In The Word
Read: Acts 12:25–13:12
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned when they had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.
First Missionary Journey
13 Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church that was there: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.”3 Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared at him, 10 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop making crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11 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.12 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
After fasting, praying, and laying of hands, Paul and Barnabas were sent off on their first missionary journey. However, it didn’t take long for opposition to find them. While ministering to the country deputy Sergius Paulus, Sergius’ friend Bar-jesus withstood them in opposition. Saul, not willing to back down to attempts of intimidation from the enemy, stood his ground. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, he spoke a season of blindness over Bar-jesus, and immediately darkness fell upon him. Then, because of the power he witnessed, Sergius became a believer.
Just because a person becomes a believer doesn’t guarantee less opposition. In fact, in a world that rejects Christ, the opposite can be true. There was a recent story in the news of a woman who stood for her faith. She worked as a clerk of court, and, because she refused to issue same-sex licenses, she was incarcerated without bail. Her stance brought great opposition. However, unwilling to back down in the face of opposition, she stood her ground. Because of this stance, many supporters gathered from all over America to offer support. Because of the move of God on behalf of the believers, the courts were forced to release her.
When a believer decides to not back down, no matter the consequence, God can do amazing things. And when God does amazing things, just like Sergius, more believers are added to His kingdom. How about you? Are you willing to take a stand and let God do great things through you?