Acts 13 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Acts 13 in 5 Minutes

WHEN:

• Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey occurred between the years 45-47 A.D.

CHARACTERS:

• Paul (Saul) – An Apostle who travelled the Mediterranean planting churches

• Barnabas – Paul’s good friend and fellow worker, a Levite from Cyprus.

• John Mark – A disciple from Jerusalem who travelled with Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus.

• Sergius Paulus – A Roman proconsul in Cyprus who became a disciple.

• Bar-Jesus (Elymas) – A magician in Cyprus who opposed the gospel message.

• The Jews of Antioch in Pisidia – Some responded positively and some negatively to the idea that Jesus of Nazareth was the prophesied Messiah.

WHERE:

• Antioch in Syria – Paul and Barnabas’ home where they worked with the Church.

• Cyprus – An island in the Mediterranean Sea and the homeland of Barnabas (4:36).

• Perga in Pamphylia – Barnabas and Paul sailed here after leaving Cyprus. This was where John Mark left them to return to Jerusalem.

• Antioch in Pisidia – Paul preached to the Jews of Antioch with mixed success.

• Iconium – Paul and Barnabas travelled to Iconium after being run out of Antioch.  

OUTLINE:

• GOD CALLS BARNABAS AND PAUL TO EMBARK ON A CHURCH PLANTING JOURNEY (13:1-3):

  • While in Antioch, the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Paul for a specific work.

  • They were to set out from Antioch and preach the gospel in other cities.

  • John Mark accompanied them as they set out for the port city of Seleucia (13:5).

• PREACHING IN CYPRUS (13:4-12):

  • The trio set sail for Cyprus, and upon arriving, taught about Jesus in the Jewish synagogue.

  • After teaching throughout the island, they met a proconsul named Sergius Paulus.

  • They taught Sergius Paulus about Jesus but were bothered by a magician named Bar-Jesus (Elymas) who wanted to keep the proconsul from believing the gospel.

  • The Holy Spirit through Paul struck Elymas with blindness and the proconsul became a believer.

• THE WORK IN ANTIOCH OF PISIDIA (13:13-52):

  • Paul and Barnabas travelled to Antioch in Pisidia, but John Mark returned to Jerusalem.

  • On the Sabbath day, Paul spoke to the Jew in the synagogue about the history of Israel.

  • He spoke to them about David and God’s promise to bring a savior through his children.

  • He told them how John the Baptist prepared the Jews for the arrival of the Messiah.

  • Finally, he told them about Jesus, who fulfilled the scriptures regarding the Messiah when he was killed by the Jews and rose from the dead.  

  • Paul referenced several prophecies related to David that were fulfilled in Jesus including Isaiah 55:3 (13:34) and Psalm 16:10 (13:35).    

  • Paul told the Jews to heed the words of the prophets and believe in Jesus to be free from sin.

  • Some of the Jews heard Paul’s words gladly and asked him to return the next Sabbath.

  • But others rejected Paul and Barnabas’ teaching and contradicted what they taught.

  • Paul told them he would turn his attention to the Gentiles if they chose to reject the gospel.

  • Verse 49 tells us the word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region.

  • But the Jews stirred up trouble and ran Barnabas and Paul out of town.

  • They departed and went to Iconium.

APPLICATION:

•  The good news of Jesus has always been a divisive message.

• Jesus informed His disciples ahead of time that His work on earth would bring a sword of division between people who were once united (Matthew 10:34-36).

• Paul taught the exact same message to the Jews but received a very mixed response.

• If we are going to be disciples, we need to accept that our message is controversial.

• Some people love the light of truth, but others love the darkness (John 3:19).