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LESSON TEN
ACTS 13:1-42

FIRST DAY Acts 13:1-3

In Acts 1-12 we have seen the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Antioch, Syria. Up to this time the record
of Acts mostly concerns the Apostles' ministry to the Jews in and around Jerusalem. The next section of the book
of Acts, chapter 13-28 tells how the church spread from Antioch to Rome. Whereas in the first section of Acts
the major character is Peter, the apostle to the Jews, beginning in chapter 13, the major character is Paul, the
apostle to the Gentiles. There is only one other mention of Peter in Acts 13-28. This does not mean that Peter
and the rest of the Apostles stopped preaching to others about the Gospel. Church history teaches that all of the
Apostles were busy taking the Gospel to North Africa and even as far as India. But Luke concentrates his story
on how the Gospel reached Rome, the capital city of the Roman empire.

The second part of Acts, beginning with Acts 13 concerns the spread of the gospel to the Gentile world. Paul was
the principal messenger or apostle to the Gentiles, as he was commissioned by the Lord on the road to Damascus.

Question 1. What did Jesus say about Paul's ministry in Acts 9:15?

Many years had passed since Paul had been chosen and met with Jesus on the Damascus road. We do not know
much of what he did during those years. But we do know that they were not wasted for they were years where
God prepared Saul for the work He had for him.

Q. 2. a) Why is preparation for ministry important? b) How are your church leaders and evangelists being
prepared for their ministries? c) How could they be better prepared?

We saw last week how Barnabas brought Paul to the city of Antioch to work with him in teaching the Gentile
Christians. Now we will see how the church of Antioch became a sending church and was used by God to reach
out to the Gentiles throughout the Roman empire.

Q. 3. Read Acts 13:1-52 and answer the following questions. a) Who were the leaders in the church in Antioch?
b) List the different places Barnabas and Saul traveled. Look at the map at the end of the book and trace their
journey. c) Which verse in Acts 13 does Luke cease speaking of Saul and begin to call him `Paul'?

Q. 4. Read Acts 13:1-3 again and answer these questions. a) What was the leaders' work in the church at
Antioch? b) What were the leaders doing when the Holy Spirit spoke to them? c) What did the Holy Spirit say?

When Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem to Syrian Antioch they brought Barnabas' cousin, John Mark
with them. (Acts 12:25). Although Barnabas and Saul probably thought they would continue their ministry in
the Antioch church, God had other plans. We will see that Syrian Antioch became the new base for the outreach
of the church into the Gentile world. Only once more in the Acts record was the Jerusalem church involved in
strategic decisions. (Acts 15).

Some of the believers who were scattered by the persecution after Stephen's death were men from Cyprus and
Cyrene. (Acts 11:19-20). They went to Syrian Antioch preaching to the Jews. You will remember, however, that
soon the Gospel spread to the Gentiles in Antioch.

The New Testament teaches that God always gives gifts to the church so that it will function properly. Some of
the gifts of the Spirit are the leadership gifts. For example, in the church of Antioch, there were leaders gifted as
teachers and prophets. In the New Testament, after the apostles, the most important gifts were teaching and the
prophecy.

Q. 5. God gives his children gifts today as well. Read Ephesians 4:11-13. a) For what purpose does God give
spiritual gifts? b) List the spiritual gifts God has given you. How are you using your spiritual gift(s)?

The Antioch church had five key leaders. They were teachers and prophets who came from different cultures.
First, there was Simeon called Niger. The name Simeon suggests a Jewish background. Niger is Latin for the
word black and may indicate his dark complexion. Second, Lucius was from Cyrene, which was the capital of
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Libya in North Africa. Perhaps he was one of the first ones to bring the Gospel to Antioch. Third, Manaen was
the foster brother of Herod Antipas. Fourth Saul was brought up in the Gentile city of Tarsus and was well-
trained in the Jewish Law. Fifth, Barnabas was a Jewish Levite from Cyprus who had been sent by the Jerusalem
church to work in Antioch. Some scholars think that the leaders of the church are listed in order of authority-
which means that Barnabas was the major leader of the church and Saul, although a leader, was under the
authority of others. Most likely all of these leaders were Jews who had grown up among the Gentiles.

The Lord had called into the leadership of the church in Antioch people from several nations. This enabled the
leaders of the church to have a wider vision of the needs of the then-known world. This could not have happened
in Jerusalem where the leaders were only familiar with their own nation. The Lord gave these men gifts of
prophecy and teaching in order to build up the church at Antioch.

