Click here for more messages from the book of Acts.
Click here to return to the Sermons page.

MESSAGE SERIES: “CHURCH ON THE MOVE”
Acts 13:4-12

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Church on the Move, and today we see the church move out of Antioch on its first official missionary trip. The book of Acts records three main missionary journeys of Paul. (See chart at end of message.)

The first missionary journey is recorded here in Acts 13-14. Paul and Barnabas are the main missionaries, and in this first trip they go to Asia Minor, specifically the island of Cyprus and then through a number of cities in the area of Galatia. This first missionary journey took place around A.D. 46-49, so about 15-20 years after Jesus’ crucifixion.

The second missionary journey is recorded in Acts 15-18. Paul and Silas are the main missionaries, and in this second trip they revisit some of the churches from the first missionary trip before going to Greece and Europe. This second missionary journey took place around A.D. 51-54.

The third missionary journey is recorded in Acts 18-20. Paul is the main missionary here, and on this third trip he revisits many of the same locations he visited on his first and second trips. This third missionary journey took place around A.D. 54-58. (It is possible that Paul also went on a fourth missionary journey, but that would have taken place after the events recorded in Acts.)

Today we look at the first segment of Paul’s first missionary journey to Cyprus and Galatia. (Read Acts 13:4-5 and pray.)

—————————–

We love missions at our church! We give a large portion of our budget to missionaries each year. Many of you give additional amounts to missions by designating specific donations for specific missions throughout the year. We pray for our missionaries, send them cards during the year, and highlight a different mission for prayer during our worship services each week. Missions is an important part of our church, hopefully an important part of all churches.

It all started right here in Acts 13. The church was on the move as they sent Barnabas and Saul out on the very first missionary trip. God had been preparing the church for this for quite some time. Philip preached the gospel to the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. We saw the conversion of Cornelius and his family in Acts 10. We saw the gospel preached to the Gentiles at Antioch in Acts 11.

But so far, this was all still locally based. The gospel was being preached in Palestine and Syria, but there was no over-the-seas, ends-of-the-world missionary effort happening yet. That all changes right here in Acts 13. This is the first example of a local church specifically and intentionally sending missionaries out with the gospel to other places.

So, what was the first missionary trip like? We just read the description of Barnabas and Saul setting out from Antioch. What would happen and how would God work on this trip? Today we look at the first leg of the journey.

I. Journey to Cyprus (4-5)

The first stop up is the island of Cyprus. So, that’s pretty cool, they got called to an island. That’s every missionary’s dream, right? It’s like going to Hawaii! Look at verses 4-5 with me now:

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. (Acts 13:4-5)

We learn two important principles from these opening verses. 1) They were sent by the Holy Spirit. 2) They went to the synagogues first.

   A. Sent by the Holy Spirit (4)
      – Zechariah 4:6

First, they were sent by the Holy Spirit. This is key to the whole journey, in fact to the entire missionary endeavor today. Remember, this book is not just the Acts of the Apostles. It is the Acts of Jesus through the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. Zechariah 4:6 says: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” If the Holy Spirit is not in it, then it is a waste of time and effort. We will see in just a few verses how essential the Holy Spirit was and is.

We get a little travelogue in these verses, so we’ll put the map up on the screen for you.

First, they went from Antioch to Seleucia. Seleucia was the seaport for Antioch. It was 16 miles away, so to put it in Florida terms, this was like walking from Weston to Port Everglades.

Next, they sailed to the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea. The island of Cyprus is 140 miles long and 60 miles wide. This was about 120 miles away by ship, about the same distance as sailing from Port Everglades to Freeport in the Bahamas.

Why did they go to Cyprus first? We’re not told. Perhaps this was further direct instruction from the Holy Spirit. Perhaps it was simply a prompting from the Holy Spirit. Or it may simply be because Barnabas was from Cyprus. The gospel had already been preached there, but only to the Jews (Acts 11:19-20). Now it was time for the gospel to go to the Gentiles.

