1. An obedient church (12:25-13:3)

Barnabas and Saul finished their mission (11:30) and returned to Antioch. They took Barnabas' cousin, John Mark, with them. Then, while the godly leaders in Antioch were worshiping God and praying, the Holy Spirit directed them to send out missionaries. So, they commissioned and sent out Barnabas and Saul, their best Bible teachers, to challenge the stronghold of Satan on the front line of world mission.

2. To Cyprus (4-12)

Barnabas and Saul sailed to Cyprus, taking John Mark as their assistant. Barnabas was the team leader. They traveled throughout the island, preaching in synagogues, until they arrived in Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer named Elymas. He worked for Sergius Paulus, the proconsul. The proconsul wanted to hear the word of God, so he sent for them. When Elymas tried to block their Bible study, Saul rebuked him strongly. The Lord struck Elymas blind. That was enough for the proconsul--he became a believer. Saul became Paul.

Application: Lord, give me faith and courage to challenge even the strongholds of Satan.
One Word: God's word is powerful