THE NAZAREAN MINISTRY OF YAHSHUA
Presents: Acts 13 (NKJV)
With evangelists Steve Marlowe
Noah Castaneda & David Baker
Acts 13:1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Commentary: Here the apostle Paul is still called Saul, he was known as “Saul of Tarsus.” He was born around circa 5 C.E.. He was converted to be a minister for YAHSHUA on the road to Damascus around circa 46 C.E., and he died sometime after 64 C.E., no later than 68 C.E.. In Acts 12:25, we learn Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark were all at the church in Antioch, having returned from delivering a gift of support to the church in Jerusalem. According to Acts 11:19–26, the Christian community at Antioch began when the Nazareans, or Followers of the Way, who were scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution, namely after the murder of Stephen, a deacon at the church in Jerusalem, and many fled to Antioch. Also James the son of Zebedee suffered martyrdom in Jerusalem around 44 C.E. Those that fled Jerusalem were also joined by “Followers of the Way” from Cyprus and Cyrene who migrated to Antioch. It was in Antioch that the followers of YAHSHUA were first referred to as Christians (Acts 11:26). Barnabas was originally from Cyprus, and John Mark was most likely born in Bethsaida, Galilee, as the apostle Peter was a Jewish fisherman from Bethsaida (John 1:44). He was named Simon, the son of Jonah. John Mark, often just called Mark, is the author of the Gospel of Mark. He was a believer in the early church mentioned directly only in the book of Acts. John Mark is first mentioned as the son of a woman named Mary (Acts 12:12), whose house in Jerusalem was being used as a place for believers to gather and pray weather this was also the house where the apostle Peter also lived is not clear, however, it is likely he did live there. After miraculously released from prison in Jerusalem, he went to this house, but he did not stay there for fear of more persecution, not to mention putting the lives of those who lived there in danger. A few years later in Antioch, Mark is mentioned as a companion of Barnabas and Paul during their travels together (Acts 12:25). John Mark was also Barnabas’ cousin (Colossians 4:10). He may have been the mysterious young man, as told in his “The Gospel According to Mark,” as it reads, “Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked (Mark 14:51-52). What is the significance of this reference to a young man, who ran away naked? Its significance obviously lies with the author Mark, who most likely was that young man. There is the suspicion that John Mark, whose mother’s name is Mary, was the actual son of Peter the apostle. The apostle Peter acknowledges Mark as his son, and unlike Paul, Peter, a married man, is not on record to have called anyone else his son in the New Testament. The strong indication that Peter’s wife is called Mary and that Mark is his actual son is found in his first Epistle. The apostle Peter in his First Epistle writes:
A Farewell and Shalom:
“By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Shalom to you all who are in the Messiah YAHSHUA. Amen” (1Peter 5:12-14).
“The reference to ‘she’, who is in Babylon, elect together with you...” Clearly is a reference to his wife in the city of Rome, as Babylon was code for Rome. He is speaking of his wife and son, who is none other than John Mark. The Gospel according to Mark was believed to have been written in the city of Rome, in collaboration with the apostle Peter. This is not an apparent indication of, or reference to, a “spiritual father,” as the apostle Paul was oft to do, but rather acknowledging and greeting from his, Peter’s, actual family, namely his wife and son.
Clearly Lucius is from Cyrene, a Roman Province. Cyrene is in North Africa where modern day Libya is today, and the population was made up of mostly people of Semitic, Roman, and Greek descent. The ancient Greek city of Antioch is located in present-day Antakya, Turkey. “Simeon who was called Niger, is surrounded by speculations. “The nickname Niger is interpreted by some to mean "black", referring to a dark complexion or African descent, since niger is the Latin word for black” (Kistemaker, Simon J.,1990, Acts, Baker Book House. p. 454). However, Simeon does not necessarily reflect the person’s skin color, any more than Jack Black’s name indicates he is of Black African descent. Some commentators identify Simeon as the same person as Simon of Cyrene, and Simon's son Rufus as the same person as Rufus named in Romans 16. Simon was believed to be the same man compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of YAHSHUA of Nazareth as YAHSHUA was taken to his crucifixion, according to all three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
“Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross” (Matthew 27:32).
He was also the father of the disciples Rufus and Alexander. Their city, Cyrene was at that time a Roman city near present-day Shahhat, Libya. It was the oldest and most important of the five Greek cities, known as the pentapolis, in the region. It gave eastern Libya the classical name Cyrenaica, as that was the name of the Roman Province, and that it has retained to modern times.
On the subject of spiritual father and spiritual son, as pertaining to Matthew 23
,where YAHSHUAforbids the use of the titlefatheras a sign of superiority.The Lord said,“Do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven” (verse 9). In that same context,YAHSHUAalso forbids the titlesrabbi(“teacher”) andinstructor(“master” or “leader”). John MacArthur comments: “Here Jesus(MacArthur unfortunately uses the counterfeit name Jesus)condemns pride and pretense, not titles per se... Christ is merely forbidding the use of such names as spiritual titles, or in an ostentatious sense that accords undue spiritual authority to a human being, as if he were the source of truth rather than God” (The MacArthur Study Bible).The Nazarean Ministry of YAHSHUA is dedicated to only teach the Bible as it is; therefore, everything we teach is according to the teaching of our Lord and Savior YAHSHUA, the true name of the Lord, that unfortunately most know asJesus,a counterfeit name! TheGospel of Markin particular was traditionally thought to show the influence of Peter's preaching and eyewitness memories. He is also mentioned, under either the name Peter or Cephas, inPaul'sFirst Letter to the Corinthiansand theEpistle to the Galatians.
