The church in Antioch starts the first missionary trip. Up until now the church has been spread due to persecution or other factors. This is the first time that we see a church praying for what God wants done, giving resources as He leads and then sending a group to accomplish the mission of God! Saul and Barnabas are sent off and start a journey to Cyprus (an island in the Mediterranean). They encounter a magician and God takes his sight by a mist of darkness – which is incredible. They then got on a boat and headed to Pamphylia. Then to Pisidia (which had a different Antioch) and through parts of the region of Galatia and ultimately to Derbe. Then the band tracked back and ended up back at Antioch (next post will deal with some of this journey). See the map below from my Logos software. I love Logos!

Note Saul’s name and usage of the Old Testament in sharing the message of Jesus! He is preaching to Jewish audiences at various synagogues. Therefore he goes by Jewish methods and understandings. We must know who we are talking to and what they need to understand about Jesus. Here in America, part of that may be to redefine who the Messiah is to us and helping people see what Jesus is really about. By the end of the journey he goes by Paul (in Gentile land) and shares the message that God is the hope (light) to the Gentiles as well. They rejoice and are excited to surrender to God!