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Trace the steps of Apostle Paul and Barnabas in the gripping account of Paul’s First Missionary Journey in Acts 13. Discover the duo’s divine calling, their strategic evangelistic efforts, the powerful sermons that challenged and converted, and the mixed receptions they encountered. Delve into the historical and spiritual milestones that shaped the Christian faith’s expansion from Jewish roots to a global belief system.

Commissioning of Saul (Paul) and Barnabas (Verses 1-3)

The commissioning of Saul and Barnabas in the first three verses of Acts 13 is a seminal event in the narrative of the early Church and a watershed moment in the spread of Christianity beyond the confines of Judaism. This passage is not merely a transition into the first missionary journey of Paul but is a divine act that sets the course for the Christian faith to become a global religion.

The Church at Antioch: A Pioneering Community

The church at Antioch served as a prototype of Christian multiculturalism and missional outreach. As the third-largest city in the Roman Empire, Antioch was a melting pot of various cultures and religions, reflecting a rich diversity within its Christian community as well. It was here that followers of Jesus were first called Christians (Acts 11:26), a term signaling a distinct identity that transcended ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Prophets and Teachers: The Leadership

Among the members of the church were prophets and teachers, roles of significant authority within the early church. Prophets, inspired by the Holy Spirit, brought messages directly from God, while teachers were responsible for the systematic instruction in the faith. Among these were Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul. This list reflects the diversity of the early church—Barnabas a Levite from Cyprus, Simeon who possibly was of African descent, Lucius from North Africa, Manaen who had connections to the tetrarch Herod, and Saul, a Pharisee and Roman citizen from Tarsus.

Divine Directive: The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit’s directive to set apart Saul and Barnabas underscores the divine initiative in mission. This was not a human strategy but a response to a clear command from God. The Spirit’s call was for a special task, a ‘work’ to which they had been called, indicating a divine purpose that needed particular attention.

Fasting and Prayer: The Community’s Commitment

The act of fasting and prayer demonstrated the community’s reliance on God and spiritual preparation for the task ahead. This was not a casual sending; it involved a solemn recognition of the gravity and spiritual nature of the mission.

Laying on of Hands: The Apostolic Tradition

The laying on of hands was an act of identification, blessing, and commissioning. This gesture was symbolic, representing the transference of authority and the church’s endorsement of the Holy Spirit’s calling upon Saul and Barnabas. It was a tangible sign of the Antioch church’s unity with and support for the mission.

Sent Off: The Beginnings of Missionary Work

The phrase ‘sent off’ is from the Greek word ἀπολύω (apoluō), meaning to release or send away with a commission. This indicates that Saul and Barnabas were not merely leaving; they were sent as representatives of the Antioch church and, more importantly, of Christ himself.

The commissioning of Saul and Barnabas by the Holy Spirit through the church at Antioch is foundational to understanding the missional heart of God as reflected in the New Testament. This event was not the beginning of God’s mission—His mission has been ongoing since creation—but it was a critical point where the gospel began to reach the ends of the earth through intentional missionary activity. It was an affirmation that the message of Jesus was for all humanity and that the church was the instrument through which God would call the nations to Himself.

This passage is a testament to the power of divine guidance, communal discernment, and the transformative impact of dedicated individuals responding to God’s call. It marks the transition from the gospel being predominantly within the sphere of Jewish influence to it becoming a universal message, crossing geographic, cultural, and ethnic barriers.

In these three verses, we witness the convergence of divine sovereignty and human agency, the sacred and the secular, and the Jewish and the Hellenistic worlds. The commissioning of Paul and Barnabas stands as a pivotal moment in Christian history, underscoring the movement of the Holy Spirit and the obedient response of the church in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Mission in Cyprus (Verses 4-12)

The mission in Cyprus represents a critical phase in the early church’s missionary activity, showcasing the power of the gospel message and the conflict between the nascent Christian faith and established pagan practices. This segment of scripture vividly narrates the encounter between Paul and Barnabas with both receptive and hostile audiences, culminating in a dramatic demonstration of God’s power over false prophets and magicians.

Embarking on the Missionary Journey

Upon their departure, Saul (who is also known as Paul), Barnabas, and John Mark first set sail to Cyprus. Cyprus was not only a significant commercial center but also held personal significance for Barnabas, who hailed from the island (Acts 4:36). Starting their mission in Cyprus was strategic due to its geographic position as a crossroads of the Mediterranean and its cultural diversity.

Proclaiming the Word in Jewish Synagogues

Their approach to evangelism in Cyprus adhered to the pattern Paul would consistently follow throughout his missionary journeys: first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16). They proclaimed the Word of God in the Jewish synagogues, signaling continuity with the Hebrew scriptures and affirming the Messiahship of Jesus within the context of Jewish expectation.

