Saul the Missionary
The First Missionary Journey Continued
Acts 13:13 KJV 13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos,
they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them
returned to Jerusalem.
Introduction
When Paul (he is now using his Greek name and will for the rest of his life) and his company (from now on he is listed as the leader, not Barnabas) are finished at Paphos, they once again board a ship to sail to Pamphylia, specifically Perga.
Perga
Since Perga was approximately seven to twelve miles inland from the sea (it depends on who is the writer), then Paul and his company would have landed at a convenient seaport and then
…they either walked the coastal road to Side, whereupon the
road led inland directly to Perga, or they took a smaller ship from one of these ports to the mouth of the Kestros River.
Paul and Barnabas then either took a small boat up the Kestros to Perga or simply walked the seven miles.
The route north from Perga to Pisidian Antioch was itself difficult and dangerous—regardless of which of the alternate
routes scholars argue about that Paul and Barnabas took.
True, there were some excellent Roman Roads at this time,
but they were designed for commercial and military wagons
and carts and connected only major centers relevant to these
activities. Networks of less durable gravel and earth roads,
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THE CHIEF
as well as footpaths, connected smaller towns and villages.
These roads and paths often traversed rough terrain and were
frequented by robbers and thieves who could operate more
freely on these paths than on the policed paved roads.
RUGGED ROMAN ROAD. Paul and Barnabas would have traveled on secondary roads like this on their way to Pisidian Antioch.
Fairchild, Mark, Why Perga? Paul’s Perilous Passage through Pisidia, Biblical Archaeology Society: November/December 2013 Issue
John Mark
If you will recollect, John Mark is the son of Barnabas’ sister who lived in Jerusalem. It is believed that it was John Mark’s mother’s house in which the disciples had met to pray for Peter’s release from prison. He had been arrested by Herod after the death of James. When Barnabas and Saul had returned to Antioch, Syria, John Mark accompanied them. When they left on their first missionary journey, he went with them. When they finally got to Perga, he decided that he would go no further and returned to Jerusalem.
This was quite upsetting to Paul for, as we will see at the preparation for the second missionary journey, Barnabas and Paul could not agree with each other for John Mark to go with them. This brought about the split between Barnabas and Paul. We will examine this further when we get to the second journey.
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Many have speculated as to why John Mark returned instead of continuing on with Paul and Barnabas. As can be seen in the previous picture, the road to Antioch, Pisidia, was a dangerous one full of many hazards to any traveler. Regardless of his reason(s), he wanted to return to Jerusalem, so, he did.
Acts 13:14-43 KJV 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to
Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and
sat down. 15 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. 16 Then Paul stood up,
and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God,
give audience. 17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and
exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and
with an high arm brought he them out of it. 18 And about the time of forty
years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. 19 And when he had
destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to
them by lot. 20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space
of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And
afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of
Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. 22 And
when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king;
to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of
Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of
this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a
Saviour, Jesus: 24 When John had first preached before his coming the
baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John fulfilled
his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold,
there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to
loose. 26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and
whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation
sent. 27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they
knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every
sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. 28 And though
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they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should
be slain. 29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they
took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30 But God
raised him from the dead: 31 And he was seen many days of them which
came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto
the people. 32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise
which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us
their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written
in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to
return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies
of David. 35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not
suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 36 For David, after he had served
his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his
fathers, and saw corruption: 37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no
corruption. 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that
through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by
him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not
be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon
you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41 Behold, ye despisers, and
wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall
in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. 42 And when the
Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these
words might be preached to them the next sabbath. 43 Now when the
congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes
followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to
continue in the grace of God.
Antioch, Pisidia
From Perga, Paul and Barnabas travelled inland and
northward to Antioch in Pisidia (a Roman colony and the civil and military centre of the area). Citing Galatians 4:13, in which Paul says that it was “because of a bodily ailment”
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that he first preached the gospel in the area, some biblical scholars speculate that Paul caught malaria in Pamphylia and
went to recover in the higher altitudes to the north. If that were the case, it would explain why Luke doesn’t refer to
Paul and Barnabas’ preaching in Perga at this time although
observing that they preached there on their return journey (Acts 14:25). www.opentheism.wordpress.com/2015/03/21/pauls-first-missionary-journey-part-2/
Antioch… was the military and administrative center for that
part of Galatia which comprised the Isaurian, Pisidian and
Pamphylian mountains, and the southern part of Lycaonia. It
was hence that Roman soldiers, officials, and couriers were
dispatched over the whole area, and it was hence, according
to Acts 13:49, that Paul's mission radiated over the whole region. … The "devout and honorable women" (the King James Version) and the "chief men" of the city, to whom the Jews addressed their complaint, were perhaps the Roman colonists. The publicity here given to the action of the women is in accord with all that is known of their social position in Asia Minor, where they were often priestesses and magistrates. The Jews of Antioch continued their
persecution of Paul when he was in Lystra (Acts 14:19). Paul
passed through Antioch a second time on his way to Perga
and Attalia (Acts 14:21). https://bibleatlas.org/pisidian_antioch.htm Paul’s Sermon at Antioch
As had become their custom, Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading of the “law and the prophets”, the rulers of the synagogue invited Paul and Barnabas to speak. They were recognized as being Jews, but not as Christians because there was nothing to indicate they were followers of Christ. What an opportunity for them to present the Gospel. Consequently, Paul took up the invitation. What followed was probably the most powerful message that he ever preached.
