Atos 13

Atos 13

Ellicott comments that, having used his knowledge to guide others to his own advantage, Elymas now seeks for others to guide his own steps. This expositor also suggests that "the tense of the Greek verb—'he was seeking,' seems to imply that Elymas sought and did not find. He had no friends to help him and was left to his fate unpitied." Such blindness remained a terrible emblem of the blindness of his soul. The result of this miracle of judgment was the conversion of the deputy. Astonished as he looked upon blinded Elymas, he believed the doctrine of Christ which Paul preached. Disregarding the efforts of Elymas to pervert such teaching, Sergius became an avowed disciple of Christ. Had he put off his convictions, as Felix did, he would probably have been left to perish in his sins. But grace prevailed, and the physical blindness of one led to the spiritual sight of the other. For a lesson of the miracle, we turn to old Charles Simeon, who says: "Let those then who will not embrace the Gospel, beware how they labor to pervert the faith of others: if they must perish, they had better perish alone, than under the guilt of destroying the souls of others." (All the Miracles in the Bible) While some writers have questioned whether Sergius Paulus was truly converted because Luke makes no mention of his baptism, Longnecker responds that "ghe statement that Sergius Paulus believed can hardly be read with any less significance than Luke’s use of the same verb in Acts 14:1; Acts 17:34; and Acts 19:18, where baptism also goes unmentioned and yet where we may well assume that it was performed." (Expositor's Bible Commentary) Jack Arnold - Sergius Paulus had finally found the truth that set him free. He was overwhelmed with the fact that Christ died for sinners and rose from the dead to live His life again in every human being who has received Him as personal Lord and Savior. He also realized that the power of God's Spirit can conquer all Satanic opposition.... THOUGHT - Do you identify with Sergius Paulus? Are you seeking truth? Do you have position possessions and prestige, but no inward soul contentment, no peace of mind? If so, be like Sergius Paulus and give heed to Jesus Christ and His teachings. If God has revealed to you truth about Jesus Christ, act on that truth by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Act today on the truth of Jesus Christ. Tomorrow may be too late! (The Blessings, Burdens and Blunders of Missionaries) John