ON OUR JOURNEY AHEAD from Antioch I’ll show you a 21st century view of Paul’s missionary journey from GOOGLE EARTH guided by brief scripture for each part of Paul’s first missionary journey.
Did any of you cartographers catch my wrong label for Antioch on this map?
In my introduction to the first missionary journey of Paul we introduced you to some representative faces of the culture in Antioch, the most notable church outside of Jerusalem.
In the year of our Lord [A.D.] 47 + about 14 years after the Crucifixion, Resurrection & Ascension of JESUS.
About Antioch
Rather than taking a traditional approach to Paul’s missions from a first-century view culturally rooted in Jerusalem, it may help us to think about Antioch and Paul’s departure from this IMPORTANT ROMAN CITY more like a Roman Citizen.
After all, Saul of Tarsus (Paul), is not only a Jew, but a Roman Citizen who becomes somewhat of an ambassador between cultures, a man of learning and understanding of Romans, Jews and Greeks or Hellenists.
What you see above is a painting of ruins of the ancient wall of Antioch.
(I’ll show you an aerial view of this same area of the city [below]).
About Antioch: a little before Paul, but NOT before ROME:
The Great Commission – from Antioch
Three hundred miles (480 km) north of Jerusalem, the Seleucids urged Jews to move to Antioch, their western capital, and granted them full rights as citizens upon doing so. In 64 BC, Pompey made the city capital over the Roman province of Syria. By AD 165, it was the third largest city of the empire.
21st c. comparison: FROM CINCINNATI OH to CHICAGO or Ashtabula OH
WE might FLY to Chicago or DRIVE 400-500 km across Ohio, the same as from Jerusalem to Antioch {Syria, not Ohio}.
Jerusalem is a long walk from MOST of the Roman World!
So Jerusalem in many ways is NOT such a great place to "go into all the world.'
TRAVEL: FLYING or even DRIVING 50+ mph for a day is NOT a first century option (obviously).
OUR DEPARTURE is for MOSTLY ROMAN destinations.
And in fact, ANTIOCH is mostly Roman; therefore the Holy Spirit brings Paul, Barnabas and many others to establish the CHURCH in Antioch and from there, to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord JESUS."
Orontes River flows north along modern-day Lebanon and Syria toward Antakya, Turkey then SW to the Mediterranean.
Antioch on the Orontes, an ancient Greek city on the eastern side of the Orontes River, was one of the most glorious of all the Greek cities in the world.
Home to hundreds of thousands of people in its golden age, it was known as “The Second Rome” and subsequently “the Cradle of Christianity” before it experienced so many cataclysmic earthquakes and military conquests that it was reduced to a backwater.
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, and Saul. And while they were ministering to 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, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia…
Acts of the Apostles 13:4a
The Roman city is not unlike a more familiar Caesarea [a model pictured here], Jerusalem's Roman port also built by Herod the Great AND built even better for Rome by Herod Agrippa.
..and from there they sailed to Cyprus. – Acts 13:4b LSB
ACTS 13 of the Apostles on Mission TO BE CONTINUED…
AD 1st c. timeline – what has happened so far in ACTS of the Apostles 1-12
+ 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:
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,
Βαρναβᾶς or Joseph of Cypress may have looked similar to this old man [2005]
Nigerians: Νίγερ Niger, of Latin origin means “black” surname of the prophet Simeon
and Lucius of Cyrene,
Libyan ManMap of 21st c. Libya, ‘Lucius of Cyrene: Lucius = “light: bright: white” – a man from Cyrene who was a prophet and a teacher of the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1), perhaps the same one as mentioned in Ro. 16:21 – source BLB.org
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.
(Yes, that would be the former Pharisee and Roman citizen, Saul of Tarsus, converted by Jesus on the road to Damascus back in A.D. 37.
NOW, nearly ten years later, Barnabas and Saul are about to embark on their first mission trip into all the world.
from the Church at Antioch..
.. and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts of the Apostles 11:25b NASB
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.
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia… – ACTS of the Apostles 13:4a
A believer in Christ, follower of a false prophet, worshiper of an ancient god or iconic contemporary might easily miss the significance of these four verses from ACTS of the Apostles.
As you may recall from our previous look at ACTS 11:26, we have been in Antioch for a year now.
Antioch was 3rd largest city in the Roman Empire, a commercial center of trade with all the world
‘Christians‘ – a label by outsiders
The followers of Jesus were so different from the culture around them.. Clearly the followers of the Way’ .. people of all cultural backgrounds, weren’t Jews. Gentile observers called them, “little Christs.”
Tony Merida – Christ-centered Exposition – Exalting Jesus in Acts [p. 162]
As we observed last time these events took place around A.D. 40 just a few years after the resurrection of Jesus. But these are also tumultuous times for the Roman Empire ruling over a largely Greek-speaking world once ruled by Alexander the Great just three centuries earlier.
