New Missionaries

Acts 13:5-13

Philip was the only one referred to as and evangelist in the Bible. From the description of what he did, he was the first missionary. As a result, I believe the biblical term evangelist referred to what we call a missionary who starts churches among un reached peoples. No name is assigned for what we refer to as evangelists.
The term is not a title, but a job description, like plumber or mechanic. Saul and Barnabas were sent out to do the same Job Philip had been doing, bringing the gospel to people who’d never heard. God announced the gospel to the Jews first, and Paul would reach out to them first wherever he went, because they were his own people, and because God had reached out to them first.

“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.” (Acts 13:5)

When they came to Salamis, Paul and Barnabas preached in the synagogues. Apparently Jewish believers had already shared the gospel, because they did not spend much time there or make any effort to reach the Gentiles. John Mark, later known as Mark was accompanying them to take care menial jobs so they could concentrate on preaching. Apparently he was what would be called a missionary intern in modern circles.

“And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 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.” (Acts 13:6-7)

Experience has proven that leaders who are concerned about their people often reach out to those who they think might have something of value to offer to the people. Sergius Paulus was interested in the good of the people. Barjesus, was a Jew who sought to ingratiate himself as a religious leader and gain influence and power. While there is a tendency to lump all Jews together in worshipping God, it is no more valid than believing all Middle Easterners are Jihaddists or all Americans are Christians. Barjesus’ religion was to to gain power.

“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.” (Acts 13:8)

Throughout history Satan has sough to gain control of others any way he could. Religion is one of the tools he has been able to use. If Elymas could also gain control of the deputy, he’d have far more power. On the other hand if they turned to God, he would lose his power, so he actively sought to prevent Sergius Paulus from hearing and believing. Unlike Simon, the sorcerer in Samaria, he actively tries to stop the spread of the gospel.

“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 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? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.” (Acts 13:9-11)

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul did not make a ringing attack on Elymas, just pointing out his sin and warning that he would be unable to see for a time. In modern times many attempt to do similar acts, but ignore the example Paul set here. II Peter 2 warns of false teachers who undertake to do such things in the flesh, having no understanding of spiritual power, or their own weakness.

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;” (II Peter 2:9-11).

Paul, being filled with the Holy spirit, spoke as the Holy Spirit directed, and with all the power of God behind him, and Elymas was temporarily blinded, making it clear that God’s power was greater than Satan’s. There was no need to destroy Elymas.

“Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.” (Acts 13:12)

II Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God would not kill Elymas at that time, choosing to give him opportunity to repent. It was the same thing he had done with Paul years before. Even though he actively tried to stop God’s message, God still cared about him. There is no indication that Paul and Barnabas spent much time in Paphos or won anyone else. The Holy Spirit had accomplished his purpose.

“Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.” (Acts 13:13)

While John Mark had a burden for the ministry, and had had a strong Christian upbringing, he had not yet been called, and was not prepared spiritually. As a result, he dropped out after a very short time. It is easy for us to send people on mission trips believing it will strengthen them, like Paul and Barnabas took Mark. It was not until many years later that Mark was actually called. Because he had quit, Paul would be opposed to taking him with them again, in Acts 15:38.

How many young people today are sent on mission trips unprepared and either get a false idea of missions, or are turned away because of the experience. I suspect that John Mark’s failure to stick it out may have been a factor in Paul’s writing II Timothy to instruct Timothy on what he needed to do to prepare himself before he went to work with Paul. He did not want to make the mistake of taking a spiritually weak assistant again. II Timothy is a guide as to what every Christian should be seeking in their life. Until he has those basics down, one is not prepared to take on ministry.