Wined and Dined

Acts 13:5-8

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

I had almost forgotten how much fun road trips could be. Well, to be fair it has rather been a sailing trip thus far. Either way, the apostles went from Seleucia to Cyprus with a brief stop at Salamis. So, they go from the who's who place in the ancient world to one of alliances and friendly help. Cyprus is known in Song of Solomon 1:17 by its' native trees and the help that their people offered to Solomon. In that time, they would have been closely allied with Lebanon to Israel's north but with ties to ancient Syria. It never ceases to amaze me how you can learn much of someone from what sort of things they produce. Such has been the case since the beginning of time. For I am afraid that your dislike of these things, will do little about the situation now. It is important to note that while these two were going, they stopped off at the place where the food and the wine ran freely. The port city of Salamis is found on the side nearest to modern day Italy. Its' chief export is salt. This also was a place known for servitude to the other empires around it. Hence, genetic studies of the area show a striking similarity between the Italian, Grecian, and Cyprian inhabitants. Now imagine the sailors of that day dropping in for a visit.

They would certainly have needed good food and wine from a local pub or two. Hence, from this port we get our modern-day word for pickled meats or salami. In the local tongue, salamis were considered the plural form for both sausages and salt. Nor were these lacking here by any stretch of the imagination. Now you see why some prayer and fasting took place beforehand. So also, were these two chosen for reasons exactly like this. I would imagine they needed some good old-fashioned Christian discipline just to get through it. But whoever said that God did not treat his people well. Here these traveling apostles are treated to the best friendships, food, and hospitality that money could buy of that day. My, look at the wages of God. Such wages are not unto the flesh; neither are they of the devil which said, 'let us break into the believers' houses, kill them, and plunder their stuff.' God has even given them a warm bed, good hot food, and a trusty boat in which to travel. See, God took them from a place of service to pass through one of abundance. But look, they did not lose themselves here as have some. They suffered neither shipwreck of the faith nor were they taken by these other temptations.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

It should be seen that these apostles along with John their minister went around the island. So, they traveled from synagogue to synagogue teaching the people. According to Paul's habit, they went not only to the church. Perhaps that is the matter with many missionary movements today. These only go where they are comfortable. But given everything, Paul goes even to seek and to save the lost like Christ in Luke 19:10. I could say it nicely and diagram it neatly. However, the mission and focus of the church has always been on the lost of his day until these were found. Never has he simply abandoned the lost and found to their fate; nor has he left them stuck in an endless cycle of servitude to others. See, at this time and place the apostles suddenly come upon John. He is neither lost nor is he found. Yet, he ministered to Saul and Barnabas for a testimony to these island people. For this cause have we become all things to all men.

Thus was John a minister unto them, but not an unkind one. Not content to stop at being served, the apostles continued to give their lives as "ransom for many." So did the Christ of Matthew 20:28 before them. Through the island they went. I am sure they found plenty of places in which to make their home. Yet not one of them appealed to them as we will later see. In Hebrews 13:23, Paul will later state that he will return to them all. So, he will with Timothy by his side. His choice for such a partner is clear. Timothy was one who had been bound for Jesus' name and yet became free. There is something appealing to Saul about his bonds; nor is it the sexual perversion that some of you have known. As we travel through the island there is seen a contrast between the bound and freed, the lost and found. On the opposite side of the island, the town of Paphos was furthest from those on the east. It was known for its Grecian architecture and coastal charms. It can be little wonder that here they meet with a notable sorcerer of that day. Much like the island, this man is several things all at once; yet he is just as mixed up and confused as the rest.

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

My friends, this is why it is so important that we know just where we are. Not only should we know for psychical, geographical, and historical reasons but also for spiritual ones. Now a certain sorcerer of the Jews works here who is as mixed up as any of the others. It is very likely that he is under the employ of another. Yet the one over his employ was likely to be one of some standing. We see that not only did he withstand the apostles, but he also had some influence over the countries' deputy. You need not look far to find such. This Jew has no conscience taking Jesus' name, knowing that his people had once so treated Christ. It is very probable he also felt some kinship to him and to Barrabas. To him they stood as political figures of that time. This would explain why he took the Holy name in vain here at this time. But it should also be seen that he worked through sorceries and by false prophecies. Like wind clouds without rain, so this man himself amounted to nothing. As his name, Elymas, suggests he felt himself to be sort of the man caught in the middle. We have Romans, Jews, Greeks, and now apostles come to town in a place rich with cultural heritage. It is almost like bringing the gospel to New Orleans in the middle of Mardi Gras. If you have not the Spirit on your side, such would end badly indeed. This is why Sergius Paulus is called prudent, or wise like Solomon. He did not ask to hear a sermon, an opinion, or even witness a miracle. He simply asked to "hear the Word of God." But how many of you know that the Word came with power. Just as it had the power to save a man, so it also could protect itself against all insults. This false prophet Elymas stood not a chance before God. The name Elymas means in Greek, God wise. If God held even this man's name, religion, and political identity in his hands, do you not think he could also turn this situation around. No matter what it looks like, this situation you are facing now is only temporary. It too will soon turn out for the salvation of all involved as we have seen before. For indeed, God specializes in such.