Who was Sergius Paulus in the Bible?

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Sergius Paulus is a man mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in Acts 13:7. From a biblical point of view, Sergius Paulus is believed to have been a Roman proconsul on the island of Cyprus during the time of the apostle Paul’s first missionary journey.

Acts 13:7 in the New International Version states, who was an intelligent man and sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. This verse indicates that Sergius Paulus was a man of intelligence who was interested in hearing the message of God preached by Barnabas and Saul (later known as Paul).

As a Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus held a position of authority and influence in the region. His encounter with Barnabas and Saul led to a confrontation with a false prophet named Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas, who tried to turn him away from the faith. Through this encounter, Sergius Paulus witnessed the power of God as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Elymas and temporarily blinded him as a sign of judgment (Acts 13:8-12).

Sergius Paulus’ response to witnessing this miraculous event was to believe in the teachings of the Lord. Acts 13:12 records, When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. This demonstrates Sergius Paulus’ openness to the gospel message and his willingness to accept the truth of God’s word.

In summary, Sergius Paulus was a significant figure in the New Testament as a Roman proconsul who encountered the power of God through the preaching of Paul and Barnabas. His conversion to Christianity serves as an example of how God’s message can penetrate even the hearts of influential individuals, leading them to faith and salvation.