Acts · chapter 13 of 28
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Acts 13 tells how the church in Antioch, led by the Holy Spirit, sets apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. On Cyprus they confront the magician Elymas and the proconsul Sergius Paulus believes. In Pisidian Antioch, Paul preaches in the synagogue that the risen Jesus brings forgiveness of sins; facing opposition, he turns to the Gentiles, who rejoice and believe.
Up to this point Acts has followed mostly Peter and the church in Jerusalem. With this chapter the second half of the book begins: Paul's first missionary journey, launched by the Spirit from Antioch. The sermon in Pisidian Antioch is the first of Paul's speeches recorded in detail.
In the church at Antioch there are prophets and teachers, among them Barnabas and Saul. While they worship the Lord and fast, the Holy Spirit says to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which he has called them. After fasting and praying, they lay their hands on them and send them off. They sail to Cyprus, where they preach in the synagogues at Salamis, with John Mark as their helper.
At Paphos, a Jewish magician, Bar-Jesus or Elymas, opposes them and tries to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus away from the faith. Saul, also called Paul, filled with the Spirit, declares that Elymas will be blind for a time, and at once darkness falls on him. The proconsul believes, amazed at the teaching about the Lord. At Perga in Pamphylia, John Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem.
In Pisidian Antioch, on the Sabbath, the synagogue leaders invite them to speak after the reading of the law and the prophets. Paul surveys Israel's history up to David, from whose offspring came Jesus as Savior. The people of Jerusalem condemned him without knowing it, fulfilling the prophets, but God raised him. Paul announces that through Jesus forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and that everyone who believes is freed from everything from which the law of Moses could not free them.
The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathers to hear the word. The Jews, filled with jealousy, contradict and blaspheme. Paul and Barnabas declare that the word had to be spoken to them first, but since they reject it, they turn to the Gentiles, who rejoice, and all who were appointed to eternal life believe. The Jews stir up devout women and the leading men and drive them out. They shake off the dust from their feet and go to Iconium, and the disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
While the church worships and fasts, the Holy Spirit orders Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for the work, and the church sends them with prayer and the laying on of hands. Mission is born of worship and the Spirit's direction, not of a human strategy.
Paul announces that through Jesus forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and that everyone who believes is freed from everything from which the law of Moses could not free them. It is an early summary of justification by faith.
Paul and Barnabas say the word had to be spoken first to the Jews, but since they reject it, they turn to the Gentiles, citing the command to be a light for the nations. The gospel follows the order of the promise but does not stop at rejection.
Despite being driven out, the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Christian joy does not depend on favorable circumstances.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: To set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which he had called them. — Acts 13:2
Answer: He was struck blind for a time because he opposed the faith. — Acts 13:8-11
Answer: The proconsul Sergius Paulus, amazed at the teaching about the Lord. — Acts 13:12
Answer: He left them and returned to Jerusalem. — Acts 13:13
Answer: That God raised him from the dead and that through him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed. — Acts 13:30-38
Answer: They turned to the Gentiles. — Acts 13:46
Acts 13 reminds us that mission begins in worship. Antioch sent its best leaders without holding them back. In your group, ask what people or resources you would need to release for God's work, and pray for the missionaries you know.
Paul also teaches us not to be discouraged by rejection: some hear with joy and others with jealousy. The disciples left full of joy even though they had been driven out of the city. Ask together for that joy that does not depend on the approval of others.
Acts 13 ends with the disciples in Pisidian Antioch filled with joy and Paul and Barnabas heading to Iconium. Acts 14 continues the journey, with new miracles, persecution and the founding of churches.
From Acts 13:9 he is called Saul, who was also called Paul, and from then on the text uses Paul. He was a Jew with Roman citizenship, and Paul was a Roman name suited to his ministry among the Gentiles. The text does not speak of a change because of his conversion.
The text only says he left them at Perga and returned to Jerusalem. It does not give the reason. Later, Paul did not want to take him on the second journey (Acts 15), but Mark became a useful co-worker again.
The passage says all who were appointed to eternal life believed. Christians understand this phrase in different ways: some stress God's election, others the response of those who are disposed to believe. All agree that salvation is God's work and that the gospel is offered to all.