Acts Chapter 13
Acts chapter 13 begins as chapter 12 ended. The word of God was growing and the
church was multiplying. Peter was delivered from Herod and sent away to safety,
then Herod himself being proud and believing that he was a god was eaten up of
worms.
The Holy Spirit spoke to the church leaders for Barnabas and Saul to be set aside
for a certain work (verse 1-5) says “now there were in the church that was at Antioch
certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and
Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate
Me, Barnabas and Saul for the work whereto I have called them. And when they had
fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they,
being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, departed to Seleucia, and from there they sailed
to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the
synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John to their minister”.
Notice that they heard the Holy Spirit speak to them; well the Holy Spirit is still
speaking today. Many in the church today hear the Holy Spirit and then reason it
away. Many ministers teach people to ask the question, is that me, is that the devil
or is that God? As we examine what we hear, to determine if it lines up to the word
of God; the question will be answered, because Jesus told us that the Spirit will only
speak what He hears of God (John 14:26, 16:13) says “but the Comforter, which is
the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things
and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you. However,
when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not
speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will
show you things to come”.
A false prophet tried to hinder the work of Barnabas and Saul; verse 6-8 says “and
when they had gone through the isle of Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a
false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus. Which was with the deputy of the
country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and
desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by
interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith”.
Whenever we are called to do the work of God, there will be many who will try to
discourage us, but as we stand strong they will be unsuccessful.
We see this in verses 9-12 which says “then Saul, (who also is called Paul), filled
with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all
mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to
pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon
you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there
fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by
the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being
astonished at the doctrine of the Lord”. The apostle Paul filled with the Holy Spirit,
by showing this sign convinced the deputy of the power of God, and he was
converted.
After leaving Paphos they went through many cities and came to Antioch teaching in
the Jewish synagogoues (verses 13-16) says “now when Paul and his company
loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John departing from
them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to
Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent
to them, saying, you men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the
people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, men of
Israel, and you that fear (reverece) God, give audience”. They were asked to give a
word of exhortation, then Paul continues in verses 17-23 explaining how God
separated the people of Israel, and brought them out of the land of Egypt,
destroying the seven nations in the land of Canaan and giving it to Israel by lot. How
God gave them judges to guide the people, sending prophets and afterward giving
them kings. And how king David found favor in God’s eyes and how through the line
of David the Messiah would come to be Savior. It says “the God of this people of
Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelled as strangers in
the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought He them out of it. And about the
time of forty years suffered He their manners in the wilderness. And when He had
destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan. He divided their land to them by
lot. And after that He gave to them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty
years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king; and God gave
to them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty
years. And when He had removed him, He raised up to them David to be their king,
to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a
man after My own heart, which shall fulfill all My will. Of this man’s seed has God
according to His promise raised to Israel a Savior Jesus”.
John the Baptist was sent before the Messiah to preach repentance and in verses
24-25 it says “when John had first preached before His coming the baptism of
repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said,
whom think you that I am? I am not He, but behold, there comes one after me,
whose shoes of His feet I am not worthy to loose”. John the Baptist was sent by God
to show the way to Jesus.
In verses 26-32 it says “ men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and
whosoever among you fears (reverences) God, to you is the word of this salvation
sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not,
nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have
fulfilled them in condemning Him. And though they found no cause of death in Him,
yet desired they Pilate that He should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that
was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulcher.
But God raised Him from the dead. And He was seen many days of them which
came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.
And we declare to you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made to the
fathers”. Paul reminds them that the rulers and priest delivered up the Messiah , to
be killed; because they didn’t know Him, but that God raised Him up again after three
days.
Paul showing that they should have known Him; used Psalms 2 and Psalms 16 to
show how this was prophesied in their scriptures, says in verses 33-37 which says
“God has fulfilled the same to us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus again;
as it is also written in the second psalm, You are My Son, this day have I begotten
You. And as concerning that He raised Him up from the dead, now no more to
return to corruption. He said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Wherefore He says also in another psalm, You shall not allow Your Holy One to see
corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell
on sleep, and was laid to his fathers, and saw corruption. But He, whom God raised
again, saw no corruption”.
