[:en]Barnabas and Saul Sent Off (vs. 1-3)
The church “set apart” Barnabas and Saul for a special task. Aside from “set ting apart” our pastors, missionaries and Christian worker for their special tasks, we should also dedicate ourselves to use our time, money and talents for God’s work.
On Cyprus (vs. 4-12)
Paul and Barnabas missionary journey started in Cyprus. John was with them as helper. There they met a Jewish sorcerer Elymas and a false prophet Bar Jesus, who was an attendant of proconsul Sergius Paulus. The pro-consul wanted to hear the word of God but the sorcerer opposed and tried to turn the pro-consul from the faith. The Holy Spirit led Paul to confront Bar Jesus with his sin. Paul also rebuked Elymas and immediately, he became blind.
In Pisidian Antioch (vs. 13-52)
John left them and returned to Jerusalem. Paul was not happy and accused him of lacking courage and commitment refusing to take him along on another journey (15:37-38). However, in his letter later, Paul grew to respect Mark (Col. 4:10) and said that Mark was helpful in his ministry. (2 Tim. 4:11)
This Antioch was not the Antioch of Syria where that was already a flourishing church This was Antioch of Pisidia which was a hub of good roads and trade with a large Jewish population.
As they witness for Christ many Jews believed in God and diligently studied the Scriptures. However, many also could not accept Jesus as their promised Messiah because their understanding of Messiah ia a military king which would overthrow the Roman’s control.
The sequence of synagogue service began by citing the Shema (Deut. 6:4), followed by a prayer, reading from the law (Genesis to Deuteronomy) and a sermon.
Paul’s message to the Jews in the synagogue in Antioch began with an emphasis on God’s covenant with Israel. The he went on to explain how the good News fulfilled the covenant. He centered the sermon around Christ and emphasized the resurrection. On the Sabbath day. almost the whole city of people gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous.
The Good New went first to the Jews because it is God’s plan that through the Jewish nation, all the world could come to know God. (Gen. 12:3) His plan was for Israel to become the light of all nations (Luke 32:32) and spread out to the Gentles.
When we share the gospel faithfully, we are not responsible for other’ person’s decision. Unfortunately, many stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas. They shook their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. Jesus also told his disciples to shook from their feet the dust of any town that would not accept their message (Mark 6:11)[:]