Acts 13:1-23

The church at Antioch had prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (the childhood friend of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart Barnabas and Saul to do the work I've called them to.” After they had fasted, prayed, and placed their hands on them in blessing, they sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul, directed by the Holy Spirit, went to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. Arriving at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their assistant. They traveled throughout the island and eventually came to Paphos. There they found a Jewish magician, a false prophet by the name of Bar-jesus. He was close to the governor, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. Sergius Paulus invited Barnabas and Saul to come and visit him since he wanted to hear the word of God. But the magician Elymas (his Greek name) opposed them, trying to prevent the governor from trusting in God. Saul, also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and looked straight at him. “You are full of deception and all kinds of evil, you son of the devil, you enemy of all that is right! Will you never give up perverting the Lord's true ways? Look, the Lord's hand is on you and you will become blind. You will not see the sun for some time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell on him, and he had to find someone who could lead him by the hand. When the governor saw what happened he trusted in God, amazed at the teaching about the Lord. Then Paul and those with him sailed from Paphos and went to Perga in Pamphylia, while John left them and went back to Jerusalem. They went through Perga and on to Antioch of Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and were seated. After the readings from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent them a message saying, “Brothers, please share with the congregation any words of encouragement you may have.” Paul stood up, motioned with his hand to get their attention, and began speaking. “Men of Israel, and all of you who have reverence for God, listen to me. The God of the people of Israel chose our forefathers, and gave our people prosperity during their stay in the land of Egypt. Then with his mighty power he led them out of Egypt, and he patiently dealt with them in the desert for about forty years. After he had overthrown seven nations living in the land of Canaan, God divided their land among the Israelites and gave it to them to inherit. This took about four hundred and fifty years. Then he provided them with judges as leaders until the time of the prophet Samuel. Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled for forty years. Then God removed Saul, and made David their king. God approved of David, saying ‘I found David the son of Jesse to be a man according to my own heart; he will do everything I intend.’ Jesus is David's descendant; he is the Savior that God promised to bring to Israel.