ADULT STS LESSON 204 PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY
MEMORY VERSE: “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2).
TEXT: Acts 13:1-52; 14:1-28
This lesson considers the commissioning of Barnabas and Saul by the Holy Ghost. The church at Antioch was founded by the Holy Ghost through the instrumentality of the disciples who fled Jerusalem because of the persecution and death of Stephen (Acts 11:19-21). The impact of their preaching and the accompanying revival was so great that the early church sent Barnabas on a fact-finding mission about the spiritual awakening, “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23). Moreover, he went to Tarsus to seek Saul, and assembled with the church at Antioch and taught for a whole year. The amazing life and teaching of the early believers had great impact on the people: “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). This further reveals the importance of teaching in actualising the gospel mission, maturing believers and equipping workers for the Kingdom. The unity of ministers in the church at Antioch teaches the need for corporate prayers in a local church, for ministers to seek the Lord for direction (Psalm 32:8) and to receive strength for greater exploit (Isaiah 10:28-31).
PAUL AND BARNABAS COMMISSIONED
(Acts 13:1-14; John 16:13,14, 15:26,27; Acts 8:29; 10:19,20; Isaiah 6:8; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21; Acts 4:18,20; 2 Corinthians 11:22-28; Romans 8:35-39)
“As they minister to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). As we follow the birth and growth of the early church, we see the awesome role of the Holy Spirit in preaching and directing gospel outreaches. The word ‘separate’ here means to dedicate or set apart for a special purpose. At this time, the Holy Ghost led the church in Antioch to commission Barnabas and Saul for missionary work, which He had chosen for them.
Several lessons can be learnt from the earlier devotedness, commitment, consecration and progressive companionship of Paul and Barnabas. Those the Lord chooses for greater and higher assignments have records of faithfulness in previous assignments (Matthew 25:14-27). Also, they must have been actively involved at the local church level just as Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch before they were sent to the mission field.
In a general sense, believers are saved to propagate the gospel. However, to be commissioned in a specific sense as revealed in our text requires God’s specific call, directly or indirectly. Moreover, we notice that before Paul and Barnabas were commissioned, they were converted (Acts 5:36,37; 9:4-6), consecrated and committed to preaching the gospel (Acts 9:20-22), communion with the saints and personal development and discipleship (Acts 11:22-26). God only uses vessels of high spiritual and moral qualities (2 Timothy 2:20,21).
“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:3). Submission to the Spirit’s leading of the Antioch church to the call of Barnabas and Saul makes this account a model for present-day churches in many ways:
One, the church released the best of her ministers for missionary work.
Two, challenges in the mission field require the service of well-grounded and proven ministers to handle.
Three, the training believers receive through the agency of the Holy Spirit is for taking the gospel across borders.
Four, having received the gospel, we should be grateful to contribute ministers to the greater work of saving souls.
Five, our commission to evangelise is necessary and divine, and we must fast and pray to succeed.
Six, the church should have vision for missions.
Seven, brethren chosen for mission should be willing to leave the warm fellowship of the local church to go to unfamiliar places.
“So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 13:4).
As Barnabas and Saul departed from Antioch, they came to Seleucia and then sailed to the island of Cyprus. Barnabas was a native of that country (Acts 4:36). They left Cyprus and arrived at Salamis; after they had preached, they went onward through the isles until they came to Paphos.
Paul and Barnabas faced many challenges on their missionary journey:
First, John, their assistant left them and went back to Jerusalem.
Second, they faced the physical challenge of travelling over unfamiliar land and sea routes.
Three, Elymas the sorcerer, a false prophet, withstood them with a goal to hinder the deputy from being saved.
The name, Bar-Jesus, meaning the son of Jesus or son of salvation, was a contradiction in terms. By character, this man resembled the devil in mischief and was opposed to righteousness. While it is good to give meaningful names to our children, we should endeavour to win them to Christ to have their nature transformed to reflect their names.
This evil personality may never have expected the sudden judgment passed on him by Paul.
“And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand” (Acts 13:11).
God is longsuffering; His judgment, however, is certain for unrepentant sinners (Psalm 50:15-22). It is noteworthy that what Paul said did not come from personal resentment, but from a strong impression the Holy Ghost made in his spirit.
“Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord” (Acts 13:12).
Here, we see the ultimate purpose of all divine miracles is to bring people to salvation.
Leaving Paphos, Paul and his company came to Perga in Pamphilia and from there to Antioch in Pisidia. We are not to be discouraged or abandon the mission field because of challenges until the work is done. Our expectation of divine reward by the Lord should keep us going and faithful. Also, we should pray more for our missionaries and be committed to soul-winning.
PAUL’S SERMON IN THE SYNAGOGUE
(Acts 13:15-52; 14:1; Matthew 4:23; Mark 6:2; Acts 26:25; Matthew 12:24; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Acts 26:17,18; Matthew 10:14)
“And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed” (Acts 14:1).
The synagogues provided opportunities for Paul and his team to meet with and preach to the Jewish audience. This practice was not only limited to Paul (John 18:20). Public meeting places such as markets, school assemblies as well as religious gatherings can be used as platforms to preach the gospel.
“And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on”.
Here, worshippers in the synagogue gave preference to the reading and sharing of the word of God to show that the essential ingredient of any worship, aside prayer and praise must include preaching. The practice where dancing and singing take the greater part and little time is given to preaching is wrong.
