Acts 13:4-12
Success in Cyprus
The trip started with a “bang.” Saul and Barnabas preached all over the island and confronted the “man of magic” who was opposing Saul and Barnabas to the proconsul. Saul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him and called him out striking down the falsehood that was being spread in the government. Saul never takes the easy way when there are major faith issues to confront in an area. He heads for Paphos, a center for Pagan worship in the area.
Cyprus was a Roman province famous for it's copper mines and ship-building industry. Paul preached in Paphos, the capital of the province, which was known for its worship of Venus, the goddess of love. Saul was up for the challenge.
It is here and this point forward that Saul is called Paul. Paul never backed down from a challenge and never took the easy way. He went right for the biggest problem and attacked it first.
How do we look at the challenges of teaching the gospel in our area?
How can we overcome those challenges giving God the glory?
Acts 13:13
The Deserter
...and John left them and went back to Jerusalem. During this expedition, the leadership of the expedition shifts from Barnabas to Paul. In the beginning it was Barnabas and Saul, then at this verse the reference is Paul and his friends establishing Paul as the leader of the group.
We will never know how the shift in leadership happened, but we do know that Barnabas continued with this new mission without complaint. John Mark left the group at this point and we will never know why. We do know that he was very young and we know that he will redeem himself in later missions. He went with Barnabas on his next journey, but Paul did not take him.
Whatever happened, Paul found it had to forgive John Mark for a time. He refused to take him on the second mission trip (Acts 15:38). Paul and Barnabas parted company forever over this incident. Barnabas took John Mark with him. Later after almost 20 years when Paul is giving instructions to Timothy, he tells him to take John Mark with him (2 Timothy 4:11). Paul said that John Mark would be useful to the work that he had to do.
How can we make sure that such disagreements do not distract from the message of the gospel?
Next week, we will travel a dangerous highway into danger. Read on ahead through Acts chapter 14.
Have a Great Week!
Brad