Verses 38-39 shows that those who believe on Jesus are justified, made just as they
had never sinned, it says “be it known to you therefore, men and brethren, that
through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins. And by Him all that
believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law
of Moses”. You see the blood of animals could not cleanse you things, it only
covered them, year by year. But with the one shedding of the blood of the Lamb of
God, once and for all, you are cleansed.
Paul then warns them to be aware of what the prophet Habakkuk said in Habakkuk 1:
5 and says in verses 40-41 “ beware therefore, less that come upon you, which is
spoken of in the prophets. Behold, you despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work
a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare
it to you”.
Many wanted to hear Paul preach again and they asked him to return the next
Sabbath; this is in verses 42-44 which says “and when the Jews were gone out of
the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them
the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up many of the Jews and
religious proseltytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, persuaded
them to continue in the grace of God. And the next Sabbath day came almost the
whole city together to hear the word of God”.
The leaders became envious because they saw the multitude of people and spoke
against them, but Paul and Barnabas got bold and said in verses 45-47 “but when
the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those
things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and
Barnabas waxed bold, and said, it was necessary that the word of God should first
have been spoken to you; but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves
unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so has the Lord
commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should
be for salvation to the ends of the earth”. This confirms that God doesn’t want any
to perish.
The Gentiles became glad at this, and so should we, verses 48-49 says “and when
the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord; and as
many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was
published throughout all the region”.
The Jews still trying to stop the word from going forth, stirred up the people to expel
Paul and Barnabas from their coast (verse 50) says “but the Jews stirred up the
devout and honorable women, and the chief men or the city, and raised persecution
against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts”.
Jesus told us what to do when people won’t hear your words, He said that we are to
shake off the dust of our feet against them, and that’s just what Paul and Barnabas
did, verse 51-52 says “but they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and
came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit”.
We may have to be persecuted, but as we stay filled with joy and the Holy Spirit we
too can do mighty works for the Lord.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 31, 2012
Acts chapter 13 begins as chapter 12 ended. The word of God was growing and the
church was multiplying. Peter was delivered from Herod and sent away to safety,
then Herod himself being proud and believing that he was a god was eaten up of
worms.
The Holy Spirit spoke to the church leaders for Barnabas and Saul to be set aside
for a certain work (verse 1-5) says “now there were in the church that was at Antioch
certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and
Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate
Me, Barnabas and Saul for the work whereto I have called them. And when they had
fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they,
being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, departed to Seleucia, and from there they sailed
to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the
synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John to their minister”.
Notice that they heard the Holy Spirit speak to them; well the Holy Spirit is still
speaking today. Many in the church today hear the Holy Spirit and then reason it
away. Many ministers teach people to ask the question, is that me, is that the devil
or is that God? As we examine what we hear, to determine if it lines up to the word
of God; the question will be answered, because Jesus told us that the Spirit will only
speak what He hears of God (John 14:26, 16:13) says “but the Comforter, which is
the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things
and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you. However,
when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not
speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will
show you things to come”.
A false prophet tried to hinder the work of Barnabas and Saul; verse 6-8 says “and
when they had gone through the isle of Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a
false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus. Which was with the deputy of the
country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and
desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by
interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith”.
Whenever we are called to do the work of God, there will be many who will try to
discourage us, but as we stand strong they will be unsuccessful.
We see this in verses 9-12 which says “then Saul, (who also is called Paul), filled
with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all
mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to
pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon
you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there
fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by
the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being
astonished at the doctrine of the Lord”. The apostle Paul filled with the Holy Spirit,
by showing this sign convinced the deputy of the power of God, and he was
converted.
