Acts of the Apostles: 1st century Church History – Intro

+ a Brief Summary of Acts [ABOVE] covers 10+ years.

First Missionary Journey of Paul & Barnabas

In this introduction to what Christians typically refer to as the THREE Missionary Journeys of Paul, I would prefer to get us thinking about the chronology, context and characters (yes, plural) leading these missions into all the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes Bible publishers try to help us with HEADINGS of Scripture to give readers an outline of the content of context chronologically or topically. (Of course the original didn't even have chapters and verse references either.) 

Here are a few which may match the HEADING of ACTS 13 in your Bible:

Preparing for the Mission Field, First Missionary Journey, Barnabas and Saul Sent Off, Paul’s First Missionary Journey, Barnabas and Saul Commissioned, The Church at Antioch Commissions Barnabas and Saul, Saul and Barnabas are called to a special task, The Apostles Preach in Cyprus, Mission and Magic, Barnabas, Saul, and Doctor Know-It-All, 2 The holy Ghost commandeth that Paul and Barnabas be separated unto him. [1599 Geneva Bible] 

Luke’s account of various ‘acts’ of the church now moves into the mission field.

As we noted in our Synopsis & AD 1st c. timeline [linked above], ACTS took place:

IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 47

Although earlier, in ~A.D. 40-45, as we have already read:

https://talkofjesus.com/an-antioch-blueprint-of-church-evangelism/

The report [of gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit] of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

Acts of the Apostles 11:22

• Barnabas had been sent out from Jerusalem to Antioch about five years earlier.
• Men of Cyprus and Cyrene have already been preaching the Gospel there.
• Barnabas, the son of encouragement, went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.
• For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people.
  • ~A.D. 45?

ALSO:

• prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.. who by the Spirit foretold of a famine
• so the church (in Antioch) wants to send relief to help the church back in Judea
• they sent their contributions back to the Jerusalem Church
• by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. – Acts 11:30 ESV

Acts of the Apostles 13:

13:1  ἦσαν δὲ ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ κατὰ τὴν οὖσαν ἐκκλησίαν προφῆται καὶ διδάσκαλοι ὅ τε Βαρναβᾶς καὶ Συμεὼν ὁ καλούμενος Νίγερ καὶ Λούκιος ὁ Κυρηναῖος Μαναήν τε Ἡρῴδου τοῦ τετραάρχου σύντροφος καὶ Σαῦλος

Picture these MISSIONARIES:

Photos below intended to provoke thought on the colorless blend of cultures of the first century Church by utilizing random photos of men living in lands of those ethnic gentile cultures. (It's not simply a Hebrew or Hellenist context.) 

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers:

• Barnabas,

• and Simeon who was called Niger,

• and Lucius of Cyrene,

• and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,

As a reminder from the complexity of the Herod family:
Herod the tetrarch = Herod Antipas, who married his half-brother's wife and beheaded John the Baptist! 
He is one of ten sons of Herod the Great (who had five wives). The Herod's are raised as Romans, connected socially and politically with the Roman emperors.
"Agrippa grew up around Rome.. went to school with the son of emperor Tiberius.. was eventually offered a small post in Galilee by his uncle Antipas.. Agrippa was given a job tutoring Tiberius’ grandson.. Caligula. Caligula banished Antipas and gave his territory to Agrippa, too. - source

In any case, Manaen's name is similar to [מְנַחֵם] that of an earlier king of Israel, whose name Menahem means  "comforter."
He must have needed to comfort others frequently while being raised in the household of this most-dysfunctional family of Roman-raised 'King's of the Jews.

• and Saul.

from the Church at Antioch..

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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.”

Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

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