Thematic Bible




Acts 13:1 (show verse)

Among the members of the Church at Antioch there were several Prophets and Teachers--Barnabas, Simeon who was known by the name of 'Black', Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, foster-brother of Prince Herod, and Saul.

Acts 13:2 (show verse)

While they were engaged in the worship of the Lord and were fasting, the Holy Spirit said: "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them."
Associations » Man needs the comfort and help of » Recognized by paul in his missionary work
Barnabas » Characteristics of » Adapted to missionary work
Call » To special religious duty » Paul
Christian ministers » Sent forth in teams of two » Paul and barnabas
Companionship » Man needs the comfort and help of » Recognized by paul in his missionary work
Fasting » Examples of » Leaders in the church at antioch
Fasting » Of saints--exemplified » Primitive Christians
Fasting » Instances of » Of the disciples, at the time of the consecration of barnabas and saul
God's Call » Examples of Leadership » Isaiah
the personality of Holy Spirit » He appoints and commissions ministers
Holy spirit » As appointing and sending ministers
Holy spirit » The leadership of » Directs in the selection of Christian leaders
Holy spirit » Guides » Directs in the selection of Christian leaders
the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit » Design of » To direct ministers
Leadership » Of the spirit » Directs in the selection of Christian leaders
Ministers » Sent by the holy ghost
Missionary-work by ministers » Exemplified
Missionary-work by ministers » Directed by the holy ghost
Missionary-work by ministers » The holy ghost calls to
Paul » Sent to the gentiles
Spirit » The leadership of holy spirit » Directs in the selection of Christian leaders
Spirit » The leadership of » Directs in the selection of Christian leaders
God, Trinity » Each person in, described as » Supplying ministers to the church

Acts 13:3 (show verse)

Accordingly, after fasting and prayer, they placed their hands on them and dismissed them.

Acts 13:4 (show verse)

Barnabas and Saul, sent on this mission, as they were, by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 13:5 (show verse)

On reaching Salamis, they began to tell the Message of God in the Jewish Synagogues; and they had John with them as an assistant.

Acts 13:6 (show verse)

After passing through the whole island, they reached Paphos, where they found an astrologer who pretended to be a Prophet--a Jew by birth, whose name was Barjoshua.

Acts 13:7 (show verse)

He was at the court of the Governor, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who sent for Barnabas and Saul and asked to be told God's Message.

Acts 13:8 (show verse)

But Elymas, the astrologer (for that is the meaning of the word), opposed them, eager to divert the Governor's attention from the Faith.

Acts 13:9 (show verse)

However, Saul (who is the same as Paul), full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on him and said:

Acts 13:10 (show verse)

"You incarnation of deceit and all fraud! You son of the Devil! You opponent of all that is good! Will you never cease to divert 'the straight paths of the Lord'? Listen!

Acts 13:11 (show verse)

The hand of the Lord is upon you even now, and you will be blind for a time and unable to see the sun." Immediately a mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went feeling about for some one to guide him.

Acts 13:12 (show verse)

When the Governor saw what had happened, he became a believer in Christ, being greatly impressed by the teaching about the Lord.

Acts 13:13 (show verse)

After this, Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and went to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 13:14 (show verse)

The others went on from Perga and arrived at Antioch in Pisidia. There they went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath and took their seats.

Acts 13:15 (show verse)

After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the President of the Synagogue sent them this message--"Brothers, if you have any helpful words to address to the people, now is the time to speak."

Acts 13:16 (show verse)

So Paul rose and, motioning with his hand, spoke as follows: "Men of Israel and all here who reverence God, hear what I have to say.

Acts 13:17 (show verse)

The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, and during their stay in Egypt increased the prosperity of the people, and then 'with uplifted arm brought them out from that land.'

Acts 13:18 (show verse)

For about forty years 'he bore with them in the Desert';

Acts 13:19 (show verse)

Then, after destroying seven heathen nations in Canaan, he allotted their land to this people--

Acts 13:20 (show verse)

For about four hundred and fifty years. In later times he gave them Judges, of whom the Prophet Samuel was the last.

