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Acts chapters 13 and 14 record the first missionary journey in the history of Christianity. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of believers, since the time of the Apostle Paul, have also received and heeded calls to take the Gospel to the nations.
But what can we learn from this first mission trip?
Saul Was Called
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets. . . While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off (Acts 13:1-3).
The time from Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus to the prophets in Antioch laying hands on him was 14 years.
Yes, 14 years. During that time, Saul was trained by Jesus in the desert of Arabia, made a couple of trips to Jerusalem to visit the apostles, and lived a few years in his hometown of Tarsus as a tentmaker.
Saul First Called Paul
But Saul, who was also called Paul. . . (Acts 13:9).
We note the transition of Saul to Paul on the first missionary journey. From this point forward in Acts, and then in all his letters, we read Paul and not Saul.
Jesus made it clear that Saul/Paul would be a missionary to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). The Greek form of Saul was Paul, and with Paul’s ministry now commencing to the Gentiles — the name of Paul became appropriate.
Paul Got Sick, and John Mark Left
Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).
Having left the island of Paphos, the team of Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark sailed to the mainland, landing in Perga of Pamphylia. John Mark left while Paul and Barnabas continued their journey.
Some believe that the lowlands around Perga, infested with mosquitoes, caused Paul to be infected with malaria, resulting in him traveling to the higher elevation of Galatia (Galatians 4:13).
Many Cities and Many Adventures
Reading from Act 13:13 to Acts 14:23, Paul and Barnabas traveled to the cities of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
During their travels, a pattern emerged — preach on the Sabbaths in the local synagogues until persecuted, then focus on the Gentiles until the Gentiles and Jews both persecuted them and then leave for another city.
Quite the action plan: preach to persecution, continue preaching through a city-wide uproar, then leave quickly for another city.
We find, “The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52); signs and wonders (Acts 14:3); attempts on their lives (Acts 14:5); Paul stoned and then getting up from the ground afterward completely healed (Acts 14:19-20); and many disciples made (Acts 14:21).
Below is a map of their journey.
The trip took two years, from leaving Antioch to returning to Antioch in Acts 14:26, probably from 46 to 38 AD.
Many have asked me through the years, “Why do you go on so many mission trips?” And my answer is, “God has called me to go on so many mission trips.”
I have a great example with the Apostle Paul!