Topical Bible: Faith: Sergius Paulus

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Topical Encyclopedia

Sergius Paulus is a notable figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Acts of the Apostles. He was a Roman proconsul of Cyprus during the first missionary journey of the Apostle Paul and Barnabas. His encounter with the Christian faith is a significant event that highlights the spread of the Gospel to Gentile territories and the power of the Holy Spirit in overcoming opposition.

Biblical Account

The account of Sergius Paulus is found in Acts 13:4-12. Paul and Barnabas, sent out by the Holy Spirit, traveled to Cyprus and proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They eventually reached Paphos, where they encountered Sergius Paulus, described as "an intelligent man" (Acts 13:7). The proconsul summoned Paul and Barnabas because he desired to hear the word of God.

However, Sergius Paulus's interest in the Gospel was met with opposition from Elymas the sorcerer, also known as Bar-Jesus, who sought to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted Elymas, saying, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:10). Paul then pronounced a temporary blindness upon Elymas, which immediately came to pass.

Witnessing this miraculous event, Sergius Paulus was astonished at the teaching about the Lord and believed (Acts 13:12). His conversion is significant as it marks one of the first recorded instances of a Roman official embracing the Christian faith, demonstrating the Gospel's reach beyond Jewish communities.

Historical and Cultural Context

Sergius Paulus's position as a proconsul indicates that he was a high-ranking official in the Roman government, responsible for the administration of Cyprus. The title "proconsul" was given to governors of senatorial provinces, and such individuals wielded considerable authority and influence. His conversion is noteworthy, as it suggests that the early Christian message was compelling enough to attract individuals from diverse and influential backgrounds.

The presence of Elymas the sorcerer highlights the spiritual and religious diversity of the time, where various beliefs and practices coexisted. The confrontation between Paul and Elymas underscores the early Church's struggle against false teachings and the power of the Holy Spirit to affirm the truth of the Gospel.

Theological Significance

The conversion of Sergius Paulus serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit in breaking down barriers to faith. It illustrates the fulfillment of Jesus' command to be witnesses "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8), as the message of salvation reaches a Roman official in a Gentile land.

Sergius Paulus's faith also exemplifies the theme of divine authority over earthly powers. Despite his high status, he humbly received the Gospel, demonstrating that the message of Christ transcends social and political boundaries. His belief in the face of opposition from Elymas further highlights the triumph of truth over deception and the victory of light over darkness.

In summary, Sergius Paulus's encounter with the Christian faith is a pivotal moment in the early Church's mission, showcasing the Gospel's universal appeal and the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and empowering believers to overcome challenges in their witness to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 13:12
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

To the Regions Beyond
... It is not Sergius Paulus, pro-consul though he was, who is the central figure of ...
he knew to be fraud, and should be recreant to his ancestral faith, proved him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/to the regions beyond.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... Bar-Jesus: which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent ...
interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.". ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

Melito and the Circumstances which He Records.
... endeavored to perform the task, knowing thy zeal for the faith, and thy ... Rufinus reads
Sergius Paulus, instead of Servilius Paulus, which is found in all the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxvi melito and the circumstances.htm

Paul
... As Sergius Paulus Proconsul of Cyprus was the first to believe on his preaching,
he took his name from him because he had subdued him to faith in Christ, and ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter v paul.htm

He Shows by the Example of victorinus that There is More Joy in ...
... trophy out of the first spoils won by the Church, the proconsul Sergius Paulus,
and set ... to Elymas when he would have turned the deputy from the faith, O full ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv he shows by the.htm

Acts XIII
... this Bar-Jesus very naturally gained the confidence of even the prudent Sergius
Paulus. ... withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

Acts xiii. 4, 5
... name was Bar-jesus: which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a
prudent man ... withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith." (v.6 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii acts xiii 4.htm

Professions of Some Kinds Allied to Idolatry. Of Astrology in ...
... imposition of hands) was cursed by the apostles, and ejected from the faith. [217]
Both he and that other magician, who was with Sergius Paulus, (since he ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter ix professions of some kinds.htm

Julian the Apostate.
... beside men-servants and maid-servants,' Cornelius, a Roman centurion at C??sarea,
and Sergius Paulus, Proconsul of Cyprus, were converted to the faith of Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/julian the apostate.htm

The Cripple at Lystra
... That "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God," is a great and ... But
here is a polished governor, Sergius Paulus, sitting upon the judgment-seat. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the cripple at lystra.htm