PAUL'S JOURNEYS
Paul's first missionary journey (46-48 A.D.) was the shortest, in time and distance, of the first three, but it was nevertheless a very significant development in the history of the new Christian church. It established Paul as a leader in the spreading of The Word of God. He went on to write a large portion of the New Testament
Paul who was then still called Saul, Barnabas, and Mark sailed across to Cyprus, some 80 miles to the south-west. At this point in time, Barnabas was still the senior member over Paul, who was a relative newcomer after his conversion on the road to Damascus.
After landing at Salamis, and proclaiming The Word of God in the synagogues (Acts 13:5), they traveled along the entire southern coast of the island of Cyprus until they reached Paphos (Acts 13:6). There, Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, was converted after Paul rebuked the evil Sorcerer Elymas (Acts 13:6-12). It was at that point that Paul effectively became the leader. He was from then on called Paul, rather than his former name, Saul.
From Paphos they then sailed north up to the Asian mainland in what is today Turkey. They traveled the short distance up the river Cestrus to Perga in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13), where Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.
Paul and Barnabas then continued inland for about 100 miles (160 kilometers), up to Pisidian Antioch. Many were converted by Paul when he made his first recorded address there (Acts 13:16-51). Not long afterward however, they encountered persecution from certain people who refused to hear the gospel. After being expelled from the region, "they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium." (Acts 13:51)
After traveling southeast to Iconium, they again made many converts among Jews and Gentiles (Acts 14:1), but they were again persecuted. This time they would have been killed (Acts 14:5) if they hadn't discovered the plot and fled quickly from the city (Acts 14:6).
From there they continued southward to Lystra where they again made converts (Acts 14:8). Unfortunately, the people of the city, who were accustomed to idolatry, went too far in their esteem for Paul and Barnabas, who they proclaimed as "gods." (Acts 14:11-18). Paul and Barnabas quickly tried to explain that they were merely men sent to teach, but it didn't go over very well with a number of the people. Some of the persecutors from Antioch and Iconium had followed them and incited the crowd. Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city, and left for dead. "But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe." (Acts 14:20).
After preaching the good news in Derbe, they then returned back along their entire route, through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, "appointing elders for them in each church" (Acts 14:23). They then continued southward through the regions of Pisidia and Pamphylia until they arrived at the seaport of Attalia (Acts 14:24-25). From there, they boarded a ship and sailed back home to Antioch, where they had began 2 years before. "On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." (Acts 14:27).
During Paul's second journey through this same area, at Troas, "During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." (Acts 16:9). Paul realized that the vision was a message from The Lord, so the very next day he sailed across the Dardanelles, also called the Hellespont, which separated him from Europe. It was a big step for Christianity that The Spirit of Jesus Christ Himself was guiding.
During Paul's third journey, Paul eventually found himself in grave danger from idol worshipers, in this case that of the pagan god Artemis (also known as "Diana of the Ephesians"), and those who were in the business of supplying them (Acts 19:24-27). He exposed their fraud, and in return they nearly killed him (Acts 19:28-41).
While awaiting to sail for Syria, Paul discovered another plot against him, so he instead returned through Macedonia (Acts 20:3). Upon reaching Philippi, and after observing the Feast of Unleavened Bread there, he sailed across to Troas (Acts 20:6).
When Paul went to Athens and came across many idol worshippers, he was called 'the babbler', but he kept calm and with quiet respect, Paul managed to get them to listen:
"So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. And He made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find him. Yet He is not far from each one of us, for 'In Him we live and move and have our being'" (Acts 17:22-28 RSV)
For many more details and more maps, click here:
The first journey: Acts 13:1 to 15:35
The second journey: Acts 15:36 to 18:22
The third journey: Acts 18:23 to 21:17
The voyage to Rome: Acts chapters 27 and 28
PAUL CALLED 'THE LIAR"
He said: "What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. What if some did not have faith? Will there lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: 'So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.'
