ACTS Go Tell the Good News Lesson 13

ACTS Go Tell the Good News! Lesson 13 Acts 13: 1 -10

Saul of Tarsus Summary of His Life & Work • Saul (Paul) makes a significant contribution to taking the gospel “to the uttermost part of the earth. ” • He is commissioned as an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 26: 17; Romans 11: 13) • He carries the gospel through Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, Illyricum, Rome, Malta, Crete, Nicopolis and possibly Spain (Romans 15: 19, 23 -24; Acts 28: 1, 30, 31; Titus 1: 5; 3: 12) • He also wrote 13 or 14 of the books of the New Testament.

Known Extent of Paul’s Evangelism

Saul of Tarsus Summary of His Life & Work • Though born in Tarsus of Cilicia, Saul was taught in Jerusalem by Gamaliel (22: 3; 26: 4) • He was a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee (23: 6; 26: 5) • He advanced beyond his peers (Gal. 1: 13 -14) • Saul was born a Roman citizen (21: 39; 22: 25 -28) • He became a chief persecutor of the church (7: 58— 8: 3; 9: 1 -2; 22: 4 -5; 26: 9 -12) • He received mercy because he did these things in ignorance (1 Timothy 1: 12 -16) • The Lord’s appearance to him on the Damascus road enlightened Saul. • He was commissioned as an apostle and obeyed the gospel (9: 3 -19; 22: 6 -16; 26: 13 -18)

Saul of Tarsus Activities from Conversion to Acts 13 • He preaches the gospel in Damascus (9: 19 -22) • He travels to Arabia (Galatians 1: 13 -17) • He returns to Damascus, eventually needing to escape the Jews’ attempt to kill him (9: 23 -25) • He visits Peter and James the Lord’s brother in Jerusalem (9: 26 -27; Galatians 1: 18 -19) • When Grecian Jews in Jerusalem plot to kill him, the brethren take him to Caesarea from where he sails to Tarsus (9: 28 -30) • He remains in Tarsus until Barnabas comes to bring him to Antioch (11: 25 -26) • He and Barnabas carry relief to the saints in Jerusalem about the same time James is killed, Peter is imprisoned, and Herod Agrippa dies (11: 30— 12: 1)

Paul’s Apostleship • Paul lays claim to the full authority of an apostle of Jesus Christ! (Romans 1: 1, 5; 1 Cor. 1: 1; 9: 1 -2; 2 Cor. 11: 5; 12: 11; Galatians 1: 1; Ephesians 1: 1; Colossians 1: 1; 1 Timothy 1: 1; 2: 7; 2 Timothy 1: 11) • Yet he humbly recognizes God’s grace and providence in enabling him to serve in this capacity (1 Corinthians 15: 8 -10; Galatians 1: 15 -16) • His doctrine was not passed to him by men. • The gospel he preached came directly from Christ through the Holy Spirit (Gal. 1: 11 -12; 2 Cor. 12: 7) • His authentic apostleship was demonstrated by the miracles he performed (2 Corinthians 12: 12)

The Journey Begins The call of Barnabas & Saul (Acts 13: 1 -3) • Five men worked as prophets & teachers in Antioch • Barnabas • Simeon (Niger) • Lucius of Cyrene • Manaen (who had been raised with Herod Antipas, who was born in 20 B. C. Manaen would have been about 65 years old at this time) • Saul (Paul) • The Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” • Brethren in Antioch fasted and prayed • They laid their on Barnabas and Saul and “sent them away”

Travel to Cyprus (Acts 13: 4 -5) • Barnabas and Saul travel to Seleucia and sail to Cyprus. • They arrive in Salamis where they preach in the synagogues, John Mark assisting them. • They travel through Cyprus and arrive in Paphos

Events in Paphos (Acts 13: 6 -11) • Paphos is about 140 miles from Salamis • Sergius Paulus desires to hear the word of God • Elymas tries to turn him away from the faith, but Paul’s miracle and teaching persuade him to believe • Saul is referred to as Paul for the first time. • Now it is “Paul and Barnabas”