Acts 13-14 Paul's First Mission

Acts 13-14 Paul’s First Mission

Paul started his first mission journey in Antioch(in Syria) and traveled to Iconium, Lystra, Antioch (in Pisidia), and Paphos.

I’m sure along the way they had times when they felt discouraged. Especially when their lives were being threatened. However, they pressed on and did what they were asked to do. In Acts 13:1-5 there are three points that could help discouraged missionaries to be lifted up and keep going.

       1.   Fasting

       2.   Prayer

       3.   Doing the work

Paul and Barnabas started with fasting and prayer, and then they got busy. When we are engaged in a good work, it is hard to be discouraged. Faith replaces fear and we can more easily be led by the Holy Ghost.

Barnabas was a faithful, stalwart man. He sold all his possessions and gave the money to the apostles. He was not one of the 12 but was regarded very highly and had many responsibilities in the church including ministering to the saints in Antioch. He was Paul’s first mission companion. Why does the Lord send missionaries two by two? Companionships, especially in these times were helpful in protecting one another, and to lend credibility to the message they present. If one person says something you can easily dismiss it, but if two people testify and have the same message it is harder to deny. Priesthood blessings also need two to administer.

In one instance when Paul and Barnabas issued a priesthood blessing to a crippled man and he was healed, the people lifted up their voices and called the two missionaries Gods and tried to worship them. Paul and Barnabas rent their clothing and shouted to the people to stop. They focused the praise to the Lord and tried to teach the people to recognize God as the only living God.

In contrast to being called gods, Paul was next stoned by the people of Antioch and Iconium and left for dead. They drug him out of the city and left his body there. When he arose amid the disciples they took him back in the city for the night and the next day Paul and Barnabas departed. Paul stated that we would enter the kingdom of God through much tribulation. These contrasting examples are both tribulations to Paul. In the first, it was so heartbreaking to have the people so idolatrous that they would be blind to the real power that was at work. In the second example, the physical tribulation of stoning had to have not only physical, but emotional pain attached to it as well. Through tribulation we are refined and sanctified so that we may be worthy to enter the kingdom of God.