The story of Barnabas and Saul’s first missionary journey is a remarkable testament to the power of the Holy Spirit and the transformative impact of the Gospel. This journey, documented in Acts 13 and 14, not only marked the beginning of a new chapter in the spread of Christianity but also set a precedent for missions that would echo through the ages.
The journey began in the bustling city of Antioch, where the early Christian church was thriving. It was here that Barnabas and Saul, along with other prophets and teachers, gathered for a prayer meeting. This was no ordinary meeting—it was a time of worship, fasting, and deep communion with God. As these leaders in Antioch prayed, the Holy Spirit spoke. “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2).
This divine instruction was not just a call to action but a commissioning by the Holy Spirit. After further fasting and prayer, the church laid hands on Barnabas and Saul, sending them off with the blessing and authority of the Holy Spirit.
Barnabas and Saul, accompanied by John Mark, first set sail for Cyprus. For Barnabas it was returning home but with new purpose. Arriving in Salamis, they began to proclaim the Word of God in the Jewish synagogues. Moving through the island, they eventually reached Paphos. It was here that encountered a sorcerer named Elymas, who opposed them. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Saul, also known as Paul, rebuked Elymas, causing him to go blind. This miraculous event led to the conversion of Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, demonstrating the power of the Gospel over darkness.
Leaving Cyprus, Barnabas and Saul traveled to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them. Undeterred, they pressed on to Antioch in Pisidia. Paul delivered a powerful sermon in the synagogue, tracing the history of Israel and proclaiming Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises. His message resonated with both Jews and Gentiles, and many came to faith, but not all. Opposition arose and they were expelled from the region. Shaking the dust off their feet as a sign of protest, they continued to Iconium.
In Iconium, Barnabas and Paul spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. Again, their message stirred up opposition, and a plot to stone them forced them to flee to Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia. In Lystra, a dramatic event unfolded. Paul healed a man who had been lame from birth. The crowd believed Barnabas and Paul to be gods in human form—Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes. The people even tried to offer sacrifices to them. But Barnabas and Paul tore their clothes in distress, strongly denying any divine status, insisting that they were merely men bringing the good news of the living God.
Their journey continued as they traveled to Derbe, where they preached the Gospel and made many disciples. Retracing their steps, the returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in Pisidia. At each stop, they strengthened the disciples, encouraging them to remain true to the faith, and appointing elders in the newly established churches. Their mission was not only about spreading the Gospel but also about ensuring that the new believers were well-grounded in their faith and leadership was in place to guide the burgeoning Christian communities.
Finally, they returned to Antioch, their starting point, where they reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. This journey marked a significant expansion of the early church and demonstrated the unstoppable nature of the Gospel when led by the Holy Spirit.
Barnabas and Saul’s first missionary journey was a trailblazing mission that expanded the reach of the Gospel beyond the borders of Judea and Samaria into the Gentile world. It was marked by divine guidance, miraculous signs, fierce opposition, and the unyielding commitment of these two apostles to their calling. Their refusal to accept worship and their dedication to planting and strengthening churches laid a foundation for future missions. Through their journey, we see the fulfillment of Jesus’ command to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, a mission that continues to this day.
Blessings!
Thanks, Dave. There are definitely points of similarities in my life and Jake’s as we walk with Jesus and for me personally on my last tour – missionary journey with Jesus in the Dominican Republic. 🇩🇴
You have been in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for the good reports from the DR. The work that you and Jake have undertaken is a divine calling, a calling from the Holy Spirit to fulfill the mandate of Jesus. Divine authority carries with it divine power and divine unction to see lives completely transformed by the gospel. Keep your eyes fixed on Him as He works in and through you for His glory. Blessings!