PAUL’S MISSION JOURNEYS & DECISION MAKING

1.     Paul's First Missionary Journey - Acts 13:1-4;14:26- 27 “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 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…And thence sailed to Antioch, from which they had been recommended (paradidomi=to yield up, surrender, entrust, commit) to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled....And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

2.     Paul's Second Missionary Journey - Acts 15:35-41;18:22-23a  “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.  And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.  Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.  But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.  And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other; and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;  And Paul and chose Silas, and departed, being recommended (Same as above) by the brethren unto the grace of God.  And he went through Syria and Cilicia confirming the churches...And when Paul had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.  And after he had spent some time there, he departed...”

3.     Paul's Third Missionary Journey – Acts 18:23b-21:15-20 “After Paul had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples...And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.  There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.  And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.  And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.  And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.  And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord...”

4.     Paul's Fourth Missionary Journey as a Prisoner to Rome - Acts 21:20-28:31  “Paul said, I appeal unto Caesar.  Then Festus answered, hast thou appealed unto Caesar?  Unto Caesar shalt thou go...Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.  And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.  And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched…And Paul dwelt (Rome) two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,  Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”