A Long Journey Across Cyprus
Imagine walking 90 miles (145 kilometers) without cars, buses, or trains! That's exactly what Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark did as they traveled across the southern coast of the island of Cyprus. Along the way, they stopped in towns and villages to teach in local synagogues about Yeshua, the promised Messiah. Their journey ended in the city of Paphos, where they met a Jewish magician and false prophet named Elymas, also called Bar-Jesus. Elymas worked for the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, and tried to stop him from believing the good news.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul boldly rebuked Elymas, calling him a "son of the devil" because he was opposing God's work (Acts 13:10). Elymas was struck with temporary blindness, and when Sergius Paulus saw what had happened, he believed in the Messiah.
A City of Influence
Paphos was one of the most important cities on the island of Cyprus. It was the Roman capital, a busy seaport, and the home of the Roman governor, Sergius Paulus. Ships from across the Mediterranean arrived there carrying people, goods, and ideas. The city was also famous for its magnificent temple dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, whom the Romans called Venus. Thousands of visitors traveled to Paphos each year to worship there, making it an important center of pagan religion.
Sharing the Message of the Messiah
Paul had a clear strategy wherever he traveled. He began by teaching in the local synagogues, where Israelites living throughout Asia Minor gathered alongside God-fearers and others who worshiped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and respected the Torah.
Using the Scriptures, Paul showed that Yeshua was the promised Messiah. Many people believed his message and eagerly shared it with their families, friends, and neighboring communities. As new congregations formed, they helped spread the good news throughout Asia Minor. In this way, ordinary believers became an important part of God's plan to share the message of the Messiah with thousands of people.
What role do you think the followers of Messiah played in helping Paul teach the message of Messiah throughout Asia Minor?