Group discussion
Preaching in Cyprus
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 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.
6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Yeshua, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him, 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Commentary: Seleucia is a sea port on the Mediterranean Sea, and Cyprus is an Island. Salamis is a port city on the Island of Cypress were Saul, Barnabas, and John Mark disembark. They start to preach in a synagogue with seemingly little confrontation, however, there was this sorcerer, who was also Jewish, and went by the name of Bar-Yeshua. Jesus is not a name to be found in the 1st century C.E., as this name will not exist until the 17th century C.E.. Therefore, this Jewish Sorcerer’s name is Bar-Yeshua. Yeshua is a common Aramaic name in the 1st century. The island of Cyprus was in the Roman Empire, and Sergius Paulus was proconsul, or Governor. He is cited here as an intelligent man. Bar-Yeshua challenges the Missionaries of YAHSHUA, and Saul, now called Paul, pronounced him to be blind by the hand of the Lord. With Bar-Yeshua blinded, this caused the proconsul Sergius Paulus to believe. The Proconsul calls for Paul and Barnabas to hear more of the Gospel. Bar-Yeshua’s name in Greek is Elymas, and he withstood them, so Paul by the power of the Lord made Elymas blindness more permanent. This caused Proconsul Paulus to believe.
Group discussion
At Antioch in Pisidia
13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.
20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—YAHSHUA—24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up YAHSHUA. As it is also written in the second Psalm:
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
41 ‘Behold, you despisers, marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’”
Commentary: The apostle Paul is leading the Followers of the Way, as can be noted in verse 13, “Paul and his party set sail from Paphos...” Here it is noted that John Mark departs at this time from them, and returned to Jerusalem. The way it is written here, indicates that John Mark left on his own volition, as stated, “departing from them.” This could be the time that the apostle Paul was perceiving him to be unreliable, even cowardly. This event may have led to the later division between Paul and Barnabas, as it were over Barnabas’ cousin John Mark, the one who would one day write the Gospel According to Mark. John Mark would want to go with them again perhaps to prove himself as worthy, but Paul refused him, however, Barnabas argued in John Mark’s favor. This would cause a divide between Paul and Barnabas that would never be mended. But that would happen at a later time. Presently, they, Paul and Barnabas sail to Antioch, and as usual, they went to the synagogue. After the reading of the Law, the apostles are given a chance to speak to the congregation, ostensibly to give exhortation for the people, as asked; but Paul tells them of the history of Israel leading to king David, and as stated in verse 23, who from David’s seed, according to the promise, and I might add according to prophecy, a Man, who is raised up for Israel as Savior. Paul tells them the name of the Savior is YAHSHUA. We say, “Halleluyah,” which means “Praise YAH!” YAH, (I AM) is the name which is above every name, for Paul heard this name on the road to Damascus from the Lord Himself. As “there is no other name” according to the testimony of the apostle Peter, and so Paul would not give testimony to any other name, but the name he heard, “YAHSHUA.” And Paul also wrote in his epistle to the Philippians, and keep in mind, he did not say Jesus, as this counterfeit name did not come into existence not until the 17th century. Paul originally wrote, as translated here in English: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of YAHSHUA every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that YAHSHUA the Messiah is LORD, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11). Remember, Paul is speaking to Jews, who spoke Hebrew, maybe not in the streets, but certainly in the synagogue, therefore, since Paul never knew the name of Jesus, he spoke the name that has the name which is above every name. The very name with the meaning “YAH Saves!” He then reminds them of John the Baptist when he asked, “Who do you think I am?” And it is John who tells them to look to someone coming. Paul, speaking of YAHSHUA, that they did not know Him. And yet they fulfilled, unwittingly, all the prophecy about Him, however, God raised Him from the dead. He was seen for many days. And Paul essentially told them, that there are many witnesses. It is also written in the second Psalm, where the Father says, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” YAHSHUA was with the Father in all glory, but He came to the Earth as the only begotten Son of God. YAHSHUA became the Only Begotten Son upon His birth on earth, as there has never been a Son of God born on earth, as Adam, son of God (Luke 3:38), he was created not born a son of God. He, YAHSHUA, is the Son of promise according to the word of God, as given to the prophets. The Son of God, YAHSHUA, would not see corruption in the grave like David. Now, through YAHSHUA, we are justified where no law could justify us. But to the scoffers, those who despise the gift of God, to them He says:
“‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you’” (Habakkuk 1:5).
Discussion
Blessing and Conflict at Antioch
42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
“‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation
to the ends of the earth’” (based on Isaiah 49:6).
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Commentary: Within most every synagogue, there were Gentiles, who were known as “God fearers,” and in verse 42, we note that it was the Gentiles who begged that the apostles preach to them next Sabbath. Upon the next Sabbath the whole city came to hear the word of God, however, the Jews, once sympathetic were now envious over the crowd listening to Paul and Barnabas. They began to argue with them. Finally, Paul and Barnabas tell the Jews, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” The reaction of the Jews was to make sure to expel them from their region.
Now May The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you Shalom.
On behalf of myself, Steve Marlowe, Noah Castaneda, and David Baker:
May the Lord YAH bless you, from the Nazarean Ministry of YAHSHUA. Amen!
