Paul and Barnabas seemed to make a good pair (according to the Holy Spirit) because they are then set apart as a result of prayer and fasting and sent on a mission trip. The traveled and visited all of the Jewish synagogues along the way preaching the good news of Jesus. Sergius Paulus is the proconsul of the island of Cyprus and wanted to hear the Word of God from these guys. They share but there is a sorcerer/false prophet who distracts from the message – They plant the seeds and Elymas is confusing the message. Paul calls him out and then strikes him blind. As a result of this the proconsul became a believer. ( it is interesting that the man that is distracting the proconsul from the truth and pushing back the light with darkness is suddenly struck and cannot seek the light) (irony?) Main Point: There are always distractions from the gospel message – we have to remain true to it and fight the forces of darkness (they really exist) .