Having grown up in the midwestern United States, where many of the individual states are “mid-sized”, I was a little surprised one time when driving through the northwestern U.S. on a business trip. It seemed that I had only just entered the state of Massachusetts, when I was notified that I was leaving it. In the narrower section of that state (measured north-south), this distance is less than 50 miles (80 km), which might be the distance between major towns in certain parts of my home state (Illinois).
Continuing from the previous article in Acts 13, we begin to see where the Holy Spirit is sending Paul and Barnabas.
The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
Acts 13:4-5 NIV
Some geography, here:
- Selucia is a port city on the west side of the Mediterranean Sea, which is a practical place to embark on a sea voyage from Antioch of Syria. It is described as “The seaport of Antioch from which it is 16 miles distant.” [Bible Map: Seleucia (bibleatlas.org)]
- Salamis is a port city on the east side of the island of Cyprus, which itself is in the northeast corner of the east end of the Mediterranean Sea. [Bible Map: Salamis (bibleatlas.org)]
So, this is a straightforward sea journey between ports that face each other in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Lookout reminds us that Barnabas was from Cyprus (see Acts 4:36-37), so he may have been able to offer some local advice. Maybe he even invited some of his friends and family members to hear the gospel. Remember, God doesn’t always call upon us to witness to only strangers. Those who are closest to us, but don’t yet know the good news about Jesus Christ: they need the gospel, too!
A couple of quick side points: Paul, known as an evangelist to Gentiles, here visits Jewish synagogues. Also, the guy named John mentioned here is apparently John Mark [per the Lookout, Reese, and Gaertner], who shows up in various travels of Paul and Barnabas. John Mark is also mentioned in Acts 12:12, in the chapter prior to the text above.
Then, in verses 6-12, it confirms that the group traversed “through the whole island” (see verse 6), since Paphos – another city that they reached – is on the west side of the island Cyprus, on the opposite side from where they had landed. This is maybe 90-100 miles (150-160 km) in a straight line (per estimates in Gaertner and Reese), but I wouldn’t be surprised if the evangelistic group moved from city to city as they were guided by the Holy Spirit.
While you and I might not be called to traverse a whole island (or even a while state) while teaching people about God’s plan for their lives (including salvation), we can make ourselves available when called by the Holy Spirit to serve, speak, teach, or testify in Jesus’ name about Jesus Himself, wherever and whenever He leads. Let’s be willing to move out of our “home port” when God calls upon us to do so.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for November 12, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, November 12, 2023, © 2023 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- New Testament History: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Acts, by Gareth L. Reese. © 1976, College Press Publishing Company.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Acts, by Dennis Gaertner. © 1993 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 
“[W]e can make ourselves available when called by the Holy Spirit to serve, speak, teach, or testify in Jesus’ name about Jesus Himself”
This reminds me of 1 Peter 3:15 where it says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
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Thank you for the good reminder. Preparation and availability go hand-in-hand
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