Paul, Barnabas and John Mark on their missionary journey - Angela Rich
Teachers
Lesson Summary
Angela Rich taught a lesson on Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark's first missionary journey as recorded in Acts 13:13-52. The three missionaries traveled from Cyprus to Perga, where John Mark departed to return to Jerusalem, while Paul and Barnabas continued northward to Antioch in Pampylia (in what is now Turkey). Upon arriving at this important trade center, they went directly to the synagogue on the Sabbath and were invited to speak words of encouragement. Paul delivered a comprehensive presentation of God's redemptive history, tracing His work from the deliverance of Israel from Egypt through the judges and prophets, emphasizing that the Messiah would be a descendant of David, and culminating in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as God's chosen Savior. The initial response was overwhelmingly positive, with people begging them to return the following Sabbath. However, when the crowds returned the next week and were even larger, jealous Jewish leaders began to oppose Paul's message, speaking against him and arguing against everything he taught. In response, Paul boldly declared that since these Jews rejected the message about Jesus, he would turn to the Gentiles instead. The Gentiles responded with tremendous enthusiasm, becoming Christians, experiencing joy, being baptized, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Yet the angry Jewish leaders enlisted influential city officials and organized a mob to drive Paul and Barnabas out of town. The apostles responded by shaking the dust from their feet—a symbolic rejection of those who rejected God's message—and departed for Iconium. Despite this opposition and rejection, Paul and Barnabas departed filled with joy, recognizing that their mission had borne spiritual fruit through the many Gentiles who had heard the good news and turned to God. This lesson illustrates the power of the gospel message to transform lives and the apostles' unwavering commitment to share it with both Jews and Gentiles, regardless of opposition.