Encounter with Sergius Paulus

Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Cyprus, is introduced as an intelligent man who summoned Barnabas and Saul because he desired to hear the word of God. His position as a Roman official of considerable authority indicates that the message of the gospel had begun to attract the attention of the upper echelons of Roman society. This reflects the early Christian mission’s broad appeal and the Holy Spirit’s work in drawing diverse individuals to the truth of the gospel.

Opposition from Elymas the Magician

The mission’s progress, however, faced opposition from Elymas, also known as Bar-Jesus, a magician and false prophet. His attempt to turn the proconsul away from the faith exemplifies the spiritual warfare inherent in the spread of the gospel. Elymas represents the forces of darkness that stand in opposition to the light of Christ’s message.

Paul’s Rebuke and the Miracle of Blindness

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronts Elymas in a moment of divine judgment. The temporary blindness that strikes Elymas is symbolic of his spiritual condition and serves as a sign to all of the power and authority of the apostolic message and the impotence of pagan practices in the face of God’s power. The word used for “blindness” in Greek is τύφλωσις (typhlōsis), indicating not just a physical ailment but a spiritual metaphor for the inability to perceive divine truth.

The Conversion of Sergius Paulus

The proconsul’s belief upon witnessing this event is significant. The text indicates he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord, suggesting that the miracle reinforced the message of the gospel, leading to his conversion. This account underscores the role of miracles in the apostolic witness, not merely as spectacles of power but as signs that validated the truth of the message they proclaimed.

The mission in Cyprus, as described in Acts 13:4-12, provides an illustrative snapshot of the early Christian mission: the strategic proclamation of the gospel, the encounter with and conversion of high-ranking officials, the opposition from entrenched pagan elements, and the miraculous works that confirm the truth of the Christian message. Paul and Barnabas’s ministry on the island set a precedent for the mission field—demonstrating that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16). The events in Cyprus serve as a microcosm of the larger movement of Christianity from a localized Jewish sect to a faith that would eventually encompass the entire Roman Empire and beyond.

Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia (Verses 13-41)

Paul’s sermon in Antioch of Pisidia is a masterful exposition of salvation history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Paul and his companions advance their mission into the Roman province of Galatia, they encounter both receptivity and resistance, reflective of the broader experience of the early church’s proclamation of the gospel.

Journey to Antioch of Pisidia

Departing from Paphos, Paul and his companions arrive in Perga of Pamphylia. Here, John Mark, for reasons unstated in the text, decides to return to Jerusalem. This departure would later become a point of contention between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37-39). Proceeding to Antioch of Pisidia, they continue their practice of entering synagogues on the Sabbath to preach, thus engaging with the Jewish diaspora and God-fearers.

Invitation to Speak

In Antioch of Pisidia, after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, a customary practice in the synagogue service, Paul and his companions are extended an invitation to share a word of exhortation. This invitation reflects the synagogue’s role as a place of teaching and debate, a suitable forum for Paul’s message.

Outlining Israel’s History

Paul begins his sermon by recounting the history of Israel, from the sojourn in Egypt to the conquest of Canaan and the era of the judges. He then transitions to the monarchy, citing Saul and David, from whose lineage the Savior Jesus came, according to promise. Paul’s recounting serves as a theological foundation, situating Jesus within the narrative of God’s covenant relationship with Israel.

Proclamation of Jesus as Messiah

The core of Paul’s sermon is the announcement of the good news of Jesus Christ. He asserts that John the Baptist’s ministry prepared the way for Jesus, whom Paul boldly claims is the promised Savior. Despite Jesus’ execution at the hands of Jerusalem’s rulers, God raised Him from the dead, a fact attested by multiple witnesses.

Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies

Paul meticulously argues that Jesus’ resurrection is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, quoting passages from Psalms (e.g., Psalm 2:7), Isaiah (e.g., Isaiah 55:3), and other scriptures. The Greek term ἀνάστασις (anastasis), meaning resurrection, is central to Paul’s message, emphasizing the transformative power of the risen Christ.

Offer of Forgiveness

The sermon climaxes with the offer of forgiveness of sins through Jesus, a forgiveness that the law of Moses could never provide. This declaration would have been particularly resonant in a context where adherence to the Law was central to religious life.

Warning Against Unbelief

Paul concludes with a cautionary reminder, referencing the prophets, about the peril of disbelief and the judgment that follows. This warning is not only prophetic but pastoral, urging his listeners to embrace the salvation so freely offered.

