
Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 15:36–18:22): Paul and Silas strengthen churches in Syria; Paul travels throughout Greece, preaching and encouraging new believers (such as Lydia, Priscilla, and Aquila).
Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 18:23–21:16): Paul ministers in Ephesus (in modern-day Turkey) before returning to Jerusalem, where he is arrested.
Paul’s fourth “missionary journey” (Acts 21:17–28:10): This is not a planned missionary journey; it comes as a result of Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem and his appeal to make his case to Caesar in Rome.
Epilogue (Acts 28:11-31): Paul is incarcerated in Rome. - PA
V. 1 Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch - God has raised up these men and honed their craft over some time. We often read through these chapters as pages rather than the many years and historical journeys they represent. Niger means "black", so the church at Antioch was already becoming as diverse as it's surroundings. It is a city representative of many different peoples who come there to do business. Lucius name means "light" in Latin, but I cannot find much about him. Manaen means "comforter".
Prophets (4396)(prophetes from próphemi = literally to tell beforehand in turn from pró = before, in front of, forth, on behalf of + phemí = speak, tell) is primarily a forth-teller or one who speaks out God’s message, primarily to their own generation, usually always calling the people to God's truth for them at that moment, often using the phrase "Thus saith the Lord." Although we commonly think of the prophet as predicting future events (foretelling) generally this was secondary to his work of forth-telling. In sum, forth-telling deals with current events (spiritual life today) and fore-telling with future events, but in both the goal is the same -- to call us to trust the Lord and submit to His will for our lives, living in conformity with His Word and growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Whom be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18+).
In Acts 11:27+ Luke records that Agabus came down from Jerusalem to give a fore-telling of a future famine in A D 45. Though the prophets were not essentially predictors of the future, the case of Agabus shows that their functions sometimes did include the actual prediction of coming events. Apparently Agabus returned to Jerusalem after giving his prophecy of a famine because Luke records that while Paul was staying with Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:8+) "a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea (used for "Jerusalem")," (Acts 21:10+) and foretold of Paul's subsequent binding and deliverance into the hands of the Gentiles (Acts 21:11+), a prophecy which came to pass.
John MacArthur writes that "Effective, strong churches inevitably have godly leaders, and the church at Antioch was no exception. God has always put a premium on spiritual leadership (Acts 6:3; 1 Tim. 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; cf. Hos. 4:9; Matt. 9:36). These five men were the heart of the ministry at Antioch....The prophets edified the saints by preaching expositions of existing revelation (cf. 1 Thess. 5:20). Although prophets of that unique kind no longer exist, the similar gift for preaching the Word of God remains. It is given to pastors and evangelists, who proclaim what Peter called “the prophetic word” (2 Pet. 1:19) and is still vital to the spiritual health of the church (cf. Rom. 10:14–18). All the way to the return of the Lord, the “spirit of prophecy” continues to be “the testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 19:10).
Peterson notes that "Barnabas and Saul have already been identified as teachers in Acts 11:26+ where they "taught (didasko) considerable numbers." - PA
And Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch - His name is transliterated from the Hebrew "Menachem" and means "comforter" or "consoler." Manaen was raised in the environment of the generally evil Herodian line. Manaen was the childhood companion of Herod, either a close friend or the foster brother of Herod the Tetrarch (aka "Herod Antipas" who governed Galilee from 4 BC to AD 39). Herod the Tetrarch is the ruler who had John the Baptist imprisoned in Lk 3:19+ and beheaded in Mt 14:10. Later Herod the Tetrarch played a role in the contempt and mocking of Christ (Lk 23:11+) and subsequent condemnation of Christ (see Lk 23:7-10, 11, 12+). And yet in spite of being raised in such an evil environment, Manaen was redeemed by God to be used to edify the body of Christ in Antioch! Is this not amazing grace! - PA
V. 2 And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting - So many people called ministers today, do so to be waited upon, ministered to, instead of being called to the service of God's people. What we do with our gifts for each other is as unto God. Paul and Barnabas have been with the people of Antioch, faithfully teaching the word of God. Quit looking at the crowd, quit studying their body language, remember that you are handling God's word, that you teach as before Him, that your worship is directed and directs others to Him. He is the judge and final say as to your doctrine, not the claps or amen of the human audience.
