Fr. Dr. Augustine Kanachikuzhy, SSP
The Rise of Antioch as a Christian Centre
While Paul was still in Tarsus, Antioch on the Orontes – also known as Antioch of Syria – emerged as the second great centre of Christianity after Jerusalem. Recognizing the opportunities opening there, the apostles in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to oversee the evangelization. Upon arrival, Barnabas realized the work was too vast for him alone, so he went to Tarsus to find Saul and brought him back to Antioch (Acts 11,25-26). Saul, still known by his Jewish name at this time, spent a year ministering in Antioch. During this period, the Antiochian church sent Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem with relief supplies, as famine had struck the city and the Antiochian believers felt compelled to support the mother church (Acts 11,30). When they returned, they brought John Mark, who assisted them for a time but later abandoned the mission (Acts 12,25). At this juncture, the church in Antioch resolved to expand its missionary outreach. Though the community included many prophets and teachers, the Spirit chose Barnabas – listed first – and Saul – listed last – for this task (Acts 13,1-3). God’s choice reflects suitability rather than human ranking, fulfilling Jesus’ words at Paul’s calling: “He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9,15).
Paul’s Missionary Journeys
The expansion of the mission to the wider world was accomplished through Paul’s travels across Asia Minor and parts of Europe, traditionally known as his three Missionary Journeys. Although neither Luke (author of Acts) nor Paul himself uses this term, modern commentators have categorized them as such for clarity. Paul was rarely alone; he was accompanied by companions who assisted him in preaching and organizing communities.
The First Missionary Journey (AD 46–49)
Barnabas and Saul set out by sea, visiting several port cities on the island of Cyprus (Acts 13,4). Readers are encouraged to consult a map of Paul’s journeys, readily available in many Bibles or in Atlante Biblico by Giacomo Perego. Key cities visited included: Seleucia (port of Antioch), Salamis (eastern Cyprus), Paphos (western Cyprus), Perga in Pamphylia, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
In Paphos, they encountered two notable figures: Bar-Jesus (also called Elymas), a magician, and Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul whom Elymas served. Elymas attempted to hinder the proconsul’s openness to the gospel, but Paul rebuked him, striking him blind. This dramatic act led to the conversion of Sergius Paulus. The episode illustrates the Spirit’s power: the magician was silenced, and the gospel advanced among the influential elite (Acts 13,6-12). From this point onward, Paul assumed leadership, and Acts consistently refers to him as “Paul.” The conversion of a high-ranking Roman official signalled that the gospel was penetrating not only among the poor and marginalized but also into the circles of wealth and power. After completing their work in Cyprus, the missionaries travelled to Perga and then to Pisidian Antioch, where they began preaching in the synagogue.