Conquering Roman leaders would march their captives into Rome and be worshiped as gods. These mere men likened themselves to the many idols of Rome and gods of ancient Greece and eastern lands where Jews were also led as captives centuries before.
“Only gods may choose new gods.
Claudius, as he refused the request of Alexandrian Greeks to dedicate a temple to his divinity
Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar Drusus (1 August 10 BC–13 October 54), originally known as Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, was the fourth Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from 24 January 41 to his death in 54. – source
Claudius
On 24 January 41, Caligula was assassinated in a broad-based conspiracy involving Cassius Chaerea – a military tribune in the Praetorian Guard – and several senators..
The Senate quickly met and began debating a change of government, but this eventually devolved into an argument over which of them would be the new princeps. When they heard of the Praetorians’ claim, they demanded that Claudius be delivered to them for approval, but he refused, sensing the danger that would come with complying.
Claudius was concerned with the spread of eastern mysteries within the city and searched for more Roman replacements.. He expelled foreign astrologers, and at the same time rehabilitated the old Roman soothsayers (known as haruspices) as a replacement..
Claudius forbade proselytizing in any religion, even in those regions where he allowed natives to worship freely. [Freedom from {other} religion – sound familiar?}]
It is also reported that at one time he expelled the Jews from Rome. [SEE ACTS 18]
In the world you will have tribulation..
Claudius restored the status of the peaceful Imperial Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaea as senatorial provinces.
Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. – Acts 11:1
“And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ – Acts 11:16
27 Now in those days, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.
The bold prophesy of future desolation
Who has ever heard of this prophet?
And what brashness to predict some future disaster coming to all the inhabited world!
A POWERFUL prince may predict what disaster he will bring upon the lands he will invade or a lord of legions may cause the devastation of his own citizens, but who can say what the Lord God will do to the whole world?
And who would believe it anyway?
(What can mere mortal men do even knowing of such disasters yet to come?)
Luke’s account of this prediction reveals the power behind Agabus’ prediction of famine is none other than the Holy Spirit of God, Who has already intervened with some frequency in Acts of the Apostles.
From their own history the Jews know that God will certainly do what he reveals through his prophets.
دانيال (Daniel) 5 :: Open New Arabic Version (NAV)
When Belshazzar tasted the wine, he said to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem.. They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand came out and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing.
.. Then Daniel was brought in before the king..
“This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it.
Daniel 5:2a,4-5,13a,26 LSB
Joseph – a similar prophecy from Scripture
Even though you may not know of Agabus you likely know the preparation of Egypt due to the prophesy of Joseph. The Church, too, will take Agabus at his word through the Spirit and prepare itself from the famine yet to come.
التكوين (Genesis) 41 :: Open New Arabic Version (NAV)
Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream.. And the ugly and [lean of flesh] thin cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.
..seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. And behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; yet I have heard it said about you, that you hear a dream and that you can interpret it.”
Genesis 41:1a,4,5b-6,15
Joseph, Daniel, Agabus & the true Prophets of God
What is it that ALL these true Prophets of the Lord God have in common?
Daniel had reminded Belshazzar son of Nebuchadnezzar how the LORD had given his father power to rule.
“[lit. You king] O king, the Most High God granted the kingdom, grandeur, glory, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father.
Daniel 5:18 LSB
Joseph, Son of Israel (Jacob) gives Pharaoh a similar answer:
Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will answer concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.”
Genesis 41:16 LSB
The prophesies of the true prophet of God are neither self-serving nor words of their own AND the prophesy of the LORD will always take place as the Lord has revealed to his prophet.
Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah [the god speaks and he lives; treasury of the glorious rest; savior of the age]
Genesis 41:45a; link above to Strong’s H6847
The hundreds of disciples of the risen Christ who had received the Holy Spirit all knew that the prophesy of Agabus would be fulfilled, just as prophesies of saviors of their past had come true.
THEREFORE
Like Joseph, the disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (whom some present had witnessed after the Lord’s resurrection) obediently prepared for their certain future.
And as any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the service of the brothers living in Judea.
.. and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts of the Apostles 11:25b NASB
These men and women joined in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit believed this prophesy of Agabus that a famine was about to come upon the whole Roman world. They must support the Apostles of Jesus and fellow followers of The Way in Jerusalem. For these men would be blamed more than most and persecuted as Christians have already suffered even more so in these days to come.
And as for their contribution for fellow saints in Judea:
And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
These are politically troubling times not only in Jerusalem but in Rome and throughout the Roman Empire.
King Herod (as we have just learned) is all caught up in the politics and religion issues with Claudius, Emperor and lord Caesar of the whole world; which, of course, includes Jerusalem.