…7From there they traveled to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land with streams of water. 8At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. 9That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.… Deuteronomy 10: 7-9
…15However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God.… Romans 15: 15-17
John MacArthur wrote, “Their ministering was not to the congregation but to the Lord. It is crucial to understand that God is the audience for all spiritual ministry.” - PA
V. 3 They sent them away - These men were already using their gifts in the local sense before they were ever sent out. I know when I was young I thought it would be cool to be called as a missionary to Brazil or Peru, and how much easier it would be to talk about God then and there. I probably mostly wanted to catch Peacock bass and breed discus fish, but if you are not faithful in your study and witness at home, at work and amongst your neighbors, then you are not ready to be fishing in the Amazon either.
Vs. 4-5 To proclaim the word of God in the synagogues - Paul makes this a practice wherever he goes. He still loves his Jewish brothers and sisters, and along with his call to the gentiles he always looks for his fellow Jews in every city. He was not a replacement theologian.
…2I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.… Romans 9: 2-4
V. 6 A false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus - Luke calls it like it is, there is no reason to reduce the charge for the sake of unity or compromise for the sake of peace and quiet. We are to be united in the truth and this man is speaking untruths so he is to be called out and corrected. The church was growing, and with that will come opposition, but even worse is that which pretends to join and then undermines from within.
1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. 3In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.… 2 Peter 2: 1-3
…14And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” 15Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” 16This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.… Jeremiah 23: 14-16
Jack Arnold - Bar-Jesus means “the son of Jesus.” In the Hebrew culture, to call yourself the son of someone was to designate yourself his follower. This man was claiming to be a follower of Jesus, but what he taught was absolutely contrary to what Jesus taught. Today we have cults such as the Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Unitarians, Unity, Christian Science, Armstrongism, Spiritism, Rosicrucianism, Bahaism and many others who seize upon the name of Jesus, claim the name of Christianity and yet teach unchristian and unbiblical doctrine. They have mixed much error with a little truth and are cults because they deny the fundamentals of the Christian faith. The age we are living in is the age of the cults and all of them are false and Satanically inspired. It is common today to hear of Astrology, I Ching, Edgar Cayce and A.R.E., Spiritualism, Witchcraft, Satanism, Scientology, Hare Krishna, Transcendental Meditation, Sun Myung Moonism, and many others. We live in an age when the forces of hell will openly challenge the forces of God. It is frightening, but exciting, since it will give us an opportunity to see God work for Christians in supernatural ways to put down the forces of evil. (The Blessings, Burdens and Blunders of Missionaries)
Magician (3097)(magos) is derived from the Persian word magus meaning "great" (thus "great, powerful men") and in the plural ("magi") as in Mt 2:1, 7, 16, magi referred to the high priestly caste Persians (also Medes and Babylonians) who are affectionately called the "wise men." The other sense of magos is that of a magician or sorcerer, one who used magic crafts or "witchcraft." BDAG adds that magos referred to "a Persian and then also Babylonian wise man and priest, who was expert in astrology, interpretation of dreams and various other occult arts (Herodutus, Josephus 20.142). The Septuagint uses magos in Daniel 2:2 when King Nebuchadnezzar desired to know the meaning of his dream and called "the magicians (epaoidos - one that uses charms or incantations), the conjurers (magos), the sorcerers (pharmakos)." - Precept Austin
Vs. 7-8 Sergius Paulus - This governor wanted to speak to Paul and Barnabas about the faith, but Elymas, the magician, wanted to block this meeting. The true gospel points men to Christ, and it even ask that men evaluate what we tell them against Holy Scripture. It allows that we need to be tested, but false teachers want you to believe that they have special knowledge, a different access to God than you, and so you need to listen to them, give them your money, and where they differ with what the Word of God actually teaches, well they want you to still side with them. There is much play to the emotions, to excitement, to entertainment, to carnality, because they are ear ticklers who desire that you follow them rather than Christ.
