"Paul's 1st Missionary Journey" -Acts 13-14

“Acts is a selection of events showing the tendencies, passion and patterns of early Christians, and “every story reveals principles and laws, operating with undeviating regularity, and contributing the secrets of the amazing spread of Christianity in the world” (G.C.Morgan). This is a story of mission history and how the gospel moved across cultural, racial and geographic barriers. It encourages us to overcome fears, get out of our comfort zones and trust God to do wonderful things. From now on, throughout Acts 13-28, the focus is on Paul’s ministry and missions activity. No greater missionary has lived than Paul the Apostle (his Jewish name was “Saul” and Roman name was “Paul”). His life provides us with insights that may help us discern the characteristics of a Missions call, commitment and message.

I. The First Missions Trip (Acts 13:1-14:28)

This first of Paul's journeys would take his team through Seleucia, the island of Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and back home again to Antioch of Syria. The time involved in this mission trip would be about 3 years, around A.D. 46-49.

            Saul spent his early years at Tarsus (Acts 9:11; 21:39; 22:3), and went there again after his conversion to Christianity (Acts 9:30; 11:25). Saul stayed a while in Tarsus but later returned to Antioch with Barnabas to minister for a whole year. Then, they carried the special offering to Jerusalem because of a famine, and then returned again to Antioch. John Mark, the son of Mary, also returned with them. The prophetic presbytery at Antioch commissioned "Barnabas and Saul" for their First Missionary Journey. This trip would produce the Galatian churches, but began on the island of Cyprus (Barnabas' homeland) at Salamis. On the western end at Paphos, they encountered the sorcerer Barjesus (Elymas), who was blinded in the meeting with "Paul" (so named in Acts 13:9). Sailing from Paphos, the team landed at Perga, and then on to Pamphylia, where John Mark decided to return to Jerusalem. Paul's journey from Perga to this Antioch may have been fraught with the "danger of rivers" and the "danger of robbers" (2 Cor. 11:26).

            "Paul and his company" (Acts 13:13) began their mission to the Galatian churches at Antioch of Pisidia, where Paul preached at the synagogues (13:15-42). The Gentiles received the Word but the Jewish uproar made them move on to Iconium. They later had to flee to Lystra, where because God healed a cripple, Paul was deemed to be a god. Later, he was stoned and left for dead. Paul then experienced a miraculous healing and recovery or was raised from the dead. After moving on to Derbe, the team retraced their steps and sailed back to Antioch, where they stayed a "long time" (about 2 years, 14:28).

II. The Call to Missions

“The 1^st missionary journey was revealed by God to men giving themselves to special prayer and waiting upon God. It’s this alone that can meet the needs of the world”-A.M.

There are several characteristics of the call to full-time missions or ministry work. This call must come from God. Missions and ministry leaders do not choose themselves – their call is directly from God. This call is also confirmed by spiritual leaders (13:1-3). When someone responds to a calling, it often will also require great personal commitment and sacrifice, as well as the encouragement and blessing from others.    

            It’s essential for the Church to be missionary to the ends of the earth and the end of history. To believe that relationship with God and participating in His purposes are inseparable. To know God, we get close to His heart…and there we discover love for the world and billions of people! This inspires a life of worship and witnessing while helping us read the bible and see other people with God’s heart and eyes. “For God so loved the whole world” that HE gave Jesus and sent us. Learning to live Jn.3:16, motivated by love with a mission vision is important for us all.

            Mission is not something peripheral to the Christian life. It is to have priority over mind and manifestations. Understanding this will help us to avoid the traps that have often paralyzed the western church. The pursuits of both the intellectual mind and spiritual manifestations are valuable, but they are not of 1^st importance. There are many well meaning Christians that have pursued almost exclusively one of these to the neglect of the others. However, mission is to have priority and the mind and manifestations are to serve the mission of knowing God and making Him known.

          It’s also important to notice that both Peter and Paul (Acts 8, 13) had confrontations with sorcerers. This compares with Moses and the magicians of Egypt (Ex. 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18-19; 19:11, 2 Tim. 3:8); as well as the witchcraft in Samuel’s day (1 Sam. 10:1-12; 19:19-24; 28:6-7); and the giants in the days of Noah. These are clear evidence of a real spiritual battle going. We will look at spiritual warfare in later lessons.