Q. 6. a) How should a greater knowledge of our world today increase our vision to reach the whole world with
the Gospel? b) What are your doing to increase your knowledge of the world?

As the prophets and teachers in the Antioch church were praying and fasting the Holy Spirit told them to send
Barnabas and Saul to the Gentile nations with the gospel. The church was led to confirm their call and sent them
out.

Q. 7. a) How are evangelists chosen by your church today? b) What part do the leaders play in choosing who is
an evangelist? c) What part do the individual evangelists play in volunteering to go? d) What part does the Holy
Spirit play in their choosing and sending?

The Antioch leaders were not in a church planning meeting discussing the needs of the church or the world. They
were worshipping the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit spoke to them. After the Spirit had spoken, they
were united in sending Barnabas and Saul out to do what God had asked them to do. So after they had fasted and
prayed, they placed their hands on them. The practice of laying on hands was their cultural way of setting aside
Barnabas and Paul for the ministry, designating them for God's special work. The church sent them on their
journey.

Q. 8. a) How does God call evangelists today? b) What is the church's responsibility in sending out evangelists?

How did the Spirit speak? We do not know. Perhaps through one of the prophets, but probably to the hearts of
these men who were united in prayer. How do we know the leading of the Holy Spirit today? He doesn't usually
speak with an audible voice. We do not hear the voice by trying to force ourselves into ecstasies and then imagine
we hear a voice. The leading of the Lord usually comes by carefully thinking through a matter with much prayer.
We must look for principles in God's Word that apply to our situation. God may use circumstances but always
gives a sense of peace in our decision. As we consider and pray, the Lord prepares our minds and hearts to make
the right decision. We must do this with a willingness to obey and not have the decision already made and ask
God to bless our choice. As we think back over our lives we will recognize how our hearts and minds were
prepared and led by God.

Q. 9. Explain how the Lord has led you in making decisions in your life.

Although they would be greatly missed, the church at Antioch released Barnabas and Saul to go as the first
missionaries; those sent to work away from their homeland in another culture. Notice whom God chose for the
work of spreading the Gospel to the unreached lands. It was not just a common, ordinary member of the church.
Rather, God chose and the church sent some of their most qualified leaders. There was Barnabas who was
probably the major pastor of the church and Saul who was also a leader in the church. Since the most important
ministry of the church is reaching out to the lost, we must always be willing to send the most qualified men and
women for the spreading of the Gospel. There is no greater and more important calling by God or responsibility
for the church than sharing the Gospel with the people who are lost. We should send our best trained, best
qualified members of our church to do this important work.

The Holy Spirit sent Paul and Barnabas out. Some must remain at home in the church, others must go. The
Holy Spirit directs some to go and others to pray and provide for those who go. But all must be led by the Holy
Spirit. If one hears the call to go, then he should go within the fellowship and under the guidance of the church.

Q. 10. a) Are you sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life? Explain how this is shown in your life.
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b) How is God using you in His plan for the world? c) How is your church active in reaching out to those who
need the Gospel?

SECOND DAY Acts 13:4-12

With the sending of the first missionaries from the church of Antioch, the center of church activity in the spread
of the gospel shifted from the Jerusalem church to the Gentile church in Antioch. The leaders of the church in
Antioch, while fasting and praying were led of the Holy Spirit to release Barnabas and Saul from their
responsibilities as leaders, to carry the name of Christ to the Gentile nations. The Antioch leaders placed their
hands on the two men and sent them off. The first missionary journey of Paul took place during the years A.D.
46-48.

Barnabas and Saul took Barnabas' cousin, John Mark with them as they were led by the Holy Spirit into the
Roman world. They would encounter new challenges and new opposition as they went into areas where the light
of God's Word had not yet shone.

Q. 11. Read Acts 13:4-12 and answer these questions. a) To which country did Barnabas and Saul first go?
Look at the map in the back of the book and find the places that are mentioned in this section. b) Describe the
opposition which came to Paul and Barnabas. c) Why did Elymas oppose Paul's message? d) What effect did the
judgement on Elymas have on the proconsul?

Leaving Antioch, Barnabas, Saul and John Mark went to the port of Seleucia and sailed to the island of Cyprus.
Since Cyprus was Barnabas' home area, he would have known the area and some of the people living there. This
would have made sharing the Gospel easier than with strangers. Once again, God used the background of His
children in the work of His kingdom. There is nothing left to chance for God.

