Set Apart for Service
25. When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
1. In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
2. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Confrontation on Cyprus
4. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
5. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6. They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
7. who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
8. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
9. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,
10.“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?
11. Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
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Reflection |
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Set Apart for Service (12:25-13:3)
12:25 picks up where 11:30 left off with Barnabas and Saul completing their task of delivering the love offering of the Antioch Christians to the church in Jerusalem. By this time, King Herod Agrippa was dead and the Christians in Palestine enjoyed a period of relative calm. Meanwhile the church in Antioch continued to thrive under the capable leadership of its prophets and teachers. Among the names mentioned, Barnabas and Saul stand out for obvious reasons. Manaen is also worthy of mention: verse 1 parenthetically notes he was brought up with Herod the tetrarch. This was Herod Antipas who ordered the execution of John the Baptist and tried Jesus after His arrest before sending Him to Pilate (Mk 6:14-29; Lk 23:6-12). It is truly remarkable that two boys growing up in the same household would turn out so differently. As the church earnestly seeks the Lord through worship and fasting, He reveals that the time is ripe to set apart two individuals for a special task?two individuals who also happen to be the most gifted and capable leaders of the church.
Confrontation on Cyprus (13:4-12)
After departing from the nearby port city of Seleucia, Barnabas and Saul arrive on Cyprus. Their outreach on the island begins at the synagogues. This would become a regular feature in the missionary journeys in Acts: not only did this embody the principle of Romans 1:16, it served as a natural point of contact for Gentiles since many “God-fearers” (i.e., Gentiles such as Cornelius in 10:1-2 who had converted to Judaism without going the full distance of being circumcised) attended synagogues for worship. Before long the missionaries are confronted by a sorcerer who intends to hinder their outreach to the local governor. His efforts, however, are entirely futile as Paul (note the name change in v. 9) pronounces judgment upon him?much to the governor’s amazement
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Application |
- The manner of Barnabas and Paul’s selection is instructive for believers today. One pastor-scholar rightly says, “Although we have no liberty to deny the validity of personal choice, it is safe and healthy only in relation to the Spirit and the church.”
- Spiritual warfare is a reality that still confronts Christians today, especially those involved in any work of ministry. Walk in faith and be prayerfully alert as you serve Him today.
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A Letter to
God |
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Lord, thank You for the different individuals from our church that You have gifted and set apart for Christian service. Encourage them today as they labor in ministry. Protect them from any attempts of the evil one to hinder Your work. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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