   B. Synagogues first (5)
      – Romans 1:16

However, they still followed the pattern of going to the synagogues first. They landed at Salamis, on the eastern side of the island, where they began preaching in the synagogues.

This is the biblical pattern for the gospel. Paul writes in 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.”

The gospel is the power of God. Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers. The Holy Spirit uses the gospel to open up blind eyes and help them see the truth of the gospel so they may believe in Christ. Jesus came as the Messiah for the Jewish people, so the apostles preached in the synagogues first. It wouldn’t have made sense to go to the Gentiles with the gospel without first reaching out to the Jews.

We also learn that John Mark was with them. This is the same Mark who wrote the gospel of Mark. Mark was Barnabas’ cousin. Barnabas and Saul had picked him up on their trip to Jerusalem and brought him back to Antioch with them. Now he accompanies them to the island of Cyprus. Verse 5 specifies John Mark’s role as a helper. Barnabas and Saul are doing the missionary work, and John Mark is assisting them.

II. Elymas the sorcerer (6-8)

This all took place at Salamis, which was on the eastern end of the island. Next, they traveled to Paphos on the western end of the island. This is where we meet Elymas the sorcerer. Look at verses 6-8 with me next:

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. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. (Acts 13:6-8)

Every missionary trip is a little different, but always memorable. It is Elymas that especially makes the first part of this trip memorable.

   A. Bar-Jesus and the proconsul (6-7)
      – 1 John 2:18

After preaching in Salamis, they traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. This implies that they stopped in the various villages along the way and preached the gospel as well. It’s good to preach the gospel wherever you go.

Looking at the map again, Paphos was 90 miles away—so about the length of Alligator Alley here in Florida, although you probably wouldn’t get a whole lot of preaching done between Weston and Naples. Paphos was the center of the Roman government for the island, so it played a similar role to that of Tallahassee here in Florida.

When they get to Paphos they meet Elymas. His real name is Bar-Jesus. Bar-Jesus means “son of Jesus” or “son of Joshua.” (Jesus is just the Greek form of the name Joshua.) Both of these names mean “son of salvation,” but this man is anything but a son of salvation. He is a Jewish sorcerer and a false prophet. I know, a Jewish sorcerer sounds like a contradiction in terms, but there are other mentions of Jewish sorcerers in the early literature of the times.

Bar-Jesus is an example of an antichrist. 1 John 2:18 tells us: “As you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.” Although we often focus on one final, culminating antichrist at the end of time, the Bible tells us there are many antichrists along the way. Anyone who opposes Jesus and the gospel is an antichrist, especially with a name like Bar-Jesus.

Bar-Jesus is an attendant of the proconsul, who is basically the governor of the region. The proconsul’s name is Sergius Paulus. He is described as an intelligent man. When he hears that Barnabas and Saul have arrived in his city, he is interested in what they have to say, so he sends for them. Luke tells us he wanted to hear the word of God, so the proconsul is an example of a willing hearer of the gospel. Oh Lord, please give us willing hearers of the gospel.

   B. Spiritual opposition (8)
      – Matthew 13:18-19

This is where Barnabas and Saul first encounter spiritual opposition on their journey. Bar-Jesus has another name. He is also called Elymas, which means sorcerer or magician. Elymas opposed Barnabas and Saul and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. The verb “opposed” here is in what we call the imperfect tense. You could translate it as “was opposing” or “was resisting” them.

In other words, this was not just a single attempt, but Elymas was continually interrupting them and continually trying to stop them from sharing the gospel. Luke tells us he even tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Perhaps he was financially motivated here. If the proconsul turned to Christ, Elymas could be out of a job.

This all reminds me of what Jesus said in the parable of the sower. Jesus told his disciples: “‘Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path’” (Matt. 13:18-19). Satan tries to seal away the seed of the gospel before the person can truly understand and believe.

