The Pilgrim Path---Acts 13: 4 – 12

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the LORD?” And now, behold, the hand of the LORD is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the LORD.

“SENT OUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT…”

A false teacher is “on the scene” as the messengers of truth arrive (Barnabas, Paul, and John). It will be this way till the Living Christ comes back again. Bar-Jesus is peddling his error as a magician (Elymas). His was a Jew. He knew the Law of God denounced his, “ways of darkness.” He did not care. He had money---and power over others to consider. Not much has changed. We find in Bar-Jesus some of the same characteristics that have “marked” aggressive opponents of the Gospel for centuries: (1) they are sons of the devil---the seed of the serpent has NO love for the seed of the woman. We must expect battle when they meet. (2) enemies of righteousness---the path they choose is that which the LORD God Almighty reveals his wrath against in Romans 1: 18 – 32. (3) decidedly deceitful---truth is something they are allergic to within virtually every sphere of human endeavor. They go to scheming and manipulation in a scary and quick manner. (4) villainy suits them---whatever they must do to accomplish their ends---they will do. (5) the straight paths of the LORD---they will “twist” to make them---eventually unrecognizable! Watch out for “All” the disciples of Elymas---they are enemies of the Truth of God! As Spurgeon used to say, “error will circle the globe---before Truth gets its boots on!”

Do not be discouraged in the face of error. Truth will eventually prevail. Pray for hearers. Be as clear as possible when you have an opportunity to convey the truth. Pray and press on. The LORD will deal with false teachers---and HE will bring people like Sergius Paulus into the Kingdom.

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: Come, then, and candidly study what is to be believed. IF you desire to know GOD, you Shall Know HIM. The Great Father is not far from any one of you…

From Simon Kistemaker: Paul could not be more explicit in his denunciations. According to him, Elymas practiced deceit and wickedness to the highest degree. Paul continued and thundered, “You enemy of all righteousness.” He regarded Elymas as a servant of Satan and therefore as an enemy. What kind of enemy was Elymas? This false prophet had set himself against everything that was right, just, and true. Elymas was actively and persistently preventing “the right ways of the LORD.” From the Old Testament Scriptures, Elymas knew that God’s ways are perfect, right, and just. But he relentlessly opposed the teachings of the LORD…Note, first, that not Paul but the LORD punished Elymas for his blatant opposition to the teaching of the gospel. With his hand, the LORD set limits (Judges 2: 15; I Sam. 12: 15). Next, the LORD extended his grace and mercy to Elymas by telling him that his punishment would be only temporary. And third, God afflicted Elymas with the scourge of blindness, and thus caused him to live in confinement. Paul could relate to this condition; in his state of physical blindness, his spiritual blindness was removed so that he was able to understand God’s purposes (Acts 9: 8 – 18).

HYMN

What kind of man can live in the world where God lives?

One who in action is right and whose conduct is blameless;

One who can speak the truth in his heart at all times;

One who obeys all that God in his love has taught us.

What kind of man can speak in the world where God speaks?

One who can say what is true but avoid speaking slander;

One who will work the good of his friends and neighbors;

One who supports men of God in contempt of evil.

What kind of man can rule in the world where God rules?

One who will swear to his hurt but abide by his promise;

One who will use his wealth to relieve the needy;

He who accomplishes this is secure forever.

Jonathan Barnes, 1973

Grace and peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason