Journey One

An´tioch Of Syr´ia (Acts 13:2,3)

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his city was the beginning point of the first three journeys, and the returning point of the first and second. You might say that this was the official headquarters of Paul the missionary. What a powerful city! Located 300 miles north of Jerusalem, Antioch was built on the bank of the Orontes River about 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea—also called the Great Sea. It was classified as the third city, which was surpassed, only by Rome and Alexandria. There were many Jews living in this Greek city, and thus, it was able to boast a population of some 200,000!

About five miles from the city was the famous suburb Daphne that was the pleasure resort of An´tioch. It was noted for its beautiful groves, fountains and baths. In reality though, it was a place to lower the morals of those who went there. Every kind of immoral act was practiced at this place. Truly there was a pressing need to preach Christ Jesus and His elevated way of life, here at An´tioch of Syr´ia.

Most of the cities where Paul will preach have gods and goddesses promoting all types of lust and sin. Today, our first thought might be to simply turn away leaving them with the devil. Not so with this great apostle. He will see the false gods and the base evils of each city, but he will also see (by the eye of faith) what transforming power can be made by the power of the gospel, and will go to work.

It is told of Michael Angelo that one day as he was walking with some friends in an obscure street of Florence he saw a fine block of marble lying neglected in a yard, and half covered with rubbish. Although not dressed for rough work, Angelo at once fell to clearing away the debris and strove to lift the block from the mire in which it lay.

His companions in astonishment asked him what he was doing and what he wanted with that worthless piece of rock. ‘Oh,’ said he, ‘there’s an angel in the stone, and I must get it out.’ So Paul was engaged in getting the angel out of the rough blocks of sinful and ignorant cities.

There are many things that happened at this city in the spreading of Christianity that we must remember.

(1) In (Acts 6:5), we learn that one of the seven, Nicolas, chosen to relieve the apostles of the duty of seeing after the widows, was from An´tioch of Syr´ia.

(2) It was from this An´tioch that Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to get the church straightened out on the question of whether or not the Gentiles should wear the old Jewish yoke of circumcision. They were successful (Acts 15)

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(3) The term Christian was first applied to followers of Christ in An´tioch of Syr´ia (Acts 11:26).

(4) Last of all, but certainly not the least, it was in An´tioch of Syr´ia that the first Gentile church was begun (Acts 11:19-26).

Therefore, from this church the Holy Spirit sent Paul and Barnabas to the mission field to evangelize the world (Acts 13:2-4). For after fasting, praying, and the laying on of hands, these men were on their way to Seleu´cia.

Seleu´cia (Acts 13:4)

As Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark left An´toch, it is easy for us to imagine them taking a very small boat on the Orontes River—16 miles to Seleu´cia. This seaport of An´tioch, Seleu´cia, was located 5 miles north of the mouth of this river. Once they had arrived, they could stand on the shoreline of the Mediterranean and make plans to sail to the Island of Cy´prus. There may be many reasons why they chose this route, but perhaps the main one came from the fact that Barnabas was the leader at this time. Cy´prus was his home country and he would naturally want to return to friends and tell them the good news of Christ.

As they anticipated their travel to Cy´prus, it is logical to believe that they had available the fact that the island was some 80 miles southwest of this seaport, Seleu´cia. With good sailing they could shortly be on the island ready to begin work.

We have no record that they did nay mission work here at Seleu´cia. It is to be remembered only as their sailing point to Cy´prus. However, Seleu´cia made for itself a good name in history as a noted city on the seacoast of Sy´ria.

Island of Cy´prus—Sal´amis (Acts 13:5)

This is their first stop when reaching the Island of Cy´rus. In fact, this is the nearest seaport from An´tioch of Sy´ria. Sal´amis is located on the eastern side of the island, and it was at this point that the preaching began. For we are told that the missionaries entered the synagogue and began preaching to the Jews. Notice that Paul first preached to the Jews and later to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16).

Paul and his companions could not be content in touching lightly this island, so we are told that they made their way westward to Pa´phos. The island is only 150 miles across from east to west, and Sal´amis is on the east and Pa´phos on the west. All seemed to be calm until they reached Pa´phos, but this is where the real test began.

Island of Cy´prus—Pa´phos (Acts 13:6-12)

When they entered Pa´phos, they were in the chief city of the island. It was here that they encountered a city dedicated to Venus, the goddess of love. The people claimed that this goddess was born of the ocean foam at this very city. Like many other false gods and goddesses, Venus was used as a license to commit all kinds of immoral acts. In fact, this religion was based on all kinds of lusts and licentiousness.

