Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

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

The Conversion of Saul

Peter and Cornelius

Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

Paul and Silas in Prison

Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard