Paul’s First Missionary Journey

Paul’s first missionary journey begins and ends in the city of Antioch in Syria. The journey takes him to the island of Cyprus and to various places in Asia Minor. There is a report of his first missionary journey in Acts 13–14.

This journey probably took place between AD 45 and 50.

Departure from Antioch

The book of Acts tells us how Barnabas, the leader of the Christian community in Antioch, visits Paul in the city of his birth, Tarsus, and takes him to Antioch in Syria (Acts 11:25-26).
After a year, the Christians in Antioch send Barnabas and Paul on their way to preach the gospel elsewhere (Acts 13:1-3). Barnabas’ cousin, John Mark, also goes with them (Acts 12:25).

On the Island of Cyprus

In Acts we read that Barnabas and Paul first sail to Cyprus. There, Sergius Paulus, the island’s proconsul, comes to faith through them (Acts 13:4-12).

In Antioch in Pisidia

From Cyprus, Barnabas and Paul sail to the city of Perga. At this point, John Mark leaves them. Barnabas and Paul move on, meanwhile, to another place in Asia Minor, also called Antioch. There, the two of them preach the gospel in the synagogue. There is much resistance to the gospel on the part of most of the Jews. A number of heathens, however, do come to faith (Acts 13:13-52).

In Iconium, Lystra and Derbe

In the towns of Iconium, Lystra and Derbe, Barnabas and Paul are able to convert a few Jews and a number of heathens. Here too, however, they constantly meet with a good deal of resistance on the part of the Jews and their leaders (Acts 14:1-20).