Lesson 21
Acts, Chapter 13
1
Time Frame (Acts 13)




Paul’s first missionary journey, covered
in Acts 13:1 – Acts 14:28, came after
Herod’s death in A.D. 44 (12:1-25)
First missionary journey covered
about 3 years. A.D. 45-48.
The Galatian churches were
established during this time.
At the close of this tour, Paul and
Barnabas report back to the church in
Antioch of Syria (14:26-28).
2
Antioch in Pisidia
GALATIA
Iconium
Lystra
Derbe
Perga
Attalia
Antioch
Seleucia
Paphos
SYRIA
Salamis
From this point, Antioch becomes the center
CYPRUS
from which the gospel spreads. It was situated
Paul’s
First
on some of the main travel tourtes , by land
Missionary
Journey
and sea. Large numbers had
been converted
(Acts
13:1
–
14:28)
to Christ through efforts preceding Barnabas,
and after he came to Antioch. 45-48 A.D.
3
Saul and Barnabas Sent to
Preach (1-3) 1

List of Prophets and teachers given (1)





Barnabas. Already promiinent in Luke’s history
(cf. 4:35-36; 11:22-ff)
Simeon, called Niger. Perhaps a black man.
Nothing more known.
Lucius of Cyrene. Since men from Cyrene were the
initial evangelists in Antioch (cf. 11:20, Lucius may
have been among them).
Manaen. Associated with the household of Herod
the tetrarch (Herod Antipas).
Saul. The major character of our further studies.
4
Saul and Barnabas Sent to
Preach (1-3) 2

They ministered at Antioch (2)





Ministered and fasted.
The Holy Spirit directed the church to set a
part Barnabas and Saul to a special work.
(cf. Acts 9:15-16)
Note: This verse does not elevate Barnabas to
the position of an Apostle, as some advocate
The church fasted, prayed, and laid hands on
Barnabas and Saul, and sent them to the work
5
(cf. Addendum)
Paul’s First Missionary
Journey Begins (4-5) 1

They went to Seleucia (3-5)
6
Antioch in Pisidia
GALATIA
Iconium
Lystra
Derbe
Perga
Attalia
Antioch
Seleucia
Paphos
SYRIA
Salamis
SeleuciaCYPRUS
founded in 300 B.C. by Seleucis I
Nicator, to provide a seaport for Paul’s
Syrian Antioch.
First
Was located on the OrontesMissionary
River, whereJourney
it
emptied into the Mediterranean.
land– the
(ActsBy
13:1
14:28)
distance between Antioch and Seleucia
was 16
45-48 A.D.
miles.
7
Paul’s First Missionary
Journey Begins (4-5) 1


They went to Seleucia (3-5)
They then set sail to Cyprus

Arrived in Salamis
8
Antioch in Pisidia
GALATIA
Iconium
Lystra
Derbe
Perga
Attalia
Paphos
Salamis
CYPRUS
Largest city
on the
island of
Cyprus.
Antioch
Old Greek
capital. A
Seleucia
SYRIA
few hours
of favorable
sailing
Paul’s First
could take
Missionary Journey
one from
(Acts 13:1
–
14:28)
Selelucia to
45-48
A.D.
Salamis
9
Paul’s First Missionary
Journey Begins (4-5) 1


They went to Seleucia (3-5)
They then set sail to Cyprus




Arrived in Salamis
Preached the gospel in the Synagogue at
Salamis (5)
John Mark assisted them in their preaching
(5)
Traveled over land to the city of Paphos (6)
10
Antioch in Pisidia
GALATIA
Iconium
Lystra
Derbe
Perga
Attalia
Paphos
Salamis
CYPRUS
Length of
Island 150
miles. From
Salamis to
Antioch
Paphos,
100 miles.
Seleucia
SYRIA
Paphos
served as
the Roman
Paul’s First
capital of
Missionary Journey
the Island.
(Acts 13:1
–
14:28)
Worshiped
45-48
A.D.
Aphrodite.
11
Elymas the Sorcerer (6-12) 1

Found a Sorcerer in Paphos



Names: Bar-Jesus, tranlated Elymas (6,8)
The Sorcerer was a false prophet
Elymas was with the Proconsul in Paphos



Sergius Paulus (An intelligent man) (7)
Note: Proconsul a different office than governor,
and for a long while, historians doubted Luke’s
account.
Until, coins with the phrase “PLaulus the
proconsul” were found.
12
Elymas the Sorcerer (6-12) 2

Apparently, Sergius Paulus was a
man interested in finding truth


Elymas resisted the messengers of
God (8)




Sent for Saul and Barnabas (7)
Don’t know his tactics
But, he tried to influence the proconsul to
reject the teaching of Saul (8)
(Note: Saul is called Paul beginning at [9])
Paul condemned Elymas (10)
13
Elymas the Sorcerer (6-12) 3

Paul, by God’s authority, struck
Elymas blind (11)



Indicates the power of God over this
sorcerer
The Sorcerer was blinded instantly
Sergius Paulus believed (12)

Notice that his astonishment was not
mentioned as being towards the miracle,
but rather the teaching of Paul.
14
Paul’s Address at Antioch of
Pisidia (13-41) 1

Paul and his party left Paphos, and
sailed to the mainland, to Perga (13)
15
Antioch in Pisidia
GALATIA
Iconium
Lystra
Derbe
Perga
Attalia
Paphos
Salamis
CYPRUS
Perga was about
100 miles North of
Paphos. Capital
city of one of the
Antioch
provinces of Asia
Located 7
Seleucia Minor.
SYRIA
miles inland on
the banks of a
river (Cestus).
Paul’s First
There are
Missionary Journey
extensive Greek
(Acts
13:1
–
14:28)
and Roman ruins
45-48
A.D.
at Perga.
16
Paul’s Address at Antioch of
Pisidia (13-41) 1

Paul and his party left Paphos, and
sailed to the mainland, to Perga (13)



For the first time, Paul’s name given first,
rather than Barnabas
Here John Mark returned to Jerusalem. (It
is obvious that his reason for leaving was
not acceptable to Paul, cf. 15:37-39).
Later Paul and Barnabas would cease
working together because of their
disagreement over John Mark.
17
Paul’s Address at Antioch of
Pisidia (13-41) 2

Next, Paul and Barnabas traveled to
Antioch of Pisidia (14)
18
Antioch in Pisidia
GALATIA
Iconium
Lystra
Derbe
Perga
Attalia
Paphos
Salamis
CYPRUS
Antioch 100 miles
north of Perga.
One of several
towns built to
Antioch
honor Antiochus.
of the
Seleucia Capital
SYRIA
Roman province
of South Galatia.
There was a
Paul’s First
considerable
Missionary Journey
Jewish population
(Acts
13:1
–
14:28)
there when Paul
45-48
A.D.
arrived.
19
Paul’s Address at Antioch of
Pisidia (13-41) 2

Next, Paul and Barnabas traveled to
Antioch of Pisidia (14)


Paul and Barnabas were invited to speak in
the synagogue on the Sabbath after their
arrival (15)
Paul’s Address (16-41)


A concise history of God’s dealings with
Israel (16-22)
Jesus proclaimed as the promised seed of
David (23)
20
Paul’s Address at Antioch of
Pisidia (13-41) 3

Paul’s address, cont. (16-41)


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John the Baptist affirmed as Jesus’
forerunner (24-25)
The gospel preached in concise form (2639)
Paul convicts his listeners (40-41)
21