Tag Paul

³⁸ And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. ³⁹ Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. The magistrates were likely not expecting much of a report. Perhaps, having taught the Jews a lesson, they were primarily concerned with matters of the day in Philippi. But the officers did have a report: They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out. (Acts 16:38-39)

The officers told these words to the magistrates. It was not what they thought they would hear and they were taken by fear. Their fear was the kind that has the dreadful expectation that something bad could happen. What caused their reaction? It was hearing that they were Romans. It was in that moment that they knew… they’d messed up. Instead of rushing to get out of jail the prisoners remained in their cells and filed charges against the magistrates.

The situation was ironic. Paul and Silas had been treated as criminals but were innocent. The magistrates who condemned them now found themselves genuine lawbreakers. (Polhill, 1992, p. 357)

There had been no inquiry and no trial. But there had been shaming in public, shutting away in prison, and shackles to cause pain. For the Jesus follower there are a few things to be observed about why Paul did not just go. He was not arrogant or lacking in meekness; it was not about him. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Paul knew that if he had just left the prison and city he would have missed an opportunity to be in conflict on purpose for the good of others. The apostle to the Gentiles was concerned for others:

• Concern for the Community – The magistrates had pandered to the crowd, played along with mob violence, and persecuted men for being Jews. If Paul leaves quietly he will endorse this treatment of his Jewish brethren. He cannot.
• Concern for those Coming After – Preaching the gospel was said to be unlawful. In fact it was not. If Paul had left he would be approving the decision to prohibit preaching Christ. He cannot.
• Concern for the New Christ Followers – New believers like Lydia will still be in the city after Paul leaves. Just as there was angst and injustice against him, there will also be animosity toward the new church. If Paul does not stand up for what is right he will be a partaker and passive promoter of the violence against the new fellowship of Jesus followers. He cannot.

We should avoid conflict when we can. And in some cases we should even allow ourselves to be wronged (1 Corinthians 6:7; Matthew 5:39–40). But there are times when we are called to courageously confront injustice and be in conflict. Our anointing enables us to do for others what is needed in such moment. When it happens our decision to be in conflict will be because we see the broader picture and realize it is not about ourselves. Like Christ, our willingness or eagerness to be in conflict will be rooted in our care and concern for others.

In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.

Introduction

The call to put our faith in Christ is many things. It is a call to forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 1:13-14; 2:13; 3:13; Romans 5:8). It is a call into the family of God (John 1:12-13). God the Father’s pleading to believe on Jesus is a summons to partake in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) and the favor and honor that is the inheritance of the Son of God (Ephesians 2:4-7). It is a call away from the futility of fighting God, away from the wanton wasting of time in wickedness, and into life on purpose.

But how often are we told that the call to Christ is also a call to conflict and to suffering. We do new believers a great disservice when we elide the cross from the message about following Jesus. The conflict with the world and suffering cannot be separated from faith and following the Savior. This is what Jesus said:

• The Promise of Suffering (Psalm 34:19; Acts 9:16; 2 Timothy 3:12) — Paul was called away from fighting against Christianity to be a leading proponent. His calling and conversion was hard for some people to accept. E.g., Ananias respectfully protested the request to meet with Paul after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. But Jesus insisted and told Ananias that He would “show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16) The Lord made it clear that the cantankerous Pharisee was no longer going to persecute the church; he would promote it. And that Paul was going to suffer. Further, suffering was not going to be optional for Paul — he must suffer. And so it is with anyone that is endeavoring to follow the Son (2 Timothy 2:12).

