Sunday in the Word Paul’s Journeys:Acts Part 2 Sent by the Holy Spirit April 23, 2017 Unit 2, Study 8 Study Texts: Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-12

Paul’s Journeys: Acts Part 2 Overview: We will be studying the ministry of the apostle Paul over the next six weeks We begin with the Spirit’s call to missionary service during Paul’s pastoral ministry in the church at Antioch, Syria Study 9 follows Paul as he takes the gospel to Asia (Turkey) Study 10 examines the conflict that arose about whether or not Gentile believers had to become converts to Judaism, and how the church dealt with the issue Study 11 follows Paul as they venture into Europe at the leading of the Spirit, and both the successes and opposition they encountered. Study 12 explores the founding of the churches in Corinth and Ephesus The final study concludes the Book of Acts, and we will examine the account of Paul’s imprisonment and ultimate journey to Rome

Area of the Book of Acts

Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey

Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey

Sent by the Holy Spirit Key Verse: Acts 13:2 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (KJV) 2 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.”(NIV) Focus: To acknowledge and submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit for ministry Central Truth: By His Spirit, God calls and sends people into ministry

Antioch Church Founded Acts 11:19-21(NIV) Antioch Evangelized 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

The Antioch Church Founded What are some positive benefits that can come out of persecution?

Antioch Church Founded Acts 11:19-21(NIV) Jesus instructed his followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel The Believers were content to stay in Jerusalem, enjoying fellowship and teaching from God’s word (Acts 2:42-47) People from many parts of the world were in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Many accepted Christ, and returned home, while some began reaching out to different places (Acts 8:4-40) Luke points out the effect of the persecution that followed the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1-3) In this chapter 11, Luke recounts the missionary activity leading up to the founding of the church in Antioch

Antioch Church Founded Acts 11:19-21(NIV) As believers in the Early Church traveled north along the Mediterranean Sea, they established churches throughout the cities of these regions Since there were large Jewish communities in these areas, the message was only preached to the Jews Some of these first missionaries were from Cypress, others from Cyrene, on the North coast of Africa (Libya) Their reach was as far North as Antioch, an important city in the Roman Empire (v 19) In Antioch, believers evangelized the Greeks as well as the Jews (v 20)

Antioch Church Founded Acts 11:19-21(NIV) The missionaries had great success in their preaching (v 21) The phrase “the hand of the Lord was with them” may reference signs and wonders, though not clearly stated as such Clearly, God’s power attested to the truth of the gospel The result was that Gentiles turned from their pagan religions and accepted Christ, and many Jews became believers as well.

Antioch Church Founded Acts 11:22-26 (NIV) Antioch Strengthened 22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Good News Travels Fast The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to Antioch to investigate the revival taking place there (v 22) Barnabas is described as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith (v 24) A great number of people were brought to the Lord Barnabas seeks Saul (Paul) to come and help disciple the new believers (v 25-26) They stay for 1 year and taught great numbers of people The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch

Ministry-Minded Church Acts 11:27-30 (NIV) A Giving Church 27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Ministry-Minded Church Acts 11:27-30 (NIV) Spiritual Gifts Spiritual gifts were important in the ministry of the Early Church Not only the gift of prophecy, but Christ also provided the gift and ministry of the prophet in the church (Ephesians 4:11) This famine had already taken place when Luke wrote the Book of Acts, but was still future when it was prophesied. It occurred during the reign of Claudius Caesar (AD 41-54) and was particularly severe in AD 45-48 Barnabas and Saul’s trip to Antioch probably took place in AD 46, and coincides with Paul’s visit mentioned in Galatians 2:1

Ministry-Minded Church Acts 11:27-30 (NIV) What does this say about the role of the church in helping others in need? The Early Church took care of those who had needs (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37) After taking the offering to Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul returned to Antioch (Acts 12:25) and continued their ministry there (Acts 13:1)

Ministry-Minded Church Acts 13:1-3 (NIV) A Sending Church  1 Now 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. 2 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.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Ministry-Minded Church Acts 13:1-3 (NIV) What can we learn about the church in Antioch? Multi-ethnic leaders (v 1) Barnabas- a good man, Spirit filled, and full of faith Simeon, called Niger- a black man Lucius of Cyrene- from Libya Manaen- foster brother of Herod Antipas Saul (Paul) a converted Pharisee A Spirit-Led Church (v 2) Not only the ministry of prophets in the church, but also the gifts of the Spirit in operation A Sending Church (v 3)

Ministry-Minded Church Acts 13:1-3 (NIV) How should we respond when someone gives a personal prophecy? God does use people to speak into our lives, even today We must evaluate their message according to God’s Word, as well as what He has already spoken to us The phrase “ I have called them” indicates God had already been speaking to Barnabas and Paul. (v 2) God may use a prophecy as confirmation of His plan that He has already been speaking to us about Paul had already been called to minister by the Lord (Acts 9:15-16), and God had revealed this to Ananias so he could confirm the call He had already placed on him The church commissioned Barnabas and Paul by laying hands on them and sending them out

Missionaries Evangelizing Cyprus Acts 13:4-5 (NIV) Spirit-Directed Ministry  4 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.

Missionaries Evangelizing Cyprus Acts 13:4-5 (NIV) Spirit-Directed Ministry Luke emphasized that the Holy Spirit sent them, not just the church at Antioch (v 4) Why did Barnabas and Paul choose Cyprus as their first stop on their missionary journey? Cyprus was the home of Barnabas (Acts 4:36) They land in Salamis, and went first to the synagogue (v 5) Luke records that John Mark was with them-this will become important later in the Book of Acts

Missionaries Evangelizing Cyprus Acts 13:6-12 (NIV) Spirit-Empowered Ministry 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.

Missionaries Evangelizing Cyprus Acts 13:6-12 (NIV) Spirit-Empowered Ministry It was 112 miles from Salamis to Paphos, with several cities along the way. No doubt they spent time in each city They encounter spiritual opposition in Paphos, a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet Barjesus, also known as Elymas (v 6-7), and attendant of the proconsul (Roman governor) The Roman Governor wanted to hear the word of God (v7) Empowered by the holy Spirit, Paul revealed who Elymas was, what he was trying to do., and pronounced judgment on him (v 8-11)

Missionaries Evangelizing Cyprus Acts 13:6-12 (NIV) Spirit-Empowered Ministry Why is it important to focus on the gospel rather than on miracles or supernatural gifts? The power of the Holy Spirit through Paul impressed the governor. However, more than that, the governor was amazed at the teaching about the Lord, or “astonished at the doctrine of the Lord” (KJV) He became a believer not because of the miracle, but as a result of hearing the gospel Supernatural gifts confirm the gospel, but ultimately, people need to hear the gospel to accept Christ as Savior (Romans 10:9-10, 14-17)

Practical Application The history of the early Church is exciting as we see these new believers take their newfound faith in Christ and begin to evangelize the world. This is an example of what we are to be doing today Jesus told his disciples to say in Jerusalem until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:7-8) Jesus did not give us the baptism of the Holy Spirit to make us feel good, He gave it to empower us for ministry As we allow the Holy Spirit to flow through us, God can use us in mighty ways

Acknowledgements Material adapted from Radiant Life: Adult Teacher Guide Mar-Apr-May 2017 Unit 1, The Era of the Judges Volume 91 Number 3 Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802 @2017 ISSN 1059-3233 All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International version @, NIV, Copyright 1973 Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com All Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the bible.

Sunday in the Word Paul’s Journeys: Acts, Part 2 Evangelizing in Asia April 30, 2017 Unit 2, Study 9 Study Texts: Acts 13:14-14:28