Text: Acts
13:1-12
Reading: Acts
11: 19-30
Sermon: The
proconsul and the sorcerer
The Holy Spirit
goes his own sovereign way in building a church.
1. In
discipling.
2. In
discipline.
Because of the
persecution after Stephen’s death, many fled to Antioch. It was the
third leading city in the empire after Rome and Alexandria. The
Christians spoke to both Jews and Greeks as they travelled. The
apostles, however, stayed in Jerusalem. It was essential that they
stay to hold down the fort. Just as they’d sent to Samaria after
Philip’s preaching, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas soon
realized that Antioch needed Saul of Tarsus. After his conversion,
Saul probably spent 8 or 9 years in Tarsus before Barnabas took him to Antioch.
The Holy Spirit
goes his sovereign way in discipling and discipline. There were
prophets and teachers in Antioch, and Barnabas was one of
them. Barnabas means ‘son of encouragement’—he had a gift of
encouragement. Others included Simeon called Niger, from Africa. Lucius
was from Cyrene, Lybia. Manaen was essentially a ‘step-brother’ of
Herod the tetrarch, the one who had put John the Baptist to
death. He was a Jewish fellow who grew up with Herod, but the Lord
claimed him for the kingdom of God. Saul was the fifth one, the
greatest persecutor who became the greatest preacher and evangelist.
Obviously the
Holy Spirit can disciple whomever he wants, even unlikely
converts. The Holy Spirit wanted Barnabas and Saul for his
work. They, together with John Mark, Barnabas’s cousin, travelled to
Cyprus, Barnabas’s home. We’re not told what happened as a result of
their work in Salamis, but we are told about Sergius Paulus, an intelligent
man, who had Bar-Jesus or Elymas on staff.
This sorcerer
tried to oppose the gospel, but he was unsuccessful. The Holy Spirit wanted to
turn Sergius Paulus into a disciple and he succeeded. The Lord is
sovereign and calls each of us in our own way. Perhaps some of us
are not disciples yet, but the Holy Spirit will bring in his own, some
willingly and some kicking and screaming. Even if someone is trying to
stand between you and the Lord, the Holy Spirit will overcome that
person.
Bar-Jesus claimed
to be connected with the Jesus people, with salvation. He was likely
an astrologer on Sergius Paulus’s staff. As Barnabas and Saul spoke
to Sergius Paulus, Bar-Jesus tried to oppose them in fear for his
job. It was the forces of hell vs. those of heaven. Then
Saul, also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the
point at which Paul was called to the leading position in the
church. He did not thrust himself forward, but the Holy Spirit
filled him and enabled him to serve.
Paul called
Bar-Jesus a child of the devil. He wasn’t just mistaken, he was
purposefully opposing the truth. Therefore he received the covenant
threat—at midday you will grope and be struck with blindness and confusion
(Deuteronomy 28:29). The Holy Spirit’s discipline will come down on
those who knowingly try to oppose God. When it comes to matters of truth
being compromised, the church must tell the truth boldly.
But note
this: Paul told the sorcerer he would be blind for a time. He
was given the chance to repent. The blindness was
temporary. God is gracious and wants all to repent and be
saved. Therefore the window of grace is always open to those who
repent from their sins.
Ensure that you
are a disciple, following Jesus.
Sermon by Pastor
George on July 29, 2012. Notes, errors, and omissions by NPS.