But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? that God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, 'If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increase his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?' Why not say -- as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim we say -- 'Let us do evil that good may result'? Their condemnation is deserved." (Romans 3:1-8)
. Paul was born in Tarsus, in what is now Turkey about the year 5 CE of Jewish parents who belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. He spoke both Greek and Aramaic, both languages being commonly known among Jews of the Diaspora. He claims that he was reared a Pharisee and that he was zealous in the Law. About 30 CE, he went to Jerusalem and studied under the famous rabbi Gamaliel. As a Pharisee he was a persecutor of the early Church, yet after his conversion he was the major voice for distancing the Church from its adherence to the Law. Despite his Pharisee background, he was a citizen of Rome and he had Herodian connections. One of his companions was named Herodian (Romans 16:11) and another was Manaen (Acts 13), who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch. He was at least marginally involved in the martyrdom of Stephen, who alluded to the murder of those who prophesied the advent of the "Righteous One" or "Just One". Clement, in Recognitions (1.70-71), cites the Ascents of James as revealing that when James was preaching to the people at the Temple, Paul--called the "enemy"--entered the Temple, argued against James, instigated a riot, and threw James from the top of the steps, leaving him for dead. In Acts 9:21 he was accused of engineering the attacks on the early Church, of being a minion of the pro-Roman priesthood.
After his conversion, Paul remained under the tutelage of the early Church community at Damascus for three years (Gal. 1:17-18).
When he returned to Jerusalem, the members there threatened to kill him. His allies sent him to Tarsus, his birthplace, which was tantamount to exhiling him. In 43 CE he visited Antioch, where converts to the Jesus movement were the first to be called "Christians" (Acts 11:26). In 48 CE he was accused of laxity regarding the Law among Gentile converts, and he and Barnabas were summoned to Jerusalem to answer these charges. Later, in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Paul referred to the "servants of righteousness" (early Church members who still adhered to the Law) as preaching "another Jesus" (one who was a Zealot for the Law, rather than the Son of God).
It is also clear that there were conflicting views about internationalizing the Church and about abandoning the Law (as fulfilled by Jesus) even among the early leaders of the day. And that the original leaders were, at least in the beginning, among the traditionalists, while Paul (the marginalized Jewish Christian from Turkey, a Gentile nation) was a radical reformer that they did not always view positively.
When the plot to kill Paul is reported by a mysterious "nephew", Paul was moved for his own safety--with an escort of 470 troops (200 infantry under the command of 2 centurions, 200 spearmen, and 70 calvary)! One begins to suspect that Paul's Herodian/Roman connection was not that of an insignificant person. Paul is taken to Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea. Agrippa, Rome's current puppet kings, sends him to Rome, and he disappears from history at this point.
In the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Essenes record that a man who had studied with them for a three year period, had betrayed them, and was spreading 'lies' about their faith. This person is simply referred to in these writings as "The Liar". The Bible and several other historical manuscripts record that there was much disagreement between Paul and some of the disciples and leaders of the early church. Paul was teaching that observance of certain Jewish customs or 'laws' was not a requirement for salvation. He defends himself in the Bible, claiming "I am NOT a liar!"
Sha’ul (Saul) (later called Paul) belonged to one of the strictest sects of the Jews. “...I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee...” (Acts 23:6). We must accept this statement of Sha’ul’s at face value. He did not say; “I was a Pharisee, he said; “I am a Pharisee...
Sha’ul studied under the head of the Sanhedrin (the highest court in Judea). “...brought up in this city (Jerusalem) at the feet of Gamaliel...” (Acts 22:3). Sha’ul was himself most likely a member of the Sanhedrin, as evidenced by the following scripture, which fits perfectly the Jewish practice of stoning: “And cast him (Stephen) out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet whose name was Saul (Sha’ul).” (Acts 7:58). Since it was the responsibility of the members of the Sanhedrin to witness public stonings, we believe that Sha’ul was present (in an official capacity) at the stoning, while those who were witnesses against Stephen were required to cast the stones.
Sha’ul attended synagogue. “...came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,” (Acts 17:1-2). It was the habit of Paul (as it was of Yeshua) to attended synagogue every Sabbath.
