Faith & Reason Nexus

Paul’s first missionary journey, recorded in Acts 13 and 14, was a pivotal moment in the spread of Christianity. Led by the Holy Spirit, Paul (formerly Saul) and Barnabas embarked on a journey to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles, with the support and prayers of the church in Antioch.

Key Verses: Acts 13:2-3

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”

Major Locations and Distance Traveled:

The map and distance between the cities Paul visited highlight the extent of his missionary work. Here is a breakdown of the journey:

• Antioch in Syria to Seleucia: ~15 miles
• Seleucia to Salamis: ~100 miles
• Salamis to Paphos: ~100 miles
• Paphos to Perga: ~175 miles
• Perga to Antioch in Pisidia: ~100 miles
• Antioch in Pisidia to Iconium: ~85 miles
• Iconium to Lystra: ~30 miles
• Lystra to Derbe: ~30 miles
• Derbe to Lystra: ~30 miles
• Lystra to Iconium: ~30 miles
• Iconium to Antioch in Pisidia: ~85 miles
• Antioch in Pisidia to Perea: ~100 miles
• Perga to Attalia: ~20 miles
• Attalia to Seleucia: ~320 miles
• Seleucia to Antioch in Syria: ~15 miles

Total Distance Traveled: Approx. 1,235 miles

Journey Highlights:

1. Antioch to Seleucia: After being called by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas left Antioch and sailed to Seleucia, beginning their journey.
2. Salamis and Paphos: In Salamis, Paul and Barnabas preached the Word of God, and later in Paphos, they confronted the false prophet Bar-Jesus, leading to the conversion of the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus.
3. Perga: In Perga, John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, left them and returned to Jerusalem, which later caused a dispute between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37-39).
4. Antioch in Pisidia: The team traveled to Antioch in Pisidia, where Paul preached in the synagogue. Some believed, but others opposed him, leading him to focus on preaching to the Gentiles.
5. Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe: From Antioch, they moved on to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, where they encountered persecution but also saw the fruit of their labor as many believed.
6. Return Journey: After reaching Derbe, Paul and Barnabas retraced their steps, encouraging the new believers and strengthening the churches they had established.

Significance of the Journey:

• Expansion of the Gospel: This journey marked the beginning of the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles, setting the stage for the later church-wide mission to the nations.
• Establishing New Churches: Paul and Barnabas planted new churches in key cities, providing a foundation for future Christian communities.
• Persecution and Perseverance: They faced numerous challenges and persecutions, yet continued to press forward, demonstrating resilience and obedience to God’s call.

This journey ultimately changed the course of Christian history and laid the groundwork for Paul’s subsequent missionary efforts.