What was Paul's first missionary journey about?

Answer 1

A:Raymond E. Brown (An Introduction to the New Testament) says the three journeys are only a convenient classification developed by students of Acts of the Apostles, which differs in significant ways from Paul's own accounts. In his undisputed letters, Paul gives an entirely different version of his travels from the first missionary journey in Acts, and even the second and third missionary journeys are difficult to reconcile with Paul's own itinerary.

With Paul's blinding of Bar-jesus on the first journey, we learn of Paul's ability to work miracles, something he did not claim in his own epistles. We also learn from this that expediency justifies immoral acts.

Answer 2

The three missionary journeys of Paul are only a convenient classification developed by students of Acts and are not supported by Paul's personal account in his epistles. Raymond E. Brown (An Introduction to the New Testament) says that in his undisputed letters Paul gives us no information about the first missionary journey. From this, it appears that there was no "first missionary journey". In any case, we do not really know what Paul taught.

In spite of the conversion account in Acts of the Apostles, Paul himself says that he received the gospel from no man, but by direct revelation (Galatians 1:11-12: But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel that was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ).Paul may have sought an exchange of beliefs with James and Peter, when he finally visited Jerusalem (Galations 2:2: And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privily to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run , or had run, in vain.) Thus, if Paul really did visit the places described in Acts on his first missionary journey, there is no certainty that the gospel he taught was that taught by James in Jerusalem.

Answer 3

A:Paul, in his own epistles, tells us nothing about the "first missionary journey", giving a quite different itinerary. Raymond E. Brown (An Introduction to the New Testament) says that the three journeys are only a convenient classification developed by students of Acts of the Apostles. Acts makes this journey an apprenticeship for Paul, under the guidance of Barnabas, whereas Paul himself says that he received the gospel from no man, and suggests that Barnabas was always his assistant. In this account it is also the occasion for an unethical miracle performed by Paul, who blinded bar-Jesus to prevent him influencing the Roman governor of Cyprus. This at least proves that Paul was able to perform miracles at will.

Answer 4

St. Paul's first missionary journey can be found in Acts 13 and 14. Paul's words can be found in verse after verse in these two chapters.