Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Barnabas and Saul are called and sent by the Holy Spirit
Ministry in the cities of Seleucia, Salamis and Paphos.
(Acts 13:6-7) Meeting the Roman proconsul in Paphos.
Paphos: This city on the west coast of Cyprus was known for its immorality. Here Barnabas and Saul faced a combination of immorality and spiritual darkness that was common across the pagan world of the Roman Empire.
“Paphos was infamous for its worship of Venus, the goddess of [sexual] love” (Barclay). “Athanasius styled its religion ‘the deification of lust.’ Neither men nor women could resort to the shrine of Venus without being defiled in mind and depraved in character.” ( Charles Spurgeon)
(Acts 13:8-12) The resistance of Elymas the sorcerer.
Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated): Paul was opposed by a man named Elymas. His real name was Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6) which means “son of Jesus, so elymas is the translated name and used because Bar-Jesus was a insult.
(Acts 13:13) From Paphos to Perga.
The sermon at Pisidian Antioch.
1. (Acts 13:14-15) The customary invitation in the synagogue gives Paul an opportunity to preach Jesus.
(Acts 13:16-23) Paul begins his sermon in the synagogue, explaining how God’s work in history leads up to Jesus.
(Acts 13:24-29) Using the examples of John the Baptist and the Jewish rulers, Paul shows how people both received and rejected Jesus.
(Acts 13:30-37) Paul preaches the resurrected Jesus.
(Acts 13:38-41) With a promise and a warning, Paul applies the truth of who Jesus is and what He did for us.
(Acts 13:42-43) Many people, both Jews and Gentiles, express interest in Paul’s message.
(Acts 13:44-45) On the next Sabbath, envy creates opposition.
(Acts 13:46-48) Paul and Barnabas respond to the Jewish opposition.
(Acts 13:49-50) Blessing and opposition.
And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
(Acts 13:51-52) Paul and Barnabas react to their expulsion from the city of Pisidian Antioch.
But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Barnabas and Saul are called and sent by the Holy Spirit
Ministry in the cities of Seleucia, Salamis and Paphos.
(Acts 13:6-7) Meeting the Roman proconsul in Paphos.
Paphos: This city on the west coast of Cyprus was known for its immorality. Here Barnabas and Saul faced a combination of immorality and spiritual darkness that was common across the pagan world of the Roman Empire.
“Paphos was infamous for its worship of Venus, the goddess of [sexual] love” (Barclay). “Athanasius styled its religion ‘the deification of lust.’ Neither men nor women could resort to the shrine of Venus without being defiled in mind and depraved in character.” ( Charles Spurgeon)
(Acts 13:8-12) The resistance of Elymas the sorcerer.
Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated): Paul was opposed by a man named Elymas. His real name was Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6) which means “son of Jesus, so elymas is the translated name and used because Bar-Jesus was a insult.
(Acts 13:13) From Paphos to Perga.
The sermon at Pisidian Antioch.
1. (Acts 13:14-15) The customary invitation in the synagogue gives Paul an opportunity to preach Jesus.
(Acts 13:16-23) Paul begins his sermon in the synagogue, explaining how God’s work in history leads up to Jesus.
(Acts 13:24-29) Using the examples of John the Baptist and the Jewish rulers, Paul shows how people both received and rejected Jesus.
(Acts 13:30-37) Paul preaches the resurrected Jesus.
(Acts 13:38-41) With a promise and a warning, Paul applies the truth of who Jesus is and what He did for us.
(Acts 13:42-43) Many people, both Jews and Gentiles, express interest in Paul’s message.
(Acts 13:44-45) On the next Sabbath, envy creates opposition.
(Acts 13:46-48) Paul and Barnabas respond to the Jewish opposition.
(Acts 13:49-50) Blessing and opposition.
And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
(Acts 13:51-52) Paul and Barnabas react to their expulsion from the city of Pisidian Antioch.
But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
