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Acts 13

52 verses

TL;DR

Acts 13 records Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, including their commission by the Holy Spirit, a confrontation with a sorcerer in Cyprus, and Paul’s sermon to Jews and Gentiles in Perga and Antioch.

Summary

The chapter begins with a group of prophets and teachers in Antioch receiving the call of the Holy Spirit to separate Paul and Barnabas for ministry. They fast, pray, and are set apart, then travel to Seleucia, Cyprus, and Salamis where they preach in synagogues. In Paphos, they encounter the sorcerer Elymas who attempts to thwart the mission; Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, blinds him, leading the governor Sergius Paulus to believe. After leaving Paphos, Paul and his companions reach Perga in Pamphylia, where Paul delivers a sermon in the synagogue, recounting Israel’s history and presenting Jesus as the promised Savior. He calls on the Jews and Gentiles alike to accept salvation, emphasizing that faith in Christ delivers from the law’s demands. The sermon concludes with the reaction of the Jewish audience, the embrace of Gentiles, and the spread of the gospel across the region.

Outline
  1. 1. Commission and mission to Cyprus
  2. 2. Confrontation with the sorcerer Elymas and the conversion of Sergius Paulus
  3. 3. Paul’s sermon in Perga/Antioch to Jews and Gentiles
Themes
Divine calling and missionConflict between true faith and false prophecyInclusion of Gentiles in salvation
Keywords
prophetsteachersHoly GhostfastpraymissionsorcererElymasblindedSergius PaulusGospelfaithsalvationGentileslawredemption
People
BarnabasSimeon the NigerLucius of CyreneManaenSaul/PaulJohn the BaptistBarjesusSergius PaulusElymasthe synagogue leadersthe Jewsthe GentilesMosesDavidJesusJohn the Baptist (again)
Places
AntiochSeleuciaCyprusSalamisPaphosPamphyliaPergaAntioch in PisidiaJerusalem
Things
Holy Ghostfastingprayerthe word of Godthe law and prophetsthe Gospelthe Lightthe Graceblindingthe scepterthe city of Antioch
Key Verses
  • Acts 13:3: Shows the Holy Spirit’s commissioning of Paul and Barnabas through fasting and prayer.
  • Acts 13:8: Illustrates the power of the Holy Spirit in confronting false prophecy and the conversion of a skeptical governor.
  • Acts 13:15: Marks the beginning of Paul’s sermon, linking Israel’s history to the fulfillment in Jesus.
  • Acts 13:41: Highlights Paul’s call to the Gentiles and the promise of salvation beyond Jewish boundaries.
Questions
  • How does Paul’s encounter with Elymas shape his approach to ministry?
  • In what ways does Paul’s sermon link Israel’s history to the new covenant in Christ?
  • What does the inclusion of Gentiles reveal about the early church’s understanding of the gospel’s reach?
  • How does the narrative portray the tension between Jewish expectations and the expanding mission to all nations?
  • What lessons can modern believers draw from the commission of Paul and Barnabas?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains both confrontation and encouragement; overall the message of salvation is positive but the narrative shows conflict with false prophets.