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Paul begins his message by reviewing God’s dealings with
Israel, verses 17-22. He then proclaims that Jesus is the promised Savior, verses 23-26. He continues by reviewing
Jesus’ death, and the evidence for His resurrection, verses
27-37. He further proclaims that forgiveness is offered them
through Jesus, verses 38, 39. He concludes by warning them
not to fulfill prophecy by rejecting God’s work in Christ, verses 40, 41. https://executableoutlines.com/acts_so/ac13_13.htm So effective was his message that many of the Gentiles begged for more on the following Sabbath, verse 42. Also, many Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas. They encouraged them to continue in the grace of God, verse 43.
Acts 13:44-52 KJV 44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole
city together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the
multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things
which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46 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. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee
to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the
ends of the earth. 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad,
and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to
eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was published
throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and
honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution
against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. 51 But
they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
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We have no idea what may have transpired through the week until the next Sabbath, but when the next Sabbath came, the whole city came out to hear Paul preach again. It is possible that they were teaching those who had been saved at the first message. Thus, when it came to gathering at the synagogue again, the crowd was very large. This, of course, irritated the Jews greatly.
They were filled with jealousy because they were unable to get this size of crowd. They began to speak against Paul and Barnabas and to contradict their teaching. Their blaspheming only causes Paul and Barnabas to become even more bold in their preaching and teaching. Because of their resistance, Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles with their message, verse 46. The Gentiles were very glad to hear them declare this, and many were saved.
The message became so effective and powerful that the entire region heard the Gospel, verse 49.
The Jews then stirred up the populace to the point that persecution came upon Paul and Barnabas. They were expelled from Antioch and the surrounding area. We do not know just how severe the persecution was, and from reading the present reference, it appears to not have amounted to very much, but Paul later refers back to it and seems to indicate that there was much to it. However minor or severe, it did not deter them from continuing their witness. Instead, they “shook the dust off their feet” and went on their way.
Acts 14:1-6 KJV 1 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. 2 But the
unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil
affected against the brethren. 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking
boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and
granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude
of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the
apostles. 5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and
also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone
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them, 6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of
Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
Iconium
Iconium — Iconium was a good 90 miles southeast of Antioch and was the easternmost city in Phyrgia. Under Emperor Claudius, the city was given the privilege of calling itself Claudiconium, and it may be that at this juncture it became a Roman colony. It is important to notice that the route Paul and Barnabas are following, and their
persecutions may be independently attested to in 2 Tim. 3:11
and also in the acts of Paul. This route involved following,
among other roads, the Via Sebaste, the main Roman road
connecting the Roman colonies in the region. The road was
broad and well paved, built to accommodate wheeled
vehicles traveling to Iconium and Lystra, both cities in the region of Lycaonia. However, in order to reach Derbe, Paul
and Barnabas would not have taken an unpaved road about
100 kilometers in a southeasterly direction from Lystra.
( Witherington, Mitchell, Hansen) “Iconium” comes from eikon, the Greek word for “image.” According to Greek mythology, Prometheus and Athena recreated humanity
there after a devastating flood by making images of people
from mud and breathing life into them. ( Longenecker) Iconium was, “a garden spot, situated in the midst of orchards and farms, but surrounded by deserts. . . . Iconium, too, owed its bustling business activity to its location on the main trade route connecting Ephesus with Syria and the Mesopotamian world, as well as its orchard industries and
farm produce.” ( Merill) https://medium.com/acts-study-guide/iconium-lystra-derbe-back-caa71713145c
We do not know just how long that Paul and company were in Iconium, but they were very successful in preaching the Gospel there. Many were saved.
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As the situation developed, we find that the city of Iconium was divided between those who had believed and the Jews who did not believe. There were, however, some Gentiles who did not believe because they joined the Jews in planning to stone Paul and Barnabas.
