Study Desk

Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king's country for food.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.

Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: "Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak."

He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness.

Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them forty years under Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin.

And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.

and for many days He appeared to those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people.

He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.'

For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. His body was buried with his fathers and saw decay.

'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish; for I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'"

For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. And the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

From Attalia they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had just completed.

He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.