Introduction: Is it sometimes difficult to be a church leader? Does
opposition and name-calling get discouraging? Our study this week is
about Paul’s first missionary journey. We will read about the ups and
downs of his work. However, the encouraging conclusion to Acts 13 is
its conclusion: “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the
Holy Spirit.” Let’s plunge into our study to learn how we can be
filled with joy and the Holy Spirit!
- Antioch
- Read Acts 13:1. Are you surprised that Saul (later called
Paul) is mentioned among the leading prophets and teachers
in Antioch? (He has been accepted by the early church
despite his past persecution of it.) - Read Acts 13:2. Recall in our past studies on Acts we saw
that leaders are selected in different ways. How are
Barnabas and Saul selected for this responsibility? (The
Holy Spirit makes the selection on His own.) - How do you think that took place? (We are told that
the Holy Spirit “said” and then our English
translation has the words in quotations. The
translators must believe that the Holy Spirit spoke
audibly to them.) - Who is the group to which the Holy Spirit spoke? (The
Bible does not say, but there are two possibilities.
The first is that “they” refers back to the church.
The second possible group is the previously mentioned
four leading prophets and teachers. They were
worshiping, and the Holy Spirit spoke to them.) - Read Acts 13:3. Where did the group send Barnabas and
Saul? (It doesn’t say until later on. Frankly, I don’t
think that Barnabas and Paul or the church knew at this
point.) - Today, the journey we are about to explore is known
as Paul’s first missionary journey. What does this
teach us about doing God’s will in our age? (God will
lead us if we are willing. We see that Saul (Paul)
did not plan this first mission trip, instead the
Holy Spirit initiated the trip and selected who would
go.) - Cyprus
- Read Acts 13:4. How was the destination of Cyprus
selected? (The Bible tells us that they were “sent on
their way by the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit selects the
destination!) - Is the Holy Spirit alive and well in your church? If
not, how are you getting anything appropriate done? - Read Acts 13:5. Why do they start evangelizing in the
Jewish synagogues? (This is something we have discussed in
earlier lessons in this series. Christianity is the
fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies and the sanctuary
service of the Old Testament. It is the logical
completion of Judaism. In terms of knowledge, observant
Jews are way ahead of the Gentiles. It is like starting to
teach with the advanced students.) - Read Acts 13:6-7. The word “sorcerer” means magician or
magi. I think it is translated “sorcerer” because of what
Paul later says about him. What, at a minimum, do we know
about this magician? (He is a false prophet. He trades in
deceit.) - What exalted position does this magician hold? (He is
an advisor to the Roman official in charge of the
island.) - What do we learn about Sergius Paulus, the Roman
official? (He is smart, a man of understanding, and
interested in hearing the gospel.) - How smart can he be given that he is advised by
a deceitful person? - Is there a lesson in this for us?
- Read Acts 13:8. What does this tell us about the nature of
Bar-Jesus’ magic? (He is aligned with Satan.) - Read Acts 13:9-10. What about a gentle approach to
sinners? Didn’t Jesus model that? (We need to distinguish
between mere sinners, and those who are enemies of the
gospel. We can be direct with enemies.) - What cautionary note do we find about calling out
enemies of God? (The text says that Paul was “filled
with the Holy Spirit.” We need to be sure that the
Holy Spirit is leading in harsh language like this.) - Read Acts 13:11. What do you think is going through Paul’s
mind as he pronounces this judgment on Bar-Jesus? (This is
exactly what happened to Paul!) - Do you think that God has the same outcome in mind
for Bar-Jesus? (Notice that he is only blind for a
limited period of time. It seems very much like what
happened to Paul. We never hear of Bar-Jesus again,
so we do not know.) - Read Acts 13:12. Why does this say that Sergius Paulus
believed? (His belief is not tied to making Bar-Jesus
blind. Instead, the text says that “he was amazed at the
teaching about the Lord.” It was the teaching, not the
miracle.) - Pisidian Antioch
- Read Acts 13:13-15. Consider the way they hold “church.”
First, they have the customary Torah readings, then they
give strangers the floor. Would you do that at your
church? (I would not. Too many times I recall a visitor
coming to my Sabbath School class and making an
inappropriate remark. If a comment is problematic, it
would be worse to give the visitor an open opportunity.
Perhaps that is why the leaders only asked for “a message
of encouragement.”) - Why do you think this happened here? (The prompting
of the Holy Spirit.) - Read Acts 13:16. Who is in the audience? (Both Jews and
Gentiles who worshiped at the synagogue.) - We are going to skip a discussion of Acts 13:17-38 because
it is another of Paul’s gospel sermons that recites the
Jewish history and Bible verses that support his argument
that Jesus is the Messiah. You should, however, read
Paul’s sermon. - Read Acts 13:38-39. What change in belief does this
require? (They must accept Jesus to have their sins
forgiven. What they currently believe will not justify
them.) - Read Acts 13:40-41. Did the prophets predict that what
Jesus would do something unbelievable? (Read Habakkuk 1:5-6. This is the text that Paul recites. Strangely, it is
about the Babylonian invasion and not Jesus’ coming.) - Let’s discuss this. Is it appropriate to take a
statement from the Bible that is completely out of
context and use it for your argument? - Who destroyed the first temple? (The Babylonians.)
- Why did God allow His first temple to be
destroyed? (If you read Habakkuk chapter 1, you
will see that Habakkuk is calling for God to
save His people from injustice and wrongdoing.
God responds by sending the Babylonians to
execute judgment. See Habakkuk 1:12.) - What is going to happen to the second temple?
(It would soon be destroyed by the Romans. God
executed judgment on the city that executed
Him. Paul is not taking this text out of
context, it is a warning against rejecting
God.) - Read Acts 13:42-43. Considering what Paul just said to
them, isn’t this a great response? - Read Acts 13:44-45. The positive response changes. What
caused it to change? (Jealousy.) - Why should the Jewish leaders be jealous? (Paul and
Barnabas are attracting a large crowd.) - Are you jealous of Christian leaders who attract
large crowds? - Read Acts 13:46-48. What made the Gentiles more receptive
to the gospel? - Read Acts 13:49-52. Why are the disciples filled with joy?
(This is a lesson that we can learn. They had joy because
they were doing God’s will. It did not matter that some
leaders were abusive towards them and drove them away.
They were pleasing God.) - Friend, are you encouraged by this study? Like Paul and
Barnabas, you may face resistance. You may have opponents.
But, if you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit you will
be filled with joy! Why not decide right now to seek to do
God’s will? - Next week: The Jerusalem Council.
