01.04. First Missionary Journey

Study 4: First Missionary Journey And Residence in Antioch (45-49 AD)

Introduction 1. Up to this point, much of Paul’s life might be considered preparatory in nature... a. Even before his conversion, his heritage, education, and progress in the Jewish faith b. After his conversion, his relative obscurity and work in Damascus, Arabia, and Tarsus -- All of which would serve useful in the tasks the Lord had in mind for him 2. At this point in his life, Paul begins a series of missionaryjourneys... a. That would take the gospel to regions where it had not been heard - cf. Romans 15:20-21 b. That would leave his mark on many regions in the Mediterranean world

[In this study we shall survey Paul’s first missionary journey, that began and ended with a two year residence in...] I. The City of Antioch in Syria (45 A.D.) A. The Church In Antiocn. . .

1. Started by men from Cyprus and Cyrene, by way of Jerusalem - Acts 11:19-21 2. Strengthened by Barnabas, then later together with Paul - Acts 11:22-26 3. A benevolent congregation, concerned with Christians elsewhere - Acts 11:27-30 4. Blessed with a number of prophets and teachers - Acts 13:1 B. The Call of Barnabas and Paul. . .

1. While ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Spirit told the prophets and teachers to separate Barnabas and Paul for the work He had for them - Acts 13:2 2. With fasting, prayer, and the laying on of hands, they sent Barnabas and Paul on their way - Acts 13:3

[Thus sent out by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4), these two men begin their journey by going to the coastal town of Seleucia, and sailing to...] II. The Island of Cyprus (45 A.D.) A. Cyprus was not Unfamiliar Territory. . .

1. The gospel had previously been preached in Cyprus - Acts 11:19 2. The church in Antioch of Syria had been started by men from Cyprus - Acts 11:20 3. Barnabas himself was from Cyprus - Acts 4:36

-- It is interesting that the Spirit would have Barnabas and Paul start here; perhaps a principle to be learned regarding missionary efforts?

B. In the Synagogues at Salamis. . .

1. Barnabas and Paul preached the word of God - Acts 13:5 2. They also had John Mark to assist them - Acts 13:5

-- It would become Paul’s custom to first go to the synagogues of the Jews whenever he entered a new city - Acts 17:1-3 C. At Paphos. . .

1. They encounter a false prophet - Acts 13:6-11 a. A Jew whose surname was Bar-Jesus 1) Who was also called Elymas the sorcerer 2) Who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus 3) Who sought to prevent Sergius Paulus from hearing the gospel b. Whom Paul miraculously blinded 1) Being filled with the Holy Spirit

2) Having seen Elymas for what he was: full of deceit and fraud, a son of the devil and enemy of righteousness, seeking to pervert the ways of the Lord 3) Blinding him by a mist and a darkness 2. They convert Sergius Paulus - Acts 13:12 a. Who saw what was done to Elymas b. Who was astonished at the teaching of the Lord 3. The name of Paul is now used instead of Saul a. Up to this point, he was called by his Hebrew name, Saul b. From this point, he will be called by his Roman name, Paul 4. Paul begins to have precedence over Barnabas a. Up to this point, the two men were called Barnabas and Saul b. From this point, the two men will be called Paul and Barnabas

[The precedence of Paul is seen as Luke describes their departure from Paphos ("when Paul and his party"). Leaving the island of Cyprus, they sail on to...] III. The Regions of Pamphilia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia (46-47 A.D.) A. At Perga. . .

1. Paul and his company arrive at Perga, a city of Pamphylia - Acts 13:13 2. At this point, John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem - Acts 13:13 a. This later became a sore point with Barnabas and Paul - Acts 15:36-40 b. Paul felt this departure rendered John Mark unsuitable for the next journey B. At Antioch of Pisidia. . .

1. Paul’s sermon in the synagogue - Acts 13:14-41 a. Following his custom to visit the local synagogues (Acts 17:1-3), Paul accepts an invitation to speak - Acts 13:14-16 b. His sermon can be divided into the following points:

1) A review of God’s dealings with Israel - Acts 13:17-22 2) A proclamation that Jesus is the promised Savior - Acts 13:23-26 3) A review of Jesus’ death and evidence for His resurrection -Acts 13:27-37 4) A proclamation that salvation is now offered through Jesus - Acts 13:38-39 5) A warning not to fulfill prophecy by rejecting God’s work in Christ - Acts 13:40-41 2. Rejection by the Jews and reception by the Gentiles - Acts 13:42-49 a. The Gentiles beg for more, even many of the Jews continue to listen to Paul - Acts 13:42-43 b. But the next Sabbath, some of the Jews are envious of the large crowds and begin resisting Paul - Acts 13:44-45 c. Paul directs his attention to the Gentiles, who are more receptive - Acts 13:46-49 3. Expulsion by the Jews - Acts 13:50-52 a. Persecution is brought against Paul and Barnabas - Acts 13:50 b. Forcing them to leave and go to Iconium - Acts 13:51 c. Yet the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit - Acts 13:52 C. At Iconium. . .

1. Again the procedure was to start with the local synagogue - Acts 14:1 2. Unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles against the brethren - Acts 14:2

3. Paul and his companions stayed "a long time", speaking boldly in the Lord with signs and wonders - Acts 14:3

4. It may have been during this time to which Paul had reference when he later wrote to the Galatians of their reception of him - Galatians 4:13-15

5. The city eventually became divided between the Jews and the apostles, and an attempt to stone them forced Paul and his companions to flee to Lystra and Derbe - Acts 14:4-7 D. At Lystra and Derbe. . .

1. While at Lystra... a. Paul heals a lame man - Acts 14:8-18 b. Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuade the multitude to stone Paul - Acts 14:19-20; 2 Corinthians 11:25 2. While at Derbe... a. They preached the gospel - Acts 14:21 a b. They made many disciples - Acts 14:21 a E. Retracing Their Steps. . .

1. From Derbe they return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch - Acts 14:21-23 a. Strengthening the souls of the disciples b. Exhorting to the continue in the faith despite tribulations c. Appointing elders in every church with prayer and fasting d. Commending them to the Lord in whom they had believed 2. Passing through Pisidia, they come to Pamphylia - Acts 14:24-26 a. Preaching the word in Perga b. Sailing from Attalia to Antioch from where they started

[Upon arriving in Antioch, Paul’s first missionary journey was completed. It had taken approximately two years (45-47 A.D.). For about the next two years, we find Paul...] IV. Resding in Antioch of Syria (48-49 A.D.) A. Reporting to the Church. . .

1. All that God had done with them on their journey - Acts 14:27 a 2. How God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles - Acts 14:27 b -- Paul would later provide a similar report at the conference in Jerusalem - Acts 15:12 B. Staying "A Long Time". . .

1. How long we don’t know, but estimate it was about two years 2. This is based upon dating the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15 to be about 50 A.D.

Conclusion 1. The pattern established in his early years of service is certainly seen in this first missionary journey of Paul... a. Preaching the gospel, followed by persecution b. Establishing churches, followed by edification 2. On this first journey, another pattern becomes evident... a. Preaching the gospel to the Jews first, by going to their synagogues b. Preaching the gospel to the Gentiles also, especially after rejection by the Jews -- Of this pattern Paul would write later to the brethren in Rome - Romans 1:16 The Lord had certainly opened a door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27) through the work of the apostle Paul. As we shall see in our next lesson, there were some who wished to close that door with whom Paul would have to contend. But what about us? Has the Lord opened a door of faith for us today? Are we making use of that open door...?