30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
02 Acts 13 04-12 THE MINISTRY IN CYPRUS 04 Acts 13 05 The ministry of the word
📖 Acts 13:04-12
04 – Tue, 01 Apr 2025 – *The ministry of the word* - _Acts 13:04-12_ – THE MINISTRY IN CYPRUS –
_Acts 13:5 And when they arrived in Salamis, *they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews*. They also had John as their assistant._
Barnabas and Paul were now in Cyprus, and their first place for ministry was in Salamis.
Though Barnabas led the team at this stage of the ministry, we can see how quickly the leadership was shifting into Paul's hands. They began their ministry in the synagogues of the Jews—we must note the plural. Salamis was a thriving multi-cultural hub. The Lord was laying the foundation for the church's growth by beginning the ministry in Salamis.
Barnabas, being a native of Cyprus, likely had a personal connection to the region, which might have influenced their decision to start their mission there. It's fascinating to think about how the ancient city of Salamis served as a launching pad for a mission that would shape the course of Christianity for the whole world.
Paul was the natural leader as they shared the Gospel in the synagogues of the Jews. We see that throughout Paul’s ministry, he followed this strategy. _Acts 17:1-3 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. (2) Then *Paul, as his custom was*, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths *reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (3) explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."*_
This was Paul’s peculiar methodology in sharing the Gospel. Each of us must come to grips with what method best suits us in presenting Christ to our people. We are all different, and we have unique ways and gifts. As we trust the Holy Spirit, He will lead us to use our natural style in presenting the Gospel to our generation.
We have many seminars and training programmes to teach us various methods of sharing the Gospel. There is no harm in learning these techniques, but it is important to be natural, organic and harmonious with the circumstances in presenting Christ. It is important not to be contrived and artificial, for this will put people off.
This is where we need to be dependent on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in sharing the Gospel with different target groups.
As Paul followed this practice of sharing the Gospel, he invariably came across situations where the audience was not only Jews, but there were Gentiles as well in the group.
_Acts 14:1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that *a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed*._
_Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and *persuaded both Jews and Greeks*._
The Gospel was reaching both Jews and Gentiles. This is the vital lesson that we must learn as we look at how Barnabas and Paul began the ministry in Salamis. The Lord is reconciling all people, both Jews and Gentiles, to Himself through the cross. This is the message of the cross.
_Ephesians 2:14-16 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (15) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (16) and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity._
_Galatians 3:26-28 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) *There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus*._
Consider friends, how vital and critical the message of Jesus is to a world that is plunged into divisions, war and suffering. Surely, we will not be able to share this message with our world if we are not experiencing the effect of the Gospel in the life of the church.
_...they preached the word of God in the synagogues…_ Our message is always God’s word. We must learn to wait on the Lord to receive His word, which we then share with our audiences.
_Habakkuk 2:1-2 I will stand my watch And *set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected*. (2) Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it._
Friend, are you taking time to listen to God and ask Him to share with you the message that He has to speak through you to your audience? Often, we do not wait to receive His word. We assume and presume that we know the message of God. It is a discipline that we must put into place in our lives to wait and hear His word.
_I Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen._