Acts 13-14 Paul's First Missionary Journey

Paul's First Missionary Journey

Acts 13-14

Island of Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12)

Power Encounter in Acts 13:4-12Barnabas and Saul’s first stop.

This was Barnabas’ home island. Perhaps he had special connections that enabled them to meet the Proconsul. In any case, they had their first opportunity for a power encounter.

Challenge of Existing Authority: Saul, Sergius Paulus and Elymas

#1 The Charge   (Acts 13:10)

 “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?”

Was Paul Loving?

We must distinguish  acts of revenge and selfishness from ministry. 

Revenge is the getting back out of hate for what others have done to you.

Selfishness consists of acts motivated to serving one’s own wants and desires. 

Ministry however focuses on the needs of others even if sometimes it compels one to constrain one person in order to set another free.

#2 The Curse   (Acts 13:11)

 “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.”

#3 The Results (Acts 13:11b-12)

To the Magician  (Acts 13:11b)

“And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.”

This power encounter is much like Elijah with the Baal prophets.

To the Proconsul  (Acts 13:12)

“Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.”

Summary

We should not be surprised by power encounters. They are fairly routine when invasions take place. If a person would try to go into your house, you would probably challenge him on his purpose. When Paul and Barnabas went to Cyprus, the evil domain of darkness was challenged and displaced.


Acts: Other BFF Articles

Acts                Introduction and Outlines
Acts Map:       Paul's 1-2 Journeys

Acts Map:       Paul's 3 & Rome Journeys

Acts_07_        Stephen's Defense

Acts_8.2-25    Persecution & Evangelism
Acts_8.14-24  Simon & Gnosticism

Acts_8.25-40  Ethiopean Eunuch

Acts_9:1-22   Saul the Terrorist

Acts_8-9        Perspectives on Conversion

Acts_10:1-48:       Intersecting in Time: Vision #1
Acts_10:9-16        Vision #2 Peter

Acts_10:17-48      The Meeting that Changed History

Acts_10:34-44      The Christian Historical Message

Acts_13-14           Paul's First Missionary Journey

Acts_13:1-3          Sending Out Missionary Church

Acts_13:4-12        Power Encounter in Cyprus

Acts_13:13-50      Gospel Message in Antioch

Acts_13:51-14:28 Other Missionary Stops

Acts 20:28-30       
Detecting Error in the Church


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Biblical Foundations for Freedom

Paul J. Bucknell