Several things about this passage are worthy of deep reflection and personal prayer. What was the church at Antioch specifically doing when the call of God came upon them? (13:2) How does this encourage and inspire you? How can you strive to consistently incorporate these two things into your life?
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we must become.” Henry Martyn, missionary to India and Persia
How can you incorporate these things into your life when you feel/sense/hear the call of God? Mapping their voyage, what do you make of the route and cities chosen to visit? What logic or purpose do you see? How does Paul’s speech to Jews in 13:16ff differ from his speech to Gentiles in 14:15ff? Why? Take a moment to reread Acts 14:19-22. Write down some of your thoughts on this passage.
12:25-14:28
What did the church at Antioch do when they heard the call of God? What was their response? (13:3—3 things)
Dr. Luke’s full attention has now shifted from the home-base of Jerusalem and Peter as the chief hero to Antioch as home-base and Paul as the main character. It happens in this section (chs 13-14). 12:25—The last verse of the previous chapter sets us up. After taking the financial aid gift to Jerusalem from Antioch, Saul and Barnabas return north and bring with them John Mark (see 12:12). 13:1-52—Thus begins the first long leg of this initial missionary journey. From Antioch, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark travel through and minister in Seleucia, Salamis, the whole length of Cyprus, Paphos, Perga (where John Mark left them in order to return to Jerusalem) Antioch in the region of Pisidia, Icornium, Lystra and Derbe. The episode with Bar-Jesus/Elymas and Proconsul Sergius Paulus reminds us of similar incidents and teachings with both Jesus (John 8:44; Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43) and Peter (Acts 5). The speech of Paul in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch (13:16-41) is the longest and most developed by him in Acts. It is given to Jews and therefore starts with Jewish hope and promise, proceeds directly to Jesus and then concludes with application. The response is initially positive and generous. The people seemed hungry for the truth. But opposition came through jealous Jews and Paul and Barnabas went on to Iconium. 14:1-7—They spent “a long time” there and in the end escaped for their lives.
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14:8-20—The healing of a lame man, again reminiscent of both Jesus (John 5) and Peter (Acts 3), instigated an unusual reaction. The people, familiar with their pantheon of gods, heralded Paul and Barnabas and Hermes and Zeus. The two missionaries barely stopped them from offering sacrifices to them. After many days, opposition followed them here and Paul was stoned and left for dead. Amazingly, he returned to the city and then proceeded onward to Derbe. From there the two revisited all of the cities and strengthened the churches, eventually sailing back to Antioch from where this trip began.