Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Acts 13
Paul is said to have made three missionary journeys that are recorded in the Book of Acts. He really wasn’t on a missionary journey, but some include his journey to Rome on the list. The three missionary journeys plus the journey to Rome are listed below. Luke, the author of The Acts of the Apostles, arranged Paul’s travels into three separate missionary journeys. After completing one journey, Paul would go back to Jerusalem and give a report before setting out on another journey.
• First missionary journey (Acts 13:4 to 15:35)
• Second missionary journey (Acts 15:36 to 18:22)
• Third missionary journey (Acts 18:23 to 21:17)
• Journey to Rome (Acts 27:1 to 28:16)
The first two journeys start and end in Syrian Antioch. The third journey starts in Antioch and ends in Jerusalem. Starting from Jerusalem, the fourth journey ends in Rome.
Saul Begins Using His Rome Name
Many people mistakenly assume the Lord changed Saul’s name to Paul as soon as Saul was converted on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-19). Actually, God did not change Saul’s name to Paul. Paul already had the Roman name “Paul.” However, Saul did not begin using his Roman name until Acts 13:9 when he spoke to a Roman audience on his first missionary journey. He adopted his Roman name to put people at ease so they could relate to him.
Mark Acts 13:9 in your Bible so you will be reminded of this.
Luke, the writer of Acts, includes himself in the narrative. You will see the word “we” a lot of times during the journeys. Luke was a friend and companion of Paul. Luke has a fondness for sailing. Therefore, he detailed each place they sailed and what happened when they stopped at each place.
Luke traveled with Paul on his second and third missionary journeys. Notice the pronoun “we” beginning in Acts 16:10, where Luke became one of Paul’s regular traveling companions throughout the remainder of the book. Luke journeyed with Paul to Rome and was with him during the two years he was under house arrest (Acts 28:30-31). Again notice the pronoun “we” in Acts 28:10-16.
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off To Cyrpus
Acts 13:1-12
While they were worshipping in the church at Antioch, the Holy Spirit gave instructions for Barnabas and Saul to be sent on a missionary journey. After the people fasted and prayed, they laid hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them on their way. The two men traveled through many places proclaiming the word of God as they went.
Barnabas and Saul met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus who opposed them. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at the sorcerer and called him a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right. Then Paul prophesied that the hand of God would be against him and he would go blind for a time. Immediately the sorcerer became blind and darkness came over him. He was groping around trying to find someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed.
REVIEW: Notice that in Acts 13:9, Saul is now called Paul. A lot of people think Saul’s name was changed on the Damascus Road during his conversion experience. However, that was not the case. It is here that the Bible begins calling him Paul. It was many years later. Like many Jews, Paul had two names, one Jewish (Saul) and the other a Graeco-Roman name (Paul). Paul is beginning to use this name because he is moving into Gentile territory. From now on, he is called Paul.
Hopefully, you have noticed that every time the names were mentioned up to now, Barnabas’ name always came before Saul. From this point on, Paul’s name will come first most of the time. Look back through your study to find that this is true.
In Pisidian Antioch
Acts 13:13-52
When Paul and his team sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, John Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem. Paul and his companions sailed on to Pisidian Antioch where they went into the synagogue and read from the Old Testament and gave a history of the Jewish nation from life in Egypt to the forty years in the wilderness to King David which took place over 450 years.
From Acts 13:20b he talks about the first king of Israel and continues through the history. Paul assured his listeners that his team is there to bring the message of salvation. He recounts the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. They were so interested that he was invited to continue talking to them on the next Sabbath.
On the next Sabbath, more people believed. The word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region. This upset some influential Jews who expelled Paul and Barnabas from their region. Paul and his team shook the dust from their feet and left for Iconium to preach to the Gentiles from that time on.
Questions
1. How did Luke divide Paul’s travels?
2. What took place over a 450-year period?
3. Paul’s speech is divided into segments of the Old Testament before talking about Jesus Christ. Look through the chapter and indicate where he talked about the following:
The Israelites’ stay in Egypt
Forty years in the wilderness
Judges
Kings
John the Baptist
Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection
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