This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Acts 13:4-12, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Barnabas and Saul were traveling together because they wanted to tell people about God. They went on a ship to an island called Cyprus. When they arrived, they went to the synagogues of the Jews and talked about God with the people there. They had a helper named John with them too.
One day, they met a magician named Bar-Jesus who was telling lies about God. He was with a very important man, a proconsul, named Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who wanted to hear the truth about God. But the magician didn’t want them to tell the truth, so he tried to stop them.
Saul, who was also called Paul, was very angry that the magician was trying to keep people from hearing about God. Saul said, “You are a bad person who is trying to keep people from God. But God is more powerful than you, and He will show His power to you. You will become blind for a time, so that you can see how wrong you are.”
Right away, a thick fog and darkness came over the magician, and he couldn’t see anything! He stumbled around, trying to find someone to help him walk because he couldn’t see where he was going.
When the proconsul saw this, he was amazed! He believed in God because he saw that God had the power to do amazing things.
Barnabas, Saul, and John continued to tell more people about God, and many more people started to believe in God too.
Biblical Lessons
- Sometimes people may try to stop us from sharing the truth, but we should trust in God and keep telling others about Him.
- When we ask God for help, He can do amazing things beyond our imagination.
- God can use anyone to spread His message, regardless of their background or past mistakes.
- When we share the truth with others, it can lead to amazing transformations and miracles.
Related Stories
Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard
Must-Read Christian Books
The Knowledge of the Holy
Short, powerful meditations on the attributes of God that lift the reader into a bigger, more biblical view of who He is.
View on Amazon
The Pilgrim's Progress
A classic allegory of the Christian journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, saturated with Scripture.
View on Amazon
Institutes of the Christian Religion
A classic work of Reformed theology in an accessible form, laying out Christian doctrine with deep biblical roots.
View on Amazon
Systematic Theology
A classic Reformed theology text, rich in biblical exegesis and doctrinal clarity.
View on Amazon
The God Who Is There
Shows how the God of the Bible speaks into modern philosophical and cultural confusion.
View on Amazon
Basic Christianity
A timeless introduction to who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him according to Scripture.
View on Amazon
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
A classic Puritan work on mortifying sin and living in the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Biblical Theology
A classic work tracing the progressive revelation of God's redemptive plan in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Summarizes key doctrines of Scripture in concise questions and answers.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Confession of Faith
A historic confession that systematically sets forth Reformed theology from Scripture.
View on Amazon
Expository Listening
Teaches Christians how to listen to expository preaching in a way that bears fruit.
View on Amazon
Preaching and Preachers
Classic lectures on the nature and power of biblical preaching.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Worship
Traces historic worship patterns and shows how to shape Christ-focused services today.
View on Amazon
The Gospel Comes with a House Key
A call to radical, everyday hospitality as a means of gospel witness and discipleship.
View on Amazon
The Christian Life
A clear, doctrinally rich overview of salvation and Christian living.
View on Amazon
The Whole Christ
Deals with legalism, antinomianism, and the grace of God in union with Christ.
View on Amazon
