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GOD’S WORD IN DEMONSTRATION

Act 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the
doctrine of the Lord.

This man not only hears the doctrines and teachings of Paul, he sees the wonders that
accompany the Word. Again, this is the purpose of miracles and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
This deputy believes in Jesus and is born again.

PAUL PREACHES IN ANTIOCH (13-42)

From Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas travel to Antioch and John (Mark) returns to Jerusalem. When
they arrive at Pisidia, they enter the synagogue on the Sabbath. Because they are visitors, they

are invited to speak and Paul accepts. He begins by giving a brief history of the Jews, and like
Stephen, he will use Jewish history to reveal that Jesus Christ is the God of Israel.

THE JOURNEY

Verse 13 begins the second half of their missionary journey. The first half of their journey is to
the island of Cyprus. This is probably the suggestion of Barnabas since he came from Cyprus
(4:36).

The second half of their journey is a return to the mainland, to Pamphylia.

PERGA

Act 13:13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in
Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

Now when Paul and his company loosed (set sail) from Paphos, they came to Pergola in
Pamphylia (modern-day Turkey): and John (Mark) departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

Perga in Pamphylia is a very ancient city where pirates and bandits lived for over four hundred
years. The rocky coastline make good hangouts for these men, and no one traveled into this
region unless accompanied by armed guards. The terrain further inland was mountainous,

which also make good natural protection against military forces attempting to flush out these
criminals.

The area was cleaned up by Rome approximately one hundred years later when Hannibal was
defeated by Rome. Alexander the Great said the greatest opposition and fiercest fighting he
had ever encountered was in Pamphylia. Paul also refers to this place in his account of trials he
suffered recorded in 2 Corinthians 11:26.