September 1, 2024 - Acts 13:1-12

---

                                                                                                 September 1, 2024

Acts 13:1-12

Lessons Learned

by Wayne Gaeddert

1. Antioch was the 3rd largest city in the Roman empire.

2. Antioch is one of the places mentioned in Acts 11:19 to which believers from Jerusalem scattered when Stephen was martyred.

3. The leadership in the Antioch church listed in verse one is quite diverse.

4. Antioch was strategically located on both the east-west and north-south trade routes, making it a prosperous place.

5. In Acts chapters 13-28, Antioch is the center from which the gospel is sent to the ‘ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8 ESV).

6. New Testament prophets speak forth the word of God.

7. The Holy Spirit is the focus of all spiritual activity of the church in Acts.

8. Cyprus is where Barnabas was from. See Acts 4:36

9. Paul’s pattern of ministry was to go to the Jews first and then the Gentiles.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 ESV

10. Most Jews who lived outside Palestine had two first names, one Jewish and one Roman. Paul’s Jewish name was ‘Saul’.

11. Proconsul was a title that represented the highest-ranking official in a Roman senatorial province.

12. Spiritual blindness is worse than physical blindness.

13. Two unusual believers in verses 1 and 12, Manaen, the friend of Herod the Tetrarch, and Sergius Paulus the proconsul.

14. Application:

• The Holy Spirit calls and directs believers to participate in kingdom work.

• Satan will oppose efforts to make the gospel known, therefore, be prepared to stand firm by arming yourself with the spiritual armor listed in Ephesians 6:14-18:

  • Truth

  • Righteousness

  • The gospel of peace

  • Faith

  • Salvation

  • Prayer

• Strength to do kingdom work comes from the Holy Spirit.