ACTS A Conflict of Spirits (I3:I-I3)

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that We came into this world with free moral agency. was there, prophets and teachers: , and Paul gives a great cry of victory in Romans 7: who was called Niger, and , and “Thanks be to God through our Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the Lord!” (v. 25). We have one who will win the tetrarch, and Saul. And while they were ministering to battle for us, but we must line up with Him. the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have GOD’S GROUP called them.’ Then, when they had fasted and prayed In this text, the lines are clearly drawn. On and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. . . . one side is God’s group, the prophets and the they found a certain magician, a Jewish teachers who are pictured as being in the church whose name was Bar Jesus, who was with the procon- in Antioch. Some of them are listed for us; others sul, , a man of intelligence. This man are implied. They are on the offensive for God in summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the the world. The Holy Spirit said to this group, word of God. But the magician (for thus his “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn to which I have called them” (13:2). the proconsul away from the faith. . . .” (13:1-13). A Christian has to give consideration to relig- ious semantics, the proper use of words and CTS 13:1-13 pictures a battle between good phrases in the . The Holy Spirit says, “Set Aand evil, a conflict that has raged in the apart . . . for the work.” Someone could say, “I hearts of men from the beginning of time. was in my office and the Holy Spirit said to me, The Bible affirms that we are engaged in a ‘I have a work for you to do.’ Therefore, I am great war. Do not be led to think that we are at recommending that you support me in this work ease in Zion and there is peace in the land. that the Holy Spirit has called me to do.” I have Anyone who has studied the Word with any heard such a statement made by a television degree of diligence knows that we are involved preacher. It is not unusual to find people taking in major conflict in the spiritual realm. the phrases and words of the Bible from their contexts and applying them incorrectly. The Bible For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but plainly teaches that the Holy Spirit no longer against the rulers, against the powers, against the speaks directly to men. The calling that God world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places gives to men today comes through the of (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus Christ. Paul and Barnabas lived in a special time. Obviously, within the context of this study, The final form of the Word of God was not yet there is the idea of choice regarding the side on available. They did not have the complete writ- which we will fight. We must choose our loyalty. ten Bible to read. The Holy Spirit worked di- 1 rectly with men then in order that God’s will sumes his support. One Sunday, as he is getting might be revealed to the world through the Spirit. ready to leave for Brazil, the elders of this con- When the first century came to a close, the gregation call him before the assembly. Perhaps complete revelation of God had been written they have asked the church for the past three down. We can read the direction of the Holy days to spend time in fasting and prayer for this Spirit of God today and know God’s calling great work. The elders lay hands on him as they through the Bible. It would be incorrect for us to say, “We want to challenge you with the work say that God has miraculously separated us for a that you will do in Brazil. We want you to know work as He did Barnabas and Saul. that we will be behind you, reinforcing and In 2 Thessalonians we see the kind of religious supporting you.” This would be an example of wording we might use today. Paul told the Thes- the laying on of hands seen in :3. salonian brethren that the Lord will return. He said These brethren are supportive of Barnabas He will come in flaming fire taking vengeance on and Saul as they go out on their first preaching those who do not know God and have not obeyed tour. They fast, pray, and lay their hands on the gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:8). But them. They are saying, “We are going to be with he gave great encouragement to those who were you. You are not going into the field alone. We walking in the light in Thessalonica because they will be with you all the way in this ministry.” had believed the testimony that was given to them Thus, God’s group goes out to engage in the (2 Thessalonians 1:10). warfare. They are not retreating to their little In the second chapter Paul referred to them group in Antioch and saying, “If somebody comes as being called by the gospel of Jesus Christ in on us, we will teach him.” They are going out (2 Thessalonians 2:14). We might easily say of to do battle with the devil. ourselves that we have received the call of God through learning about Jesus’ saving grace and ’S SERVANTS obeying Him. The Holy Spirit speaks to every The text says in verse 4, “So, being sent out by man today through the revealed Word of God. the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and Paul said, “All Scripture is inspired by God and from there they sailed to .” At Cyprus, profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, they