Paul's First Missionary Journey - Acts 13

Paul's First Missionary Journey - Acts 13

INTRODUCTION
A tenet of atheism is the denial of the historical veracity of biblical writings. Major evangelists (such as Paul) are written-off as characters in the imagination of an author with little more to do than construct a theological system intent on controlling the masses. Even within academic circles, scholars question the truthfulness of Scripture and the authorship of a manuscript, its dating, or the relation between one text and another. For example, Professor C.K. Barrett finds it problematic that the author of Acts – Luke – makes no mention of the Pauline epistles and therefore, according to Barrett, makes no use of the Pauline corpus.   Perhaps one could understand such questions as beneficial for an in-depth discussion into the Book of Acts. However, such challenges in the eyes of novice atheists, as well as educated skeptics, simply add to the doubt many have on anything written in the bible.

This paper will explore the theological consistency that exists within Paul’s first missionary journey that continues the trend of Jewish-to-Gentile evangelism evident in the book of Acts. Furthermore, it will share the archaeological support for the existence of cities that were a part of Paul’s first missionary journey. Have there been archaeological discoveries that confirm the veracity of Luke’s account of Paul’s first mission? Do chapters thirteen and fourteen continue a trend consistent with the rest of the book of Acts? What practical knowledge can Christians ascertain from studying Paul’s first missionary journey to Gentile nations? Is the Book of Acts a reliable and historical account of the early church, or simply a chapter in a book of fairy tales? Is it possible to identify literary tools, symbols, and transitions that Luke may have used to demonstrate the transition from Jew to Gentile evangelism in line with the holistic theme for the book of Acts?

THE JOURNEY BEGINS – ANTIOCH
On Paul’s first missionary journey, he...