Paul's First Missionary Journey 02

Summary

In this video, John presents an engaging overview of Paul's first missionary journey, highlighting key locations and events. The journey begins in Syrian Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas are set apart for their mission. They travel through Cyprus, encountering opposition and performing miracles. After moving on to cities in modern-day Turkey, they face resistance but continue to preach boldly. Despite challenges, including Paul being stoned and left for dead, they establish many new disciples. The journey concludes back in Antioch after approximately two years, covering significant ground and spreading the message of Christianity.

Takeaways

• 📍 Paul's first missionary journey started in the Syrian city of Antioch, where he and Barnabas were set aside for their mission by the Holy Spirit.
• 🗺️ The journey took place outside of the Holy Land, mainly around the Mediterranean Sea, particularly modern-day Turkey and the island of Cyprus.
• ⛪ Paul and Barnabas taught in Jewish synagogues, starting on the east side of Cyprus in the city of Salamis and working their way to Paphos on the west side.
• 👨‍⚖️ In Paphos, they met Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, who believed after witnessing Paul temporarily blind a magician named Elymas.
• 🚢 After leaving Cyprus, they sailed to Perga in modern-day Turkey, where John Mark left them to return to Jerusalem.
• 🕌 Paul and Barnabas visited another city called Antioch, located in Pisidia, where they shared the gospel in a synagogue, stirring interest and causing jealousy among Jewish leaders.
• 🏃‍♂️ They faced opposition and were driven out of Pisidian Antioch, so they moved on to Iconium, where their preaching caused division, and they had to flee again after learning of a plot to stone them.
• 💥 In Lystra, Paul healed a man crippled from birth, leading the locals to mistake Paul and Barnabas for Greek gods, with Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes.
• ⚖️ Jewish opponents from previous cities arrived in Lystra and convinced the locals to stone Paul, leaving him for dead, but he survived and continued his journey.
• 🔄 Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps, revisiting the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch to encourage new disciples, appoint elders, and eventually return to Syrian Antioch.

Q & A

What is the significance of starting with a map of the Holy Land in Paul's first missionary journey?

Starting with a map of the Holy Land helps to provide a geographical context and foundational reference for readers. It allows them to visualize key biblical locations before focusing on Paul's journey beyond Israel.

Where does Paul's first missionary journey begin?

Paul's first missionary journey begins in the city of Antioch in Syria, as described in Acts 13, when the Holy Spirit set apart Paul and Barnabas for their mission.

What was the first major destination Paul and Barnabas visited after leaving Antioch?

After leaving Antioch, Paul and Barnabas traveled to the island of Cyprus, landing in the port city of Salamis on the eastern side of the island.

What was the outcome of Paul's encounter with the magician Elymas in Paphos?

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, made Elymas blind for a time when the magician tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. As a result, the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, believed in the message of Christ.

Why is the city of Antioch mentioned twice in Paul's missionary journey?

There are two cities named Antioch in this account: one is in Syria where the journey begins, and the other is in the region of Pisidia, where Paul and Barnabas preached in a synagogue during their mission.

Why did John Mark leave Paul and Barnabas during the journey?

John Mark left Paul and Barnabas when they reached the city of Perga in modern-day Turkey. The exact reason is not provided in the script, but it later becomes a point of contention between Paul and Barnabas.

What caused the Jewish leaders in Pisidian Antioch to oppose Paul and Barnabas?

The Jewish leaders in Pisidian Antioch became jealous when large crowds gathered to hear Paul and Barnabas preach. They spoke against them and eventually stirred up the city's leaders to drive them out.

What happened in the city of Lystra during Paul's journey?

In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been crippled from birth. The people, mistaking Paul and Barnabas for Greek gods, tried to offer sacrifices to them. However, Paul and Barnabas redirected them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why did Paul and Barnabas leave Iconium, and where did they go next?

Paul and Barnabas left Iconium after learning of a plot to stone them. They fled to the cities of Lystra and Derbe in the region of Lycaonia, where they continued to preach.

How did Paul's first missionary journey conclude?

Paul and Barnabas returned to Syrian Antioch, where their journey had begun, after revisiting the cities they had evangelized, encouraging new disciples, appointing elders, and preaching the Gospel.