One of the many things that proves Christianity to be the true religion from a living God is its contrast to other religions. While the religions of Paul’s time promoted all kinds of fleshly lusts, Christianity lifted the soul to a beautiful life of purity.

There is no such poetry as that of a genuine Christian character. It is the beauty of life. Life is sweet, life is beautiful. In the spring of the year, when life is bursting forth from every tree, every shrub, and every plant, all nature is clothed with beauty. The Christian religion is not merely a creed, or a bundle of ceremonies, or a profession, but a life. Let no one be content with a mere form of religion, for then he will never see its real beauty. As one can feel physical life throbbing through his nerves, so the Christian can feel spiritual life palpitating within. The most beautiful life of all is the life of God in the soul of man.

The first enemy to Christianity mentioned in this journey was a sorcerer, false prophet, a Jew named Bar-jesus. He was also called El´ymas (a wise man), but after studying his actions, we do not consider his so wise! He was associated with an intelligent man, the proconsul of the country, Ser´gius Pau´lus, who actually called for Paul and Barnabas. However, this false prophet, El´ymas, tried to turn Ser´gius Pau´lus away from the faith and this really brought the love of Christ out of Paul for the first time.

Barnabas had been the chief leader of the team until now, but all seems to change here in Pa´phos as Paul comes forth with the most pointed and hard rebuke ever spoken. Observe his words to this sorcerer: “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10). Paul did not stop with these strong words, but called for the power of God to come down on him to make him blind for a time as a mist of darkness came on him.

A man once asked the judge to excuse him from jury duty upon the grounds that he was an atheist. The judge first responded by giving several different evidences of God. Then he added, “I am excusing you from jury duty—not because you are an atheist, but because as an atheist you are one who is incapable of weighing the evidence.

If there had been any doubt in the mind of the proconsul before this, it was now removed for he was astonished at the doctrine of the Lord and believed. From this point forward, Paul increased and took the lead in this important mission effort for Christ.

Until this stop here at Pa´phos, Paul was known as Saul, but here he takes the name Paul. Some think that he received his name from Ser´gius Pau´lus, but this is not likely. It seems rather that Saul was his Hebrew name, and that Paul was his Roman name.

With this miraculous experience behind them, they left this island for Per´ga of Pamphyl´ia.

Per´ga of Pamphyl´ia (Acts 13:13)

Leaving the Island of Cy´prus, they had a journey of 150 miles northwest across the Great Sea to Per´ga. This city, Per´ga was the capital of the province of Pamphyl´ia. It was located on the Cestris River, seven and one half miles from its mouth. This city had many large structures—two of which have been found among its ruins. One appears to be either a temple of a goddess or a church building, and the other is a large theater, which seated some 13,000 people.

Just as Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark had encountered a goddess worship in Pa´phos, they found the same type situation here in Per´ga of Pamphyl´ia. This goddess was called Leto and could be compared to the goddess Diana of Ephesus. This goddess Leto was commonly known as the “Queen of Per´ga.”

Sometimes the question is asked, “Why did these missionaries choose the direction to Per´ga?” We are not told, but perhaps it was for the same reason that Barnabas chose Cy´prus his home country. Now that Paul has taken the lead, it is possible that he chose this direction wince it led toward his native land. It is a fact that no matter how far we wonder from our land of birth, our eyes are often turned back, and we still hope the best for our home people.

We should work today to implant in our children’s hearts the beautiful influence of a Christian home. True home influence is great, silent, irresistible and permanent. Like a calm, deep stream, it moves on in silent, but overwhelming power. It strikes its roots deep into the human heart, and spreads its branches wide over our whole being.

Home, in all well constituted minds, is always associated with moral and social excellence. The higher men rise in the scale of being, the more important and interesting is home.

Even though we don’t know much about Paul’s home life, there must have been a warm and special place in his heart for it. Even more importantly, though, was Paul’s love and concern for the souls of his native land as well as the whole world. His heart’s desire with God’s help moved him throughout his life.

The Scriptures are silent as to whether or not they preached in Per´ga, but it is likely that they did. Perhaps it was just routine work and nothing spectacular happened is why it is not mentioned in this narrative. However, we are told of one happening from this stop. John Mark (a cousin to Barnabas, Colossians 4:10) gave up and returned home to Jerusalem.

We will never know the real reason why this happened. Did he resent Paul taking the lead? Barnabas did not seem to mind. Did the journey get too rough as he looked ahead to the hazards of the Taurus Mountains? Did he get bored? Regardless of the reason, he left the work and the two other men must make the journey alone—the next stop being An´tioch of Pisid´ia.

Every Christian needs to remember daily the admonitions of Paul: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not faint” (Galatians 6:9).

