Paul’s First Ministry

1. Paul started his ministry Antioch. He that went trough Salamis, Paphos, Antioch in Pisidia, Inconium, and Lycaonia.

2. Many people persecuted Paul and Banabas because of their beliefs. I bet they were a little bit discouraged but they never gave up! Missionaries today might even feel discouraged but they should read the outcomes of doing the work of the Lord:

• If you minister unto the Lord and pair it up with fasting and praying the Holy Ghost will prompt you.
• Once you receive that prompting you act, go forth and bear testimony, doing this will eventually bring people to Christ!
• Doing so will not only get others closer to Christ, but also bring you closer.

3. Some people may ask why do missionaries worry so much about going 2 by 2? However, its a ancient way. Barnabas was Paul companion. He was one of the first disciplines that taught in the regions listed above. He was a Levite from Cyprus. When he heard about the gospel, he dropped all he had and served the Lord. He was a great man who did everything and anything to build up the kingdom. He was considered an apostle, although not one of the twelve.

When the Lord is sending two missionaries, he is offering two testimonies to enter into the investigators heart. Having two is a great advantage because it is two bearing witness of the Lord. The spirit will be much stronger if the two are in tune with it themselves.

4.Paul healed a man, whom was crippled. When the people heard of this "miracle" they praised both Paul and Barnabas and declared them Gods. One thing lead to another and they started bring them animal sacrifices. When this occurred they both went into the city and explained that they were wrong and they should preach the Lord God!

5. There was vast contrast between Acts 14:8-13 and Acts 14:19-22. In the latter verses, some Jews from Antiock and Iconium persuaded the same people that in previous verses praised him, to persecute him by stoning him and dragging him out of the city and leaving him for dead. After he woke up Barnabas and him left the land.

After a while they both returned to that land to preach. They explained that one has to go through much tribulation to enter the Kingdom of God. Both experiences were examples of tribulation. At first, they received praise and they had to understand that glory is something that destroys. The other one was obvious physical tribulation. Sometime tribulation are going to be sneaky and other time they are going to obvious, but one must understand that they have to fight through it nonetheless to receive the Kingdom.

Questions. Acts 13-14

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.

2. Review Acts 13:1–5 and outline in writing three points that could help a missionary who is discouraged

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.

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

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?