• The Privilege of Suffering (Matthew 5:11-12; Acts 5:41; Philippians 1:29) — Suffering is often viewed solely as something to avoid or eschew. Pain, says Self and much of society, is a problem to be avoided. But if we look at life through the lens of the Lord’s teachings we get a different perspective. Some suffering is to be seen as a positive sign. This is what Jesus said in His first sermon (Matthew 5:11-12); it is confirmation of our association with Christ. It is an honor that is bestowed on some as a means of bringing glory to the Son. Paul, the one that formerly persecuted the church put it this way in his letter to the Phlippians: “For to you it has been granted (ἐχαρίσθη) on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake…” (Philippians 1:29)

χαρίζομαι: to give or grant graciously and generously, with the implication of good will on the part of the giver (Louw, 1996, p. 568)

• The Purpose of Suffering (2 Corinthians 4:11; 1 Peter 3:14; 4:13-14) — In conflict and suffering the Jesus follower is given an opportunity to demonstrate the difference that Christ makes in us (Galatians 2:20). There is an apologetic advanced through our handling of reproach and reviling. In our godly and gracious conduct in the face of unjust treatment we put forth an irrefutable argument for the power of the risen Lord. Peter put it this way: “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” (1 Peter 4:14)

Let us make the most of every opportunity to tell other about the gracious work of God through Christ – the gospel. Anyone willing to turn to the Son of God in faith can have forgiveness, favor, and become part of the family of God. But let us make sure that we tell the whole truth. There is a cross in it. With the decision to follow Christ comes the promise and privilege of suffering for the sake of Jesus. Paul knew this. And he experienced the promise after doing a good work. The good work of delivering a slave girl from the control of a demon.

Selected for Suffering (Acts 16:19-20; 18:2)

¹⁹ But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. ²⁰ And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;

What mattered most to her masters was that their slave girl was a means for making money. They had worked in collusion with the demon that possessed her as pimps. (Before you castigate me for such a crass description of the business of the masters of the demon, think about what they were doing to the woman.) She was used and made poor while they made a profit.

But Paul’s prayers and command had set her free. And at some point it became obvious to the masters of the slave girl that something was not right with their property. They could readily see (ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ κύριοι αὐτῆς) that she was changed. There may have been many notable changes after the exorcism. One stood out. From their perspective the essential difference was that she was no longer possessed by a spirit of divination. Her abilities as a fortune teller and as a means to making money had had been cast out by the Jews that had recently come to town. They did not ask for her to be delivered and did not appreciate her emancipation:

The good deed done to the slave girl was not at all to the liking of her owners; when Paul exorcized the spirit that possessed her, he exorcized their means of income: she could no longer tell fortunes. (Bruce, 1988, p. 314)

With the spirit the owners’ prospects for further profit also exited. Luke probably intended the wordplay. He used the same verb (exēlthen) for the demon’s coming out in v. 18 as for the money’s going in v. 19. The latter created the problem. Healing a possessed girl was one thing; but when that involved considerable economic loss, that was a wholly different matter. (Polhill, 1992, p. 351)

Upon realizing what had been done the masters are mad. Paul and Silas are both taken to the authorities to answer for their unsolicited help. But, speaking to those us who are more than a little predisposed to notice differences in the way people are treated, only Paul spoke the words that led to the eviction of the evil spirit. The reaction of the masters raises at least two questions. First, why was Silas taken? He had not said anything. Second, why were Timothy and Luke not arrested? The reasons are rooted in both racism and a religious war started by Jesus.

Timothy is only part Jewish; his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). Luke is a Gentile (Colossians 4:10-11, 14). Paul and Silas, as the text later says, are clearly Jews (Acts 16:20). The selection of Paul and Silas was based on a growing national prejudice against Jews. A few years before this event in A.D. 49 or 50 the emperor Claudius issued an edict commanding all Jews to leave Rome. Philippi is a Roman colony of high regard (Acts 16:12) and it is reasonable to assume that the anti-semitic sentiment in that city is strong.

Luke and Timothy were apparently unmolested: Paul and Silas were not only the leaders of the party but also most obviously Jews (Luke was a Gentile and Timothy a half-Gentile). Anti-Jewish sentiment lay very near the surface in pagan antiquity. (Bruce, 1988, p. 314)

Whom the Son has set free is free indeed. That is part of the story. Here is the other part: Not everyone is elated with the emancipation of slaves. For some life is better when others are in bondage and the disregard of personhood is a necessary part of using others to make a profit.

The Religious Factor (Acts 16:21-22; Matthew 10:32-39; Luke 12:49-53; James 4:4)

(Acts 16:21–22, NKJV) — 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.