There is no doubt that many among the population of hell will be there because they were quitters. Fortunately, John Mark was able to later make a come back, and Paul finally recognized his value, but many who quit are like Demas—they never return (2 Timothy 4:10), and never return. Yes, the going often gets rough as we walk the steps of a Christian, but we should persevere when we remember our responsibility to God.

Daniel Webster was once asked: “What is the greatest thought you ever entertained?” He replied: “The most important thought I have ever had was that of my personal accountability to a personal God.” In the words of Napoleon: “Victory belongs to the most persevering.” Remember, “No rock so hard but that a little wave may beat admission in a thousand years.” —Tennyson.

An´tioch of Pisid´ia (Acts 13:14-52)

The next 100 miles from Per´ga to An´tioch of Pisid´ia was not an easy one. Much of the distance stretched over and through chains of mountains, which had only small trails for the travelers to follow. Even though Rome had tried to make these mountains safe for travelers, the robbers could hide in so many places that they could rob and kill for years and never be caught.

This is only one of the many times that Paul and workers put their lives into the guidance of God as they encountered dangerous missions. However, it was the dangers, difficulties, and perils that helped make Paul the true instrument that he was for God’s service. He could have chosen the easy life, but he would have never become obedient to God, and strong in the faith. The following little parable illustrates this:

I listened to a flute one day, complaining that it was spoiled by having a number of holes bored in it. It said, “Once I was a piece of wood, very beautiful to look upon; now I am spoiled by all these holes;” I said, “Without these rifts and holes you would only be a mere stick, a bit of mere hard, black ebony, soon to be thrown away. Those rifts and holes have been the making of you: they have made you into a flute: they are your life, your character, your music and melody, and you will not now be cast aside with contempt, but touched by even the fingers of future generations.“

Finally they arrived at An´tioch of Pisid´ia. Don’t get this An´tioch confused with An´tioch in Sy´ria. The same man founded both, but they were miles apart. The An´tioch where the missionaries are now arriving is located at the foot of the Taurus Mountains and is included in the province of Gala´tia. Due to its location, it was a chief city in the Roman province of Gala´tia and chief of the military colonies.

On arrival, Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue of the Jews and sat down. After the reading of the law and prophets, they were invited to speak and at this point, Luke records the first example of Paul’s preaching. His style is simple, but very convincing.

He referred to God’s goodness to Israel, outlining several main points in their history and thus standing with them on common ground. He stated that from David’s descendants God was to raise up the Messiah. He declared that this Messiah had come, and that He was Jesus. The rulers in Jerusalem had put Him to death, but God had raised Him from the dead. He himself was a witness to that fact. He showed from prophecy that this event had been foretold. He argued that only through this Jesus could come remission of sins.

We have finally learned today that this is still the best method of teaching. Most of the home study video and filmstrip series of study are designed to lead students through the Bible from the beginning down through the Christian Age.

In this evil world of sin and darkness, Paul believed that God’s word is a shaft of light that leads to the light of the world, Jesus Christ. Thus, Paul was able to begin at the passages read in the synagogue and safely lead them to Christ. Those who will not follow this light will be lost in darkness.

A father and daughter were out at sea in a storm, and near a dangerous coast. The mother lighted a lamp, and started up the worn stairway to the attic window. “It won’t do any good, mother,’ the son called after her. But the mother went up, put the light in the window, knelt beside it, and prayed. Out in the storm the daughter saw a glimmer of gold on the water’s edge. ‘Steer for that,’ the father said. Slowly but steadily they came toward the light, and at last were anchored in the little sheltered harbor by the cottage.

After this stirring sermon, many were so impressed that the Gentiles asked them to preach the same to them on the next Sabbath. These preachers were looking for opportunities to preach Christ, so they accepted the invitation. When the next Jewish Sabbath came, almost all of the city showed up and this was more than the Jewish leaders could stand. They became jealous and began to pick apart the truths that were spoken. They stirred up the devout and honorable women and the chief men of the city and persecution followed.

At this point, here at An´tioch in Pisid´ia, Paul turned to the Gentiles. This was the mission for Paul given by the Lord: “I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47). So they shook off the dust from their feet and left for Ico´nium.

When God’s truth is heard one must reject it, misapply it, or live it. The Bible makes it plain in all ages that for God’s word to help, it must be obeyed. It has been said: “You may as well hope to make a good painter or musician by hearing a lecture on the arts of music and painting as a righteous life by hearing a lecture on the ten commandments.

There is but one way to become godly. “He who does righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7). The hearing of the word is but wasted time if we are not going to practice what it teaches. And no one can or will practice the new life unless he first has received the new heart and spirit through faith in Christ.

