YouVersion Logo
Search Icon

E-Free Church - Gaylord Campus

When Ministry Meets Opposition

When Ministry Meets Opposition

We will study the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. We will start when he was first mentioned in the book of Acts and follow him through his first missionary journey. Paul, the guy who was the terrorist becomes one of the greatest teachers in the history of the church.

Locations & Times

E-Free Church - Gaylord Campus

1649 M-32, Gaylord, MI 49735, USA

Sunday 5:00 AM

E-Free Website

To stay up-to-date with the latest news or calendar updates check out our website.

http://www.miefree.org/

Acts 13:4-12

The MAP involved (Acts 13:4-6a)

The PLACES

From Antioch they went to Seleucia

Seleucia was located 16 miles south of Antioch
It served as the port for the city of Antioch

From Seleucia they sailed to the island of Cyprus

Cyprus is the 3rd largest island in the Mediterranean Sea
It was 60 miles off the coast and visible from Seleucia
It had 2 major cities: Salamis (chief port); Paphos (capitol)
Cyprus was Barnabas’s home (Acts 4:36)
Cyprus had a large Jewish population

On Cyprus they first stopped in Salamis

They then travelled Paphos (the other side of Cyprus)

The PREACHING

They proclaimed the Word of God

Their target were Jews in the local synagogues

The PARTNER

John was with them

This is John Mark (Barnabas’ cousin – Colossians 4:10)
The MAGICIAN involved (13:6b-8)

His NAME: Bar-Jesus
His Greek name was Elymas

Elymas is a Greek transliteration of the Arabic word for magician

His NATURE:
He was a false prophet

The term “magician” did not always mean something evil but also one well-schooled in astronomy (the magi in Matthew 2)

False = he put his knowledge to evil use

His NETWORK: He was with Sergius Paulus

Sergius Paulus was the proconsul (Roman Governor of Cyprus)

He was also a man of intelligence with a curiosity of new things

He summoned Barnabas and Saul to hear their teachings

Bar-Jesus sought to prevent Sergius Paulus from converting
The MIRACLE involved (13:9-12)

Bar-Jesus is CONFRONTED

Saul, controlled by the Holy Spirit speaks to Bar-Jesus

He is confronted on his sin

He is full of deceit (a snare)
He is a fraud (word used only here in the New Testament)
Son of the devil (he was serving Satan)
He was an enemy of righteousness
He was twisting God’s truth

As punishment, God strikes his blind

The fact that this blondness was temporary shows God’s mercy

Sergius Paulus is CONVERTED

Sergius Paulus hears Saul’s words and sees the miracle

As a result, he believes Paul’s message and trusts Jesus

Saul is CONFIRMED

This is the first time in Scripture we see that Saul (his Jewish name) is also being called Paul (which was his Roman name)

The one formerly known as a terrorist is now making the change to being known as an Apostle

Online Giving

If you would like to give please follow the link below.

http://www.gaylordefree.org/give-online.html

YouVersion uses cookies to personalize your experience. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy