THE GOSPEL PREACHED ON CYPRUS

Acts 13:4-7 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

Barnabas and Saul, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed from Antioch, and went to a nearby seaport town of Seleucia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. They arrived on the southeastern side of Cyprus in a prominent seacoast city named Salamis. Some bible scholars maintain that Barnabas, being a Levite from Cyprus, once lived in this city. Accompanied by John (Mark), Barnabas and Saul preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews that were located in this city. The plurality of "synagogues" noted here indicates that there was a large population of Jews that resided in Salamis. Since there were Christian converts already residing in Cyprus, it is probable that Barnabas and Saul preached to both members of the church of Christ, as well as unconverted Jews that lived in this city.

The effectiveness of their preaching, that is, the conversions made, the knowledge imparted, and the faith that was strengthened, was not recorded in the lesson text. However, having taught the gospel of Christ in Salamis, Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark then traveled through the southern portion of the island of Cyprus for over one hundred miles to its westernmost side, to another port city named Paphos. Arriving here, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus. Although Jewish law prohibited sorcery and magic, which was an abomination to God (Deut. 18:9-12), it is evident that these laws were ignored, and consequently the practice of all sorts of witchcraft had a great influence with the people of this era of bible history. As a false prophet, Bar-jesus convinced others into thinking his deceptive acts of magic and sorcery were given to him by the inspiration of God. Sergius Paulus is introduced here as a governmental authority of Cyprus. Since this island nation was currently under Roman rule, he had probably been appointed by them and given the title of deputy of the country. Bar-jesus was with him - he accompanied him, more than likely, as an advisor. It is said the Sergius Paulus was a prudent man - he was an intelligent man that wanted to learn more. Therefore, he desired to hear the word of God that was being declared in the city, at this time, by Barnabas and Saul.

Verses 8 through 12 that follow the lesson text tell us that, because Sergius Paulus desired to hear God's word, Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. "Elymas" carried the meaning of "a wise man." Therefore, Bar-jesus was also known by this title. Being an unconverted Jew that denied Jesus as the Messiah, Bar-jesus, or Elymas, certainly did not want Sergius Paulus to be exposed to the gospel message of salvation through Christ Jesus. Therefore, he withstood, or resisted and denied the New Testament teaching of Barnabas and Saul, in an effort to persuade Sergius Paulus from coming under the influence of Christian doctrine.

Influenced by the Holy Spirit of God, Saul set his eyes on him. That is, Saul looked straight into the eyes of Bar-jesus and said, O full of all subtlety 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? By inspiration, Saul recognized the true divisive character of Bar-jesus, and knew he was filled with the desire to influence and deceive others by the arts of magic, pretending to have supernatural powers that came to him from God. Due to his wicked manner of opposing the gospel of Jesus Christ, God, through Saul, punished Bar-jesus with blindness for a season. How long he remained blind is not revealed. However, by this divine judgment there was sufficient proof that to both Bar-jesus, as well as to Sergius Paulus, Jesus Christ was, indeed, the Messiah, and that it was through Him that all people of the world could receive the hope of eternal salvation. Then the deputy (Sergius Paulus), when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. This indicates that he accepted the doctrine of God, obeyed His will, confessed Jesus to be the Son of God, was baptized for the remission of his sins, and became a believing Christian.