Paul's First Missionary Journey with Map

Salamis of Cyprus

Brief Overview of Paul's Visit to the Salamis on the Island of Cyprus on His First Missionary Journey
#
2
Saul (now referred to as Paul), Barnabas, and Mark (their assistant) set
sail from Seleucia to the island of Cyprus (a Roman senate province). This
island was also the home of Barnabas. They always began by preaching in the
local synagogue and they spent several months there preaching the Word of God in
the synagogues.
The Island of Cyprus is 140 miles long it is the third-largest island in the
Mediterranean, next to Sicily and Sardinia. The island has two mountain ranges,
one along the North Coast (about 3000 feet in elevation), and one along the
south coast (about 6000 feet in elevation). The large valley between these two
mountain ranges serve as the granary of the island. There are also very large
forests which was served as the main natural resource for Cyprus, and the timber
supplied shipbuilders with their necessary wood. Other important industries of
Cyprus were copper and silver smelting. In fact the word "copper" is
derived from the word "Cyprus." On the island of Cyprus there is a mild
Mediterranean climate.
Salamis
The Missionary team landed at Salamis, which was the main port and commercial
center of the entire island. At Salamis the Roman influence was very apparent, a
beautiful forum, gymnasium, public baths, a large theater, and a temple
dedicated to Zeus. In fact Salamis was known for having the largest agora
(marketplace) of all the colonies within the Roman Empire.
Paul's First Missionary
Journey with Map
Gal 4:4 "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His
Son, born of a woman, born under the law"
There is no doubt in what the Word of the Lord says, that Jesus came, "in the
fullness of time." Politically, intellectually, morally, and everything else
in the Graeco-Roman world was ready for the message of the gospel. One note
worth mentioning is that in the gentile world, it is told, there was an
expectation of a great One who about this time would come from Judaea (Tacitus,
History v. 13; Suetonius, Vespas. 4).
When Jesus died on a Roman cross it was not the end but the beginning. His
followers would spread a message called the "gospel" meaning good news
starting in Jerusalem and spreading to the farthest parts of the known world.
Their message was:
Jesus, a lowly Jewish carpenter from the despised city of Nazareth, was
rejected by His own Jewish nation and crucified by the Roman governor was indeed
the Messiah and the Savior of mankind, who rose from the dead and anyone who
would accept Him would be forgiven of all sins and would rise with Him in glory.
Those who spread the message were mostly Jews and were commanded by the Lord to
go to the Jewish brethren first and then to the gentiles. When they entered
Jewish synagogues they were scorned and persecuted by most of the Jews, and even
the Greco-Roman cultures referred to their message as "superstitious rabble."
Yet the Book of Acts reveals that the message about Jesus Christ spread to all
who of those who had open hearts throughout the whole Mediterranean world and,
as Jesus had promised, the Holy Spirit entered hearts and lives.
Around 48 AD, in the springtime, Paul and his companions Barnabas and Mark were
called on a mission by the Holy Spirit and sent out by the church in Antioch.
This would be the first of Paul's Missionary Journey's. In his missions he
preaches the Word, performs many miracles, makes many disciples and raises up
elders for the new Churches. He is also heavily persecuted, yet his life and
ministry is one that has set an awesome example of dedication and courage for
all to remember. You can look at the Map to trace the route of their first
church-planting campaign.
Introduction
About the
Map
Overview
Acts 13
Acts
14
Acts 15
1
Antioch Syria
2
Salamis Cyprus
3
Paphos Cyprus
4
Antioch Asia
5
Iconium Asia
6 Lystra Asia
7
Derbe Asia
8 Attalia Asia
Scriptures
Conclusion

Paul's First Missionary Journey
Bible History Online
The Story of the Bible
© Bible History Online (https://www.bible-history.com)
Related Content