Cyprus was on a popular trade route. Many travelers going from all over the world came through the island.
This made it an excellent place to start a missionary journey that would effect the whole world.

There were both Jews and Gentiles on the island of Cyprus. Barnabas and Paul started their work on the eastern
tip of the island in the city of Salamis. As became their practice, Barnabas and Saul first proclaimed the gospel
in the Jewish synagogue. As Paul said the Gospel was for the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. (Rom. 1:16) It
was natural for them to go to the Jews first. The Jews knew the Old Testament and would better understand the
Gospel message. Also, in the synagogues, there were many god-fearing Gentiles who were ready to hear the
Gospel message that they could receive forgiveness from God by putting their trust in Jesus Christ.

These meeting and worship places of the Jews called `synagogues' became the initial place where Paul and
Barnabas preached, and usually from the synagogues people would believe and form the beginning church.

From Salamis the missionaries travelled throughout the whole island. When they reached Paphos, a port on the
western end of Cyprus, they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was an attendant of
the proconsul who was administrator of the island. This sorcerer soon became an enemy of the Gospel.

The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, was assigned to govern the island as a representative of the Roman government.
The Bible says that he was an intelligent man. Upon hearing about Barnabas and Paul and their witness
concerning Jesus Christ, he sent for them. The proconsul wanted to hear the new message that they were
proclaiming. It was a wonderful opportunity that God provided for Barnabas and Saul to witness the gospel of
salvation to the governor of the whole island.

Q. 12. a) Have you had someone ask you to explain the good news of Jesus Christ? Read 2 Timothy 4:2 and 1
Peter 3:15. What did you share? b) How have you prepared yourself to explain the hope that you have? Pray
and ask God to give you an opportunity to witness about Him.

Satan does not rest when the gospel goes into a new area. Opposition arose in the form of Bar-Jesus who is also
called Elymas, which is the Jewish name meaning sorcerer. Although a Jew, he had rejected the faith of the Old
Testament which forbade any type of sorcery and became a sorcerer. As he listened to Barnabas and Saul
witnessing he became frightened. He realized if the governor accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, he would lose his
friendship with the governor. Therefore he tried to turn Sergius Paulus away from believing Barnabas and Saul's
message. Suddenly Saul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Elymas for his deceit and trickery and for
perverting the right ways of the Lord. Saul realized that Bar-Jesus was a spokesman of Satan. There are times
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when it appears that evil ones are gaining the victory but we must always be assured that God is in control and
will punish those who oppose Him.

Paul said to Elymas, "The hand of the Lord is against you. You will be blind for a time." Immediately Elymas
became blind and groped about for someone to lead him. (verse 11). In this, Paul showed that the power of
Christ is greater than the power of Satan. Again, a miracle became a strong witness to the truth of the Gospel
and demonstrated to all the power of Jesus over Satan.

Q. 13. a) Why do you think God showed this sign of His power to Sergius Paulus and his attendants? b) What
are the purposes of supernatural signs?

When Sergius Paulus saw the judgement on Elymas he believed, and was amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
The immediate judgement of the sorcerer confirmed the teaching of Paul, which was the purpose of signs and
miracles.
We have seen the Holy Spirit judge hypocrisy and deceit in the lives of Ananias and Sapphira within the church.
Now we have seen the Holy Spirit bring immediate judgment on one outside the church who was an enemy of the
Gospel. God's judgment was certain and severe against those who try to prevent others from believing the Word
of God.

Q. 14. Describe how you have seen God judge someone who was not a Christian but stood as an enemy of the
church.

From now on in the book of Acts, the name of Saul is changed to Paul. Saul is a Jewish name. But Saul, being a
Roman citizen also had a Roman name which was Paul. (Acts 13:9) From now on throughout the book of Acts,
Saul is called Paul. This is because Paul was now reaching out into the Gentile world as the apostle to the
Gentiles. As we have seen previously, Paul's background, training and zeal prepared him to lead the gospel
witness to the Gentile world. Paul was a Jew, trained in Hebrew and the Law, but he was also a Roman citizen
who grew up in a Gentile city and culture. All these things prepared him to take up the leadership as he dealt
with the governor of Cyprus, who was probably a Roman.

