Acts 13:1-13 The Spirit Chooses Paul & Barnabas & They Are Sent Out, But Face Satanic Opposition

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there,prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.  When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper.  When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,  who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.  But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.  But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him,  and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?  Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.  Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

The purpose of the founding of the Church is for proclamation of the Word of God and to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ known.  The Holy Spirit filled the chosen evangelists and gave them power and words to equip them.  Fearlessly they went out and immediately were opposed by Satanic men, even Jews to lead others away.  But Paul speaking and acting with authority given him by the Holy Spirit quieted these men and forces and straightened the path that they enemy had made crooked and made a way for men and women to believe in the Risen Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I truly do speak of You and in no way am ever ashamed for doing so.  Break down the strongholds of opposition and let the church speak out to the world so that Your name is known in my day and in my culture.  Together let's reach them  In Jesus name I pray Amen.