“Will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?”
Acts 13: 10
Like a fresh springtime breeze encouraging new sprouts to grow, the death of King Herod Agrippa caused a relaxation of the persecution of the church. “…The word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.” (Acts 12: 24)
“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers.” (Acts 13: 1) These included Barnabas from Cyprus, Simeon called Niger from Africa, ( a black man); Lucius of Cyrene from North Africa. Manaen who had been brought up with royalty: Herod the tetrarch—the ruler of Galilee when Jesus was born. And Saul of Tarsus.
The leadership of the growing church was remarkable in its diversity—racial, cultural, and social class. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”, as Paul would write later. (Gal.3: 28-29)
Paul. No longer Saul of Tarsus, but Paulus— “The least of the apostles”. A sign of a deliberate humility, as Paulos means “small, little”. He would demonstrate the truth of the scripture: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up,” (James 4:10)
Following a time of fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit, who through the leadership of the church at Antioch, said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13: 2)
On orders from the Holy Spirit, they set sail from the port city of Seleucia. The Mediterranean Sea favored their voyage, and they docked at Salamis, along Cyprus’ northeastern shore. There, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues all along the way until they had traversed the whole island.
When they arrived at the capital of Paphos, I suppose they could not help being grieved at the opulent temple of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of desire. It is said, “Birds of a feather flock together”, and wouldn’t you know it, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus (son of Jesus [Joshua]). He was an attendant to the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The words sorcerer (magician, astrologer) should not once be named among any child of Abraham. (Deut. 18:10-14, 2 Ki.17: 17) It was anathema!
The proconsul was an intelligent man who wanted to hear what Barnabas and Paul had to say. But it was clear the magician was opposed to their message and sought to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Paul saw this. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he fixed his gaze on the magician and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil (not of Jesus), you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind, and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.” (Acts 13:10-12)
Paul had not spoken like this before. He had been in Barnabas’s shadow up til now. He would be a central figure in proclaiming Christ’s message from now until the end of his days. Hear the words of Isaiah? Hear the words of John the Baptist? :
“A voice of calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” Matt.3: 3
Questions To Think About:
Acts 13: 10
Like a fresh springtime breeze encouraging new sprouts to grow, the death of King Herod Agrippa caused a relaxation of the persecution of the church. “…The word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.” (Acts 12: 24)
“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers.” (Acts 13: 1) These included Barnabas from Cyprus, Simeon called Niger from Africa, ( a black man); Lucius of Cyrene from North Africa. Manaen who had been brought up with royalty: Herod the tetrarch—the ruler of Galilee when Jesus was born. And Saul of Tarsus.
The leadership of the growing church was remarkable in its diversity—racial, cultural, and social class. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”, as Paul would write later. (Gal.3: 28-29)
Paul. No longer Saul of Tarsus, but Paulus— “The least of the apostles”. A sign of a deliberate humility, as Paulos means “small, little”. He would demonstrate the truth of the scripture: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up,” (James 4:10)
Following a time of fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit, who through the leadership of the church at Antioch, said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13: 2)
On orders from the Holy Spirit, they set sail from the port city of Seleucia. The Mediterranean Sea favored their voyage, and they docked at Salamis, along Cyprus’ northeastern shore. There, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues all along the way until they had traversed the whole island.
When they arrived at the capital of Paphos, I suppose they could not help being grieved at the opulent temple of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of desire. It is said, “Birds of a feather flock together”, and wouldn’t you know it, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus (son of Jesus [Joshua]). He was an attendant to the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The words sorcerer (magician, astrologer) should not once be named among any child of Abraham. (Deut. 18:10-14, 2 Ki.17: 17) It was anathema!
The proconsul was an intelligent man who wanted to hear what Barnabas and Paul had to say. But it was clear the magician was opposed to their message and sought to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Paul saw this. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he fixed his gaze on the magician and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil (not of Jesus), you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind, and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.” (Acts 13:10-12)
Paul had not spoken like this before. He had been in Barnabas’s shadow up til now. He would be a central figure in proclaiming Christ’s message from now until the end of his days. Hear the words of Isaiah? Hear the words of John the Baptist? :
“A voice of calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” Matt.3: 3
Questions To Think About:
- Moving from “Saul” to “Paulos” meant choosing a name that literally means “small” or “little”. In what specific area of your life is God calling you to become “smaller” so that He can become greater?
- For years, Paul stayed in Barnabas’s shadow until the Holy Spirit called him forward in Paphos. How do you discern the difference between healthy humility and fearfully shrinking back from a leadership role God is calling you into?
- Elymas (Bar-Jesus) claimed a godly name but practiced the “anathema” of sorcery and fraud. What are the subtle, modern-day spiritual counterfeits or cultural trends that tempt you away from pure Scripture?
- What practical, daily choices can you make this week to clear the “wilderness” in your own schedule and heart to prepare room for the Lord?
Posted in Paulos