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Acts 13 · Berean Standard Bible

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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. ¹³After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. ¹⁴And from Perga, they traveled inland to Pisidian Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down. ¹⁵After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.” ¹⁶Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me! ¹⁷The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land. ¹⁸He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness. ¹⁹And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance. ²⁰All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. ²¹Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. ²²After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’ ²³From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised. ²⁴Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But He is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’ ²⁶Brothers, children of Abraham, and you Gentiles who fear God, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. ²⁷The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. ²⁸And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed. ²⁹When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. ³⁰But God raised Him from the dead, ³¹and for many days He was seen by those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people. ³²And now we proclaim to you the good news: What God promised our fathers ³³He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.’ ³⁴In fact, God raised Him from the dead, never to see decay. As He has said: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ ³⁵So also, He says in another Psalm: ‘You will not let Your Holy One see decay.’ ³⁶For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. His body was buried with his fathers and saw decay. ³⁷But the One whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. ³⁸Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. ⁴⁰Watch out, then, that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you: ⁴¹‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’” ⁴²As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people urged them to continue this message on the next Sabbath. ⁴³After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. ⁴⁴On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying. ⁴⁶Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” ⁴⁸When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. ⁴⁹And the word of the Lord spread throughout that region. ⁵⁰The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. ⁵¹So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. ⁵²And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

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Acts

Acts 13

The Church's Mission to the Gentiles Begins

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Objective

Acts 13 marks the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey, where the Church in Antioch sends out Paul and Barnabas to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. This chapter highlights the Spirit-led nature of missions, the power of God's Word to transform lives, and the persistent opposition that often accompanies the proclamation of truth. Through Paul's preaching and the response of both Jews and Gentiles, Acts 13 establishes the global scope of the Gospel and the Church's commitment to its mission.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

The Church in Antioch, thriving with a diverse group of leaders, including prophets and teachers like Barnabas, Simeon (called Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (a companion of Herod Antipas), and Saul, gathers in worship and fasting. During this time, the Holy Spirit instructs them to set apart Paul and Barnabas for the work to which He has called them. After fasting, praying, and laying hands on them, the Church sends them out on their mission.

Central Themes

Spirit-Led Missions: The Holy Spirit directs the Church to commission Paul and Barnabas, showing that missions are God-initiated and Spirit-empowered.

Unity in Diversity: The diverse leadership at Antioch reflects the global and inclusive nature of the Church.

Worship as a Context for Guidance: The Church hears God's direction in the context of prayer, fasting, and worship, emphasizing the importance of spiritual disciplines in discerning His will.

Cultural & Historical Context

Antioch's Role: Antioch becomes the launching point for the Church's missionary efforts, symbolizing its strategic importance in spreading the Gospel (see Acts 11:19-26). Laying on of Hands: This act signifies commissioning and divine empowerment, similar to the appointment of the seven deacons in Acts 6:6. Spirit-Led Mission: The Spirit's role echoes Jesus' command in Acts 1:8 to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Key Verse

"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.'" (Acts 13:2)

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Church at Antioch

In a room filled with prayer and fasting, the leaders of the Antioch Church stand in a circle, their faces illuminated by the warm glow of oil lamps. As hands are laid on Paul and Barnabas, a palpable sense of God's presence fills the air, and the Church sends them forth with confidence and hope.

Elymas Struck Blind

In the proconsul's grand chamber, Elymas stands defiantly, his eyes narrowing as Paul rebukes him. Suddenly, darkness clouds Elymas' vision, and he gropes helplessly for support. Sergius Paulus watches, his face a mix of awe and conviction, as Paul declares the power of the Lord.

Paul Preaching in Pisidian Antioch

Paul stands in the synagogue, his voice steady and passionate as he recounts Israel's history. The listeners, a mix of Jews and Gentiles, lean forward, their expressions shifting from curiosity to conviction as Paul proclaims Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises.

Song

To the Nations We Will Go

Verse 1

In a room of prayer, the Spirit spoke, "Set apart these hearts, My yoke." With hands laid on and faith so bright, They stepped into the Gospel's light.

Verse 2

Elymas fell, his sight erased, The Word of God no power can waste. Though opposition stands so tall, The Gospel's power will conquer all.

Chorus

Oh, to the nations we will go, Through trials, storms, and joy we'll show, The love of Christ, the truth that saves, From sin and death, He frees the slaves.

Bridge

With joy we preach, though trials rise, Our eyes on Christ, the eternal prize. The Gentiles hear, their hearts set free, The Savior reigns for eternity.

Outro

Oh, to the nations we will go, The love of Christ the world will know.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Listen for the Spirit's leading in your own life. Are there specific people or places God is calling you to share the Gospel?

Be bold in confronting spiritual opposition, trusting in the power of God's Word.

Community & Society

Encourage your church to be a sending community like Antioch, supporting missions both locally and globally.

Build unity and diversity in your church, reflecting the inclusive nature of God's kingdom.

Global Perspective

Support missionaries who are taking the Gospel to unreached areas, through prayer, financial giving, or encouragement.

Rejoice in the global spread of the Gospel and pray for those who face persecution for their faith.

Conclusion

Acts 13 marks the launch of the Church's mission to the Gentiles, led by the Spirit and empowered by God's Word. Despite opposition, Paul and Barnabas boldly proclaim the Gospel, bringing salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. This chapter reminds us that God's mission is unstoppable, and His love reaches every nation, tribe, and tongue. Let us join in this mission with courage, joy, and unwavering faith.