Paul and his companion Barnabas have now departed from Antioch in Syria (sort of “home base” for Paul during these early years) and sailed out into the Mediterranean Sea. Heading for Barnabas’ native Land, the Island of Cyprus. A “missionary” journey, one of several!
“So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia (the nearby seaport for Antioch); and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.” Acts 13:4
Soon they are preaching their way through the whole Country, primarily in the larger cities. This was Paul’s general practice.
“And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus.” Acts 13:6, “religious but lost,” this man certainly was!
And he vehemently opposed Paul’s preaching the Gospel there! Much like the lost Jews (the religious but misguided Pharisees and Scribes and Priests) had opposed Jesus! In fact, they feel sure they crucified Him, though we know that He really gave His life, “laid it down” … for us sinners to be saved! (John 10:18)
But back to this Barjesus, also called Elymas. As he seeks to try to “divert” a man from believing in Jesus! “But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy (the Governor of the Island) from the faith.” Acts 13:10, as did the Jews again, trying to stop this same Paul from preaching the Gospel of the Grace of God! Yes, a faction of Jews from Jerusalem followed Paul for most of his ministry, trying to divert hundreds (maybe thousands) from believing in Jesus for salvation!
But look what happens to Elymas, Paul sternly condemning him: “Behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee (Barjesus) and thou shalt be BLIND, not seeing the sun. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.” Acts 13:11, again … as happened to Israel. She too, for her disbelief and rejection of Jesu, was struck spiritually blind!
Paul really got bold that day in Paphos! Speaking to this false prophet: “O full of all subtilty and all mischief, THOU CHILD OF THE DEVIL, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” Still in Acts chapter 13, folks.
“Child of the devil,” that’s exactly what Jesus called the lost Jews in John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil.” I am saying again that this enemy of the Gospel (Barjesus or Elymas) is a picture/type/symbol of the lost Jews of Jesus’ Day.
Blind Jews … yet God (in His amazing Grace) gave Elymas this blindness “for a season!” Back to Acts 13:11, King James Version … “Behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun FOR A SEASON.” Apparently his affliction eventually left him, not being permanent.
A reminder of lost Israel, again! Paul preaching in Romans 11:25 … “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that BLINDNESS in part is happened to Israel, UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”
Temporary blindness, like Elymas!
Because some day … Romans 11:26 … “ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” Blindness turned into sight!
And that day, so long ago, on the Island of Cyprus … as Paul opposed this enemy of the Faith … two things happened. Keep reading …
One, it is no longer “Barnabas and Saul” on this Gospel preaching Journey! it is now “Saul and Barnabas.” (Compare verse 2 of Acts 13 with verse 13, Paul now becoming the preacher, the leader!) That’s one change, Paul will refute any who oppose this precious Gospel of Grace! (A leadership change, apparently effected by the Holy Spirit!)
And number two, Saul changes names! He will no longer be “Saul of Tarsus,” but “Paul the Apostle!” Likely taking the name of his first Cyprian convert, the Island’s Governor Sergius Paulus, whom Barjesus had tried so hard to dissuade from belief in our Saviour!
Thus the Holy Spirit leads Luke to pen: “Now when PAUL AND HIS COMPANY loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia.” Did you get that? “Paul and his company!” (Still including helpful Barnabas, though.)
Note …
Opposition here made the Apostle Paul stronger in his faith! It did not deter him a bit! He will hereafter be the leader (under Christ, of course). And he will be called “Paul” (meaning the “little one,” or just “small”) and no longer be called “Saul” (named for the biggest man in all Israel, Saul the first King, who “from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” 1 Samuel 9:2)
Wow, what changes!
Long Lesson today. But it being a day many of you are “off” from work … perhaps worth the extra time reading and studying.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
More tomorrow, the Lord willing …
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