Many in Paul’s audience, here at An´tioch of Pisid´ia, listened for the wrong purpose. Thus, the fruits of such brought envy and jealous actions. All jealousy must be strangled in its birth, or time will soon make it strong enough to destroy.

Ico´nium (Acts 13:51; 14:1-6)

Next they traveled in a southeasterly direction to Ico´nium, which was the Capital of Lycao´nia in Asia Minor. Likewise, this city was located at the foot of the Taurus Mountains and was rather large and rich. When reaching this city, the missionaries were approximately 120 miles north of the Mediterranean Sea.

Their efforts were successful at this stop, for it says in Luke’s account that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. However, don’t get the idea that all went smoothly here, for as had already been the pattern, the unbelieving Jews stirred up trouble. But the trouble had to become impossible to bear before these men would leave a good work. Thus, for a long time they spoke boldly in the Lord and even gave signs and wonders to show that they were sent of God. Even with such convincing teaching and miracles, the city was divided and it was learned by these faithful preachers that they were just before being stoned, and they fled for their lives to Lys´tra.

One might ask, “How could Paul and Barnabas continue to endure those who mocked and threatened them?” The secret—they had help from the Lord! Perhaps you are familiar with the shock absorbers for automobiles. By a little relieving device near the wheels, the rough places are less felt. In our lives today (even as Christians), the road is often rough, but we have Christ near to be our shock absorber.

Here is One who will bear our burdens with us. Here is One who intercedes for us. What a wonderful Christ is ours, who comes to us, who abides in us and with us, who absorbs the shocks and woes of life and brings us peace. Paul must have felt this comfort often in his life as he moved from city to city.

Lys´tra (Acts 14:6-20)

It might be said that Paul escaped one stoning to receive another, for this is exactly what happened to him in Lys´tra. It was only a short distance southward to Lys´tra where Paul and Barnabas entered a city controlled by the Romans and, as was the case in many other cities where they visited, it was filled with those who had chosen a heathen type worship.

Back on the Island of Cy´prus in the city of Pa´phos, Paul had used the power of God to make an evil man blind. Now in Lys´tra, he uses the power of God to make a lame man walk. As Paul preached, there sat a lame man who had never walked. It became evident that this man had faith and Paul healed him.

This miracle was performed, no doubt, for two purposes: (1) To help the man. (2) To magnify the power of God. But these heathen people were so blind to their false gods that instead of giving the God of heaven credit, they imagined that Paul and Barnabas were their gods come down.

They called Paul Mer´cury corresponding to Her´mes of the Greeks—herald of the gods, and Barnabas, Ju´piter corresponding to the Zeus of the Greeks—supreme god of the Romans. In fact, they were ready to make a sacrifice when Paul and Barnabas assured them that they had come there to purify the world of such gods by preaching the true and living God.

Paul did not wish personal glory that came from the power of God’s miracles, but rather desired that the praise should point to God. Today, if we will only look, God is performing His handiwork on His giant stage of nature. The following quote from John Hall exalts the power of God:

I stood one evening watching the pure white flowers on a vine encircling the veranda. I had been told that the buds that hung with closed petals all day, every evening near sunset unfolded and sent out a peculiar fragrance. The miracle was more than I had anticipated.

A feeling of silent awe possessed me as I saw bud after bud; as if under the touch of an invisible hand, slowly fold back its leaves until the vine was filled with perfect blossoms, most beautiful and sweet.

I said, “If the finger of God laid upon these His flowers can do this in a way beyond the power of human study to explain, cannot the same divine touch, in ways we know not of, do as much for human hearts?“

After some Jews arrived from An´tioch and Ico´nium who could not get over the opportunity missed earlier to stone Paul and Barnabas, it didn’t take them long to turn the heathen’s so called gods into subjects for stoning. Therefore, Paul was stoned, taken out of the city and left for dead.

Was Paul alone as he laid there wounded from the stones? No! For in (verse 20), we read that the disciples stood around him. It is a possibility that young Timothy and his mother and grandmother were among the few on this occasion. The Scriptures are not specific whether Timothy was from Lys´tra or Der´be. Since the missionaries preached in both Lys´tra, Der´be, and the region around them, it is certainly possible that they helped comfort Paul on this occasion.

It is at this point that Paul needs his brethren to stand by him, even though he had the guidance of the Lord. Could it be that when these brethren stood by Paul that it was God’s way of standing by him? Yes, God used these brethren to help Paul. Suppose they had become fearful or discouraged and fled? Paul’s burdens would have been made heavier. When we reach the valleys of darkness in life, we need light.