find a sorcerer, Satan’s servant. God’s group for training in righteousness; that the man of God is on one side, and Satan’s servants are on the may be adequate, equipped for every good work” other side. We are introduced to Bar-Jesus, who is (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). The inspired Scriptures equip also named Elymas, and Sergius Paulus, a couple us today for the work that God has for us to do. in the devil’s group. Elymas is involved in sor- Acts 13:3 says, “When they had fasted and cery. I do not know all that the word “sorcery” prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent contains. It is at least apparent that the deceit of them away.” On occasions the Bible refers to the the devil was manifested through this man. He laying on of hands to impart spiritual gifts. Obvi- was an instrument in the hands of the devil. ously, verse 3 is not a reference to that kind of In the first three verses of this chapter we get laying on of hands, since Paul, being an apostle, an insight into the heart of God’s group. The had all the gifts. prophets, teachers, and apostles are blending A different kind of laying on of hands is their strength together. When two of them are being referred to: the laying on of hands which is going out on a mission journey, the others fast illustrated by the presbytery laying hands on the and pray. A spirit of unity and excitement exists young preacher Timothy (1 Timothy 4:14). This within God’s group of people. But in the devil’s is the impartation of reinforcement and support of a camp dissension appears in the ranks. Sergius cooperative group of people. This type of laying on Paulus, a prudent man, had heard Barnabas and of hands can be done today without violating the Saul. Maybe he had gone to the meeting they Scriptures. were having. He called them over and said, “I A young man finishes his work at a Christian want to hear more of the Word of God.” college and wants to go to Brazil to work for the It is exciting when you breech the ranks of Lord. The elders of the church where he wor- the devil’s army, is it not? It thrills my heart ships decide to help him. This congregation as- when somebody says to me, “I want to know 2 more about the Word of God.” It is wonderful Baal met? The prophets of Baal cut themselves when people get to studying the message be- with stones and bled; they cried out to their god cause the power is in that message. Romans 1:16 all afternoon and saw nothing happen. says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it Elymas tries to impress Sergius Paulus, but is the power of God for salvation. . . .” The Greek Paul, with the spirit of God, said, “. . . you [are word translated “power” is the word dunamis, the] son of the devil, . . .” (13:10). One reason we the word from which we get our English word have not brought more people into the Lord’s “dynamite.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s kingdom today is because we are so diplomatic. dynamite for salvation. When someone begins We have used diplomacy and tact until we are studying the , he is getting into almost out of business. I wonder what would God’s dynamite. We do not go out into the war- have happened to David if Nathan had been a fare weak and anemic. We go with God’s dyna- present-day prophet. What if Nathan had said, mite in our hands. “King David, it is not that you are really bad. I Sergius Paulus wants to hear more. As is know something is going on, but I would not always the case, the devil’s camp does not want to want to leave the impression that I am pointing let a go. Elymas tries to turn Sergius at you. Do not get me wrong, but if something is Paulus away from Paul’s preaching. He was say- amiss in your life, you may want to repent of it.” ing, “You do not want to listen to him. Don’t you No, Nathan told the king a story about a man know they want to make a Christian out of you?” who was sorry, lowdown, and despicable. David Division and dissension are seen in the devil’s said that man was wicked and ought to die. camp. Do not walk around fearfully. The devil’s Nathan said, “You are the man.” army is the one with weakness in it. Do not shy Preachers are told, “Do not call names.” Why away from the battle. We have the truth. It will not? Do you think a drunkard does not know he stand against any error, any time. Fill your mind is a drunkard? Do you think I am going to break with the Scriptures, and you can stand against news on a man who is involved in fornication? I any foe. God is with us. There is nothing to fear. am not advocating an ugly spirit. But, observe Elymas did not scare Paul and Barnabas. what Paul said to the sorcerer: “You [are the] son They did not say, “Oh, Elymas is a sorcerer, and of the devil, . . .” He called him what he was. He Sergius Paulus is the deputy of the country. Oh said, “. . . you enemy of all righteousness, will my! Oh my!” They said, “We are the men of God! you not cease to make crooked the straight ways We have the power. No office or sorcerer is going of the Lord?” What is Paul doing? If a man is ever to cause us to cower and tremble in the corner.” going to change his ways, he must confront those ways. We will not do much about turning THE BRUTAL BATTLE a man’s life around for God until we help him The battle begins. It is exciting. Every time realize that he needs to turn his life around. If we God’s spirit and the devil’s spirit clash, it gets start befriending sin, we will destroy our