Paul the Pharisee follows the laws of the Jews
"Messiah" is a title referring to the anointed descendants of king David. This lineage of David is the key to the meaning of "Christ". The New Testament opens in the first book, Matthew, the first chapter, the first verse by proclaiming Jesus to be a "son of David".
"This is the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham,..."
The New Testament makes the point of Jesus being descended from David very evident because this is the main criteria for a person being a Christ. If Jesus was not descended from David, then he could not be a Christ. Period. This was a main teaching in the early Christian church such that the first book of the Gospels is proclaimed to be the "book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David..". The fact that Jesus was a descendant of David was so important to the writers of the gospels, that this fact is repeated over and over again.
Paul referred to himself as the "apostle to the Gentiles" by taking the teachings of Christianity to the Gentiles or those who were not of the house of Israel. In writing to these first communities of Gentiles, Paul would try to help these people understand the importance of Jesus being a Christ, a descendant of David, because they were not familiar with the importance of this lineage. For instance, in Paul’s letter to the Romans in the first chapter he begins by making this point as clear as it can be:
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." Romans 1:1-4
The word in Greek for "Seed" is "Sperma" or as defined in Strong’s Concordance to the bible: "the male sperm". Paul comes right out and says that Jesus is made of the male sperm of David according to the flesh and designated Son of God according to the Spirit of Holiness. Jesus was a descendant of David according to the flesh through the male line by the only other person in the bible that the New Testament literally goes out of its way to show is also a descendant of David. Who is this?
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,..." Luke 2:4
Why, if Jesus being a descendant of David is so important, does the bible make the point that it is Joseph who is also a descendant of David? Because the bible says that the physical father of Jesus was not God, it was Joseph. If God was the physical father of Jesus, then Jesus could not be a "Christ" because God is not a descendant of David, God is not a descendant of anybody. It is Joseph who is the only one who could be the physical, biological father of Jesus for Jesus to be a Christ.
Mary was not a descendant of David, as many Christians would like to believe. Mary was the kinswoman of Elizabeth, John the Baptists mother, who was one of the daughters of Aaron from the tribe of Levi (Luke 1:5, 36). For Jesus to be a "Christ" he had to have been born of the physical, biological, sperm lineage of David. To hold to any other teaching or doctrine was not the doctrine of Christ, not the doctrine of the physical lineage of David through the male line. What did the apostles tell the early Christian communities about this?
"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist...If any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [Christ in the flesh], do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting; for he who greets him shares in his wicked work." 2 John 1:7
PAUL AND THE OLD MAN
In Ephesians 4 Paul presents an easy-to-understand formula for change. He illustrates the method with several examples so we may clearly understand what is involved in overcoming sin. When we examine these verses, we notice three steps we must take to shift from a sinful life to one that properly represents God’s working with and within us. If we miss any one of these steps, change either cannot take place or will remain incomplete.
Paul’s instruction regarding overcoming sin is to “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Out with the Old
The first step, says Paul, is to “put off . . . the old man.” To do this we must realize that our nature, the old man, is our carnal, selfish nature, which lives hostile to God (Romans 8:7). Our unconverted human heart will not obey God (Deuteronomy 5:29) and is in God’s eyes "deceitful" and "desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). Our self-centered way of sin inexorably earns us death (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25; Romans 6:23).
The "old man" to whom Paul referred is both our unconverted mind and the individual acts of sin that spring from it. He, the old man, must be put to a symbolic death through the waters of baptism (Romans 6:1-4). Spiritually, we must lay the ax to the root so that the evil tree with its corrupt fruit will cease producing sin.
Over time God can work with the worst of us; He can free us from the many sins that imprison us–sins that we may feel we can never overcome. We can be released from the myriad bonds that ensnare us and hold us captive, even as Gulliver was held captive by Lilliputians with hundreds of tiny ropes as described in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. We can be free, even though now we lie helplessly caught in the cords of sin (Proverbs 5:22).
