Why did Sergius Paulus call for Paul and Barnabas?
Sergius Paulus, described as a prudent man, summoned Paul and Barnabas because he had a genuine spiritual interest and questions. He desired to hear the Word of God, so he called for them to explain it, despite the sorcerer Elimas later opposing him and trying to turn him from the faith.
Les explains that Sergius Paulus was a prudent man, not a dummy, and for some reason he called for Paul and Barnabas because he had spiritual interest and questions, and so he desired to hear the Word of God. But Elimas the sorcerer, this Jew, withstood them. In other words, he did everything he could to keep that Roman deputy from hearing the Word of God from the lips of the apostle Paul, and he tried to turn away the deputy from the faith. As a result of this Jew's imposing opposition, Saul, who is now called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him and declared that the hand of the Lord was upon him, making him physically blind and unable to see the sun for a season.
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.