Acts - Week 42

Week 42 Acts 13 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 13:9-10 

9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 

Here are two names for the same person—“Saul, also known as Paul.” Some think he was given the new name after his conversion. Others think it was common for those living in a multi-lingual culture to have more than one name. “Saul” was his Hebrew name; “Paul” was his Greek name. Similarly, Yeshua was Jesus’ Hebrew name; “Iēsous was His Greek name. Paul was not timid, and he rebuked the sorcerer for misrepresenting the ways of the Lord. 

REFLECT 

Do you know some in a bilingual culture who have more than one name? It is not unusual even today. 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, talk more about Saul/Paul. Read Philippians 3:5-6. Compare 1 Samuel 9:1-2. King Saul was also of the tribe of Benjamin and Saul of Tarsus was perhaps named after him.  

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 13:11 

11 Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. 

Paul rebuked the sorcerer for perverting the ways of the Lord and now pronounces the Lord’s punishment on him. The one who had been struck blind on the road to Damascus now strikes one with blindness for attempting to keep someone from listening to the gospel message. As an apostle, Paul was able to do signs, wonders and miracles.  

REFLECT 

This passage reveals how serious it is for someone to obstruct the teaching of God’s Word. In this spiritual warfare, you need to be on God’s side.  

RESPOND 

Special power was given to the apostles, the direct representatives of the Lord Jesus. Read 2 Corinthians 12:12 where this is mentioned. This was to give proof of their apostleship. Once they passed off the scene, these miraculous gifts were not commonly seen.  

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 13:12 

12 When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. 

This verse is worth thinking more about. The governor already had an open heart and wanted Barnabas and Saul to visit him because “he wanted to hear the word of God” (v. 7). After seeing Paul’s miracle he became a believer. Luke, the human author God used to pen the book of Acts, gave as the real reason that “he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.” It was more than a miracle that brought him to Christ. The governor was the first convert of the first missionary journey. 

REFLECT 

Although miracles are spectacular, are you aware that the teaching of the Word of God is even more powerful? At that time the entire Bible was not available as it is now. Christ-followers now have even more information from God to be used. 

RESPOND 

Read about the rich man and the beggar Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. Notice the unbelieving rich man was told if his relatives would not believe the Scriptures they would not believe even if one rose from the dead.  

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 13:13-14 

13 Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia. On the Sabbath they went to the synagogue for the services. 

John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, left Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. There is no reason given for this departure at this point. Paul was so disappointed about this that he would not agree to take him on the Second Missionary Journey. Notice a switch in names: up to this point it was commonly expressed as “Barnabas and Saul”; now it is “Paul and Barnabas.” Paul will be the prominent one taking the gospel to the Gentiles. First, however, they kept taking the gospel to the Jewish people. They did not worship on the Sabbath, but that is where they found Jews to witness to them about the risen Christ. 

REFLECT 

Do you go to places you know unbelievers will be found so you can establish a relationship with them? By this means you may be able to share the gospel with them.  

RESPOND 

Some may think Paul and Barnabas were keeping the Sabbath of Judaism. Read Colossians 2:16-18 to see what Paul, a former Pharisee and keeper of the law, said about Sabbath days. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 13:15-16 

15 After the usual readings from the books of Moses and the prophets, those in charge of the service sent them this message: “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it.” 16 So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. “Men of Israel,” he said, “and you God-fearing Gentiles, listen to me. 

This invitation to speak enabled Paul to give a message similar to what the first martyr, Stephen, had given. He will summarize much Old Testament teaching and then apply it to the Jewish people to whom he was speaking. Paul did not have to prepare a message; he was ready to speak at a moment’s notice. 

REFLECT 

If you were in a meeting and asked to speak about your faith, are you ready? You need to have something in mind even now that could be shared as a short testimony. 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read 1 Peter 3:15 and consider doing the following.  

Write out a possible response you would have when asked about the difference in your life as a believer. Practice saying it aloud so you are ready to say it to someone else. You might even time your short testimony so you could use it in witnessing by saying, “Could I tell you something about my life that only takes a minute?” Be sure to work into your comments about trusting in Jesus as Savior and the difference it has made in your life. No one can argue with that.