Introduction:

1. At this point, Saul/Paul becomes the focal point of most of the book.

2. Acts 13-14 record Paul’s first missionary journey in modern Turkey.

3. Paul displays his indomitable spirit facing headwinds of various kinds.

Discussion:

I. To the Jew First…Also to the Greek (13:1-5, 44-47)

A. Paul told the Romans the gospel was God’s power of salvation “for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).

B. Paul followed this all through Acts (13:5, 14; 14:1; 17:2-3; 18:4; 19:8).

C. Jealous Jews who opposed the gospel in Pisidian Antioch prompted Paul and Barnabas to shift their primary focus to the Gentiles (13:44-48).

II. A Sorcerer Encounters God’s Power (13:6-12)

A. Reaching Paphos, they encountered a sorcerer named Elymas/Bar-Jesus.

B. The Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulos, sought to hear the word, but Elymas wanted to prevent him from doing so (13:7-8).

C. Paul invoked the power of the Spirit of God to upend the sorcerer.

III. Paul’s Sermon at and Expulsion from Pisidian Antioch (13:13-52)

A. The synagogue rulers invited Paul to offer a word of exhortation (13:15).

1. He briefly reviewed Jewish history to the time of David (13:17-22).

2. He declared Jesus the long-awaited Savior/Messiah (13:23-26)

3. He gave evidence of His resurrection (13:27-37; Psalms 2:7; 16:10).

4. He declared the forgiveness which these events secured (13:38-39).

5. He warned of the danger of rejecting the gift (13:40-41).

B. A group of Gentiles asked to hear this again the next Sabbath, and many Jews and Gentiles alike followed Paul and Barnabas (13:42-43).

C. So excited was the town that the next Sabbath “…almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God” (13:44).

D. However, a jealous group of Jews sought to contradict them (13:45), and finally stirred up the city leadership getting them expelled (13:50).

E. For this, they “…shook off the dust from their feet” and moved on to the next city to spread the word of God (13:51).

1. As the gospel began its westward move, the number and diversity of its enemies increased.

2. Nonetheless, “…the word of the Lord was being spread…” (13:49).

3. The key is relentless pursuit of His aims like Paul and Barnabas displayed.