Class 7 ~ Gentile Mission: Paul Introduction to the Apostle Paul and the First Missionary Journey

A New Protaganist From Acts 1 through 12, the main character is Peter; Beginning in Acts 13, Saul of Tarsus, also called the Apostle Paul, takes over as main character for the rest of Luke’s narrative. We will see Peter one more time in Acts 16 with the council at Jerusalem, but he is not mentioned again in Acts. This reflects the changing focus in the Christian movement from a Jewish sect to a worldwide faith of all nations. ALSO, IMO, Peter probably fulfilled the God-given role of shepherding apostle for the Christian movement (elder at the Jerusalem, and probably subsequent churches), while Paul fulfilled the role of missionary apostle for the Christian movement (trainer of evangelists). The LORD had a different role for them to build up the church.

TIMELINE My preference is to put the events of this work in a timeline context and understand dates –it helps me put my Christian experience in context as well, and makes for some interesting observations about Christian life. For instance: John, some 20 years younger than Peter, a mere teenager when Jesus called him -Jesus’ 12 disciples must have had a wide range of ages.

Meet Saul of Tarsus Born Saul in the City of Tarsus around 2-5 Anno Domini (“in the year of our LORD,” the beginning of the Christian era). (About 6-10 years younger than Jesus). Tribe of Benjamin (named after a famous Benjaminite?) Father a Pharisee and a Roman citizen. Saul was his Hebrew name –also given the Latin name Paul. Circumcised on the 8 th day (Phil 3:5) We’ll look more into the influences on Saul when we talk about the church council next week. The First Missionary Journey is a plateful this week.

Preparing for the Journey Building up the church in Antioch -3 years since Acts 11:25, 41 AD to Acts 13:1, 44 AD –Saul trained in this church of new Gentile converts for his work. Went to Jerusalem for Famine Relief with Barnabas –John Mark came back with them from Jerusalem The revelations he alludes to in 2 Cor 12 probably occurred while he was in Jerusalem The movement has been around for about 14 years- Jerusalem, Samaria, Ethiopia, Phoenicia, Cyprus, Antioch Holy Spirit calls Barnabas and Saul, 44 AD Acts 13:1-4

Holy Spirit Calls Barnabas & Saul God told Ananias that Saul was His chosen instrument to “carry my name before the Gentiles…” (7 years before Peter & Cornelius) Paul in Galatians 1:15 –”set me apart from birth to preach to the Gentiles” Are we prepared for the tasks that the Holy Spirit has for us? I’m talking about life defining tasks –How do we prepare –by serving the Lord and His church NOW Worshipping and Fasting part of getting the Lord to move in your life Laid hands on them –A blessing of the church –The entire church was invested in this effort –not just the missionaries –We’ll see this at the end of the journey.

“The First Missionary Journey” “Brother Paul, I want to write a book to my friend Theophilus” “Tell me about your first missionary journey…” These are the impressions the journey made on Paul –Let’s see what Paul (and by extension) the Lord wants us to know about these places…

1 st Stop ~ CYPRUS Acts 13:4-12 Salamis –Preached in the Synagogue God has provided a means to get the word out –the centuries of preparation of the synagogue to be the basic forum to get His gospel out to His people, the Jews Paphos –The episode with Bar- Jesus and the proconsul, Sergius Paulus

Bar-Jesus & Sergius Paulus Bar-Jesus, or Son of Jesus, also known as Elymas, which means “the Sorcerer” Despite the “Miracle” of Elymas’ blindness, what impacted Sergius Paulus was the TEACHING about the Lord. Luke The rich man and Lazarus Saul now adopts his Latin name Paul

2 nd Stop ~ Antioch, Pisidia Another Antioch John Mark left at Perga (must have stayed on the ship bound for Jerusalem) Went to the Jewish Synagogue and were invited to speak (Acts 13:15) Acts 13:38-52

Paul’s Message to the House of Israel Similarly to Peter at Pentecost, he alludes to Jesus as the heir of David’s throne and royalty Warns them not to scoff, but to believe ~Hab 1:5 Significant interest –particularly among the Gentile converts to Judaism They were begged to come back next Sabbath Entire town came out! Paul must have been studying Isaiah that week –He quotes Isaiah 49 Isaiah 49:5-6

Isaiah 49:5-6 ~ Paul, the light to the Gentiles Paul sees himself as fulfilling this prophecy –he sees the prophecy as a “command” (Acts 13:47) See also Galatians 2:7 The word will divide the crowd. Word spread throughout the region. Great joy and the Holy Spirit!

3 rd Stop -GALATIA Acts 14:1-7 Galatia –a province that the Roman empire connected to the Lycaonian region Iconium –Similar pattern to Antioch Go to the Jewish synagogue–divide the crowd This time, did not just expel, but tried to stone (increasing level of persecution) A cottage industry of persecution is created ~2Tim 3:12 Cross over into Lycaonican region –Lystra, Derbe and the surrounding country Lystra –as we will see later in Galatians, they are easily “bewitched”

Lystra’s Fluid Allegiances The good and gentle town folk of Locker C-18 Acts 14:8-20

Lystra, Galatia –A City of “Mercurial” People Probably no Synagogue –they performed signs and wonders as a way of introducing the teaching Paul & Barnabas are gods! “Right on time,” here come the Jews… This time the Jews were “successful” and Lystrans just stoned those who they had earlier wanted to deify as gods Adapt the gospel to their own religious desires/ agenda Very shallow convictions and more interested in being religious than repenting –Easily swayed The rocky soil of the Bible Talk Parable Galatians –In the later letter to the Galatians, we see that even the disciples carried traces of their community with them Gal 1:6, 3:1 Do not underestimate how influenced we are by the world around us.

Return to the Flock Acts 14:21-28 As Paul & Barnabas passed back through the cities they passed this message: Must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God This message was intended to strengthen the churches Appointed elders –less than two years since churches were born – first mention of elders being appointed –Paul established the process and guidelines for appointing elders that we have today. Elders are also called bishops, overseers and pastors Sailed from Attalia and arrived at Antioch in Autumn of 46 AD

Rejoice at the News The church in Antioch rejoiced at the news Their hearts were in the missionary effort Pray, support missionary efforts to reach the lost NEXT WEEK ~ Read Acts 15, we’ll talk about the Church Council and look more in depth at Paul’s early years.