By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
SENT
Acts 13:1–12
Listen (1–3)
The Book of Acts takes a turn at this point in the story, moving from the establishment of the Church to its expansion, focusing almost exclusively on Paul and his missionary journeys. Beginning in Chapter 13, while Paul was worshipping with a group of strong Christians in the church at Antioch, the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Saul (Paul) and Barnabas.
The same Holy Spirit is alive and well in believers today and still calls people to serve in missions. Often, people feel a call to be involved in missions but are met with shock from other believers who bring up issues such as, “How will you make money? Won’t it be dangerous? Why leave the comfort of home to go live in discomfort?”
These questions are human questions, showing concern for our immediate well-being. The gospel, however, is not of human design, and sharing it is not to be carried out by human means but by dependence on God. The Church should do what it can to facilitate missions and encourage and support those who are interested in serving in this way.
Share (4–8)
In the history of missions, some of the most vehement opponents of Christianity have been witch doctors, shamans, druids and sorcerers. The reason is obvious. These are the people who claim to speak for the gods or the spirits; they claim to understand the spiritual realm.
Since Christianity provides spiritual truths, these spiritists are correct in seeing a threat to their power. All people groups have an interest in getting answers from the spiritual realm. These “spiritual guides” are either frauds or they are serving demons. The spiritual bondage that the followers of these false religions are bound in is powerful and burdensome. Jesus, however, brings a light yoke (Matt. 11:30). The light that the gospel brings often leads to conversions.
In this case with Paul, Bar-Jesus (which means “son of Joshua”) was the local sorcerer, and he could see that Paul’s God was a threat to his power as advisor to the proconsul.
Rely on the Spirit (9–12)
The proconsul of the Island, Sergius Paulus, wanted to hear the Word of God from Paul and Barnabas, but Bar-Jesus tried to dissuade the proconsul from accepting the gospel. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, said that God was going to blind him, and Bar-Jesus was at once blinded! This wonderous act convinced Sergius Paulus of the truth of the gospel and he became a believer!
Throughout history, God has used signs and wonders to get people’s attention and make them open to the gospel. A quick study of missions history retells countless stories of miraculous events that missionaries have witnessed that have led to conversions.
Sometimes God decides to show His power this way. Other times it is God’s Word alone that is the miracle, revealing to people the love of God and how to be made right with God.
We should rely on God to convert people by whatever means He sees fit; we only need to be willing to be used by Him. This applies to people who are overseas doing missions work and also to every other Christian living out their lives on mission for the Lord.
We should be encouraged that each of us is called to serve God by the means He has given us in whatever setting He has placed us.
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