1. Using the map "Paul's 1st Journey" found in the map section of the institute student manual (p. 218), list the name of the place Paul started this mission and four other cities he taught in.
Paul and his missionary companions Barnabas and John began their first missionary journey in Seleucia and then sailed to the cities of 1.Salamis and 2.Paphos on the island of Cyprus. From there they sailed to 3.Perga in Pamphylia and then on to 4.Antioch in Pisidia. At this point John returned to Jerusalem.
2. Review Acts 13:1-5 and outline in writing three points that could help a missionary who is discouraged.
The first thing I would want a missionary to understand is that they had been called by the Lord for their service and were following in the footsteps of some amazing missionaries like Paul and John. (Acts 13:1) I would also want them to know that they can fast, pray and receive a Priesthood blessing for help and guidance.(Acts 13:2-3) Additionally, they are not alone, the Holy Ghost is with them and can speak to them and also guide them and comfort them. (v.4)
3. Read the Bible Dictionary entry for "Barnabas" and the institute student manual commentary for Acts 9:27, "Who was Barnabas?" (p. 259). Write a paragraph describing Barnabas. What blessings and advantages do you see for the Lord sending missionaries out two by two?
Barnabas was a Jew (Levite) and is known to have sold all of his property "in accordance with the agreement among early Christians to have all things in common" (Institute Manual p. 259). He was from the island of Cyprus, which is one of the places he and Paul travelled to on their journey. The Lycaonians gave him the name of Jupiter, the most powerful Roman god because of his "commanding manner, dignified appearance and physical prowess." (p. 259) In Acts 11:24 it says he was "a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." Interestingly right after Paul converted, Barnabas went to Tarsus to talk Paul into joining him "in the ministry." Both the Bible Dictionary and the Institute manual state that although he was not one of the 12, he was considered an apostle.
By sending missionaries out two by two, first the Lord is offering the missionaries a level of protection from working alone. In addition, each companion has different strengths and weaknesses that can complement each other and help their companionship be greater than the sum of its parts, if that makes sense. For example, Barnabas was a Levite with a lot of gospel experience, while Paul was a newly converted Gentile.
4. Review Acts 14:8-18. Explain in writing what happened to Paul and Barnabas. How did Paul and Barnabas respond to this praise and attention?
While in Lystra, they came upon a disabled man who had never walked before and Paul saw that this man had enough faith to be healed, so he told the man to "Stand upright on thy feet" and the man "leaped and walked."(Acts 14:8-10) After the people saw that Paul had healed the man, they "lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, 'The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.' (v. 11) and then the priests of Jupiter brought gifts and garlands and wanted to perform a sacrifice to honor Paul and Barnabas. But Paul and Barnabas "rent their clothes and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying 'Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea and all things that are therein." (v.13-15). They did not want the praise and devotion, and reminded the people that it was the God of creation who had healed the man.
5. Review Acts 14:19-22 and compare in writing the way the people treated Paul in these verses with how he and Barnabas were treated in Acts 14:8-13. How did Paul say we would enter the kingdom of God? How are both these experiences examples of the principle Paul taught in verse 22?
In Acts 14:19-22, we read that after Paul bore his testimony about the Lord, Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, stoned Paul and fagged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. This was in stark contrast to the way the people in Lystra treated them, but at the same time, both of these experiences show the truthfulness of Paul's teaching in verse 22 in which he says: "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." The praise and attempted sacrifice by the priests of Jupiter was a trial for Paul and Barnabas because they could have easily succumbed to the praise and allowed their pride to convince them that they themselves were worthy of the praise and were the cause of the man's healing, instead of giving the praise to God. And the mistreatment and abuse of the Jews from Antioch are also an example that we will struggle with all kinds of trials as we hold to the rod and work to make our way back to live with our Father in Heaven.
5. Review Acts 14:19-22 and compare in writing the way the people treated Paul in these verses with how he and Barnabas were treated in Acts 14:8-13. How did Paul say we would enter the kingdom of God? How are both these experiences examples of the principle Paul taught in verse 22?
In Acts 14:19-22, we read that after Paul bore his testimony about the Lord, Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, stoned Paul and fagged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. This was in stark contrast to the way the people in Lystra treated them, but at the same time, both of these experiences show the truthfulness of Paul's teaching in verse 22 in which he says: "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." The praise and attempted sacrifice by the priests of Jupiter was a trial for Paul and Barnabas because they could have easily succumbed to the praise and allowed their pride to convince them that they themselves were worthy of the praise and were the cause of the man's healing, instead of giving the praise to God. And the mistreatment and abuse of the Jews from Antioch are also an example that we will struggle with all kinds of trials as we hold to the rod and work to make our way back to live with our Father in Heaven.
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