Set Apart and Sent
[ READ ] Acts 13:1-12
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and 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? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and 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? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Acts 13:1–12 marks a major turning point in the book of Acts as the focus shifts from Peter's ministry to Paul's missionary journeys and the spread of the gospel to the Gentile world. The church in Antioch serves as a beautiful model of a healthy, Spirit-filled church: its diverse leaders were gathered not to develop strategies, but to worship, pray, and fast before the Lord. Out of this posture of dependence, the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul for a special mission. Their commissioning reminds us that the Church does not create God's mission—it joins it. Before every meaningful work for God comes a willingness to listen for His voice and obediently follow His leading.
As Barnabas and Saul begin their journey, they immediately encounter both spiritual opportunity and spiritual opposition. Sergius Paulus, an intelligent Roman governor, eagerly desires to hear God's Word, while Elymas the magician attempts to turn him away from the faith. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul boldly confronts Elymas, exposing deception and pronouncing temporary blindness upon him—a striking reminder that those who seek to blind others to the truth ultimately stand under God's judgment. The encounter illustrates that the advance of the gospel is never merely a human endeavor but a spiritual battle in which God ultimately demonstrates His authority over every opposing power.
The passage concludes with victory as Sergius Paulus believes, not simply because he witnessed a miracle, but because he was 'astonished at the teaching of the Lord.' Luke's emphasis is clear: miracles may draw attention, but it is the truth of the gospel that transforms hearts. Acts 13 challenges every believer and every church to remain rooted in worship, attentive to the Holy Spirit's direction, courageous in the face of opposition, and unwavering in proclaiming Christ. When God's people seek Him first and faithfully obey His call, He continues to use ordinary men and women to accomplish His extraordinary mission in the world.
- Eileen Dowd
As Barnabas and Saul begin their journey, they immediately encounter both spiritual opportunity and spiritual opposition. Sergius Paulus, an intelligent Roman governor, eagerly desires to hear God's Word, while Elymas the magician attempts to turn him away from the faith. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul boldly confronts Elymas, exposing deception and pronouncing temporary blindness upon him—a striking reminder that those who seek to blind others to the truth ultimately stand under God's judgment. The encounter illustrates that the advance of the gospel is never merely a human endeavor but a spiritual battle in which God ultimately demonstrates His authority over every opposing power.
The passage concludes with victory as Sergius Paulus believes, not simply because he witnessed a miracle, but because he was 'astonished at the teaching of the Lord.' Luke's emphasis is clear: miracles may draw attention, but it is the truth of the gospel that transforms hearts. Acts 13 challenges every believer and every church to remain rooted in worship, attentive to the Holy Spirit's direction, courageous in the face of opposition, and unwavering in proclaiming Christ. When God's people seek Him first and faithfully obey His call, He continues to use ordinary men and women to accomplish His extraordinary mission in the world.
- Eileen Dowd
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ The church in Antioch models worship, prayer, fasting and careful listening to the Holy Spirit. They respond with obedience by sending out Barnabas and Saul.
+ How do you respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life?
+ In our lives, do we ask God, “Am I making space to hear you, or racing ahead?”
+ The church in Antioch models worship, prayer, fasting and careful listening to the Holy Spirit. They respond with obedience by sending out Barnabas and Saul.
+ How do you respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life?
+ In our lives, do we ask God, “Am I making space to hear you, or racing ahead?”
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Consider where comfort or control might be holding you back from prompt obedience. A next step might be setting aside intentional time this week to pray and listen for God’s direction about one specific decision.
+ Question for reflection: Where might God be nudging you toward greater obedience, and what’s been holding you back?
+ How can you cultivate a rhythm of prayerful listening before making decisions? Pray through the passage and ask God to reveal areas of resistance or self-reliance.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Consider where comfort or control might be holding you back from prompt obedience. A next step might be setting aside intentional time this week to pray and listen for God’s direction about one specific decision.
+ Question for reflection: Where might God be nudging you toward greater obedience, and what’s been holding you back?
+ How can you cultivate a rhythm of prayerful listening before making decisions? Pray through the passage and ask God to reveal areas of resistance or self-reliance.
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling ordinary people to your purposes. Forgive me for the times I’ve resisted your leading out of fear or comfort. Teach me to worship and listen before I act. Give me courage to take the next step of obedience, even when it’s costly or unclear. Fill me with your Spirit, so that my words and decisions honor Jesus. Make my life a faithful wiriness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling ordinary people to your purposes. Forgive me for the times I’ve resisted your leading out of fear or comfort. Teach me to worship and listen before I act. Give me courage to take the next step of obedience, even when it’s costly or unclear. Fill me with your Spirit, so that my words and decisions honor Jesus. Make my life a faithful wiriness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
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