The Movement Reaches

Acts 12-13

Recap:

We've now returned to the Book of Acts, after a three month break. In chapters 1-9, the focus was the movement of the Holy Spirit in the life of the early church. We saw the people of God receive the Holy Spirit; they prayed in the Spirit, were made bold by the Spirit, were gifted and appointed to serve in the power of the Spirit, and so much more. So far, in chapters 10-12, the narrative has mostly been focused on Peter - his meeting with Cornelius the centurion, and his escape from prison.

• What stood out to you about Peter's stories in chapters 10-12?

The rest of the Book of Acts follows Paul on his missionary journeys around the north-east Mediterranean. We've already met Barnabas and Paul (Saul) at the church in Antioch in 11:19-30. At the end of that chapter, they were commissioned to take financial aid to the church in Jerusalem. Now we see them again on their return to Antioch.

Read Acts 12:25-13:5

Sometimes there are lists of names given in scripture which we skip over. Take a moment to consider these five men:

• Barnabas (we know from Acts 4:36 that his real name was Joseph, that he was a levite, that is from a priestly family line, but also he was brought up in Cyprus, a large island off the coast of Israel)

• Simeon called Niger (Niger was a nickname, likely given to him because he was a black African. He might also have been the same Simeon who carried the cross of Jesus in Luke 23:26)

• Lucius of Cyrene (Lucius is a Greek name, and Cyrene is in Libya, North Africa. Some have wondered if this Lucius is the same Luke who is writing this book, but it doesn't seem likely)

• Manaen (he had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and was therefore probably the son of an aristocrat)

• Saul (who was originally a Pharisee and persecuter of the church)

• What does it say about the church in Antioch that these were the key leaders, the teachers and prophets, in their church?

• What is the role of worshipping, fasting and prayer in these verses?

  • What is the role of worshipping, fasting and prayer in your own experience of the Spirit?

  • Have you ever experienced something like this, where you've sensed or heard something from the Spirit? What happened?

Read Acts 13:6-12

This is the first of many visits to towns and cities throughout the north-east Mediterranean.

• What do you notice about Saul and Barnabas's method? What steps did they take to share the Good News about Jesus?

• What do you think interested Sergius Paulus?

• What do you motivated Bar-Jesus (aka Elymas) to oppose Barnabas and Saul?

  • Why do you think Saul said what he said to him?

  • How do you think he knew that he would be blinded?

• Do you think there is any significance here in the fact that Saul's own conversion experience included being blinded, and that from this time on he began using the name Paul?

• Is there anything about this story that is instructive to us as we seek to share Jesus with the world around us?

  • Who are the Sergius Paulus's in your circles? What could you say or do to respond to their openness and interest?

• Spend some time praying together for people in your life who are open to hearing about Jesus.

• Pray as well for the guiding of the Holy Spirit. You might want to pray:

  • for insight and wisdom of where you should go

  • for inspiration on what your should say or do

  • for open doors, that the Spirit would prepare the way for you

  • for the courage you'll need when the moment comes