Acts 13:1-12
Set Apart for the Work
1Now 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.
2While 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.”
3And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
4So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. And John was with them as their helper.
6They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
7an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
8But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas
10and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
11Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and 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.
12When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
Berean Standard Bible
The church in Antioch includes people from different places and backgrounds. While they worship and fast, the Holy Spirit directs them to set apart Barnabas and Saul. The church prays, lays hands on them, and sends them out.
Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
On Cyprus, they proclaim God's word in the synagogues. In Paphos, the sorcerer Elymas opposes them and tries to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks a severe warning. The temporary blindness of Elymas is not a display for its own sake; it exposes the seriousness of trying to block someone from hearing the truth. The proconsul is astonished by the teaching and believes.
The church at Antioch includes prophets and teachers from different backgrounds: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Saul. While they are worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit says to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which he has called them. The church fasts, prays, lays hands on them, and sends them out.
Their first stop is Cyprus, Barnabas's homeland. At Salamis they proclaim God's word in the Jewish synagogues, and John Mark serves with them. They travel across the island to Paphos, where they meet the proconsul Sergius Paulus and the Jewish sorcerer Bar-Jesus, also called Elymas.
Elymas tries to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul confronts his deceit and calls him an enemy of righteousness. The temporary blindness that follows is a sign of judgment, but the larger result is that the proconsul sees what has happened and believes, amazed at the Lord's teaching. Mission begins in worship, moves through ordinary travel, and faces opposition without losing its purpose.
Questions
1 What was the church doing when the Spirit spoke?
AnswerThey were worshiping the Lord and fasting.
2 Who was set apart?
AnswerBarnabas and Saul were set apart for the work God had given them.
3 Who opposed the message in Paphos?
AnswerElymas the sorcerer opposed Barnabas and Saul.
4 Why did the proconsul believe?
AnswerHe was astonished at the teaching about the Lord after seeing what happened.
What This Means for Us
Mission begins in worship, prayer, and a listening community. God may call people to different work, but the church sends them with prayer and keeps the message focused on the Lord rather than on the messenger.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, teach us to listen before we act. Give our household courage to serve where you call and humility to keep Jesus at the center. Amen.