friends exciting. Elymas, the sorcerer, is trying to turn and ourselves. How sad for a man in the day of Paul and Barnabas away. Remember the scene of judgment to look at us and say, “But I do not Mt. Carmel where Elijah and the prophets of understand. You were with me every day. I thought you were a friend. Why didn’t you con- front me? Why didn’t you tell me what I was The Acts of Peter doing? Maybe I would have changed.” Some- where, sometime, sinners need to be confronted “The ‘Acts of Peter’ being completed, the with the gospel. Christian communities, formed of ex- with We are in a battle, and we cannot court the their center at Jerusalem, will now be left aside, enemy. I am not advocating that we run up and and we come to those communities formed of ex- down the street saying, “You sinner, you are pagans with their center at Antioch, that power- going to hell.” God forbid that we ever have such house of in the Graeco-Roman world.” a spirit. But we do need to develop a love relation- Laurence E. Byrne, ship with people outside of Christ so that we can The Text and Commentary say to them, “Without Jesus you are lost.” 3 Paul confronted Elymas. He also said, “And the spirit of Christ. Sergius Paulus believed and now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, followed the Lord. and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” He made a spiritually blind man physi- CONCLUSION cally blind. Why? He made him physically blind The battle ends with Sergius Paulus as a so that he could not interfere with the teaching of Christian. But the war is not over. Look at verse the gospel to another person. 13: “Now Paul and his companions put out to sea Sometimes we will have to go around some from and came to Perga in Pamphylia; people to get other people. Years ago, a lady came . . .” They finished one battle and moved on to to talk with me about her husband. She said, “You another battleground. The war was still on. Other know my husband is not a member of the church. battles had to be fought. The war will go on until His dad preached for a denominational group, and the end of time. God needs His soldiers standing I don’t think he will ever become a member of the firm on the front line of the battle, confronting church. I just do not want you talking to him. Don’t evil and putting it down by His power. He needs bother him at all.” I said, “How long have you been men who will go out and say, “You are lost married?” She said, “Fourteen years.” I said, “If without Jesus.” This is no time for surrender, you have not brought him to the Lord in fourteen weakness, or retreat. years, why do you want to stand in my way?” She —C. Bruce White said, “But you will tear up our marriage.” I said, “Okay. I will give you a little while, but I am coming after him. You had better get busy.” She QUOTATIONS piddled around and piddled around. One day I wrote him a letter from my office and asked him to “Satan would be a poor sort of devil if he come by and see me. I said, “I want to talk with you didn’t sugar-coat his poison pills and if he didn’t about something serious. Do not bring your wife or appear as a helpful friend. His strategy is not to your family with you. I want to talk with you bring immediate trouble and destruction. He traps alone.” He came by, and I began talking with him for his victims like Indians for wild animals. They about the Lord. He said, “I know about Christian- first lay their snares, but do not set them for the ity.” I asked, “Why, then, aren’t you doing some- first visits of the animals. After the animals be- thing about it?” He said, “Because no one ever come bold and familiar by repeated visits to the asked me to.” I said, “I am telling you to. God’s seemingly harmless traps, they are set. The next demand is being placed upon your heart today. time they come they are caught. In the same way You need to be in Christ. You are lost without Satan uses temptations. First one is lured, then Jesus.” He was baptized into Christ and became intrigued, then deceived, and then trapped.” one of the leading workers in that congregation. B. Charles Hostetter, Guess who was my best, most devoted friend? His How to Grow in the Christian Life wife! But I had to go around her to get to her husband. Sometimes you have to go around people “Better shun the bait than struggle in the to get to other people. Paul said, “I am not going to snare.” do a thing with you, Elymas. But you are not going John Dryden to stand in my way of getting Sergius Paulus.” Blindness fell upon Elmyas. When Sergius Paulus “You have discovered that some people, when saw the power of God at work, he opened his eyes. they come around and talk with you, depress you. Look around and see how successful, happy, and You don’t like to be rude, but when they leave you thrilled the people are who are high on dope, say, ‘Well, thank the Lord, they’re gone!’ What alcohol, or fornication. Then check out the power little morale you did have when they came has of God in somebody’s life! Christianity is not just been taken right away from you. They left you with going to church. It is God’s power in a person’s life. a weight on your spirit and no wings. Faultfinding, Sergius Paulus had seen what Elymas was critical, hard, gloomy—such was their temper.” doing. What did the spirit of God do? It blinded Paul S. Rees, Elymas. That is powerful. I believe I will go with Men of Action in The Book of Acts

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