After leaving Paphos they went through many cities and came to Antioch teaching in
the Jewish synagogoues (verses 13-16) says “now when Paul and his company
loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John departing from
them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to
Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent
to them, saying, you men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the
people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, men of
Israel, and you that fear (reverece) God, give audience”. They were asked to give a
word of exhortation, then Paul continues in verses 17-23 explaining how God
separated the people of Israel, and brought them out of the land of Egypt,
destroying the seven nations in the land of Canaan and giving it to Israel by lot. How
God gave them judges to guide the people, sending prophets and afterward giving
them kings. And how king David found favor in God’s eyes and how through the line
of David the Messiah would come to be Savior. It says “the God of this people of
Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelled as strangers in
the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought He them out of it. And about the
time of forty years suffered He their manners in the wilderness. And when He had
destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan. He divided their land to them by
lot. And after that He gave to them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty
years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king; and God gave
to them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty
years. And when He had removed him, He raised up to them David to be their king,
to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a
man after My own heart, which shall fulfill all My will. Of this man’s seed has God
according to His promise raised to Israel a Savior Jesus”.
John the Baptist was sent before the Messiah to preach repentance and in verses
24-25 it says “when John had first preached before His coming the baptism of
repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said,
whom think you that I am? I am not He, but behold, there comes one after me,
whose shoes of His feet I am not worthy to loose”. John the Baptist was sent by God
to show the way to Jesus.
In verses 26-32 it says “ men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and
whosoever among you fears (reverences) God, to you is the word of this salvation
sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not,
nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have
fulfilled them in condemning Him. And though they found no cause of death in Him,
yet desired they Pilate that He should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that
was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulcher.
But God raised Him from the dead. And He was seen many days of them which
came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.
And we declare to you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made to the
fathers”. Paul reminds them that the rulers and priest delivered up the Messiah , to
be killed; because they didn’t know Him, but that God raised Him up again after three
days.
Paul showing that they should have known Him; used Psalms 2 and Psalms 16 to
show how this was prophesied in their scriptures, says in verses 33-37 which says
“God has fulfilled the same to us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus again;
as it is also written in the second psalm, You are My Son, this day have I begotten
You. And as concerning that He raised Him up from the dead, now no more to
return to corruption. He said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Wherefore He says also in another psalm, You shall not allow Your Holy One to see
corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell
on sleep, and was laid to his fathers, and saw corruption. But He, whom God raised
again, saw no corruption”.
Verses 38-39 shows that those who believe on Jesus are justified, made just as they
had never sinned, it says “be it known to you therefore, men and brethren, that
through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins. And by Him all that
believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law
of Moses”. You see the blood of animals could not cleanse you things, it only
covered them, year by year. But with the one shedding of the blood of the Lamb of
God, once and for all, you are cleansed.
Paul then warns them to be aware of what the prophet Habakkuk said in Habakkuk 1:
5 and says in verses 40-41 “ beware therefore, less that come upon you, which is
spoken of in the prophets. Behold, you despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work
a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare
it to you”.
Many wanted to hear Paul preach again and they asked him to return the next
Sabbath; this is in verses 42-44 which says “and when the Jews were gone out of
the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them
the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up many of the Jews and
religious proseltytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, persuaded
them to continue in the grace of God. And the next Sabbath day came almost the
whole city together to hear the word of God”.
The leaders became envious because they saw the multitude of people and spoke
against them, but Paul and Barnabas got bold and said in verses 45-47 “but when
the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those
things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and
Barnabas waxed bold, and said, it was necessary that the word of God should first
have been spoken to you; but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves
unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so has the Lord
commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should
be for salvation to the ends of the earth”. This confirms that God doesn’t want any
to perish.
The Gentiles became glad at this, and so should we, verses 48-49 says “and when
the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord; and as
many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was
published throughout all the region”.
The Jews still trying to stop the word from going forth, stirred up the people to expel
Paul and Barnabas from their coast (verse 50) says “but the Jews stirred up the
devout and honorable women, and the chief men or the city, and raised persecution
against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts”.
Jesus told us what to do when people won’t hear your words, He said that we are to
shake off the dust of our feet against them, and that’s just what Paul and Barnabas
did, verse 51-52 says “but they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and
came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit”.
We may have to be persecuted, but as we stay filled with joy and the Holy Spirit we
too can do mighty works for the Lord.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: January 31, 2012