From the perspective of the slave masters a good life was lost without hope. Why? Because of some meddling Jewish vagabonds with their gospel and Jesus-based powers. Although the slave owners make no specific mention of the work that destroyed their demonic business they have not forgotten the words of the demon through the girl:

“These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” ¹⁸ And this she did for many days.

The New King James Version. (1982). (Ac 16:17–18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

There were three charges made against Paul and Silas:

• Prejudice – First, with the intent of rousing the animosity of the people around their nationalism, was the charge of being the wrong ethnicity: These men, being Jews. But why do they so hate the Jews. The answer is found in the spirit at work in the world (Ephesians 2:2).

The foremost enemy of God is not glad when a Jew becomes the hope of the world, help for those who will admit their need, and the means by which some will gain forgiveness, favor, future blessing and the strength to destroy the works of the devil. It is no surprise, then, that the foremost enemy of God is at work through the world persecuting that Jew by persecuting those that have become part of His body.

• Disturbing the Peace – Second, although not entirely clear, there was the intimation that the magistrates needed to stop the work of these Jews to exceedingly trouble the city.

• Proselytizing – The third and last charge may have been valid: they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans. They were being accused of the illegal act of proselytizing for Judaism. However, Jews were not expressly forbidden to proselytize until the second century.

The charges were bogus. But when the enemies of God are being influenced by base desires and evil spirits, who needs valid charges to justify mistreating Jesus followers. The desired effect was achieved.

None of the charges were valid, but they had their effect. The appeal to anti-Jewish sentiments and to nationalistic Roman pride won over the crowd (v. 22). The insinuation of a threat to civil order evidently won over the magistrates (v. 23). The magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped for scourging, and the lictors applied their rods. (Polhill, 1992, p. 353)

There was no actual attack of the mob as Paul and Silas were in the hands of the officers, but a sudden and violent uprising of the people, the appeal to race and national prejudice having raised a ferment. (Robertson, 1933, Acts 16:22)

Commanded (ἐκελευον [ekeleuon]). Imperfect active, repeatedly ordered. (Robertson, 1933, Acts 16:22)

When people become difficult as you attempt to do right the reason may not be rational. Your fight may be with their feelings of insecurity. That is, behind the hostility you will sometimes find that your endeavor toward God-honoring excellence has threatened their ego, their empire, or their economy.

Christians who dare to bring deliverance to the enslaved and exploited are in congruence with Christ. Yay! Those same Christians are in violent and irreconcilable conflict with a world system that actively and aggressively seeks to sinfully subjugate segments of society for selfish gain.

But what are we to think about this particular development? Are Paul and Silas guilty of disrespecting Roman culture? Should they have tried harder not to offend the natives with their Jesus-is-Lord teachings. Are you and I experiencing difficulties in our day-to-day because we are puritanical zealots that have taken the Jesus thing too far. I mean didn’t Jesus say blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)? Paul the Conqueror has come in with his gospel message and begun to turn everything upside down. What would Jesus say about all of this?

Jesus Came to Bring Conflict (Matthew 10:32–39) — 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Jesus Came to Bring Destruction (1 John 3:8) — ⁸ He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus Came to Bring Division (Luke 12:49–53) — 49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

The Conflict Cannot be Cut Out of Christianity (James 4:4) — 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

What do you do? First, realize that their response is not your problem. Second, when you are dealing with a situation like this, know that the real reasons are spiritual and not natural. You will not argue your adversary into being your advocate. Third, when you can be certain that you are not doing wrong, accept that this is the cross that comes with following Christ and… press on!

The natural consequence of our conversion is conflict. When we walked according to the course of this world we were collaborators in crimes against God, comrades, colleagues, and companions in companies that conspire against the Lord and His anointed, and in fellowship with those who fight His will. We had peace with the world. But now, especially as we walk contrary to the course of this world, we cannot be at peace with it. We now run counter worldly counsel and have become by our very nature the cause of much trouble. We are by nature at odds with our world and cannot get along. So what are we to do when we realize that our Jesus-following has started a war?

