Starting Timeline : 45-47
Distance : between 1235 to 1581 miles
Main Route : Cyprus and Turkey
Churches Planted : Churches in Antioch (Pisidia) and southern Galatia
Barnabas and Paul first visited Barnabas’s home region of Cyprus before sailing to the southern region of Asia Minor. When they reached Perga in Pamphylia, John Mark left the group and returned to Jerusalem. Making their way to Antioch (in Pisidia), Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, Paul and Barnabas were driven out of each city by jealous Jewish religious leaders. Later they returned by the same route, strengthening the new churches as they went. From Attalia they set sail for their home in Antioch of Syria.
Cities Visited in Chronological Order
The Holy Spirit sets apart Paul and Barnabas for the missionary ministry. John Mark goes along as their helper.
Paul and Barnabas set sail from the Seleucia (seaport) toward the island of Cyprus on their first missionary journey.
In Salamis, Paul and Barnabas preach the word of God in Jewish synagogues. (There were many Jewish communities scattered throughout the Roman Empire)
The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, summons Paul and Barnabas to hear the word of God. However, a Jewish false prophet and magician, Elymas, tries to prevent the proconsul from coming to faith. Paul, "filled with the Holy Spirit," strikes Elymas blind thus performing his first miracle (Acts 13:9–11). Upon witnessing this miracle, the proconsul believes. From this point the Bible calls him Paul, rather than Saul.
Paul and Barnabas sail to Perga on their way to Pisidian Antioch. John Mark abondons Paul and Barnabas in Perga and heads back to Jerusalem. .
In Pisidian Antioch, Paul tells people in a synagogue that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who was promised in the Old Testament. Many people turn against Paul and Barnabas. They leave for Iconium.
Paul and Barnabas witness to the Jews at Iconium. The Jews instigate the gentiles and stir up trouble against the aposltes, and as result, the apsoltes and flee to the Lystra and Derbe.
In Lystra, a man who had never been able to walk is miraculously healed through Paul. The town's people proclaim that Paul and Barnabas are gods. Paul and Barnabas correct them. Paul is later stoned, dragged out of the city, and left for dead. He recovers and travels to Derbe.
Through the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, many people in Derbe learn about Jesus and become disciples.
Paul and Barnabas return back to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch
Paul and Barnabas preach the Gospel in Perga before heading to Attalia.
In Attalia, Paul and Barnabas sail back to the Syrian Antioch, the city from which they had begun this mission journey.
TIn Antioch, Paul and Barnabas meet with fellow Christians and give a report about their mission journey. Paul and Barnabas stay in Antioch for a while, spending time with disciples.