The order in which the names Barnabas and Paul are mentioned now changes as well. Since Paul became the
principal speaker in front of the Gentile ruler and was most suited to lead in a ministry among the Gentiles, he
took over the place of leadership. Therefore, Luke changes the order of their names to Paul and Barnabas. Later,
when back among the Jews, Luke changes back to Barnabas and Paul. (Acts 15:12) It took great humility for
Barnabas to lose leadership over the group. But rather than fight, he continued his role of encourager.

Q. 15. a) What part did Barnabas have in preparing Paul for this place of leadership? b) As Barnabas took
second place, what does this tell us about Barnabas?
Q. 16. What do Acts 13:4 & 9 tell us concerning the reason that Paul and Barnabas had an effective witness?
Q. 17. When is our witness effective for Christ?

It is very difficult for a leader to step aside from a place of leadership to allow a person more gifted than he to
lead. Many times leaders fight against each other over control of the work. But we must remember that it is God
who calls leaders and the work is His, not theirs. If God uses another leader to further the kingdom of God, we
should praise God and not allow jealousy to overcome us.

Q. 18. a) How have you seen Satan use fighting between church leaders to destroy the work of God? b) What
can we learn from Barnabas about the proper attitude when God calls another leader?

The opposition from the powers of darkness is one of the greatest dangers to the Christian faith. Satan is a
deceiver who will do everything possible to prevent people from believing. Or he will try to deceive the believers
and lead them into false teaching which brings division and judgment. Many times also, he will seek to destroy
the unity of the leaders. He will seek to cause divisions, jealousies, and fighting so that the work will stop.
Imagine what would have happened if Paul and Barnabas now fought each other. What would have happened to
their witness? But they were willing to put God's work above their fame and so the witness went forth and
churches were started.

Q. 19. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. List areas of your life or your church where Satan has gained the victory. Pray
and ask God to give you victory over the evil one.
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THIRD DAY Acts 13:13-41

Paul had now become the leader of the evangelistic outreach to the Gentile world. The call of God to Paul's heart
was driving him on, and led by the Spirit of God Paul and Barnabas continued on their first missionary journey.

Paul taught in Damascus, in Jerusalem, in Tarsus and in Syrian Antioch, but Acts 13:16-41 is the first record of
one of Paul's messages. Perhaps because it is Paul's first sermon to a mainly Jewish audience, it is included here
in some detail. In some points, Paul's message resembles those of Peter. However, in some points it is different.
As you read this section try to compare it with some of Peter's messages that we studied earlier.

Q. 20. Read Acts 13:13-41 and answer the following questions. a) After leaving Paphos on Cyprus, where did
Paul and his companion go? b) What happened to John Mark? c) On the Sabbath, what did the synagogue
leaders request that Paul and Barnabas do? d) What specific things did God do for Israel? List the six major
things mentioned in Acts 13:17-23. e) In Acts 13:26-31 what is Paul trying to prove to the Jews? f) In Acts
13:34-37 how does Paul show the superiority of Jesus over David? g) In Acts 13:38-39 what was Paul's message
for everyone who believes? h) What was Paul's warning in Acts 13:40-41?

Leaving Paphos in Cyprus Paul and his companions sailed across to Perga in Pamphylia. (Look at the map of
Paul's first missionary journey.) There, although we are not told the reason, John Mark left Paul and Barnabas
and returned to Jerusalem. We will see later how this caused problems between Paul and Barnabas.
From Perga Paul and Barnabas went on to Pisidian Antioch, about 175 kilometers from Perga along a very
difficult route. (Some of the perils mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:36 could be referring to this journey.)
Probably Paul got sick on this journey for in Galatians 4:13-14 Paul mentioned that he first preached to the
Galatian Christians when in sickness.

Antioch was a large Greek city with many Gentiles, but it also had many Jewish citizens. Therefore, there was a
Jewish synagogue. (Note- this is not the same Antioch that is mentioned before in Acts. There were two towns
called Antioch. One was in Syria and this was where the church was which sent Paul and Barnabas on their
missionary journey. The other was called Pisidian Antioch and was in the province of Galatia. This is one of the
towns Paul and Barnabas minister in on their first missionary journey.) As they usually did, Paul and Barnabas
went first to the synagogue to witness. Often, traveling teachers were invited by the Jewish synagogue leaders to
teach. Therefore, when the Jewish leaders asked Paul and Barnabas for a message of encouragement, Paul, the
leader of the team stood up and preached. He addressed those in the synagogue as "Men of Israel and you
Gentiles who worship God." Paul's audience consisted mainly of Jews and therefore his witness is mainly
addressed to them. But Paul realized that there were also some Gentiles who had rejected idol worship to follow
the God of the Old Testament. As did Peter and Stephen in their messages, Paul reviewed Jewish history telling
how 1) God chose their leaders and caused them to prosper in Egypt. 2) God led them out of Egypt and was
patient with them for 40 years in the desert. 3) He gave them the land of Canaan after helping them to conquer
seven nations. 4) God gave them judges. 5) When they asked, God gave them a king, first Saul and later David.
6) God sent the Lord Jesus Christ to Israel, as He had promised.