III. Leadership & Life Insights

On this 1^st mission trip, Barnabus learns and lives a leadership insight that is important. Barnabus had been Paul’s mentor since the 1^st trip to Jerusalem, and had brought him to Antioch as well (Acts 9:27+, 11:25+). During their ministry in Cyprus it appeared to Barnabus that Paul was specially anointed and exercising a new level of spiritual authority. Paul was at the point where he needed to move beyond the mentoring relationship with Barnabus. The blessing of God and obedient faith of Paul combined with the discernment of Barnabus to bring about a leadership transition…a passing of the baton. From now on (Acts 13:13, 43), with only 3 exceptions, the Bible always refers to “Paul and Barnabus.” Prior to that, it was “Barnabus and Saul” (13:2,7). Paul took the lead and led from here on.

            It takes great grace and maturity for a man like Barnabus not only to allow such a leadership change, but to work to make it successful. It takes humility, wisdom and relational insights to recognize the need to change jobs, switch roles or take a different position on a team. It takes a big man to be willing to step down and become a partner or follower, rather than the leader. Barnabus sensed a difference, took the necessary steps for change and learned to relate to Paul and serve in ministry in a new way. The results were powerful and history-making!

          We can learn insights from the situation with John Mark also. After sailing to Pamphylia, he decided to return to Jerusalem. He left the mission team and abandoned his commitment half-way through. Why did John Mark leave and return to his early childhood home (Acts 12:12,25)? Was the attraction of his earthly home, him simply wanting to see his mother and old friends; was he leaving the team because he freaked out over the spiritual warfare and intense confrontations; or was he upset that cousin Barnabas was becoming the "second" man as Paul was ever coming to the forefront???      

We don’t know…but we do know this wasn’t the end for him. This event would later spark great contention (dispute) between Paul and Barnabus at the outset of the 2^nd Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-39). However, this believer who wavered in one battle, would live to obtain a glorious victory. He was not unwilling to go on the 2nd Journey, and Barnabus became his mentor. He then accompanied Barnabas back to Cyprus, the place where he had faltered (Acts 15:39)! Often God will take us back to the place we failed to bring fresh revelation and encouragement to move forward in faith and obedience. Lastly, notice that Paul did not retain an unfavorable judgment of John Mark (Col.4:10; 2Tim. 4:11). The result of all this…we have the “Gospel of Mark!”

          Lastly, we have insights here about “decisions, direction and divine guidance.” God clearly spoke to them, led/directed/sent them forth on this mission. They also apparently decided to go to Cyprus 1^st because Barnabus was from there and it was easily accessible. It was a good decision. They later sensed guidance to stay or were forced to leave places according to the good fruit or unfavorable circumstances. We too are to live a life of finding/following God’s lead/will through a tapestry of discerning and deciding to move by faith/obedience in certain directions. Life and faith direction decisions are almost always a combination of God’s voice/word, our choices (hopefully by godly wisdom, counsel and desires), and prayerfully/thoughtfully navigating through real-life circumstances. There is no set pattern, 5 steps to, or secret formula for discovering Divine guidance. We must seek and trust God to ‘discern and decide’ HIS will in ways that bring HIM glory and bless people. All this…is being “led by the Spirit.”

III. The Message Preached

In regard to preaching, Luke gives us 2 distinct discourses. In 1 we find the Gospel preached to the Jews in Antioch which Luke emphasizes with 30 verses. And in the other, we see a different tone from Paul when speaking to Gentiles in Lystra (5 verses).

            At Lystra, Paul calls the Gentiles to turn from their vain idol-worship to the Living God, who made Heaven and earth, whose providence through generations has watched over the nations, and who gives witness to Himself from Heaven in all the blessings He bestows. Paul appeals to their consciousness of a heavenly power and challenges them to turn to the God whom he preaches. This approach to ministry will be looked at later, when we study Paul’s visit to Athens and Mars Hill.