Ramsay - A Greek inscription of Soloi on the north coast of Cyprus is dated “in the proconsulship of Paulus,” who probably is the same governor that played a part in the strange and interesting scene now to be described.
Utley adds that "There has been much discussion about the historicity of Luke’s accounts. Here is a good example of the accuracy of Luke the historian. He calls this man “a proconsul,” which meant Cyprus was a Roman Senatorial province. We learn this occurred in A.D. 22 by decree from Augustus. We also learn from a Latin inscription at Soloi that Sergius Paulus began his proconsulship in A.D. 53. The more information archaeology discovers from the Mediterranean world of the first century, the more Luke’s historical accuracy is corroborated." - PA
Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) - Elymas the magician (sorcerer, see magos). The name "magician" is somewhat misleading because this term does not refer to magicians as we normally think of today where magic is performed for entertainment. The magicians most Americans are familiar with are those that practice some form of illusion which has nothing to do with the supernatural world. As Wikipedia says this form of magic "is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by staged tricks or illusions of seemingly impossible feats using natural means." Wikipedia has a lengthy description of "supernatural magic" which would be closer to what Elymas the magician practiced. For example, Wikipedia says that especially during the Middle Ages "Christian authors categorised a diverse range of practices—such as enchantment, witchcraft, incantations, divination, necromancy, and astrology—under the label magic." In fact, Dr John MacArthur feels that Acts 13:8 gives us virtually a descriptive definition of the "occult." (Sermon) - PA
Vs. 9-10 You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil - Wow, you are not a follower of Christ, you are a follower of Satan. In the age of politeness I have only known of a few pastors who will call it out like this, most try to keep everyone together, keep them calm, and they don't confront like a true shepherd would the wolf, and so many a soul gets savaged, many trip over this block. Paul also tells him, "you will not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord", and oh let me count the ways. This is an ongoing attack, a Jesus, Who says that He is the only way, and then people who call themselves pastors saying, "there are many ways, be a good person, have your best life now, do this, pray this prayer, don't hurt anyone's feelings with the truth." The Scriptures tell us a different story.
…28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. 29I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.… Acts 20: 28-30
14After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15 “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” Mark 1: 14-15
13Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.… Matthew 7: 13-15
…5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test? 6And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed.… 2 Corinthians 13: 5-7
1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,…
…4who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—…
…7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!… Galatians 1: 1-9
Vs. 11-12 A mist and a darkness fell upon him - He tried to keep others in the dark spiritually, and now it has become a physical reality for him.
Moody Bible Commentary has an interesting note - The blinding of Elymas and the conversion of Sergius Paulus demonstrated the beginnings of the change that would happen in the early church—Israel would more and more reject the gospel, while Gentiles would be increasingly receptive. Paul noted later in Romans 11 that the Jewish people were hardened by God to allow time for the gospel to be taken to the Gentile world, and the Gentiles would be the ones more inclined initially to embrace Messiah Jesus (cf. the comments on Romans 11:11-24+). Paul's experience at Paphos foreshadowed what he would experience throughout his life in ministry to Jews and Gentiles. His gospel message would largely be rejected by Jews but accepted by Gentiles. From a theological perspective this event provided the historical background for Paul's discussion of Jewish unbelief in Romans 9-11. There Paul answered the question about Gentile responsiveness to the gospel and Jewish unbelief. Did it mean that God's plan of redemption for the Jewish people had failed? The answer is an emphatic, "No!" Rather, Paul explained, Jewish unbelief opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Nevertheless, the temporary blinding of Elymas cannot be cited to support the teaching that the church has replaced Israel in God's program. - PA
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