Grandma was attracted by the cheerful way of a little girl, and she asked her, “What makes you look so bright all the time?”

“Why I have to,” said Susie. “You see, Papa’s been ill a long while, and Mamma is tired out with nursing, and the baby is cross with her teeth; and if I wasn’t bright, who would be?”

“Yes, yes, I see,” said dear old Grandma, putting her arms around this streak of sunshine. “That is God’s reason for things: they are because somebody needs them. Shine on little sun; there couldn’t be a better reason for shining than because it is dark at home.“

At this point of Paul’s journey, what would you have done? Would you have given up the trip? Would you have concluded that God was not with you because of the stoning? If such even crossed his mind, it is not mentioned. Instead, he left Lys´tra and traveled east and south a few miles to Der´be, the farthest point in this first journey.

Der´be (Acts 14:6,20-21)

Der´be is so close to Lys´tra that we usually speak of them in the same breath. The account states that Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in this city. Only 30 or 35 miles away, Paul had received a stoning almost to his death the day before, but now he preaches the gospel, God’s good news to save. Why the rush? Time is short and opportunities precious, so he does not waste any time in healing his wounds.

Why was Paul so anxious to travel on and to preach the word? Why the urgency? Because he believed that it is appointed to men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The question, “Where will I be at the judgment,” is a very serious one. Do you ever pause in life to ask this question?

What a company that will be, gathered at the Judgment Day, before the Great White Throne! Yet there is something for each one of us to think of besides the immensity of the throng: I shall be somewhere in that crowd.

More, there will be no possibility of escaping the piercing eye of the Judge. It will be impossible for one to hide himself behind another—Jesus will find every individual there and will know unerringly just what is in his heart.

But why should we wish to hide from the gaze of the King? His is a loving eye. If we try to hide nothing from Him during the days of life we shall not wish to hide anything when life is done.

Paul is now only 110 miles from Tarsus his home country. How simple it would be for him to return from this journey to An´tioch in Sy´ria by way of Tarsus. However, Paul chose to return by retracing their steps, to confirm the souls that they had won for the Lord. As they returned to Lys´tra, Ico´nium, An´tioch in Pisid´ia, Per´ga, and finally to Attali´a, where they would sail directly to headquarters or An´tioch in Syr´ia, they ordained elders in every church, prayed with fasting, and commended them to the Lord (Acts 14:23).

Paul’s prayers were different from that of many who pray. This man believed in letting God use him to answer prayers. Prayer was not merely series of words spoken, but rather words of faith backed up with actions. When Paul prayed that the brethren would be served, he became one of the servants.

A boy heard his father pray that the needs of the poor might be supplied. He thought a while, and then said, ‘Father, I wish I had all the corn you have.’

‘Why, son, what would you do with it?’

‘I would answer your prayer,’ said the boy.

God expects us to use the means we have to answer our own prayers, so far as we can.

After arriving back in An´tioch of Syr´ia, it must have been a thrill for Paul and Barnabas to relate to the church their success for the Lord. They could tell of their battle with El´ymas the sorcerer; the faith of Ser´gius Pau´lus the Proconsul; of being driven out of the other An´tioch and escaping stones; of the healing of the lame man at Lys´tra, and the inclinations of the heathens to offer sacrifices to them as their gods; of Paul being stoned and left for dead at Lys´tra; of the many perils that came from storms, hunger, thirst, and how that God had been with them every step of the way.

Tears of joy must have come to their eyes as they related to the brethren here just how many Jews and Gentiles were converted, how many churches of Christ were planted, and how these followers were all filled with faith and devotion to Christ. Truly a great and noble work had been accomplished!

What made the work of these men so great? They had not obtained great wealth, purchased land, or made successful business deals! Their work was great because they had influenced the destiny of eternal souls. Paul must have felt like Jesus, that one soul is more precious than the whole world (Matthew 16:26).

A gentleman once took an acquaintance to the upper porches of his house to show him his estate. Waving his hand around he said, “This is all mine.”

His friend said, “Do you see that little village yonder? Well, there lives a poor woman in that village who can say more than you.”

“Why, what can she say?”

“She can say, “Christ is mine!”

Before closing out this first journey, let us list for your study the stops they visited where they had preached and Scriptures as they returned home:

Lys´tra (Acts 14:21)

Ico´nium (Acts 14:21)

An´tioch in Pisid´ia (Acts 14:21)

Pisid´ia (Acts 14:23)

Per´ga (Acts 14:25)

Attali´a (Acts 14:25)

An´tioch in Syr´ia (Acts 14:26).

—BBBristow