Acts - Week 41

Week 41 Acts 13 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 13:1 

1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 

There were several Antiochs in the first century. This one was three hundred miles north of Jerusalem and located near the Mediterranean, and the third largest city in the Roman Empire. Only five people are singled out. Some were prophets ad teachers. The word used to describe Simeon is actually Niger that means “black.” One of the early converts was a childhood companion of one of the Herods. The converts of the early church were a blended group; they emphasized sin, not skin.  

REFLECT 

Think about that small group that God used to evangelize the then-known world. Some were sent; others stayed and prayed. 

RESPOND 

Visit with your disciple about this passage of Scripture. Point out that what is emphasized is not their earthly qualifications but their spiritual ones.  

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 13:2-3 

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. 

The text does not say how the Holy Spirit communicated His message to these men. His message was clear: “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” Note it is the Holy Spirit who moved in their hearts to hear and obey. After more fasting and prayer, they identified with them by laying their hands on them and sending them away. 

REFLECT 

This procedure was not an ordaining to the ministry as is often done today. There was no clergy in those days. The early church was a lay movement that was called to make an impact on the world for Christ. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and talk with your disciple about how God does not choose the wisest and most gifted to do His work. As someone has said, “The greatest ability is availability.”  

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 13:4-5 

4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. 5 There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant. 

This begins what is commonly called “The First Missionary Journey.” Cyprus was Barnabas’s home area (see Acts 4:36). Most study Bibles have maps that show the travels of Barnabas and Saul, along with Mark, cousin to Barnabas (see Colossians 4:10). Even here they were first preaching the message to the Jewish people by going to the synagogues. Notice what they were preaching: “the word of God.” It touches on social issues but the main thing is proclaiming the message about Jesus and what He came to do. 

REFLECT 

Think about what you can do to help others. It will not be your expertise in talking about social issues but what you can share from the Bible. Even if a person were on the right side of a social issue, the person would still need to know Jesus as Savior to have salvation. 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. Paul was well educated and could have talked about many things, but he chose to talk only about “Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.” Notice also he came to the Corinthians in weakness, but his confidence was in the life-changing Word of God. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 13:6-7 

6 Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. 

This passage reveals when there are open hearts to hear the message of God, there seems always to be opposition. This false prophet was described as “Bar-Jesus.” “Bar” is the word for “son” so this was the son of Iésous. This also reveals that Iésous was a common name at that time. The governor had an open heart to hear the Word of God, but Satan was anxious to keep that from occurring.  

REFLECT 

As you have had an opportunity to speak the gospel to an open heart, have you had or felt opposition? The Devil does not want people to turn to Jesus. 

RESPOND 

To read about the spiritual warfare believers are in, read Ephesians 6:10-17. Pray that God will overcome the opposition and give you an opportunity to share the gospel with someone with an open heart. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 13:8 

8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing. 

In spiritual warfare the Devil uses people to accomplish his purpose. Here he endeavored to use Elymas, the sorcerer who had “attached himself to the governor” (v. 7)  Elymas was wanting to keep the governor from believing, so the goal was clear. Everything else was secondary. Notice the concern was not some governmental policy but believing in Jesus for salvation.  

REFLECT 

As you endeavor to witness for Jesus sometimes the conversation can become distracted into secondary issues. Stick to the subject and keep the main thing in focus. 

RESPOND 

In spiritual battles, you need to know who the source of victory is. Read 1 John 4:1-6 for the answer. Also read 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 to see the true opposition.