- Today’s reflections from Acts chapter 13 address how Saul became known as Paul and the beginning of the Missionary Movement.
- Acts 13 essentially has 4 main movements: (1) the commissioning of Barnabas and Saul for missionary work (13:1-3); (2) Barnabas and Saul in Cyprus (13:4-12); (3) Paul and Barnabas at Pisidian Antioch (13:13-43); and (4) the pattern is established of preaching in the Synagogues, then turning to the Gentiles (13:44-52).
- Today’s episode will focus primarily on the commissioning of Barnabas and Saul and how Saul becomes known as Paul, then survey Paul’s preaching.
Part 1: Commissioned & the Start of Missions
- Acts 13 opens with a look at the diverse leadership in the church at Antioch. Among them are listed Barnabas and Saul. The church was worshipping the Lord and fasting — and in this context, the Lord spoke.
- Consider this, dear friend, we often ask God to speak to us, we want Him to give us words of encouragement or guidance — but often we have our order wrong… we say, “speak to me, Lord — and then I will worship you.”
- Here we see the opposite — the church was busy about worshipping the Lord. They also were foregoing meals for a time, fasting. Fasting is usually associated with a dedicated time of seeking the Lord.
- Let your heart first be in the right place – bringing God praise in the midst of your current context. And out of this posture of reverence and submission, our ears are more inclined to hear.
- And when the Holy Spirit spoke, He said, “set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (13:2). Then after further fasting and praying (continuing the actions they were already doing) – they laid their hands on them and sent them off (13:3).
- And thus, the first Missionary venture is underway — the two were “sent out by the Holy Spirit.” Their work began first on the island of Cyprus — which, according to Acts 4:36, was Barnabas’s home. As they went, the proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues. They soon met opposition from a magician and false prophet named Bar-Jesus – or his other name, Elymas.
- Why the opposition? Elymas had the ear of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. A proconsul was the highest-ranking official within a Roman senatorial province. And if Sergius Paulus was starting to pay attention to Barnabas and Saul, he knew he days of influence were limited.
- Then, in Verse 9, we see a small note: “Saul, who was also called Paul….” This verse marks a transition, from now on, he will be known by Roman name, Paul. In each of his letters and the rest of Acts, he is known as Paul — even while In Jerusalem. (Three exceptions to this are when he is retelling his conversion – Acts 22:7, 13; and 26:14.)
- I would like to draw upon the significance of this. I have heard many a sermon about how Saul was converted and became Paul — that the re-naming occurred at the time of his conversion. And while it is a sweet picture, and one that seeks to highlight Saul’s transformation — it is not entirely accurate.
- Saul was still known as Saul after his conversion. Saul was still known as Saul even as he preached the Gospel in Damascus, Jerusalem, and Antioch. It was a number of years after his conversion that Saul would become known as Paul.
- So, why the change all of a sudden in Acts 13? Well, he will now be working primarily in Gentile areas. And now, the Hebrew Saul takes on the Roman name, Paul. Why would this be significant? And why take time to meditate upon it?
- Consider how fundamental your name is to your identity. When people hear the name of a well-known public figure many thoughts and feelings are evoked. Whatever your political persuasion, when you hear the name of the opposing party’s lead candidate, that evokes some emotion. When you hear the name of your favorite comedian, or professional athlete, or pastor, etc.
- We might say that your name is like a hook upon which the luggage of your character and legacy hang.
- Consider in smaller communities the weight of being born into a family of good reputation — or into a family that has historically been in trouble…
- So, why should we care that Saul is now called Paul? Even to Paul, his identity — his understanding of who he is and why he does what he does — his identity will forever be connected with his commission here in Acts 13.
- This identity which is the fulfillment of the Lord’s words, “he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15-16).
- So what practical application does this have us today?
- I am not suggesting that we go and change our names — but I do want you to think about this question: do you have a clear sense of your purpose or mission in life?
- You might respond — “but I am not called to travel the world and preach — I am married, I have kids, I am just an everyday business person”
- And I would answer — “How, then, are you called to serve and honor God in those contexts?” Let every aspect of your life come under the driving passion to know God and make Him known!
- Are you in a marital (or soon to be) relationship? Let it be built and founded upon a mutual love for God’s Word! Let it be pressing in to the goal of bringing God glory through your union.
- Are you a parent? Let your mission be to raise your children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
- Are you working in a job? Let your work be done as though you are working for the Lord Jesus Himself — with all integrity and from the heart!
- What if you are in none of these situations? Friend, you do have connections with the people around you – it might be school or family contexts – let your life be characterized by the Love of the Lord; a willingness to serve; a desire for holiness — strive to take practical daily steps in your life to be more and more CHRIST-centered instead of “me-centered.” Seek opportunities to treasure Christ and tell those around you about His goodness and beauty!
- I am not suggesting that we go and change our names — but I do want you to think about this question: do you have a clear sense of your purpose or mission in life?
- And that is what Paul does in chapter 13
Part 2: The Content of & Response to Paul’s Preaching
- We see established in Acts 13 the pattern of Paul’s ministry for the rest of the book — he begins by preaching in the Synagogues how Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises throughout the Old Testament, His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. This normally results in some measure of rejection and persecution by some, after which Paul goes to the Gentiles and proclaims the same Gospel.
- And that is how chapter 13 is drawn to a close — the Gentiles rejoice and glory the word of the Lord, many believe, and then persecution against Paul and Barnabas drives them out of the district. We will pick up the rest of Paul’s first missionary journey in chapter 14.
Conclusion & Application:
- But how about you? What did you learn from Acts 13? How can you be a missionary in each of the contexts that God has planted you? When you begin to serve Him right where you are, you will begin to see some amazing doors of opportunity open. And you never know where the Lord will take you!
“ESV Study Bible” (https://amzn.to/3azWAlJ)
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