There were prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch – (1) Barnabas, (2) Simeon, (3) Lucius, (4) Manaen, and (5) Saul. While worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to send Barnabas and Saul for the work He called them to. After fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off (John Mark assisted). They went to Seleucia and Cyprus. They proclaimed the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. Sergius Paulus summoned Barnabas and Saul, and a magician/Jewish false prophet was there – Bar-Jesus/Elymas. The magician opposed them and tried to keep Sergius Paulus from the Christian faith. Saul/Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?” The Lord made him blind just as Paul had said. Sergius Paulus (the proconsul) was astonished at the teaching of the Lord and believed. Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos to Perga. John Mark left and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After reading the Bible the rulers said to share any word of encouragement they had for the people. Paul stood up and motioning with his hand preached an overview of the Old Testament through King David and said, “Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.” He explained how this fulfilled John the Baptist’s preaching. Those in Jerusalem didn’t recognize him, and seeing no guilt in Jesus they asked Pilate to execute Jesus. God raised him from the dead. They brought this good news to them in fulfillment of Psalm 2 and Psalm 16. Through Jesus forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Beware of falling into what the Bible says in Habakkuk 1. As they left the people begged to hear this again next Sabbath. Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas – they urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. The Jews were jealous and began to contradict Paul, but he and Barnabas spoke boldly, and said the word of God had to be spoken to them, because they [the Jews] judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles in fulfillment of the Bible (Isaiah 49:6). The Gentiles rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, many who were appointed to eternal life believed. The word of the Lord was spreading. The Jews stirred up persecution and drove Paul and Barnabas out. They shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
God’s people love His word. Did you notice that phrase, “They glorified the word of the Lord.” Also, appreciate the kindness of God in how those whom He sovereignly appoints believe. Again, God isn’t a God of merely the hypothetical but of existential truth. Praise God that in Christ we can have a confidence that if we are just faithful with His Word, to share it with others, that He will bring in His people. Praise God that He saves His people.