Paul and companions were aware of the plans of their enemies. They then fled to Lystra, a distance of about twenty miles, which was a normal day’s travel in the Roman Empire at that time.
Lystra
Acts 14:6-18 KJV 6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe,
cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7 And there
they preached the gospel. 8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra,
impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never
had walked: 9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him,
and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 Said with a loud voice,
Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11 And when the
people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the
speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he
was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before
their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done
sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and
Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people,
crying out, 15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men
of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from
these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the
sea, and all things that are therein: 16 Who in times past suffered all
nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless he left not himself
without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and
fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18 And with
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these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done
sacrifice unto them.
The city of Lystra is noteworthy for being the probable home
of Timothy, Paul’s young protégé (Acts 16:1). Lystra was
located in Asia Minor in the area now known as Turkey.
Lystra was about a day’s journey (20 miles) from Iconium,
another city Paul visited (Acts 14:1; 2 Timothy 3:11). Lystra was a military staging post linking Pisidian Antioch with Iconium and Derbe. Being a Roman colony from 6 BC,
Lystra had a diverse population of Roman soldiers, Greeks,
Jews, and native Lycaonians ( International Standard Bible Encyclopedia,
“Lystra”).
Paul visited Lystra on his first and possibly second
missionary journeys. At the time, Lystra was a pagan city filled with idolatry honoring the Greek gods and goddesses.
A temple dedicated to Zeus was just outside the city. Paul’s
normal practice was to preach in the local synagogue first (Acts 14:1), but Lystra may have been the first city in which the apostles preached directly to Gentiles without beginning
in
the
synagogues.
When Paul healed a crippled man in Lystra (Acts 14:8–13),
the priest of Zeus brought bulls and wreaths to sacrifice to
Paul, believing him to be an incarnation of the god Hermes.
Paul and Barnabas pleaded with the crowd not to do such a
thing, crying, “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are
only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and
everything in them” (Acts 14:15). Using all the force they
could muster, the missionaries barely prevented the
Lycaonians from offering the sacrifice (verse 18).
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Unbelieving Jewish religious leaders had followed Paul
from Antioch and Iconium, and in Lystra they quickly turned
the crowd against the apostles. The people who had lauded
Paul as a god now stoned him and dragged him out of the
city, believing he was dead. When his friends gathered around him, Paul miraculously stood up, brushed himself off, and went back into Lystra. Many scholars believe that
this stoning episode in Lystra may be the occasion Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 12:2–4 where he alludes to being
in
paradise.
Many scholars believe the church in Lystra, being in south
Galatia, was one of the churches to whom the letter to the Galatians was addressed. If that’s the case, then the Christians in Lystra faced a theological crisis after Paul’s departure. The truth of justification by faith rather than by human works was being denied by the Judaizers, legalistic
Jews who insisted that Christians must keep the Mosaic Law—convert to Judaism first, they said, and then you are
eligible to become a Christian. When Paul learned that this
heresy was being taught to the Lycaonian and other Galatian
churches, he composed an epistle to emphasize our liberty in
Christ and to counter the perversion of the gospel that the Judaizers
promoted.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Lystra-in-the-
Bible.html
The pattern was changed in Lystra. I do not know if there were any synagogues in Lystra or not because Paul and Barnabas did not go to any synagogue. Instead verse seven reveals to us that preached the gospel. We are given no details other than they preached the gospel.
During their time in Lystra, there was a man who was lame from his birth.
He had never walked. He heard the message that was being preached by Paul and Barnabas. Paul, realizing that the man had believed and was now 72
saved, spoke to him in a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
This caused a reaction that Paul and Barnabas were caught off guard and very much surprised. In their own language— saying in the speech of Lycaonia (verse 11)— The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
Dr. Albert Garner in his comments on verse eleven, states that “There was then a current legend widely believed that Jupiter and Mercury had recently visited and wandered thru Phrygia, a neighboring country, and many indicated that these same gods had come to them in Lycaonia thru Paul and Barnabas, because of the miracle that had come to the lame man. Had Paul and Barnabas accepted their applause, praise, and adoration as gods, they themselves would have become false prophets and deceitful workers, wolves in sheep's clothing.”
Acts 14:12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius,
because he was the chief speaker.
Paul and Barnabas did not interrupt this yet, probably because they did not understand just what was going on. The people were not speaking in Greek, otherwise Paul and Barnabas would have understood what was going and would have stopped it. They did not realize what was happening until a priest of Jupiter came with some sacrifices to make to the missionaries.
Finally, they convinced the people that they were not gods, just men.
Conclusion
In the next part we will see what happened at Lystra after this incident and where they went next.
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