Acts 13

Intro about Cyprus: Cyprus, from the word pronounced kupros, meaning copper. South of Turkey and East of Syria (and Antioch where 11:26 the believers were first called Christians). In the news again (24 April 2004) because of 75% vote of Greek southern part to reject joining the EU).

People from there called Cypriots (northern Turkish and southern Greek). Cyprus's location in the far east of the Mediterranean has made it a key target for neighbouring empires for thousands of years. rading route, imperial outpost or colonial military base - occupying forces, from the Hittites to the Romans and the Crusaders to the British, have all had their own uses for Cyprus, some leaving more of a legacy than others. The island is said to be the birthplace of the ancient goddess of love, Aphrodite, and her cult thrived under Roman rule until eventually being overtaken by Christianity. Muslims (Ottoman Empire) forces invaded in 1570.

History of Paul & team travelling there. vs 1: Luke names five prophets and teachers in Antioch. They were Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been raised with Herod) and Saul. Their names showed that they came from a wide variety of social and ethnic backgrounds. Barnabas is mentioned first by Luke, as he was the apostolic delegate and a leading figure in the Jerusalem church (9:27; 11:22-30). We already know him as a Levite from Cyprus who lived in Jerusalem (4:36-37). More than this, we know him as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith" (11:24).

Simeon had the Latin nickname Niger, or "the Black." His name was Jewish, so it may have been his dark complexion that earned him the name "Black." The nickname may have been given to distinguish him from all the other Simons in the church, such as Simon Peter. According to church tradition, may have been the same Simon of Cyrene (Luke 23:26) who carried our Lord's cross to Golgotha--though we cannot at all be certain about this. According to Mark 15:21, his sons Alexander and Rufus, were well known among the Christians of Rome

Lucius had a Latin name. It’s possible though not certain that he was a Gentile. He is said to have come from Cyrene in North Africa. Perhaps he was of the Cyrenian group that first preached the gospel of salvation to the Gentiles of Antioch (11:20).

Manaen was the Greek form of the Hebrew Menahem, which means "comforter." (Barnabas’ name was said to mean "Son of Encouragement" in Acts 4:36.) Manaen is singled out as having been "brought up with Herod the tetrarch" (13:1). This would be the Herod of the Gospels, whom Jesus once called "that fox" (Luke 13:32). As mentioned earlier, this Herod was responsible for the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-28). If Manaen was a childhood companion of Herod, then he would have been his "foster-brother." (two boys who were brought up together, one should attain honor as a Christian leader, while the other should best be remembered for his inglorious behavior in the killing of John the Baptist and in the trial of Jesus!)

vs 2: "Separate for me" - to be used of God you need to be separated from sin.

This was the first "overseas mission" and venture in Roman Empire turf to the Gentiles. Notice that Paul is not a "lone ranger" (inkomo edla iyodwa) but submitted to the church's authority. Saul/Paul vs 9: Saul of Tarsus is referred to here as Paul (his Roman name and more "user-friendly" in the Roman Empire)

Two named cities are Salamis and Paphos.

In Paphos (a city with known for immorality) we meet the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus and his assistant (magician advisor) Bar-Jesus (literally, "son of Jesus") and Elymas the sorcerer.

In spreading the Gospel one also encounters the resistance of Satan. He is right there to try and spoil God's work.

"Wherever there is likely to be great success, the open door and the opposing adversaries will both be found. If there are no adversaries, you may fear that there will be no success. A boy cannot get his kite up without wind, nor without a wind which drives against his kite." (Spurgeon)

He was the pyschic hot-line, similar to consulting the occult for soccer and political results. Just as Peter had encountered the infamous Simon Magus in Samaria (chap 8), so here on Cyprus, Paul encounters Bar-jesus, another magician and false prophet, who was some kind of popular magician, and who as a "so-called" prophet claimed to be able to reveal either God's will or predict the future - all for a small fee, of course. (There are those who do all in their power to resist the Gospel and will try and prevent others from receiving it.)

Sergius Paulus was very impressed. His heart was inclined toward God, and the battle for this soul was almost won. But then a court sorcerer named Bar-Jesus stood up and began arguing with Saul.

Indeed, Paul's words to Barjesus are uttered while Paul was "filled with the Holy Spirit," and as such he announces to Barjesus that God's judgement was coming upon him in the form of an immediate though temporary blindness. Interestingly enough, this is the same judgement that had come upon Paul while he had been on the Damascus road.

Some judgements visible and some are hidden penalties.

The announcement of judgement serves as a witness to the proconsul, since Barjesus the pagan prophet, who supposedly can see all, is now himself struck blind. In a great irony, as a result of Barjesus' blindness, the proconsul's eyes are opened and now he sees the truth and embraces it.

Just as the devil used somebody to try and keep Sergius from the faith so too he will use somebody or something to keep you from Christ (and coming to church). When the truth is heard satan tries to discredit it. Jesus explained this in the parable of the seeds: "And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts" (Mark 4:15).

Dr. J. Vernon McGee says: Probably the sorcerer had been doing some fancy tricks by the power of Satan. In that day a false prophet could probably heal and perform other miracles by the power of Satan. Paul has his authority from the Lord Jesus Christ. He absolutely dominates the sorcerer by his message of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sergius Paulus comes to the light [of Christ]. He has been in spiritual darkness but now [he] believes [in Christ] and is astonished at the doctrine of the Lord

Dr. Kurt Koch, the German writes: I was in Liberia [in Africa]…After I had spoken, a seventy-year-old man came to see me for counselling. The missionary warned me that this old man was a much-feared sorcerer, who was nicknamed "the Country Devil." He was the president of the sorcerers in Liberia. I felt uncomfortable having such a man with me for counselling. But I was in for a surprise. The sorcerer said forthrightly, "I want to confess my sins and become a Christian." Then he began to reveal all the [sinful] things he had done in his life. He had no difficulty in accepting forgiveness and deliverance through faith in Jesus Christ. The missionaries had prepared the ground excellently. Without the ministry of these faithful witnesses of Jesus on the mission field, the sudden conversion of this old sorcerer, who was so clear about what he was doing [turning from sin and believing in Jesus] would not have been possible (Kurt E. Koch, Th.D., Occult ABC, Literature Mission, Germany, 1983, p. 333).

"Then the deputy [Sergius Paulus]…believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord" (Acts 13:12).
When he saw what had been done: What was it that the proconsul saw?

i. He saw the courage of Paul. Here was a man of conviction, bold in his belief, and willing to make a stand for what he believed.

ii. He saw the just result of Elymas' sin, physical blindness corresponding to his spiritual blindness. If only we would see more of the trouble sin gets people into, we might run after the things of God a little harder!

As amazing as the miracle of Elymas' sudden blindness was, the Good News the proconsul heard from Paul was even more amazing.

(Here you can find more info on Cyprus)