The year was 45 A.D.; “And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:1 RV).
Paul was a chosen instrument
Many years earlier, Ananias had been told that, “He (Paul) is a chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (9:15-16 RSV).
The time had now arrived. As Paul contemplated the coming journey, he could anticipate many of the problems that lay ahead. From firsthand experience, he knew the determination and zeal of many Jews to stamp out the hated Christian doctrine. He knew the battles that would come over doctrine and authority. He could anticipate that Jewish converts would want Gentile converts to be circumcised and subject to the law.
What he would not anticipate is how much his own sufferings and endurance would serve to further the gospel. And, as a humbled believer, he would not suspect how fully he would develop into an example for others to follow.
First to Cyprus
Barnabas and Paul, with Mark accompanying them, set sail for Barnabas’ home territory in Cyprus. We know that there were some believers in Cyprus already, for brethren from this island had aided the beginnings of the ecclesia in Antioch of Syria (11:20). Ironically, they had gone there as a result of the persecution following the stoning of Stephen, a persecution in which Paul had participated prior to his conversion (8:1; 11:19).
The first stop was the synagogue in the port city of Salamis. From there, they went throughout the island to the capital, Paphos. When they proclaimed the gospel, they were opposed by a Jewish false prophet named Barjesus. This man was a close acquaintance of Sergius Paulus, governor of the island. Since sorcery was a powerful influence throughout the island, Barjesus’ claims must be proven false. Paul publicly rebuked him and smote him with temporary blindness, an act that no doubt received much publicity in the area.
Upon seeing the miracle, the governor was converted. His conversion would help the credibility of Christianity in the minds of the populace and would likely result in a broader acceptance of the gospel.
To the mainland
Leaving Cyprus, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga on the mainland. Mark left them at this point. While we are not told the reason, Paul was very displeased with the young man’s decision (cf. 15:36-41).
After they arrived at Perga, speculation has it that Paul contracted some kind of illness which prompted a hurried departure to Antioch of Pisidia. There the greater elevation and drier climate would be more conducive to better health than the coastal lowlands. Paul’s letter to the Galatians confirms he had suffered some kind of illness that still affected him when he was in their midst (Gal. 4:13). The illness did not seem to be debilitating or of long duration, for Paul proceeded to endure an arduous journey.
The importance of Antioch in Pisidia
This was a large and important commercial center situated at the crossroads for travelers going to many towns in the area. It was the seat of Roman government for the southern part of Galatia, had a large military base nearby and was a center for both Jewish and pagan worship.
News of important events could quickly radiate to the surrounding cities and villages. By confronting Jewish and Gentile opposition at Antioch, Paul knew the gospel would spread from there and many thinking, devout people would hear of it.
A great discourse
Upon their arrival, Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue where Paul accepted an invitation to address the congregation. His address concentrated on first principles of the Truth.
He first reviewed Israel’s national history from the exodus to David (vs. 17-22). He then spoke of Jesus as being the promised seed of David through whom Jews and Gentiles would be blessed (vs. 23-26). The murder of the innocent Jesus was reviewed and his resurrection, proven by many witnesses, was proclaimed (vs. 27-32). Old Testament confirmation of this gospel was given from Psalm 2, Isaiah 55 and Psalm 16 (vs. 33-37) as Paul built to his climax.
The center point of his message is then summarized in the words, “Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins: and by him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (vs. 38-39). He closed with a powerful warning that they not reject the salvation provided by God.
The reaction
There was mixed reaction to Paul’s message but many devout Jews and Gentiles requested him to speak again on the next sabbath. On that day, almost the entire city assembled to hear him. Seeing the turnout, the Jews were filled with jealousy and blasphemed in their attempt to contradict the message of Paul and Barnabas.
The apostles reacted boldly, declaring: “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us…” (vs. 46-47). Glorifying God, the Gentiles rejoiced at this announcement with many of them believing.
As the news spread quickly throughout Galatia, Paul knew that rejection of the gospel by leaders of this prominent synagogue signaled trouble ahead. It developed immediately as the Jews promptly incited devout women of high standing and leading men of the city to demand the expulsion of the apostles.
The apostles rejoice
Paul and Barnabas left Antioch in Pisidia filled with the Holy Spirit and with joy that the Truth was spreading rapidly even in the face of resistance and, in part, because of the opposition.
Their next stop was Iconium where they stayed a long time in spite of Jewish-incited trouble. “Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, which bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (14:3).
Eventually, opposition became so intense they moved on to Lystra and Derbe.
Miracle at Lystra
While Paul was preaching the gospel at Lystra, a man crippled from birth was listening with intense interest. Seeing his faith, Paul said to him in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” (vs. 8-10 RSV). Despite being crippled from birth, the man sprang to his feet and walked.
When the idol-worshiping Gentiles saw this miracle, they wanted to revere Paul and Barnabas as gods. Paul quickly rebuked them, however, with the words, “Men, why are you doing this? We are also men of like nature with you, and bring good news that you should turn from vain things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth…and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (vs. 15-18).
These same multitudes were to turn upon Paul and Barnabas when Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. The more lawless Gentiles stoned Paul, dragging him from the city thinking he was dead.
As the disciples stood around him, he regained consciousness and was able to return with them into the city. On the morrow, he and Barnabas went on to Derbe where they made many disciples.
Public ministry ends
This marked the end of major public preaching on the first missionary journey. The last part of it was taken up with Paul and Barnabas retracing their steps. They ministered to the new ecclesias, appointing elders to guide each ecclesia and exhorting them to remain stedfast in the Truth (vs. 21-24).
The only remaining public effort needed was in Perga, through which they had quickly passed on the outward journey (v.25). They lectured there before departing by ship for their home ecclesia at Antioch in Syria.
A joyous welcome
The trip had been long and hard but well worth the effort. When they arrived at Antioch in Syria, they gathered the ecclesia together and declared all that God had done with them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. There they stayed in up-building fellowship for no little time.
Paul had gained tremendously in faith and strength from the events encountered on the trip. He was now prepared to strongly confront representatives of the circumcision party who would soon arrive from Jerusalem in their attempt to subject all the Gentile converts to the law of Moses.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One