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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 13:1-13 — Paul starts his first missionary journey confronting Jewish mysticism

Apostle Sha’ul the Asked For becomes Paul the Rest-maker in his first missionary voyage, stopping in Cyprus. There he meets a truth-seeking official and a “truth”-peddling Jewish sorcerer. How could a Jew be involved in the occult, and where do we see such corruption of the truth today?

Apostle Sha’ul the Asked For becomes Paul the Rest-maker in his first missionary voyage, stopping in Cyprus. There he meets a truth-seeking official and a "truth"-peddling Jewish sorcerer. How could a Jew be involved in the occult, and where do we see such corruption of the truth today?

Food for thought from the recorded discussion

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Acts 13:1-12 map
The first leg of Paul’s first journey. (Accordance image)

Why would Paul start his mission at the synagogue? 

What does the name Paul mean? What does the name Saul mean?

Who was the false prophet Paul and Bar-Nabbas (Hebrew for "son of power") met?

What kind of man was proconsul Sergius Paulus? How do we know that he was seeking wisdom and knowledge?

How did the magi mix science and paganism? How would Jewish people have developed a knowledge of sorcery?

Who was Elymas, a.k.a Bar-Yeshua (Bar-Jesus)? How did he oppose the work of Paul and Barnabas? What faith was Elymas trying to turn Cyprus proconsul Sergius Paulus away from?

What does the Bible say about false prophets? How do false prophets act like wolves?

What is Gnosticism? Is there only one type of gnosticism? How did Zoroastrianism effect Eastern religions? Are there similarities between the worship of God and Zoroastrianism? What are the common teachings in Gnosticism? What were some of the consequences of this teaching? What does Kabbalah have in common with Gnosticism? 

How does Paul confront Elymas and convince the proconsul of who truly had knowledge and power? What is the lesson for us?

Reader: David De Fever. Speaker: Jeff.