Acts 13:21 (show verse)

And, when they demanded a king, God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years.

Acts 13:22 (show verse)

After removing him, he raised David to the throne, and bore this testimony to him--'In David, the son of Jesse, I have found a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my purposes.'

Acts 13:23 (show verse)

It was from this man's descendants that God, in accordance with his promise, gave Israel a Savior--Jesus;

Acts 13:24 (show verse)

John having first proclaimed, before the appearance of Jesus, a baptism upon repentance for all the people of Israel.

Acts 13:25 (show verse)

As John was drawing towards the end of his career, he said what do you suppose that I am? I am not the Christ. But there is "One Coming" after me, whose very sandal I am not worthy to untie.'

Acts 13:26 (show verse)

Brothers, descendants of Abraham, and all those among you who reverence God, it was to us that the Message of this Salvation was sent.

Acts 13:27 (show verse)

The people of Jerusalem and their leading men, failing to recognize Jesus, and not understanding the utterances of the Prophets that are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.

Acts 13:28 (show verse)

They found no ground at all for putting him to death, and yet demanded his execution from Pilate;

Acts 13:29 (show verse)

And, after carrying out everything written about him, they took Jesus down from the cross, and laid him in a tomb.

Acts 13:30 (show verse)

But God raised him from the dead;

Acts 13:31 (show verse)

And he appeared for many days to those who had gone up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and who are now witnesses for him to the people.

Acts 13:32 (show verse)

We also have good news to tell you, about the promise made to our ancestors--

Acts 13:33 (show verse)

That our children have had this promise completely fulfilled to them by God, by his raising Jesus. That is just what is said in the second Psalm--'Thou art my Son; this day I have become thy Father.'

Acts 13:34 (show verse)

As to his raising Jesus from the dead, never again to return to corruption, this is what is said--'I will give to you the sacred promises made to David;'

Acts 13:35 (show verse)

And, therefore, in another Psalm it is said--'Thou wilt not give up the Holy One to undergo corruption.'

Acts 13:36 (show verse)

David, after obediently doing God's will in his own time, 'fell asleep and was laid by the side of his ancestors, and did undergo corruption;

Acts 13:37 (show verse)

But Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, did not undergo corruption.

Acts 13:38 (show verse)

I would, therefore, have you know, brothers, that through Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you,

Acts 13:39 (show verse)

And that, in union with him, every one who believes in him is absolved from every sin from which under the Law of Moses you could not be absolved.

Acts 13:40 (show verse)

Beware, therefore, that what is said in the Prophets does not come true of you--

Acts 13:41 (show verse)

'Look, you despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I am doing a deed in your days--a deed which, though told you in full, you will never believe'."

Acts 13:42 (show verse)

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the Synagogue, the people begged for a repetition of this teaching on the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:43 (show verse)

After the congregation had dispersed, many of the Jews, and of the converts who joined in their worship, followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue to rely upon the loving-kindness of God.

Acts 13:44 (show verse)

On the following Sabbath, almost all the city gathered to hear God's Message.

Acts 13:45 (show verse)

But the sight of the crowds of people filled the minds of the Jews with jealousy, and they kept contradicting Paul's statements in violent language.

Acts 13:46 (show verse)

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out fearlessly, and said: "It was necessary that the Message of God should be told to you first; but, since you reject it and reckon yourselves not worthy of the Immortal Life--we turn to the Gentiles!

Acts 13:47 (show verse)

For this is the Lord's command to us--'I have destined thee for a Light to the Gentiles, a means of Salvation to the ends of the earth'."

Acts 13:48 (show verse)

On hearing this, the Gentiles were glad and extolled God's Message; and all those who had been enrolled for Immortal Life became believers in Christ;

Acts 13:49 (show verse)

And the Lord's Message was carried throughout that district.

Acts 13:50 (show verse)

But the Jews incited the women of position who worshiped with them, and the leading men of the town, and started a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their neighborhood.

Acts 13:51 (show verse)

They, however, shook the dust off their feet in protest,

Acts 13:52 (show verse)

And went to Iconium, leaving the disciples full of joy and of the Holy Spirit.