Whenever you share the gospel, you are going to face opposition. Why? Because Satan is opposed to God, and he knows the gospel is the power of salvation. Sadly, opposition often works. It’s probably the number one reason why believers don’t share the gospel. We’re afraid of opposition. But there will always be opposition, so we need to get used to it, we need to get over it, we need to expect it, and we need to share the gospel anyway. Yes, Satan will try and steal away that precious seed, but we need to persevere in the power of the Spirit.

III. From Saul to Paul (9-12)

So, we’ve looked at the journey to Cyprus. We’ve met Elymas the sorcerer. And now we come to the place in Acts where Saul becomes Paul. There is no real lead-up to or explanation for the change. Luke simply says, “Saul, who was also called Paul,” and then begins to call him Paul from here on out.

We often see name changes in the Bible at key points in the lives of believers. Abram became Abraham when God promised to make him a father of many nations (Gen. 17:5). Sarai became Sarah when God promised Abraham that she would bear him a son (Gen. 17:15). Jacob became Israel when he wrestled with God. Simon became Peter when he was first introduced to Jesus (John 1:42). Saul becomes Paul here in Acts 13, and the Bible tells us we will each receive a special new name when we go to be with God in heaven (Rev. 2:17).

So, why do we see the change from Saul to Paul at this particular point in the narrative? One possible reason is that we are about to witness the first recorded conversion of a Gentile on this first missionary trip. We have seen other Gentile conversions before this—the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, Cornelius and his household in Acts 10, the Gentiles at Antioch in Acts 11—but this is the first Gentile missionary convert under Saul’s ministry on his first missionary trip.

God had called Saul to be the apostle to the Gentiles, so this was an appropriate time to make the change from Saul to Paul. Paul also takes the lead role in the mission at this time. Up to this point it has always been Barnabas and Saul, but from here on out they are almost always referred to as Paul and Barnabas.

   A. Power encounter (9-10)
      – James 4:7

We are about to see the first Gentile convert on Paul’s first missionary trip, but it doesn’t come easy. First, Paul the apostle has a power encounter with Elymas the sorcerer. Look at verses 9-10:

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?” (Acts 13:9-10)

Saul, also called Paul, has a power encounter with Bar-Jesus, also called Elymas. Notice Paul is first filled with the Holy Spirit. In context this refers to a fresh anointing of power for a specific task. Paul looks straight at Elymas. Elymas is a sorcerer working directly under the power of the devil, but Paul is not intimidated.

You don’t need to be intimidated by the enemy either. James 4:7 says: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” As long as you are submitting yourself to God, as long as you are going in the name of Jesus, as long as you are asking God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, you do not need to be intimidated by the enemy. The enemy is intimidated by you!

But if you are not submitting yourself to God, if you are not going in the name of Jesus, if you are not asking God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, then you would do well to be intimidated. We will see other power encounters in the book of Acts where people are not submitted to Christ, and let’s just say, it does not go well for them (Acts 19:13-16).

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looks straight at Elymas and speaks four words of condemnation against him. He calls him: 1) a child of the devil; 2) an enemy of everything that is right; 3) full of all kinds of deceit and trickery; and 4) one who never stops perverting the right ways of the Lord. How would you like someone to say those things about you?

Remember, Elymas’ real name Bar-Jesus means “son of salvation.” Paul calls him a “child of the devil” instead. Paul also says Elymas never stops perverting the right ways of the Lord. Sergius the proconsul is about to experience conversion, but Elymas practices perversion instead. By the way, the pun works in the original language as well—the Greek words are diastrepho (“perversion”) and epistrepho (“conversion”). So, Elymas is a child of the devil rather than a son of salvation, and he is practicing perversion rather than experiencing conversion.

