to the philosophers
in Athens, to the Roman governors in Caesarea, to the
dwellers in Corinth and in Rome the purport of the
Message is always the same.

THE FIRST JOURNEY

_Scripture, Acts 13:1-14:28_

+Preparation.+--First, on the part of Paul. About ten
years have passed since his conversion. During this time
we have few notices of him, but he was undoubtedly
making ready for this very important work of a missionary.
Second, on the part of the church. The first step
had already been taken, in the conversion of Cornelius, in
the giving of the gospel to the Gentile world. Third,
Paul was brought to Antioch by Barnabas to assist the
church in the great revival which broke out in that second
early center of Christian work and teaching (Acts 11:21-26).
Fourth, the large success of the disciples who went
throughout Judea and Samaria, preaching the gospel, after
the death of Stephen (Acts 7:5-8:4; 11:19-21) made
possible this new aggressive movement to the regions
beyond. Fifth, the Christian prophets and teachers at
Antioch "ministered to the Lord and fasted." They
desired to know the will of the Lord and it was made
known to them by the Holy Ghost. "And when they
had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they
sent them away." "So they being sent forth by the
Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia (Acts 13:3, 4).

+Companions of the Journey+, Barnabas and Saul (Acts
13:2) and John Mark (Acts 13:5). Barnabas has been
called the discoverer of Saul. He was probably a convert
of the day of Pentecost. He was a land proprietor of the
island of Cyprus and early showed his zeal for Christ by
selling his land and devoting the proceeds to the cause in
which he so heartily believed (Acts 4:36, 37). He
early sought out and manifested, in a very practical way,
his friendship for Paul (Acts 9:27; 11:22, 25, 30;
12:25). John Mark, who started on this journey with
Barnabas and Saul, was a nephew of Barnabas (Acts
13:5, 13; 12:25; Col. 4:10).

+Paul Comes to the Front+ when his company leave
Paphos and ever after he has the first place (Acts 13:
13). Here also he is called Paul for the first time, a
name which he retains.

+Extent and Time+--This was the shortest of the three
journeys (about 1,400 miles). It extended over the island
of Cyprus and a part of Asia Minor. In time it occupied
about three years, 47-50 A.D.

+Rulers+--Claudius was the emperor of Rome, since
41 A.D. Herod Agrippa was ki