Acts 13:1-12.

Acts 13:1-12

Barnabas and Saul Are Chosen and Sent

The church at Antioch had several prophets and teachers. They were
Barnabas, Simeon, also called Niger, Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen, who
was Herod's close friend, and Saul. While they were worshiping the
Lord and going without eating, the Holy Spirit told them, "Appoint
Barnabas and Saul to do the work for which I have chosen them."
Everyone prayed and went without eating for a while longer. Next, they
placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul to show that they had been
appointed to do this work. Then everyone sent them on their way.

Barnabas and Saul in Cyprus

After Barnabas and Saul had been sent by the Holy Spirit, they went to
Seleucia. From there they sailed to the island of Cyprus. They
arrived at Salamis and began to preach God's message in the Jewish
meeting places. They also had John as a helper.

Barnabas and Saul went all the way to the city of Paphos on the other
end of the island, where they met a Jewish man named Bar-Jesus. He
practiced witchcraft and was a false prophet. He also worked for
Sergius Paulus, who was very smart and was the governor of the island.
Sergius Paulus wanted to hear God's message, and he sent for Barnabas
and Saul. But Bar-Jesus, whose other name was Elymas, was against
them. He even tried to keep the governor from having faith in the
Lord.

Then Saul, better known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit. He
looked straight at Elymas and said, "You son of the devil! You are a
liar, a crook, and an enemy of everything that is right. When will you
stop speaking against the true ways of the Lord? The Lord is going to
punish you by making you completely blind for a while."

Suddenly the man's eyes were covered by a dark mist, and he went
around trying to get someone to lead him by the hand. When the
governor saw what had happened, he was amazed at this teaching about
the Lord. So he put his faith in the Lord."

Father God, forgive my sins. Thank you for sending Jesus Christ down
to die on the cross and for shedding his blood for me. Three days
later you resurrected him. I accept that. I invite Jesus Christ into
my heart as my Lord savior. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

God bless you.