In Chap. 13 we see the spread of Christianity from Judea into other regions of the Roman Empire, first to the Jew and then to the Greek (as Gentiles were referred to). There is a lot of background information in chapter 13; so, not to make this chapter too long, it is being divided into two weeks.
As we see in v.2, the Holy Spirit is a Person, not a force. Laying on of hands is a sign of being set apart for a specific service. We will take a closer look at these disciples who played a significant role in spreading the Gospel message beyond Judea.
In Acts 9:27, when Saul returned to Jerusalem, Barnabas is the one that brought him to the apostles because they were fearful of Saul who had set out to destroy “the Way” considering it a heresy. Barnabas also defended Gentile converts against Judaizes who insisted that they be circumcised in the same way as converts to Judaism had been. In Acts 15, Paul & Barnabas have a fallen out and part company (to be discussed then--so stay tuned).
Niger was the Latin name given to Simeon as described on the slide, especially when dealing with the Gentile, Roman world.
As shown on the map, the Niger river in Africa (yellow arrow) runs through the country of Nigeria (star). The river was the basis for naming the country Nigeria.
As noted on the slide, Lucius of Cyrene was one of the founders of the Church in Antioch, Syria. When we think of Christianity in general, we tend to think of Europe. But northern Africa played a significant role in the early church. Both there and the Middle East constituted the cradle of Christianity. Origen of Alexandria (184-253 AD) was a noted church historian.
Essenes were zealots believed responsible for copying the Dead Sea scrolls to preserve them. When Herod died his kingdom was divided between his 4 sons. Herod Antipas was to whom Pontius Pilot sent Jesus—because He was a Galilean—to stand trial. Map shows how Herod’s kingdom was divided between his 4 sons.
Barnabas and Saul’s missionary journey began as directed by the Holy Spirit in v.2, which began by ship to the Island of Cyprus as shown on the next slide.
Saul, a.k.a. Paul set out on his first missionary journey, shown on the map on the next slide. The John noted in v.5 was John Mark, the son of a well-to-do Christian woman in Jerusalem, whose house appears to have been the resort of the brethren as early as the period of Peter’s miraculous deliverance from prison described in chap. 12.
The cities of Salamis (v.5) and Paphos (v.6) are on the isle of Cyprus as shown. Paul and Barnabas’ journey began at the port city of Seleucia, about 16 miles south of Antioch, Syria. The distance from Seleucia to Salamis is about 130 miles by sea in the type of ship shown on the previous slide.
Shaded area on map is the Mediterranean Sea; white area is land. Map shows Paul’s first missionary journey which is covered in chapters 13 & 14, starting at Isle of Cyprus, then over into Roman Asia (currently Asia Minor in modern day Turkey)—their departure and return was the port city of Seleucia just south of Antioch in Syria.
This expanded map puts Paul’s first missionary journey into perspective with what constituted the Eastern Roman Empire (later referred to as the Byzantine Empire), that collapsed in 1453 AD when invaded by the Islamic Ottoman Turks. The western portion of the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD due to internal decline. No longer capable of defending itself, it fell to Germanic tribes from the north. The Roman Empire then, provided safe travel on land and sea, which provided fertile ground for spreading the Gospel.
The Roman Empire, and its established order (Pax Romana: established law and order that preserved peace between the different ethnic groups within the Empire, thus providing protection on both land and sea), and a common language of Koine Greek due to the conquest of Alexander the Great, both of which opened that part of the world for spreading the Gospel. Law and Order and a common language laid the groundwork for Paul and Barnabas’ travels by God's sovereign grace.
Photo shows ruins of ancient Paphos. Paul and Barnabas met two sorcerers, Bar-Jesus and Elymas. Sorcery is the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining. The name Jesus is said to have been popular in first-century Judea. For this reason, our Lord was often called “Jesus of Nazareth,” distinguishing Him by His childhood home, the town of Nazareth in Galilee. Bar-Jesus means “son-of-Jesus”, a translation of “son-of-Joshua”.
In addition to what’s noted, what does it mean to be “a child of the devil” as stated in v.10? Next slide…
Both socerers, Elymas and Bar-Jesus, had an influence on the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was either the governor or military leader of the city/region. Paul’s comments certainly would have had an impact.
Was the blindness that came over Elymas—the Sorcerer and False Prophet—the work of the Holy Spirit? The obvious answer has to be “yes”. Why? What made it significant? It must have impacted Sergius Paulus, a Roman official who recognized power, and who was under the influencer of Elymas and Bar-Jesus.
This highlights the power of Paul for sharing God’s Word. From here forward, Saul is better known as Paul, which is the Roman (i.e., Latin) form of the Hebrew name, Saul.
From Paphos they traveled to Antioch in Pisidia. A region that passed into Roman hands in 25 B.C. during rein of Augustus Caesar, who transformed the region into a Roman colony and transplanted large numbers of Roman citizens and a substantial minority of Jewish inhabitants, many of whom were merchants and shop keepers.
Synagogue worship services on the Sabbath included reading of the Law (exposition) and the Prophets (application), concluding with a benediction. The verses don’t tell us why they invited Paul and Barnabas to come and speak to them. Perhaps they heard about Jesus, who was a Jew, many professed to be the long awaited Messiah, and wanted to understand what Paul’s message was all about. Perhaps Paul had already introduced himself to the leadership; having been educated as a Pharisee may have piqued their interest.
Pisidia Antioch (an ancient Greek city before Rome) is about 100 miles north of Perga, and 3,600 feet above sea level. So it was an uphill trek. To distinguish it from Antioch in Syria, it was called “Antioch in Pisidia” or “Pisidia Antioch”. Its ruins are near the current city of Antakya, in modern day Turkey. Today, that entire region is Islamic, which will be part of a future study on how the then Christian world succumbed to Islam.
Remnants of the once prosperous and flourishing ancient Roman/Greek city of Pisidia Antioch. A once great empire brought to destruction as other great empires before it. A reason why we need to pray for the United States of America. Our current Foundations GPS study in Heritage Lounge, Sunday at 9:00 A,M., is on the “Power of Prayer”, and how to pray accordingly.
Pray that the Holy Spirit may awaken those in authority, including the U.S. Congress, the Presidential Administration, state and local elected officials, and the American people. Pray for wisdom and protection for our Pastor, his family and our church.
What does it take to be a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ? Adrian Rogers’ 34-minute message: How to Be a Fully Committed Disciple of Jesus, provides insight.
https://youtu.be/0DimGAL9TS4
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