Concentrate on Christ (Matthew 14:25-30; Hebrews 12:1-2) — The desire to do right in the face of opposition is real. But the power to do it is from God. The ability to endure and emulate the Son is as simple as keeping our eyes on Him. The more we look at Jesus the more we look like Jesus. The gazer is changed in the gazing and we become like that which occupies our attention.

Congregate with Christ Followers (Hebrews 10:25) — The ideals of self-sufficiency and rugged individualism are great for westerns and over-the-top action movies. In real life we need Jesus and each other; God has so designed the body that the members have need of one another… especially in times of conflict and tribulation. Our resolve to do right even when being reviled is renewed when we gather to encourage one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. The New Testament knows nothing of the foolishness of a faith that is lived out on couch merely receiving worship and the word at home. Like Jesus we are to leave the comfort of our home to serve others (Hebrews 10:25).

In His grip by His grace,

Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.

Notes

stocks – An instrument that secured the feet (and sometimes the neck and hands) of a prisoner (Job 13:27; Jeremiah 29:26). Stocks were usually constructed of wood with holes to secure the feet. They could also be used as an instrument of torture by stretching the legs apart and causing the prisoner to sit in unnatural positions. The Romans often added chains along with the stocks. Stocks were much used in medieval and later times during persecution of Christians. (Freeman, 1998, p. 528)

References

Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Book of the Acts. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. (1998). Manners & customs of the Bible. Bridge-Logos Publishers.

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1). United Bible Societies.

Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament. Broadman Press.

Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 1). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Paul tells the young pastor of the church in Ephesus to give attention to reading (1 Timothy 4:13). The apostle is clearly telling the pastor-teacher Timothy how to order the life of his church. From this letter we get that one element of a church that is operating well is regular reading of God’s word. The Greek verb translated give attention to (πρόσεχε) means to devote oneself to, to hold firmly toward, and to continually apply attention. (See Hebrews 7:13 where the word is used to describe the service of the priest at the altar.) “Timothy, lead the church into reading the word of God continually, with high intention, and focus. Do not be casual about this.” The Greek noun translated reading (ἀνάγνωσις) refers to public reading aloud in an assembled community. (See Acts 13:15, 2 Corinthians 3:14. Also see Nehemiah 8:8 and Jeremiah 36:6 of the Septuagint.). Paul is bringing a synagogue pattern into the church (cf. Luke 4:16).

Reading the word of God, when accompanied by prayer, is a powerful stimulant for spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2). In some cases just reading the Scriptures, when the heart has been prepared by difficulty, has produced individual and national repentance and revival (2 Kings 22:8-13; 2 Kings 23:1-3; Nehemiah 8:1-12; Nehemiah 9:1-3; 2 Chronicles 17:7-9). Among the many things that you are trying to get done today, spend time prayerfully reading the word of God. If you are wanting to break away from patterns of sin, reinforce your resolve to stay the course in the face of opposition, or find the strength to step out into a new things that God is calling you to… prayerfully read His word as often as you can.

We have something to help you with reading the Bible – a plan. On this site there is a reading plan that you can you to help you develop the discipline of spending time with Jesus daily in the Scriptures.

In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.

Missions Business Intelligence

U.S. Missionary Sending Overview

• Missionary Count: U.S. churches support approximately 127,000 of the estimated 430,000 full-time missionaries serving worldwide. Union Baptist Association
• Global Leadership: The United States remains the leading sender of missionaries globally, followed by Brazil, South Korea, the Philippines, and Nigeria. Christianity Today

Missionary Focus and Distribution

• Reached vs. Unreached: About 97% of missionaries serve in regions where the gospel is already accessible, while only 3% focus on unreached people groups. Christianity Today
• Unreached Engagement: Only 1 in every 41,707 Protestant Christians becomes a missionary to unreached populations. The Traveling Team

Financial Commitment to Missions

• Giving Patterns: For every $100,000 earned by Christians, an average of $107 is donated to world missions. Of this, only about 1% supports efforts among the 3.1 billion people in unreached groups. missionaryportal.webflow.io

Missionary Tenure and Challenges

• Service Duration: Nearly 50% of missionaries serve for 5 years or less. Common reasons for early departure include financial constraints, lack of support, and burnout. Nations Outreach+1The Salt Lake Tribune+1

Domestic Mission Field

• Church Reproduction: In the U.S., less than 5% of churches are actively reproducing or planting new congregations. ABWE

Trends and Observations

• Global Shift: The center of Christianity is moving towards the Global South, with countries like Brazil, South Korea, and Nigeria becoming significant missionary-sending nations. THE OTHER CHEEK+2Union Baptist Association+2Christianity Today+2
• Missionary Allocation: Despite the vast number of unreached people groups, a disproportionate number of missionaries are sent to already evangelized regions.

