*Acts 13:1-12
Barnabas and Saul are chosen by the Holy Spirit for missionary work, travel to Cyprus, and encounter a sorcerer who is struck blind for opposing them.
- Setting in Antioch:
- The church in Antioch has several prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.
- Holy Spirit’s Guidance:
- While worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit instructs the community to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which He has called them.
- After more fasting and prayer, they lay hands on Barnabas and Saul and send them off.
- Missionary Journey Begins:
- Sent on their mission by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul go to Seleucia and then sail to Cyprus.
- Upon arriving in Salamis, they proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogues, with John Mark as their assistant.
- Encounter with Bar-Jesus:
- In Paphos, they encounter a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus (also known as Elymas).
- Bar-Jesus is an attendant to Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Cyprus, who is described as an intelligent man.
- The proconsul sends for Barnabas and Saul because he wants to hear the word of God.
- Opposition from Bar-Jesus:
- Elymas the sorcerer opposes Barnabas and Saul, trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
- Paul’s Confrontation and Miracle:
- Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronts Elymas.
- Paul denounces Elymas for being a child of the devil and an enemy of righteousness, predicting that Elymas will be blind for a time.
- Immediately, mist and darkness fall upon Elymas, and he seeks someone to lead him by the hand.
- Conversion of Sergius Paulus:
- Witnessing what happened, the proconsul believes, astonished by the teaching about the Lord.
13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.