Paul’s First Missionary Trip (A.D. 47 to 48) Acts 13:1 – 14:28

Map of Paul’s First Missionary Trip

Commended by the Antioch church (Acts 13: 2-3) A. Barnabas and Paul took John Mark with them Sailed to Cyprus (Barnabas’ home country) 150 miles Landed at Salamis 1. preached in the synagogues C. Traveled to Paphos, the capital 1. 3 to 4 days travel 2. contended against Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet 3. brought to faith in Christ the proconsul, Sergius Paulus (Acts 13: 4-12) a. he wanted to hear the Word of God (Acts 13: 7)

b. This was a Roman with no connection to the synagogue 4. Paul realized there must be a “spiritual Israel” within the ethnic Israel a. this remnant came to expression in the New Testament church 5. Paul crystallized his mission policy and his pattern of Gentile mission labor a. initial proclamation went to the Jews and “God-fearers” within the synagogue b. if the gospel was rejected, he would go to the Gentiles of the city c. “to the Jews first and also to the Greeks” (Rom. 1:16; 2:9-10)

6. John Mark would soon leave and return to the Jerusalem church a. possibly disagreed with Paul’s mission strategy b. maybe concerned that this may effect the Jerusalem church and its efforts to evangelize Jews in Palestine – lose its credibility with the Jews c. some members of the Jerusalem church, no doubt, insisted upon circumcision and to keep the law of Moses Paul sails to Galatia A. Stops in Perga 1. John Mark returned to Jerusalem

B. Travels to Pisidian Antioch 1. preached a “word of exhortation” (Acts 13:15-41) 2. his message – we are justified in Christ for those things we are not justified by in the law of Moses (Acts 13:38-39) 3. Paul preached not only forgiveness of sin, but divine acquittal (justification) 4. there was very favorable results 5. the next Sabbath almost the whole city came to hear the Word of God (Acts 13:44) 6. upon opposition Paul went to the Gentiles 7. city authorities expelled them from the region (Acts 13:50)

A. Iconium 1. they went to the synagogue – a great number of Jews and Greeks believed 2. Jewish opposition (wanted to stone them) caused them to leave B. Lystra 1. there was no synagogue – they preached directly to the Gentiles 2. Paul healed a crippled man 3. the people thought Paul and Barnabas were gods and tried to sacrifice to them 4. out-of-town Jews came and persuaded the people to stone Paul (he was presumed dead!)

5. disciples (some had received Christ) helped him back into the city 6. key event – conversion of a young man, Timothy (Acts 16:1) E. Derbe 1. preached the gospel and made many disciples F. Returned to strengthen the churches 1. prayed with fasting for them 2. appointed elders at each city church G. Returned to the mother Antioch church