Acts 13:4-12

https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+13:4-12

On Cyprus

4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. 6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Study Notes: These will be added as I am able.

13:4 Located in the Mediterranean Sea, the island of Cyprus, with a large Jewish population, was Barnabas's home. Their first stop was in familiar territory.

13:6, 7 A proconsul was a high Roman official. Here he functioned as the governor of the island. Such leaders often kept private sorcerers. Bar-Jesus realized that if Sergius Paulus believed in Jesus, he would soon be out of a job.

13:9, 10 Here is where Saul is first called Paul.

13:10 The Holy Spirit led Paul to confront Bar-Jesus with his sin. There is a time to be nice and a time to confront. Ask God to show you the difference and to give you the courage to do what's right.

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We should be wary of false prophets and other deceivers. How can we know that what we are being told about Christ is true? As for me, I love to go to the gospel of John and seek out what Jesus taught in it. Then, I compare and contrast what I read or hear from a deceiver to the nature and words of Christ. They had better be in perfect alignment, because one that is led by the Holy Spirit to speak about Christ will not contradict Christ. So, beware of those who would use the Word of God for other purposes than to bring people to belief in Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You already know Your own and those who are false. Thank You that You work Your sovereign plan through all situations. Lord, it is confusing here on earth with all the deceptions and coverups going on. Help us to discern what is true and important to know and do. Let us spend our time doing those things that bring glory to You. Give us energy, Lord, from Your abundant supply. And thank You for the provisions You send to care for Your own. Continue Your work in and through us. Your will be done. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Song: https://youtu.be/1OLGUW1VHLY

Bonus Song: https://youtu.be/fDf9-zc6ukc

Have a blessed day.