Introduction
Barnabas and Saul have been called and sent out by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2,4) from the church in Antioch for missionary work. In their company is the young man John Mark. He is unprepared for the changes that will take place in their team and the challenges they face; but taking him along is a key part of keeping the command to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). The trio will boldly go where men have gone before; they are different from earlier people that went out because they go with a particular sending out of a local church by the Holy Spirit. Earlier in Luke’s account it was the scattering of Jewish believers after the persecution that arose over Stephen (Acts 8:1,4) that saw Jesus followers going to Cyprus preaching the word (Acts 11:19).

Figure 1: The First Missionary Journey of Paul and Barnabas

As they step out into this new work they have a curious practice of preaching the word of God in the synagogues before going to the Gentiles (Acts 13:5). Wait. Wasn’t Saul called to reach the Gentiles? (Acts 9:11-16) Isn’t this preaching to the choir? Not really. Although the Jews had been prepared for the coming of Messiah by the tutelage of the Law (Galatians 3:23-24), many do not realize that He has come in the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. By going to the Jews first Barnabas and Saul (Romans 1:16; 2:9; 2:10) are making the most of two opportunities: (i) a season of harvest and (ii) securing help.

The genuine or true prophet speaks on God’s behalf.

• Deuteronomy 18:18-19
• Jeremiah 1:9
• Amos 3:7
• 2 Peter 1:20-21

The false prophet claims to speak for God but does not.

• Deuteronomy 18:20-22
• Jeremiah 14:14; 23:16
• Ezekiel 13:3
• Matthew 7:15-16
• 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Samuel 12:14
• 1 John 4:1-3; Titus 1:16

The Lord Jesus Christ does not begin his ministry with large revivals. In relative obscurity he recruits a few Jewish men to just be with him (Mark 3:14). They were ready to be recruited because of the preparation by John the Baptist. (It had always been God’s desire to use the Jews to reach and change the world. See Genesis 12:1-3.) Going to the synagogues first, then, was in keeping with an ancient plan to get the help of a people specially prepared to promote the gospel.
Are you a missionary? Are you an evangelist? Do not miss the timeless principles presented in the examples of Barnabas and Saul.
Missions Assessment

• First, always look for people that can become helps with the harvest (Matthew 9:37). That might mean visiting with local churches in the region you are reaching before trying enter a culture with the gospel. Key Question: Who has God been preparing to participate in this work?
• Second, do not miss your Mark; there may be people willing to help you as you go. As they go with you there are lessons being caught through your conduct and conversation. Key Question: Who does God want with me as I work?
• Third, work your way out. Before going to the ends of the earth trying going to the end of the block, the neighborhood, and the city that you are in. Key Question: Have we reached our own region before going remote?

The Spirit Works Through Saul Called Paul (Acts 13:9)
As a Roman citizen, Paul would have had three names —praenomen, nomen gentile, and cognomen. Paulos (Παῦλος) was his cognomen. The apostle’s praenomen and nomen gentile names have, unfortunately, not been preserved; the nomen gentile would have indicated the circumstances in which his family acquired Roman citizenship (Acts 22:25-29; 23:27). (Acts 13:8-10; John 16:7-11) The sorcerer thinks he is opposing a competing cult leader. Actually he is taking on the Holy Spirit; when Paul speaks to the opposition Luke says he was “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:9).

