Greetings! As we continue through the book of Acts, we see the growth and spread of the Apostolic message throughout the Middle East and Asia Minor. There was a common thread that manifested itself in all the Apostles and disciples – that is, "the Spirit of God in Action", was in control and guided their every action.
In this account in Acts Chapter 13, we see the church in Antioch, Syria grew to the point where the gift of prophecy and teaching began to manifest. These prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius and Manaen, while worshipping the Lord in prayer and fasting, heard the Spirit of God in action with a clear directive, "Set apart for me, Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. " After continuing in prayer, the other leaders placed their hands on them and sent them off to do the will of the Lord through Evangelism throughout the region.
The scripture says that Saul and Barnabas were sent by the Spirit of God in action, from Antioch, Syria to Seleucia, Iraq and then on to the country of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean. They moved quickly over land to the city of Salamis and, along with John Mark, who also ministered with them, they preached the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.
Moving over land in Cyprus to the city of Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a Jew by the name of Bar-Jesus, who was also false prophet . This man was an attendant of Sergius Paulus, the pro-counsel in the city. This pro-counsel was described as being an intelligent man, and when he heard of Barnabas and Saul, he sent for them to hear the word of the Lord. But, Bar-Jesus (the sorcerer) opposed Barnabas and Saul and tried his best to turn the pro-counsel from believing in the Apostolic doctrine.
The scripture says, that Saul, being filled with the Spirit of God in action, looked steadfastly upon Bar-Jesus and said, "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? 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 Bar-Jesus, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
The bible records that when the pro-counsel, Sergius Paulus saw what happened as a result of the Spirit of God in action operating thorough Saul, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ and the mighty workings of God.
Friends, and readers of this blog, you too can witness the mighty moving power of the Spirit of God in action. All you need to do is to believe, like this pro-counsel in AD 50, the teachings of the word of God, which is still being preached in our world today.
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