Acts13:13

Acts 13:13 says, Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.  Paul and his company departed Paphos. Notice until this point it had been Barnabas and Saul (Paul).  Now, it was Paul and his company.  We aren't given any explanation as to why this change occurred, but it would seem that Barnabas was now in a secondary position to Paul.  What kind of problems could occur in the church today if someone who had been the leader suddenly found themself in a secondary role?  Since usually the pastor moves to another church when replaced, it would likely be a deacon, Sunday school teacher or some other position in the church.  There is no evidence that Barnabas was jealous or upset, but for some reason John departed from them when they came to Perga in Pamphylia, and he returned to Jerusalem.  We aren't told why, but there was a split.  What we must realize is that serving God is not about position, but about obedience.  We know Paul had a miraculous call, but he also was left dependent on others for a period of time, so it may be that at this point he had finally grown in faith enough to be a leader of others.  We should never take on a position of service to God unless we have been called to that position, and even when called, we must grow in faith to fulfill that call.  Yes, if God calls us, He will equip us, but it still requires us to grow in the faith of that call.  As we serve God in any position, we should, through faith in God and what He wants us to do, continue to be more effective.  I believe that Saul, until he grew in faith to be Paul, was not ready to lead others, but now he was fully doing what God called him to do, and Barnabas continued to go with him.  I don't believe Paul suddenly said he would be the leader.  I think God led the group to that position.  There may have been no thought given to the change, other than John leaving, but the fact remains that often there is.  The only position we need to think about is our position of service to God.  Verse fourteen adds, But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.  After Perga, Paul and Barnabas went to Antioch, where they went on the Sabbath Day and sat down to worship.  They did not just assert their right to share the gospel with the people there but sat down to join them.  I believe that we should always meet people as equals and not with an attitude of moral superiority.  Verse fifteen continues, And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.  After the reading of the law and the prophets, the part of the scripture that they had then, they asked Paul and Barnabas if they had any word of exhortation for the people there.  We should always make sure that the Bible is the source of anything we teach in the church today. Verse sixteen concludes, Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.  When Paul and Barnabas were asked if they had a word of exhortation, Paul was ready. Since he was speaking to Jews, he started at a point that he knew they would understand.    

In Acts 13:13, we are told Paul and his company departed Paphos.  Notice until this point it had been Barnabas and Saul (Paul).  Now, it was Paul and his company.  We aren't given any explanation as to why this change occurred, but it would seem that Barnabas was now in a secondary position to Paul.  What kind of problems could occur in the church today if someone who had been the leader suddenly found themself in a secondary role?  Since usually the pastor moves to another church when replaced, it would likely be a deacon, Sunday school teacher or some other position in the church.  There is no evidence that Barnabas was jealous or upset, but for some reason John departed from them when they came to Perga in Pamphylia, and he returned to Jerusalem.  We aren't told why, but there was a split.  What we must realize is that serving God is not about position, but about obedience.  We know Paul had a miraculous call, but he also was left dependent on others for a period of time, so it may be that at this point he had finally grown in faith enough to be a leader of others.  We should never take on a position of service to God unless we have been called to that position, and even when called, we must grow in faith to fulfill that call.  Yes, if God calls me He will equip me, but it still requires me to grow in the faith of that call.  As we serve God in any position, we should, through faith in God and what He wants us to do, continue to be more effective.  I believe that Saul, until he grew in faith to be Paul, was not ready to lead others, but now he was fully doing what God called him to do, and Barnabas continued to go with him.  I don't believe Paul suddenly said he would be the leader.  I think God led the group to that position.  There may have been no thought given to the change, other than John leaving, but the fact remains that often there is.  The only position we need to think about is our position of service to God.