The reason Paul reviewed the Old Testament was to show how the Old Testament pointed to the Lord Jesus
Christ. These Jews were waiting for their Messiah to come. They knew that he was to come from the line of
David. Therefore, after the story of David, Paul came to the main point of his message which was that the
Messiah from David's line had come. Even the forerunner prophesied in Malachi, the last book of the Old
Testament had come. These Jews had probably heard about John the Baptist who had warned everyone to repent
in preparation of the coming kingdom of God. He witnessed that Jesus was so much greater than he that he was
not worthy to even untie his sandals which was the job that the lowest slave was supposed to do.

With the mention of Jesus' coming, Paul started the second part of his message which focuses on the Lord Jesus
Christ. He again addressed them as brothers, children of Abraham and God-fearing Gentiles. Because these
Jews knew their Old Testament, Paul sought to convince them from the Old Testament concerning the Lord Jesus
Christ. Paul's declaration that their Messiah had come but had been rejected must have confused these Jews.
They had probably heard about Jesus and his death. Paul declared that Jesus was the promised One, the
Messiah, that the Jews had been waiting for centuries. But the people of Jerusalem and rulers did not recognize
Him. They found no reason to condemn Jesus to death, yet they killed Him. But Paul emphasized that though
wrong in their actions, they had fulfilled the Old Testament prophets which the Jews had read every Sabbath.
The death of Jesus was no accident but fulfilled the plan of God to take away the sins of the world. God raised
Jesus from the dead. Paul emphasized that Jesus was alive, and had shown himself to many disciples for many
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days. These disciples were witnesses to the truth of the story of the resurrection.

Paul concluded his message with the reference to one of the Old Testament prophecies, Psalm 2:7-9. In this
Psalm, David writing by the Holy Spirit foretold the resurrection of the Messiah. First, David quoted the words
`You are my Son; today I have become your Father.' By this, Paul was saying that by God resurrecting Jesus
from the dead, he was declaring to all that Jesus Christ was his Son. This verse is not teaching that Jesus became
God's Son when he was born in Bethlehem. Jesus was always the Son of God. Even before he was physically
born to Mary, he was the Son of God. The emphasis here is on the fact that with the death and resurrection of
Jesus, God openly demonstrated to all the unique relationship Jesus had with him as his Son.

Paul then quoted two other verses which clearly predicted that Jesus, the seed of David would be resurrected.
David said his body would not decay in death. These verses could not have referred to David who died and was
buried. Rather, they were a prophecy concerning David's Son, Jesus Christ who although he died, was
resurrected so as to not see decay.

Finally Paul said, "Therefore,...through Jesus is the forgiveness of sins and through Him everyone who believes is
justified." This is something the Law of Moses could not do. The law of Moses could only point out their
sinfulness. It never provided forgiveness from sins. But now Jesus Christ had died for their sins. As a result two
major blessing were possible for man. First, the way to true lasting forgiveness was open through belief in Jesus.
Second, true justification was granted to those forgiven of their sins.

Q. 21. What does justification mean? Look this word up in your Bible dictionary.

Paul then gave a final warning that justification is by faith alone, not by keeping the law. Justification is a legal
term meaning to be released from the guilt of sin and accepted as righteous. Justification is the declaration by
God that the sinner was not guilty. His sins had been paid for and the righteousness of Jesus Christ had been
given to him. Although we continue to sin, God declares that we are justified since our sins have been covered by
the death of Jesus. Paul quoted Habakkuk 1:5 to urge the people to believe so that the judgment prophesied by the
prophets would not come on them.