• The Spirit Uses Jesus Followers to Convict the World ⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ of sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; ¹¹ of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16:7–11, NKJV)
• The Spirit Uses Jesus Followers to Disclose Deception and Deal with the Devil ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” ⁵ Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. (Acts 5:3–5, NKJV)
• The Cause of Condemnation – Recognizing and Rejecting the Truth (Acts 13:11; John 3:19-20; 9:39) ¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. (John 3:19–20, NKJV)
• How He Handles Haters ³⁹ And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” (John 9:39, NKJV)

Making the Most of a Moment (Acts 13:12)
Three things have come together for the conversion of the proconsul Sergius Paullus – (1) the problem of a false prophet, (2) the miraculous handling of the issue, and (3) the teaching of the Lord. This is a pattern in the narrative. Earlier the apostles Peter and John came across a lame beggar; the handicap of the beggar was the problem. Peter looked intently at the man and released the miracle of healing him (Acts 3:1-9); that was the miraculous handling of the issue. The miracle amazed the crowds (Acts 3:11). Back then the gathering of astounded people was a platform for preaching and teaching that led many to faith (Acts 4:4). It is happening again with Paul and Barnabas on the island of Cyprus. Do you see it? There are three parts in the pattern. Let us look at them.

The Problem of the False Prophet (Acts 13:8)
The proconsul had called for Barnabas and Paul seeking to hear the word of God (ἐπεζήτησεν ἀκοῦσαι τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ). In the act of answering the call the missionaries encountered opposition – a false prophet connected to the proconsul. Barnabas and Paul had been sent by the Spirit and called by the Roman official. However, Elymas the sorcerer withstood them.
The Miraculous Handling of the Issue (Acts 13:9-11)
And then there is the attention grabber. In the rebuke of the false prophet Paul gets the attention of the proconsul (Acts 13:9-11). The sorcerer and deceiver Elymas had opposed the work of the Spirit (Acts 13:8). Now the false prophet was being used by the Spirit to show that the faith being presented by Paul is

(i) Excellent – The God and power in Paul is greater than what was being presented by the false prophet.

(ii) Exclusive (1 Samuel 5:1-5) – There is no peace or fellowship with Christianity and the mystics of this world, and

(iii) Extended – that Paul should be heard while there is a chance.

Teaching Time (Acts 13:12)
That brings us to the next part in the pattern. It is the teaching time. Paul did not waste what he had been given – the undivided attention of the Roman official. What did Paul do? He taught the proconsul. The teaching of Paul amazed the student. It changed him. How much? That brings us to the final part in the pattern. There is conversion. (This does not always happen.) As it is presented in the text the belief happened as a result of (1) the attention grabber and (2) the teaching time. It was all used by the Spirit to bring about faith in Jesus.
Is there a timeless principle and probing question here? I see at least one of each. The Spirit of the Lord works through moments both good and bad to get the attention of people. The same Spirit then works through the missionary to explain the gospel and exhort people to make a decision. Finally, the Spirit of the Lord causes the listening person to believe in Jesus. Paul and Barnabas have been called away from the comfort of fellowship in Antioch to a mission of making Jesus known. Along the way amazing moments, good and bad, are being used to get the attention of the people they will meet. As effective missionaries they use such moments to make Christ known. The question is, on my missionary journey what am I doing with my moments?

Here is a small action plan for making the most of your moments:

• Pray (Acts 13:3) – Ask God to show you how to make the most of your moments, to reveal the nature of your missionary journey, to lead your travels, and to help you deal with your own fears.
• Prepare (Acts 10:38) – Moments good and bad come upon us. But some of them can be made. Consider making some good moments and then using them as a platform to present Christ. In this time also spend time with Jesus learning the gospel so that you can share it effectively.
• Present (Acts 13:12) – When the moment comes turn the attention to Jesus. Present the gospel – the good news – to the person while you have their attention. Let the Lord do the rest.

Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:1,7; 11:30; 12:25)
Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:42, 46)
Paul and His Companions (Acts 13:13)
In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes

References

Christianity Today. (2024, September). Lausanne Report: Most Missionaries Are Reaching the Reached. Retrieved from https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/09/lausanne-missions-state-great-commission-christianity-polycentrism/

The Traveling Team. (n.d.). Missions Statistics. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://www.thetravelingteam.org/stats