            Now, compare this sermon of Paul to the Jews with Stephen’s (Acts 7; 13:16-41+), and notice the similar style and use of the historical psalms (Ps.105, 106+). The apostle dwells upon the previous history of the Jewish people. He proves that the Messiah, the Son of David, whom he proclaims was the same one their own prophets bore witness to, and that His Advent was heralded by John, His predicted messenger. He then proceeds to remove the prejudice which the rejection of JESUS by their authorities in Jerusalem, their headquarters, would naturally raise among the Pisidian Jews against his divine mission. He shows that Jesus' death and resurrection had fulfilled the O.T. prophecies, and declares this to be the "Good News" (Acts 13:32) which the apostles were charged to proclaim. But then he continues in a bolder tone to declare Jesus' finished work of salvation, and the antithesis between the Gospel and the Law. Paul ends his sermon strongly warning against the bigoted rejection of Jesus' person, work, and teaching. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is clearly his main/concluding point.

            Paul was a JESUS preacher! His MESSAGE was the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus! (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Dr. Luke, the author of Acts, the constant companion of Paul, and the eyewitness to his incredible ministry and message records Paul's sermons throughout Acts: Acts 13:16-41; 14:14-18; 17:22-33; 20:17-38; 21:40-22:22, 30-23:9; 24:10-22, 25; 25:10-11; 26:1-29; 27:11-26; 28:17-20, 25-28.

            In conclusion, it’s important to understand that in both ministry approaches and messages, and throughout the New Testament, there is a clear pattern to the structure and communication of the Gospel. The 3 principles are: 1) “Find common ground” with those you’re speaking to; 2) “Tell them what they already know/believe to be true;” 3) “Put it in a Gospel context.”

"Peter at the House of Cornelius" -Acts 10-11

Acts 10:1-11:18 is the longest narrative in Acts. This suggests that the events and insights related to Peter’s vision and Cornelius’s conversion are important to us all. It shows we need to break through barriers caused by cultural mindsets, personal prejudices, or religious pride. These can hinder our understanding of God, as well as our attitudes and effectiveness in serving, evangelism or missions.

Q-Is evangelism uncomfortable/intimidating 2U? How & Why?

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I. The Priority of Missions-

Acts is a story of mission history and how the gospel moved across cultural, racial and geographic barriers. It encourages us to overcome fears, get out of our comfort zones and trust God to do wonderful things. This story is an inspiring example of Peter doing this not by faith or love, but with stubbornness and hesitancy. He is learning the true meaning of the Great Commandments, and just now (years later) obeying the Great Commission by sharing the Gospel with Roman Gentiles (Mt.22:36-40, 28:19).

God’s agenda for history and what He is doing to fulfill that agenda is outlined in Genesis 12:3 with the call of Abraham. “All the families of the earth will be blessed.” This is the redemptive purpose of Jesus’ life, death and victorious resurrection. Luke echoes this in his “Great Commission” (Lk.24:47, Acts1:8) with an emphasis on all peoples and all places. In these scriptures and this story, we see the mission to the world is as much a part of the message and purpose of God as is the incarnation, cross and resurrection of Christ. The Church and the Kingdom of God includes men and women of every race, language and culture (Rev.7:9-10, 22:2, 17). This is what Christian mission is all about and is the biblical revelation God is teaching Peter and the Jerusalem church. 

It’s essential for the Church to be missionary to the ends of the earth and the end of history. To believe that relationship with God and participating in His purposes are inseparable. To know God, we get close to His heart…and there we discover love for the world and billions of people! This inspires a life of worship and witnessing while helping us read the bible and see other people with God’s heart and eyes. “For God so loved the whole world” that HE gave Jesus and sent us. Learning to live Jn.3:16, motivated by love with a mission vision is important for Peter and us.

Mission is not something peripheral to the Christian life. It is to have priority over mind and manifestations. Understanding this will help us to avoid the traps that have often paralyzed the western church. The pursuits of both the intellectual mind and spiritual manifestations are valuable, but they are not of 1^st importance. There are many well meaning Christians that have pursued almost exclusively one of these to the neglect of the others. However, mission is to have priority and the mind and manifestations are to serve the mission of knowing God and making Him known.

II. The Process of Christian Expansion-

Acts is a missionary manual for Church expansion, and the whole biblical agenda is that the people of God would take the gospel message to all people.