In summary, this first speech of Paul to the Jews declared that Jesus Christ was the Messiah prophesied in the
Old Testament to the Jews. He stated that God's purpose was to send Jesus to die for sins and it is by faith in
Him that man is justified. Jesus' resurrection from the dead was proof that he was the Messiah, the Son of God,
and that God the Father accepted his sacrifice for the sins of the world. This message was for Jew and Gentile,
for only by faith in Jesus is there salvation from sin.

Paul did not say to the Antioch Jews, "You condemned Jesus to death," as Peter had said to the Jerusalem Jews.
Peter preached, "Repent and be baptized." Paul preached, "Believe. Justification from sin is by faith alone."
(Eph. 2:8-9)

Q. 22. a) Make a list of things from Paul's sermon that should be included when you witness to a non-Christian.
b) What are some things that Paul mentioned that is not necessary for non-Christians to know in order to be
saved but was good for the Jews?
Q. 23. Have you been justified, or declared righteous in God's eyes? If so explain to someone what that means in
your life. If not, pray and ask God to forgive your sins, accepting Jesus' death as a payment for the wages of
your sin. As Jesus becomes Lord of your life, remember He paid for you by his death, go and tell someone of the
decision you have just made. (Rom. 10:9-10)

FOURTH DAY Acts 13:42-52

Paul's first recorded message was a clear presentation of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, based on the
predictions of the Old Testament prophets. He urged Jews and Gentiles to believe in the Christ who alone can
justify man before a righteous God, and not reject Jesus, as the people in Jerusalem had done.

When the Word of God is glorified, Satan is not pleased. After the message by Paul that justification and
salvation were in Christ and for the Gentiles as well as the Jews, the enemy began to work.

Q. 24. Read Acts 13:42-52 and answer these questions. a) How did the people respond after Paul's message? b)
What did they request of Paul and Barnabas? c) What was the reaction of the Jews the second time the people
gathered? d) How did Paul and Barnabas answer the Jews? e) Why were Paul and Barnabas compelled to leave
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Pisidian Antioch? Where did they go from Antioch?

Those who heard Paul's message in the synagogue were initially very happy with the message of salvation in
Christ. They gathered around Paul, who urged them to continue in the grace of God. Although many of the Jews
were attracted to this message, it was especially good for the god-fearing Gentiles. They asked that Paul and
Barnabas come back on the following week to explain in more detail about the Lord Jesus Christ.

News of Paul's message spread all over Antioch and on the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear
what Paul was teaching. Now rather than having just a few Gentiles present, many Gentiles came crowding into
the synagogue to hear Paul. Their hearts were open to the gospel message of forgiveness from sins. The Jews,
however, were filled with jealousy. They did not like the fact that so many Gentiles had come. They especially
did not like the fact that Paul showed equal concern for the Gentiles' salvation and that he was willing to accept
them without their having to become Jews. The Jewish leaders began to talk against Paul and his message.
Rather than keep their hearts open to listen to Paul and the Holy Spirit, Satan used their jealousy to harden their
hearts.

Q. 25. Why do some leaders become jealous when people from other groups or tribes are more responsive or
favored than they are?

When they openly refused to accept the Gospel Paul and Barnabas said, "We had to speak the Word of God to
you first, but since you reject it and don't consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles."
Because the Jews were the sons of Abraham, the chosen people of God, Paul and Barnabas were obligated to
come to them first with the Gospel message. But, as the two missionaries saw that their hearts were hardened
like the Jews in Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles who were open for the Gospel. Paul warned
the Jews that in turning away from his message, they themselves were rejecting eternal life. Their being Jews and
obeying the Old Testament laws would not save them. There is only one way to salvation which is through belief
in Jesus Christ. Any attempt to follow another religion, or seeking to do good works to get to heaven means that
we have chosen the path that leads to hell.

Q. 26. a) What do these verses teach us about the salvation of people who follow other religions, although
sincere? b) What does this tell us about our responsibility to share them the Gospel?

Paul quoted Isaiah 42:6-7 where the Jews were told that they would be a light to the Gentiles. God did not chose
the Jews just so that they could receive the blessings of God. Rather, God was always concerned about the
nations. The major reason God chose the Jews was so that as the chosen people of God they could be a light to
the Gentiles. God's plan is for the whole world. Unfortunately, the Jews thought God was only concerned about
them. Their light was often corrupted through false worship, evil lifestyles, and pride.

Q. 27. a) In what way are Christians also light to unbelievers? b) How do you demonstrate your light to the
unbelievers around you? c) How do many Christians or churches lose their light?

