The First Missionary Journey marks a significant event in the early Christian church, as it represents the initial organized effort to spread the Gospel beyond the Jewish communities into the Gentile world. This journey is primarily recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, chapters 13 and 14, and is led by the Apostle Paul, accompanied by Barnabas and John Mark.

Background and Commissioning

The journey begins in Antioch of Syria, a pivotal center for early Christianity. The church in Antioch was diverse and vibrant, characterized by a strong sense of mission. Acts 13:2-3 describes the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Route and Key Events

1. Cyprus: The first destination was the island of Cyprus, the homeland of Barnabas. They traveled from Salamis to Paphos, preaching in Jewish synagogues. A significant event occurred in Paphos, where they encountered the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus. Acts 13:12 notes, "When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord." This conversion marked a pivotal moment, demonstrating the Gospel's power to reach influential Gentiles.

2. Pisidian Antioch: From Cyprus, Paul and Barnabas sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark departed from them. They continued to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul delivered a powerful sermon in the synagogue, emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Acts 13:38-39 records Paul's message: "Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses."

3. Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe: The missionaries faced both acceptance and opposition as they traveled. In Iconium, they spoke boldly, and "a great number of Jews and Greeks believed" (Acts 14:1). However, they also encountered hostility, leading them to flee to Lystra and Derbe. In Lystra, Paul healed a man lame from birth, which led the crowd to mistakenly worship them as gods. Paul and Barnabas vehemently rejected this, directing the people to the living God (Acts 14:15).

4. Return to Antioch: After preaching in Derbe, they retraced their steps, strengthening the disciples and appointing elders in each church. Acts 14:22-23 highlights their encouragement: "They strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.'"

Significance and Impact

The First Missionary Journey was instrumental in establishing the pattern for future missions. It demonstrated the church's commitment to the Great Commission, as outlined in Matthew 28:19-20. The journey also highlighted the challenges and triumphs of missionary work, including the necessity of perseverance amidst persecution and the importance of establishing local church leadership.

The journey concluded with Paul and Barnabas returning to Antioch, where they reported all that God had done through them, particularly how He had "opened the door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27). This mission laid the groundwork for the expansion of Christianity into the Gentile world, setting the stage for subsequent missionary endeavors.