This story of Peter and Cornelius is one of the great turning points of Church history. For the first time, a Gentile was being admitted into the fellowship of the Church. This rocked the church to its core, and threatened to divide it in two. It was the beginning of a controversy that Peter continued to struggle with, and Paul was to fight throughout his ministry. We want to look at the factors that led Peter and the Church to take the gospel across these significant cultural and racial barriers.

At the time of Peter’s vision, the Christian movement was distinctively Hebrew and still centered in Jerusalem. Christianity was in real danger of becoming just another minority sect of Judaism. Then, in a flury of Spirit led actions and adventures, the Church found itself in new territory, facing a bold new vision of Christ’s redemptive work and the nature of HIS Kingdom. Steven became the 1^st martyr, Phillip the 1^st missionary to foreigners, Paul was called as apostle to the Gentiles, and now Peter is supernaturally overcoming prejudice which will lead to the conversion of Cornelius.

The Holy Spirit, is a Spirit of mission

The Holy Spirit is “sent” to empower our participation in God’s purposes. To help us “go” and be witnesses for Jesus Christ. The gifts of the Spirit are, primarily, to equip us for mission and ministry. In Acts we see the Holy Spirit at work forming & expanding the outreach of the church. It is a magnificent record of the Spirit using the most unlikely people, overcoming formidable obstacles, employing unconventional methods and achieving remarkable results. The special activity of the Holy Spirit in Acts seems to be at points where the gospel is breaking through from one place and one culture to another, ex. Pentecost (2), the Samaritan (8:16), the Ethiopian (8:26), Cornelius (9), the mission structure (13), the call to Europe (16:9) and the voyage to Rome (27:23). Acts and mission history is full of surprises, and so is the story of Peter and Cornelius. When participating in missions, or ministering to people very different than us, we should expect God to do the unexpected!

III. The Practical Lessons for Us -

This story of Peter and Cornelius and the reaction of the church in Jerusalem gives some important lessons for Christians and churches today. One of the clearest lessons is that God is in charge! At every step the Holy Spirit was directing things.

A second lesson is that sometimes the Holy Spirit pushes us to think in a new way. Peter’s heavenly vision forced him to a totally different way of looking at people. Is the Holy Spirit working in us to see people in new ways…without personal experience, preferential bias or ethnic prejudice clouding our thinking?

There are no “common people.”

The 1^st significance of Peter’s vision is an understanding that in Christianity, there is to be no racial or religious superiority. There are no inferior people, for we are all created in the image of God, and we cannot call impure what God has cleansed. Strict Jews believed that God had no use for Gentiles. The vision of a sheet from Heaven with all kinds of animals for a picnic was offensive. It was a violation of their dietary laws and something Peter had followed all his life.

“In contrast with so many Bible personalities who seem to get it right the 1^st time, Peter’s life of faith is characterized by fits and starts, steps forward and backward, acts of faith and cowardice…Sometime’s it looks like he’s got it; then it seems he doesn’t get it at all” (Williamson). “It is not at all surprising that Peter should challenge (and see) this vision three times” (Walasky). Peter had to learn the lesson, and with the vision’s repetition, there could be no possible mistake or dodging of this lesson.

There was another word from God in prayer, a knock on the door and conversation with the men Cornelius had sent. Suddenly, it dawned on Peter that this vision was not about animals but people. The message was not about menus but salvation. Never before had God’s people thought of HIS love and promises being available to unclean Gentiles, but that was about to change!

God is no respecter of persons…

Notice that in Acts 8, 9, and 10 we have the conversion of a descendant of each of Noah’s sons. The Ethiopian eunuch was the offspring of Ham, Saul from the line of Shem, and now Cornelius a descendent of Japheth. This is yet another marvelous picture that the Gospel is for all; and Christ is not prejudiced. His salvation and abundant life are for whoever believes.

It’s also important to notice that both Peter and Cornelius are equally significant to this story and incredible breakthrough. They had diverse upbringings and personalities, and came from “different sides of the tracks.” Yet, both were overcoming what was custom and “politically correct” to step out into uncomfortable and unfamiliar waters. Both were praying men that God spoke to and gave spiritual visions. Both trusted and obeyed God, and were helped by Angels. The real hero of the story is the One who answers prayers, makes promises and finds a way to keep them even in the midst of our stubbornness and partiality. Peter came to this revelation when at Cornelius’ house. Then Peter said, “I now realize that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation…and the message God sent, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, WHO IS LORD OF ALL!!!” (Acts 10:34-36).