Ministers of God must be prepared always to effectively utilise every open door in ministry to teach the Scripture (2 Timothy 2:21; 1 Peter 3:15).
Paul’s presentation teaches us courtesy during preaching. He said,
“Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience” (Acts 13:16).
He displayed the same attitude while answering Festus (Acts 26:25).
Jews, by religion, believe the Old Testament writings but are ignorant of the import of the New Testament and the works of Christ. Paul began from what they knew and flowed into what they ought to know, showing and proving that the Old Testament foreshadows the New.
Preachers must be careful to understand their audience so as to choose the right sermon for them.
Beginning from the patriarchs, Paul rehearsed the nation’s pilgrimage to Canaan until the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The sermon can be divided into the following major points:
(i) a review of God’s dealings with and goodness to Israel (Acts 13:17-22);
(ii) a proclamation that Jesus is the promised Saviour (Acts 13:23-26);
(iii) Jesus’ death and evidence of His resurrection (Acts 13:27-37);
(iv) a declaration that salvation is now offered through Jesus (Acts 13:38,39); and,
(v) warning not to fulfil prophecy by rejecting God’s work in Christ (Acts 13:40,41).
Messages for gospel campaigns should emphasise the love of God towards the sinner, the death of Christ as substitute and ransom for our sins, Christ’s resurrection for our justification, pardon and forgiveness through His blood, the need for total repentance from sin and faith in Christ, and warning against neglecting this great salvation.
The audience in the synagogue were divided: while some religious Jews rejected the message of salvation, many of the Jews and religious proselytes (Gentiles) received the Word and
“…followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God” (verse 43).
Ministers of the word of God should not be discouraged when response to their messages falls short of their expectation; among our audiences are sincere seekers and doubters.
In spite of the rejection of the religious Jews, the Gentiles pleaded
“that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath”.
It would seem that Paul and his team or the religious proselytes made some personal contacts and publicity before the next sabbath. The effect was awesome as the synagogue was filled beyond capacity and
“almost the whole city [came] together to hear the word of God”.
Such is the power of publicity.
However, the religious, unconverted Jewish audience reacted to this by blaspheming and openly contradicting what had been preached.
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us…” (Acts 13:46,47).
The religious Jews were grieved that in spite of their effort to disrupt the gathering, multitudes of people believed the Lord. Unable to bear the success of this evangelistic outreach, they expelled Paul and his team out of the city.
Paul and his team eventually left Antioch because of the persecution and opposition but they left behind a strong church.
PERSECUTION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS
(Acts 14:1-28; 2 Timothy 3:10,11; Matthew 5:10-12; Mark 16:15-20)
After their expulsion from Antioch in Pisidia, the missionaries came to Iconium. They went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that many Jews and Gentiles believed.
“But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren” (Acts 14:2).
Despite this, the apostles stayed in Iconium a long time, speaking boldly and testifying of the grace of God.
The persecution of Paul and Barnabas in Iconium was slightly different from that in Antioch in that they could still remain in the city and preach. Initially, their persecution took the form of verbal opposition but they were able to overcome because God confirmed their messages with signs and wonders.
Persecutions take different forms. It may be mild and such that we can continue in ministry, but at other times, it may be life-threatening and then we need to flee to a safer environment.
Therefore, soul-winners must be prayerful and watchful when they carry out evangelistic outreach. This is not cowardice but obedience to Christ. He says,
“…when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another” (Matthew 10:23).
There is a time to flee from danger to remain alive and continue the work.
While Paul was preaching at Lystra, a cripple who had been lame from birth listened to his message. When Paul discerned that he had faith to be healed, he commanded him to stand up, and the man began to walk. This miracle had a profound effect on the crowd.
Meanwhile, some Jews came down from Antioch to poison the minds of the people. Then the crowd suddenly changed, became hostile, stoned Paul and drew him out of the city, thinking he had died. But he was resuscitated and went back into the city but left Lystra the following day.
We must beware what and how we speak lest we poison the minds of people and embolden them to do evil.
When Paul and Barnabas left Lystra, they travelled to Derbe. There, they preached the gospel and made many disciples. Thereafter, they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, following up on the disciples, organising leadership in the churches and encouraging them to continue in the Lord despite the persecutions.
We also have a responsibility to preach the gospel and help new converts to develop spiritually. And no matter how difficult or inconvenient the task, we must do what the Lord has commanded us in order to fulfil the great commission.
Later, notable leaders such as Timothy came out of the church in Lystra; Gaius also arose from Derbe
(Acts 16:1-3; 20:4).
As Paul and Barnabas concluded their first missionary journey at Derbe, they returned to Antioch from where they were initially sent. They gave a positive report of their outreach to the brethren and
“…all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27).
Questions for review:
- Mention some lessons that can be drawn from the prayer life of the ministers in the church at Antioch.
- What are the qualifications for higher assignment in God’s kingdom?
- What can we learn from the submission and obedience of the Antioch church to the Spirit’s instructions on Barnabas and Paul?
- Mention the central item in our worship places.
- State the ingredients of an effective salvation message.
- What should be our attitude to persecutions as we preach the gospel?
- What challenge can believers receive from the commitment of Paul and Barnabas to evangelism in spite of persecutions?
