Acts 13 covers the beginning of Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey and shows how the early church spread the gospel under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This chapter includes his ministry at the church in Antioch, his ministry in Cyprus during his mission trip, and his sermons at Pisidian Antioch. Below is a detailed explanation of the main contents of Acts 13.
1. Ministry in the Antioch church (Acts 13:1-3)
- Antioch Church : The Antioch Church had many prophets and teachers. Among them were Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had grown up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul (Paul).
- Guidance of the Holy Spirit : While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set aside Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
- Dispatch : After fasting and praying, they laid hands on the two men and sent them on their way.
2. Ministry in Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12)
- Arrival at Salami : Barnabas and Saul, sent by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and took a boat to Cyprus. They arrived in Salamis and preached the word of God in several Jewish synagogues. John (Mark) was helping them.
- Barjesus and Sergius Paulus : They arrived at Baphos and met Sergius Paulus, the governor there. The scribe Paul was a wise man, and he called Barnabas and Saul to hear the word of God. However, Elymas Barjesus, a magician and false prophet, interfered and tried to discredit the governor.
- Paul's rebuke and miracle : Paul (Saul), filled with the Holy Spirit, strongly rebuked Elymas and predicted the punishment that would come on him. Immediately Elluma was blinded and lost sight of what was in front of her. When the governor saw this miracle, he believed and was amazed at the Lord's teachings.
3. Sermon in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-52)
- Arrival at Antioch in Pisidia : Paul and his companions took a boat from Paphos and reached Perga in Pamphylia. But John (Mark) left them and returned to Jerusalem. When they came to Pisidian Antioch, they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down.
- Sermon : After reading the Law and Prophets, the synagogue leaders gave them words of encouragement. Paul stood up, gestured, and began to preach.
- History of Israel : Paul mentions the history of the Israelites, including how God brought them out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness, led them to conquer the land of Canaan, appointed judges, appointed Saul and David as kings, etc. I talked about it.
- Jesus Christ : Paul declared that among the descendants of David, God had sent the Savior Jesus to Israel. He testified to the death and resurrection of Jesus and emphasized that the path to forgiveness of sins and righteousness was opened through Jesus.
- Warning : Citing Old Testament prophecy, Paul warned us not to reject Jesus but to have faith in Him.
- Response : The people in the synagogue were deeply moved by Paul and Barnabas' sermon and wanted to hear it again the next Sabbath. Many Jews and pious converts followed Paul and Barnabas.
- Persecution and Preaching : But the Jewish leaders were jealous and opposed Paul and Barnabas. Accordingly, Paul and Barnabas declared that they would turn to the Gentiles and preach the gospel. The Gentiles heard the word of God with joy. However, at the instigation of the Jews, Paul and Barnabas were driven out of the area.
- Joy and the Holy Spirit : Paul and Barnabas moved to Iconium, and the disciples in Pisidian Antioch were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
detailed analysis
Acts 13 is an important chapter that shows how the early church spread the gospel under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- Guidance of the Holy Spirit : The Holy Spirit set Paul and Barnabas apart as missionaries during worship and fasting at the Antioch church. This shows that the church planned and carried out its ministry under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- The Beginning of Spreading the Gospel : Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey began in Cyprus. They spread the gospel mainly in Jewish synagogues and preached it to both Jews and Gentiles.
- Opposition and Miracles : Bar-Jesus's obstruction and Paul's rebuke illustrate the opposition encountered during the preaching of the gospel and God's miraculous intervention. God's power removes obstacles to the spread of the gospel and inspires people's faith.
- Connection between history and the Gospel : Paul explained the connection between Jewish history and the ministry of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that Jesus was the Messiah who fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. This shows that the gospel has Jewish historical roots.
- Jews and Gentiles : Despite the opposition of Jewish leaders, the gospel was preached to the Gentiles, and they accepted it with joy. This indicates that the gospel is open to all nations and people.
Acts 13 emphasizes the power of the gospel, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the importance of prayer, and the importance of the mission to spread the gospel. This chapter records the beginning of the missionary work of the early church and reminds all Christians to spread the gospel under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.