The Cornelius Factor -

The setting of most of this story is the house of Cornelius, a Gentile soldier. He lived about 30 miles north of Joppa and west of Jerusalem in Caesarea. Cornelius was an officer (Centurion) in the Roman military commanding 100 men. This means he was a man of proven character, loyalty and courage. His life of self-discipline, leadership and service had earned a position of prominence and the respect of colleagues and subordinates. His caring heart was seen in the big crowd he invited to hear Peter.

However, the most amazing thing about him was his piety. He was a devout, God-fearing, generous and praying man. “God-fearers” was a technical term for Gentiles who became frustrated with their ancestral beliefs (the gods and their immoralities) and turned to Jewish religion. They accepted the Jewish faith but did not accept the whole law or circumcision. They were 1 of the 3 types of people found in synagogues; and after this story (throughout NT times), they most commonly formed the nucleus of new Churches.

Cornelius is an example of a “seeker.” He was a man who lived with conviction and conscience. He was searching for God, had some faith and knew there was more…but had incomplete understanding. He was ready to “hear and be saved”-Rom.10:11-17.

“Memorials”

“Your prayers and gifts have come up as a memorial offering before God.”-Acts10:4, 31

God remembered the sincerity, faith and generosity of this man. The way he lived and worshipped got the attention of Almighty God. This marks a memorial not on earth, but in Heaven; a telling of one’s life, words and deeds not in the annals of history, but in Eternity’s Book of Remembrance! Remembering is important and memorials matter.

The prophets were always telling people to remember, and the function of remembering is encouragement. Biblically, when we “remember,” we see the faithfulness of God and our faith increases. Biblically when God “remembers,” HE moves immediately and supernaturally to bring change or blessing into your life or difficult situations (Ex.2:24+).  Our remembrance is hope, and God’s remembrance is answered prayers and fulfilled promises from Heaven…now!

“I read the other day that the fundamental thing is how we think of God. By God Himself it is not! How God thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important” (CS Lewis). Many strive to move the hands of men, but few seek to move the heart of God. May we be remembered with a heart for God and hands toward men and women.

Viewing Missions As A Lifestyle

This is an article my daughter Alexis had published last year in her school newspaper "The VERVE." I love her writing and encourage you to glean from the "Pure Perspective" of a 16 year old. That is the title of her monthly article and new blog...check it out at: www.pureperspective11.blogspot.com

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” -Acts 20:24

Among the Christian world the term “Missions” comes up rather often. The majority of us have either been on a mission’s trip before or if not, we know someone who has. The incredible experiences which take place on those trips are quite tough to put into words and frequently the end result includes the changed lives of those who were ministered to and those who went to minister. This is a recurring instance which many can testify to, but what happens, when we come home from such indescribable encounters with the Lord and life as we knew it just won’t cut it anymore?

Yes, coming back to reality is tough and the ‘missions trip high’ is something that may drive us to be different then before, but there is something which many of us fail to consider and often don’t even truly understand. Missions is obviously about reaching out to the lost and hurting, but why do we so often get the idea that they have to be done in certain ways and in specific circumstances? The bible never says only to preach the Gospel when on organized trips with our youth groups or when our churches send us to do so.

As Christians we should be living our lives as if we are on the mission field 24/7. Our single most important job other than pursuing an intimate relationship with the Creator is to further His kingdom.

Putting this concept into action may be as simple as encouraging someone at school who seems to be having a tough day, or challenging friends to a higher standard of purity and brotherly-love. Taking this a step further may mean gathering up the boldness to pray for someone while you are in Wal-Mart or even sharing the gospel with someone you meet while standing in line at Chic-fil-a.

God didn’t put many boundaries on how we are to share His good news. All we need to do is make ourselves available for His use. Living fully for the Lord means sacrificing the desires of our flesh and giving ourselves entirely to Him, when we do this no matter what fears we may have, Christ will use us—simply because we are willing to be used. We don’t even have to worry ourselves with finding people to minister to or having the right words to say, all we must do is prepare our hearts and He will provide the rest.