Paul’s sermon in Antioch of Pisidia is a theological treatise, a missional strategy, and a pastoral appeal rolled into one. It is a clear articulation of the Christian kerygma—the proclamation of the death and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of scripture and the basis for salvation. The apostle’s address is replete with scriptural allusions and direct quotations, demonstrating the seamless continuity he perceived between the Hebrew scriptures and the Christian gospel.

This passage is emblematic of Luke’s portrayal of Paul as a theologian, a missionary, and a preacher. It encapsulates the essence of apostolic preaching and lays out a pattern for evangelistic discourse that would define the Christian mission. The address in Antioch of Pisidia not only illuminates Paul’s method of engaging with a Jewish audience but also his ability to contextualize the gospel in a manner that was intellectually rigorous and theologically rich. It stands as a testament to the early church’s conviction that in Jesus, the history of Israel—and indeed, the history of humanity—had reached its climax and was now unfolding into a new era of salvation and grace.

Gentile Response and Jewish Opposition (Verses 42-52)

The concluding section of Acts 13 portrays a critical moment in the life of the early Church, as the apostolic message is received with enthusiasm by the Gentiles and met with opposition by the Jewish leaders. This narrative captures the essence of the early Christian mission’s challenges and triumphs.

The Gentile Thirst for the Gospel

The response of the Gentiles to Paul’s preaching in Antioch of Pisidia is enthusiastic and indicative of a spiritual hunger. The text tells us that they begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. This eagerness demonstrates the universal appeal of the gospel message and the work of the Holy Spirit in preparing the hearts of the Gentiles to receive the truth.

An Entire City Gathered

The following Sabbath nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. This remarkable turnout is a testament to the apostolic message’s compelling nature and the power of word-of-mouth in an ancient urban context. Such a gathering would have included a diverse cross-section of the city’s population, indicating the broad social impact of the Christian proclamation.

Jewish Leadership’s Jealousy

The large gathering provokes jealousy among the Jewish leaders. Their response is symptomatic of a larger pattern of resistance to the Christian mission within parts of the Jewish community, often arising from a perceived threat to their religious authority and the established order.

Paul and Barnabas’ Bold Declaration

Faced with opposition, Paul and Barnabas respond with boldness. They assert the necessity of first preaching to the Jews, affirming their commitment to Israel’s God and the prophetic tradition. However, they also assert their divine commission to turn to the Gentiles, underscoring the inclusive nature of God’s salvation.

A Light to the Gentiles

Paul and Barnabas quote Isaiah 49:6, where the servant of the Lord is described as a light to the Gentiles. By applying this passage to their mission, they align themselves with God’s redemptive purpose for all humanity. This serves as a theological rationale for the mission to the Gentiles and a scriptural rebuttal to the accusations of the Jewish leaders.

Gentile Rejoicing and Belief

The Gentiles’ reaction to the message of salvation is one of joy and belief, illustrating the transformative power of the gospel. The narrative emphasizes that all who were appointed to eternal life believed, suggesting a divine orchestration of the mission’s success.

Spread of the Word

The word of the Lord spreads through the whole region, indicating the rapid expansion of the Christian community. This diffusion is facilitated by the mobility of the population and the interconnectedness of the Roman Empire.

Persecution and Expulsion

Despite the positive response of many, the Jewish leaders incite persecution against Paul and Barnabas, leading to their expulsion from the region. This persecution is an early example of the suffering that the apostles would endure for the sake of the gospel.

Shaking Off the Dust

In a symbolic act, Paul and Barnabas shake the dust off their feet against their opponents, a practice that Jesus himself had instructed (Luke 9:5). This gesture signifies a renunciation of responsibility for those who reject the gospel and a turning toward more receptive audiences.

Joy and the Holy Spirit

The chapter concludes with the disciples being filled with joy and the Holy Spirit despite the persecution. This joy in the midst of adversity is a hallmark of the early Christian experience, rooted in the assurance of God’s presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Acts 13:42-52 presents a vivid depiction of the early church’s dynamic engagement with both Jewish and Gentile communities. The passage highlights the joyous acceptance of the gospel by the Gentiles, the ensuing Jewish backlash, and the apostles’ perseverance in the face of opposition. This narrative arc from receptivity to resistance to resilience underscores the complex and often contentious process of the Christian mission in the first century. It also serves as a profound affirmation of the gospel’s power to transcend cultural and religious boundaries, bringing joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit to those who embrace its message. The events in Antioch of Pisidia thus encapsulate the triumphs and trials of the apostolic era, foreshadowing the pattern of proclamation, opposition, and growth that would characterize the Christian movement throughout the ages.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).