Acts 13: The First Missionary Journey

  • The return of Barnabas and Saul sets the stage for the beginning of Ch.13
  • This is stage 3 of Jesus’ plan of evangelism—See Acts 1.8
    • Up to this point: Peter is the key figure; the key city is Jerusalem; the key recipients of the gospel are the Jews.
    • Now: the key figure is Paul, the key city is Antioch in Syria, and the key recipients of the gospel are the Gentiles.
    • It has been approximately 15 years since church started.
    • Paul’s missionary journeys begin (approx. 15/20 years).
  • In the O.T. fasting generally indicated penitence; in the N.T. primarily indicates priorities.
  • “Set apart for Me, Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” God stepped in to speed up the process.
  • “Laying on of hands”: symbolic of the church at Antioch expression of fellowship with Paul and Barnabas. They already possessed miraculous spiritual gifts.
    • When they returned, they made a report to the whole church (14.26)
    • The word apostle means “one who is sent whether by the Lord or by a congregation. See Acts 14.14: both Paul and Barnabas are referred to as “apostles.”
  • They went about 15 miles west down to Seleucia—
  • They traveled by ship to Cyprus…70 mile trip.
    • 140 miles long X 60 miles wide
    • Famous for its shipbuilding and copper mines
    • Cyprus means “The Happy Isle”
    • Barnabas was from Cyprus
  • The group started preaching in the Jewish synagogues. Why??
    • Rom.1.16: It gave the Jews the 1st opportunity to hear the gospel
    • John Mark went as an assistant to Barnabas and Paul
      • Also helped develop him for future service to God
    • Notice: Luke did NOT say anything about the people’s response to the Gospel like in earlier chapters. May have been discouraging to them.
  • Paphos (western end of island), they encounter a magician who is also called a false prophet, Bar-Jesus.
  • Sergius-Paulus, the pro-consul, wanted to hear the gospel.
  • Elymas kept interrupting Paul and Barnabas; he knew his job might be on the line if Sergius Paulus accepted the Gospel.
    • When the devil could not stop Barnabas and Saul with discouragement and dejection, he tried defamation and deceit.
    • The Lord of light had been challenged by the prince of darkness…and Paul could not let the challenge go unanswered!
    • “You are full of deceit(Gk. To trap or bait) and fraud;
    • V.11: Paul pronounces a curse of Elymas…blindness. This is the only miracle performed by an apostle to the physical detriment of another human being.
    • Ananias/Saphira (ch.5) came as a direct punishment from God.
    • The Pro-Consul believed what he saw and heard from Paul.
  • To Perga: (13.13). (approx. 150 mile trip)
    • John Mark left at this point and returned to Jerusalem.
      • John Chrysostom (A.D. 347 to 407), historian, wrote “that the lad wanted his mother.”
      • Maybe not comfortable preaching the gospel to Gentiles??
      • Intimidated by the perilous journey??
      • Mission work is NOT glamorous work but very hard work in less than ideal conditions.
      • Paul and Barnabas did not quit though probably discouraged by John’s departure.
  • Paul Reviews Israelite History (13.14-52).
    • Comes to Antioch in Pisidia on the Sabbath day…went to Synagogue.
    • Today: modern-day Turkey (treacherous territory and terrain). 100 miles north and 3,500 ft. up. (Wild beasts and bandits). 2 Cor.11.26.