Salvation to the Ends of the Earth

Acts 13:1-13:48

In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. – Acts 13:1-3

Here we get a glimpse at the leadership team at Antioch. Note that there was plurality of leadership, not a single “head pastor” or anything like that. They were a really diverse group! Barnabas, from Cyprus (Acts 4:36), Simeon (a Jewish name) called Niger (a Roman name), Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen (raised in the court of a powerful ruler), and Saul (raised in Tarsus, then schooled by one of the “best” Jewish teachers in Jerusalem). All were quite different, and God used them all together, with their different experiences and gifts, to build up the local church.


If we are not careful, we can misunderstand the word “worshiping” here. We may picture Saul and Barnabas and the rest grooving to some worship songs with a catchy beat, but that is not what the word means. In Greek the word is “leitourgeo,” from which, no doubt, we do get the word “liturgy,” but the word means simply to serve.

How were they “worshiping the Lord”? By using their prophetic and teaching gifts, and by ministering to others in any way that they could. We serve the Lord by serving people. Prior to the use of this word here, it described people who would serve the government (usually as orators) at their own cost. The tense for “fasting” is the same as that of “worshiping.” That is, this is not describing a one-time special prayer meeting, but simply ongoing living for the Lord. It is not a one-time special fast for direction, but an ongoing practice of periodic fasting to help a person stay truly “hungry” for God. Probably they had chosen certain days in which they would all fast together. This does not violate Jesus’ words about “don’t fast in public,” because they were not doing it to draw attention to themselves, which is the real focus of Jesus’ condemnation.

The reason I am going into so much depth here is that this is probably not what you thought this passage was saying when you read it. They were simply living wholeheartedly the Christian life. And in the midst of this, God through the Holy Spirit, lets them all know that He has a special plan for Barnabas and Saul – and that plan is for them to leave. It does appear that this became known during a particular fast. And they sought confirmation through prayer and fasting – perhaps another fast – it doesn’t say. It does say that they “placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

Placing hands – this means they physically touched them while praying for them. And then they sent them. Note that they have just lost 40% of their leadership team. But they sent them. They were a sending church.

I believe it is a special blessing to be a sending church. Being a sending church can be painful. But when I think of a sending church, I think of the Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:3-5: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Today we are a sending church. Ken and Carol (and April) are in the late stages of moving to Columbia, SC, to be with our sister church there and, ultimately, for Ken to be able to be actively involved in training people in evangelism and other aspects of Christian growth throughout the world.

The world would look at this situation and say, to those in Columbia and to the places where Ken ultimately goes, “Their gain.” To us, the world would look at this situation and say, “Our loss.” And no doubt, it is a loss. We are losing 33 1/3 % of our elders. But I think God looks at us and says, “Our gain.” Paul has said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” We can say the same.

Clemson Community Church has an almost unbelievable history of being a sending church. I am not going to go through the history now, but it is a frequent topic of discussion when we meet with the elders in our sister churches throughout our region. You see, many of those churches would not exist if it was not for us, and they know it. And once again, we have the blessing of being a sending church.

Fear or worry have no place in a church whose real leadership is Christ. If you are relying on men for leadership, then you might want to worry. But if your head pastor is really Jesus Christ, then what could you possibly worry about? By God’s grace, this church will continue to be a church led by Jesus Christ. I am excited for our future, because it is a future led by the God of the Universe.

At the end of this message, we will, all of us, gather in a circle and lay hands on Ken and Carol and April, and spiritually speaking, we will “send them off.” We will entrust them with God to lead them and direct them in their own “missionary journey.” But now I want to get back to our passage. We are supposed to cover 48 verses this morning, and we are still on verse 3. Let’s get back to Barnabas and Saul.

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. – Acts 13:4-6a

It is always helpful to look at a map when talking about journeys. If nothing else, it helps give you a sense of scale. If you look at the map you will see Antioch, Seleucia and Cyprus. Back then, any journey involving water was an adventure not without risk.

Note that this was a historic moment. Previously God had made the gospel spread through persecution. But now, led by the Holy Spirit they are going out to enlarge the reach of God’s mercy. In some ways this was a “gentle beginning” for them. Recall that Barnabas was from Cyprus, so he knew how to get around. They went to the Jewish synagogues and shared the gospel there. They kept going across the island to the other side, at the city called Paphos. (John was likely John Mark.)

There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. – Acts 13:6b-8

So this Jewish sorcerer and false prophet met Saul and Barnabas first. These were people making a living deceiving people with false religion. No doubt this meeting did not go well. Perhaps there was a confrontation and word got out to the proconsul, or perhaps this bar-Jesus guy himself told the proconsul deridingly of the event. The proconsul was in charge of the whole island of Cyprus. (An inscription has been found in Cyprus dated AD 52 listing a Paulus.) What an opportunity! Imagine going to a foreign country to share the gospel, talking with some people who ridicule you, and the next thing you know you are invited to speak with the President of the country, who is eager to hear what you have to say! That’s what happened here. But again, opposition took place. Elymas tried to convince the proconsul that Barnabas and Saul were not truthful. The wording makes it seem as though the proconsul had already been convinced by Barnabas and Saul’s words.

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." – Acts 13:9-11a

It is interesting to me that God uses Paul to proclaim blindness on this man, when Paul himself had previously been struck blind by God. The words Paul uses are interesting too. He is telling a man who calls himself the “Son of Jesus” (“bar” means “son”) that he is no son of Jesus, but a son of the devil.

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. – Acts 11b-12

It seems that God gave Paul a “word of knowledge” that He was about to do this. He used Paul like an Old Testament prophet here – proclaiming something before it came true – in this case, immediately before it came true. Stuff like this is not something we can manufacture. God can do this but only God can do this.