The fact that God was concerned about them greatly pleased the Gentiles. God had already prepared their hearts.
They were tired of their old ways of worship. They wanted forgiveness from their sins. Unfortunately, the
teaching of the Jews had created barriers for their belief. When they heard that God only asked that they believe
in Jesus Christ for their salvation, they honored the Word of the Lord and many believed and received the gift of
eternal life. What the Jews refused, the Gentiles received. So often those who think that they are good enough, or
think that they are religious refuse to simply accept the gift of eternal life. It is those who realize that they are
sinners who are willing to place their faith only in Jesus Christ that readily believe.

Q. 28. How have you seen this in your witnessing to others?

The Word of the Lord spread through the whole region. Gentiles believed, but the Jews refused to believe and
began to oppose the truth. They stirred up the God-fearing women, women who still followed the Old Testament
rather than accept the free gift of salvation as well as the leading men of the city. They raised up so much
opposition against Paul and Barnabas that they were forced to leave the city. Throughout the history of the early
church, it was the Jews who brought the greatest persecution to the Christians.

Q. 29. a) Have you seen the gospel witness or teaching stopped because of opposition? b) What does this reveal
concerning those who oppose the good news?
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When Paul and Barnabas left Pisidian Antioch they performed a symbolic act which placed the responsibility of
judgment upon the Jews for their unbelief. It was customary for Jews to shake off the dust of a pagan town from
their feet when they returned to their land. It was a symbol of cleansing themselves from the impurity of sinners
who did not worship God. As Paul and Barnabas wiped their feet, it indicated to the Jews that Paul and
Barnabas regarded them as pagans- those outside of the children of God and therefore would receive divine
judgment.

Though Paul and Barnabas were compelled to go, the new believers who remained behind were joyful in the new
faith in Christ.

Paul fulfilled the command he had received to witness to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. Although some
Jews did receive the Gospel message, most of them refused. In mercy God continued to try to win His chosen
people, the Jews, but we will see that they continued to reject Him.

Notice that Paul and Barnabas continued to work on the assignment that God had given them despite the
persecution. They travelled on to another city to preach the good news there. Next week we will see how God
continued to work through these two men, in spite of opposition and persecution.

Paul was not discouraged by opposition or hardship. He wanted to be faithful to God and spread the good news
of Jesus no matter what it personally cost him. The spreading of the Gospel was more important to him than a
good job, a comfortable life, freedom from persecution, or anything else.

Q. 30. How much are you willing to suffer so that the Gospel will spread to those who have not heard it?

FIFTH DAY

REVIEW QUESTIONS Acts 13:1-52

1. Describe the leaders in the Syrian Antioch Church. a) Where were they from? b) Were they Jews or Gentiles?
2. What part did the Holy Spirit have in sending out Barnabas and Saul?
3. How did the church fulfill its responsibility to send Barnabas and Saul?
4. Why did Paul severely oppose Elymas the sorcerer? What was Elymas trying to do?
5. What qualifications did Paul have which put him into the place of leadership?
6. Peter urged the Jews to repent. What was Paul's plea to the Gentiles?
7. Though Paul and Barnabas were compelled to leave Pisidian Antioch, how do we know their witness was
effective?
8. List the places Paul and Barnabas visited on their first missionary journey. Find these places on the map at the
back of the book so that you know where they are located.

Prepare for the weekly meeting by reading and thinking about the discussion questions.

WEEKLY MEETING

1. Worship time.
2. Prayer time.
3. Review.
4. Discussion.
a) 1) What is the responsibility of the church in sending evangelists to other areas or countries? 2) How
is your church following the example of the Antioch church? 3) How are evangelists being chosen? 4) How is
the church seeking to reach out past your immediate area?
b) 1) What qualified Paul as an evangelist to the Gentiles? Look at Acts 13:4,9,47. 2) Which was the
most important qualification? 3) What qualifications are needed today for an evangelists who will go to towns, to
the countryside, etc? 4) What qualifications does your church look for when they choose evangelists? 5) How
can the choosing of evangelists be improved?
c) 1) What can we learn from Barnabas' example when the leadership was taken up by Paul? 2) How is
this so different from the attitude of many leaders in the church?
d) 1) Compare Paul's evangelistic sermon with sermons in your church that seek to bring people to
Christ. How are they similar? How are they different? 2) Why are they different? 3) What truths should be
found in all evangelistic sermons?
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5. Prayer.