Lesson 4 - First Missionary Journey

 LESSON 4

First Missionary Journey

Objective:   God has chosen Paul, the enemy of Christ to carry the name of Jesus to the people of different races. 

Bible Portions:  Acts 13:14

Memory Verse:  Rom 1:14-16

I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both wise and unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  

Introduction:  Paul was called to preach the gospel to the cultural ones in his time. So he made three missionary journeys. This lesson will help us to get a basic knowledge of Paul's journey, his places of visit, and his companions. 

Paul's Missionary Journeys

God appointed Paul as an apostle to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15, 22:17-21, Rom 11:14, Gal 2: 7-10). We can read about Paul's missionary journeys in the book of Acts. The Gospel was only known to the people of Palestine and its nearby places. As a result of missionary journeys gospel started spreading to distant places, and new testament churches began to emerge. The perfect model of evangelistic activities can be seen here. Most of the epistles are written during these journeys. We also get the historical background of these writings from the journey. 

Mainly, three cultures prevailed during those days. They were Greek culture based on philosophy, Roman culture based on military power, Hebrew culture based on military power, and Hebrew culture based on guiding beacon (Torah). Greek became a world language due to Alexander's invasion. Jews had been scattered to cultured places. They built synagogues whenever they reached. Thus they could reach the old testament, especially Mosiac law, and Gentiles also could understand the bible. Roman Empire made the world into a unified system to rule. So the world witnessed the protection of law and transportation facilities. All these advancements helped Paul's journey. Initially, he preached the gospel in synagogues. It helped Gentiles to understand the gospel. 

The center of the missionary journey was the Syrian Antioch. During this time, the holy spirit separated Paul and Barnabas for the ministry of Jesus Christ. We read that they returned to Antioch after their journeys. 

First Missionary Journey (A.D. 47-49)

Paul and Barnabas started their first missionary in Antioch. During the Church of Antioch, Mark served them on the journey. 

1. Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12)

They traveled so many miles by ship to reach Cyprus, the native place of Barnabas (Acts 4:36), from Seleucia, the port town of Antioch. There was a synagogue in the eastern part of the island. They proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogue. They reached Pamphs and Sergius Paulus, and the governor accepted Jesus Christ. What was the event which helped Sergius Paulus to become a Christian? (Acts13:8-12) Elymas, the sorcerer who tried to prevent the belief of the governor, became blind by the hand of the Lord. Saul came to be known as Paul from here onwards. 

2. Perga in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13)

They sailed 170 miles to Asia Minor from Cyprus. Mark left them to return to Jerusalem due to the suffering journey and obstacles in the ministry. 

3. Pisdian Antioch ( Acts 13:14-52)

This is not Syrian Antioch. They traveled 100 miles by road and reached Antioch. Psidian Antioch was a Roman military center. Here also Paul began his ministry in the Jewish synagogue. The people received the Jewish teachers happily. Paul's speech is seen in Acts 13:17-41. Paul invited people to believe in the gospel, explaining the death and ascension of Jesus Christ with the historical background of Israel. Many of the Jews believed. The gathering at Synagogues was only on sabbath days. Paul and Barnabas met the people who showed great interest in the gospel. On the next sabbath day, a great multitude gathered in the synagogue. Jews began to oppose the gospel preached by Paul. Thus, Paul and Barnabas were forced to leave the place. But God raised his church within a short period of time. Read the spiritual status of the people of Antioch (Acts 13:52). 

4. Iconium (Acts 14:1-7)

After the persecution in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas traveled 35 miles southeast and reached Iconium. Most of their journey was on foot. They preached the gospel in Jewish synagogues. Due to the severe opposition from Jews, they had to leave Iconium. 

5. Lystra (Acts 14:8=20) 

They reached Lystra after traveling 40 miles. A miracle happened here. A man who was lame from birth and had never walked jumped and began to walk. The crowd was surprised at the event and that Paul and Barnabas were gods in human form. The priest wanted to offer sacrifices to them. What was the response of Paul and Barnabas? Why? (Rev 22:8-9, Matt 4:8, 9). They urged the people to turn from worthless things to living God. 

The same people who considered Paul and Barnabas as gods of worship began to persecute them severely. Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium reached Lystra and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. As the disciples prayed for him at that time of persecution. The persecution was not ended in rain. Lord raised Timothy a great witness of Christ (Acts 16:1-3, II Tim 3:11). 

6. Derbe

The next day after the persecution, Paul and Barnabas went to a nearby town Derbe. Gaius was a believer in Derbe. Paul and Barnabas revisited the places where they had preached the gospel. They strengthened and encouraged the disciples to remain true to the faith (Acts 14:22). Elders were appointed to care for the church. On arriving at Antioch, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them. 

Paul could work in six places by traveling 500 miles by ship and 200 miles by road. It was a time that didn't have modern transportation facilities.