Acts 13:4-12 – The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. 6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 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. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “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? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
“The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.” We see an important fact. In V’s2-3 we see that the Holy Spirit gave Barnabas and Saul a ministry. Having received this direction the men obeyed and launched out to do the will of God. The Holy Spirit clearly gave them direction and so the only acceptable response from them was to obey and head out. We also, when the Holy Spirit clearly gives us direction must obey and do as led. If we are not sure, it is our duty to seek the Lord to know for sure. Let’s not take the leadership of the Holy Spirit lightly.
Notice that there are two Antioch’s on the map. The first one is the Antioch where they were located when they received the instructions. It is Syrian Antioch. The second Antioch is West and North and it is in Pisidia, so known as Pisidian Antioch. They left Antioch and took a short ride on the Orontes River to Seleucia and from there caught a ship and traveled about sixty miles to the city of Salamis on the Cyprus Island. Cyprus is a large island about one hundred forty miles long and about sixty miles wide. Economically it was noted for its copper mines.
“When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.” After arriving at Salamis they immediately began to proclaim the Word of God. These were men full of the Spirit who could hardly wait to get started in their Holy Spirit directed ministry. They were excited to see what God would do. As we continue on in Luke, we must remember that Jesus said in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” As we continue to read we must remember that Jesus did not promise no hardships where He sends us, in fact, He said we would have trouble. Too often it is easy to quit when it gets hard and we may think “This is tough. Maybe we didn’t hear from God.” We must remember that if we are doing what God will have us do we should, as Jesus said, expect opposition. Not that we shouldn’t be open to the possibility that we misunderstood. But Family, opposition and troubles when we are doing the work of God should be expected and more likely is confirmation we are on the right path than that we are on the wrong path. We must remember, as I was told by a most loved and respected pastor “Bob, the Lord greatly loves you, but the devil hates you.” Certainly I am nobody, but the devil hates all of us that stand up for Christ and who endeavor to do His will. We should expect the enemy to attack us. If He is not, then we should wonder why we are not receiving opposition. Perhaps we are no threat so he doesn’t waste him time on us. Even worse, perhaps we never left his side of the fight? God forbid! Let us faithfully serve God and rejoice in trials, they most likely show that the enemy does not like us invading his territory. Rejoice in trials! (1 Peter 4:13, James 1:2, Acts 5:41) Praise God for allowing us to serve Him. Praise God to praise God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.