This is the same wording used to describe how Paul needed someone to lead him by the hand when God had struck him blind. And how like God that the person who was a threat to the proconsul’s salvation became the very thing that helped him to become a believer. It was the sharing of the gospel that led to his salvation, but this outward sign gave him the confidence to really trust in the Lord.

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak." – Acts 13:13-15

Notice that they keep going. Why not stop? Now they are going somewhere where neither Paul nor Barnabas knows the area. And John is leaving them. But they go ahead, no doubt led by the Holy Spirit to do so. Note that there are many Antiochs. From the map you can see where Pisidian Antioch is. This was a difficult journey, including more sailing, traveling over mountains, and possible exposure to malaria. And as times before, and many times to follow, they went to a local synagogue and were invited, being strangers, to share.

Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; He made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power He led them out of that country, He endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, He overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to His people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. – Acts 13:16-20a

What is the theme of this message of Paul? I think it is what God has done. He chose the fathers, He made them prosper, He led them out, He “endured their conduct” – what a picturesque phrase! Have you ever “endured someone’s conduct?” – He overthrew seven nations, He gave their land.

"After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and He gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. After removing Saul, He made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' – Acts 13:20b-22

The theme continues. He gave them judges, He gave them Saul, He made David king.
"From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' – Acts 13:23-25

And Paul shows how seamlessly the current events of their day tied in to history. They were living through historic times. The theme of God’s provision keeps on going. He promised them a Savior, He brought them Jesus. And to avoid confusion, He quotes John the Baptist saying, in effect, “Hey, it’s not me! I’m not providing anything. It’s the next guy. He’s the One.”

"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. – Acts 13:26-28

Paul now comes to His main point. “Guys, God’s provision is for us. And He used seemingly awful events to further His provision. He told us the Savior had to die, He let the people and rulers of Jerusalem kill Him.

When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people. – Acts 13:29-31

He raised Jesus from the dead! We have plenty of witnesses!

"We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm, 'You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.' The fact that God raised Him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.' So it is stated elsewhere: 'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' – Acts 13:32-35

God’s provision reached its peak when Jesus was raised from the dead, imperishable.

"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. – Acts 13:36-38

Through Jesus, the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to us.

Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: "'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'" – Acts 13:39-41

That first sentence manages to single-handedly summarize the book of Romans. For people who understand the Law, the penalty of violating it, and for people who understand the curse of death to all the sinning sons and daughters of Adam and Eve (which is all of us), the gospel truly is almost too good to believe.

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. – Acts 13:42-43

Another translation is “urged them to continue talking about the grace of God.” That is what this is all about, isn’t it? The Jews have just learned the real story of their whole history with God. God had provided for them again and again. And now He had provided for their greatest need of all – reconciliation with God, needed because their sins had separated them from God, a separation that would need to be eternal unless something could be done. Jesus has done what needed to be done. His death was payment for our sins, and His resurrection was proof of God’s acceptance of the sacrifice. God has provided.

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. – Acts 13:44-45

Can you picture the situation? It is way beyond “standing room only” in the synagogue. No doubt hundreds were gathered outside the synagogue building, hoping to hear though the windows or doors. No doubt everyone was especially quiet so that more could hear at least something of this news that seemed too good to believe. But the Jewish leaders, perhaps some of them stuck outside, not even able to enter their own synagogue, were “filled with jealousy” (root word “zelos,” from which we get the word “zealot” and also based on “zeo” meaning “to boil.” Doesn’t that describe jealousy perfectly?) and started talking, responding against Paul’s message, perhaps interrupting him so that others could not hear Paul.

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. – Acts 13:46-48

Probably at this point Paul and Barnabas left the temple and went into an open place to continue sharing the good news. Imagine the scene. Nearly everyone now leaves the temple and follows them. The Jewish leaders are left with a mostly empty synagogue to continue their service. No doubt this made them “boil” even more. Meanwhile, the Jews and multitudes of Gentiles were becoming saved and filled with joy at the wonderful news of God’s provision.

I encourage you at this point to think back to the Antioch church, the sending church. What if they had not been a sending church? What if they had said, “We’re not mature enough yet for you to leave us. We can’t spare you two. It’s going to hurt us to send you.” Probably all of that was true. But this is how God grows his Kingdom. I think of how a new tree can be grown by taking a cutting from an established tree, putting it in water so that it begins to form roots, and then planting it. From the point of view of the established tree, this process is a form of pruning. And pruning is ultimately healthy for the established tree. There are blessings in this world, and there are rewards in the world to come.

As I have thought about how this passage applies to us, I think the connections are obvious. I see three applications:

1. It is good to be a sending church.

Do you all see this? We should be encouraged by what God has done with those we have sent in our past. We as a church have many “children” and even “grandchildren.” And we have fruit in countless other ways, not just with church “plantings” (interesting that we use this word).

2. If God has provided for our greatest need, He can provide for our lesser needs.

By “greatest need” I am of course talking about our forgiveness found in Christ. If God has done this, of course He will take care of us as a body. In fact I would argue that it is through our neediness and our weakness that God continues to mature individuals in our body and raise them up. I know this is true for me. It can actually be a curse to be a church that is comfortable and thinks it has no pressing needs.

3. Let us both, the senders and the sent, embark on “missionary journeys” and go wherever God would lead.

We will do our “mission trip to Clemson” in August. This month and next is the time for prayer, for guidance in how to do this, for divine appointments, for everlasting fruit.

We then formed a large circle with Ken and Carol in the center and spent time praying for them. May they continue to write chapters in God's book of acts of the church!