   B. Darkness and light (11-12)
      – Colossians 1:12-14

Paul speaks these four words of condemnation against Elymas, and then he pronounces God’s judgment upon him for opposing the gospel. Here we see the interplay of darkness and light. Look at verses 11-12 with me next where Paul addresses Elymas:

“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. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. (Acts 13:11-12)

Paul tells Elymas he will experience a temporary period of blindness. Immediately, Elymas is struck blind. This is another case of the apostles performing signs and wonders in confirmation of the gospel. Remember, Paul also experienced a temporary period of blindness after his power encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. But here’s the difference. Paul’s blindness was an act of humbling leading to conversion. Elymas’ blindness is an act of judgment for opposing the word of God.

The proconsul, on the other hand, believed. It wasn’t just the miracle. That was part of it, but the main reason was the word of God. He was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. Although Luke doesn’t tell us the specifics of Paul’s message here in Paphos, we know that Paul would have preached Jesus as the Messiah who died for our sins and was raised again on the third day. And so, the proconsul believes in Jesus. He believes that Jesus is the Messiah who was sent by God. He believes Jesus died for his sins. He believes that Jesus rose again from the dead, and puts his faith and his trust in Christ.

Note the contrast now between Elymas and the proconsul. Elymas was already in spiritual darkness, and he was opposing the word of God. God judges him by plunging him into physical darkness as well. The proconsul was also in spiritual darkness, but he wanted to hear the word of God. He heard the gospel, he believed in Jesus, and he was brought into the kingdom of light.

This is exactly what happens anytime someone believes the gospel. Paul writes to the Colossians about how they should be “… giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:12-14). That’s what happened to the proconsul, and that’s what happens to you when you believe in Jesus.

Wow! What a way to start your first missionary trip. And Paul and Barnabas are just getting started. The church was on the move through missions, and the world would never be the same.

APPLICATIONS: Let me share three applications with you in closing.

   1) You are in a spiritual battle

Number one: know that you are in a spiritual battle. There is a kingdom of darkness and a kingdom of light, and you can only be in one or the other. When you put your faith in Jesus, you have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light, but that doesn’t mean the kingdom of darkness stops fighting. You are in a spiritual battle, and you need to put on your spiritual armor every day in order to stand against the enemy.

   2) Expect opposition to the gospel

Number two: expect opposition to the gospel. Anytime you share the gospel, there is going to be opposition. It may not always be as dramatic as what Paul experienced here with Elymas, but the devil always opposes the word of God. The battle is never stronger than when you are sharing the gospel, so be ready for it. Expect opposition to the gospel.

   3) Share the gospel anyway

Number three: share the gospel anyway. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Yes, there will be some Elymases along the way who align with the enemy and are opposed to the word of God. But there will also be some proconsuls who want to hear the word of God and are ready to believe.

Satan is an enemy of God and all that is right. Therefore, when you share the gospel, you should expect opposition and be prepared for it by submitting yourself to God, being filled with the Spirit, resisting the devil, and sharing the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. The battle is always fiercest when you share the gospel with others. So, prepare yourself for the fight, and commit to sharing the gospel anyway.
 
—————————–
 
PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS

1st Missionary Journey >
Description: Acts 13-14
Missionaries: Paul and Barnabas
Locations: Asia Minor – Cyprus and Galatia
Time frame: A.D. 46-49

2nd Missionary Journey >
Description: Acts 15:36-18:22
Missionaries: Paul and Silas
Locations: Greece and Europe
Time frame: A.D. 51-54

3rd Missionary Journey >
Description: Acts 18:23-20:38
Missionary: Paul
Locations: previous locations
Time frame: A.D. 54-58

4th Missionary Journey? (possible, but after events recorded in Acts) >
Allusions: 1 & 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; Romans 15
Missionary: Paul
Possible locations: Asia; Achaia; Crete; Macedonia; Spain
Time frame A.D. 63-64

For more information, visit the following link:
https://www.theologyfortherestofus.com/pauls-four-missionary-journeys-the-complete-guide/

© Ray Fowler

You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this message provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For any web postings, please link to the sermon directly at this website.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copies:
By Ray Fowler. © Ray Fowler. Website: https://www.rayfowler.org

Click here for more messages from the book of Acts.
Click here to return to the Sermons page.