Week 16 (The Travels of Paul) – Day 2: The First Missionary Journey

Day 77 – The First Missionary Journey – Acts 13:1-14:26

I must admit I find this an odd choice for the top 100 scripture passages, as I will with a few other selections this week.

Anyway, Paul and Barnabas encounter a wide range of reactions as they travel through Cyprus and what is today central Turkey.  Peter starts with the synagogue of a town then move outward to the Gentiles.  He is more successful with the Gentiles, which will lead to tomorrow’s great debate back in Jerusalem.

It is useful to know a little about the pagan religions of the day.  We normally associate religion and morals.  However, the pagan religions of Paul’s day did not have this connection.  The Greco-Roman religion was concerned with placating the gods with sacrifices.  Not enough worship and the gods could lift their protection.  People also worshiped to receive gain love, money, or whatever they desire.  Living a moral life did not come into play at all.  Judaism had a different view on this connection, which is of course taken up by the followers of Jesus.

In Christ,

Randy