Acts 13-14: Paul's First Mission
Paul's first mission was the first of three journeys over the next several years. Paul became known as a missionary to Gentiles.

1.    Using the map “Paul’s 1st Journey” found in the map section of the institute student manual (p. 218), list the name of the place Paul started this mission and four other cities he taught in.
Damascus, Arabia, Tarsus, Antioch, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Derce, Lystra, Perga, Salamis, Paphos

2.    Review Acts 13:1–5 and outline in writing three points that could help a missionary who is discouraged.
Never lose faith in the Lord (or in yourself, for that matter). The Lord has a plan for you.
When you preach the gospel unto the people, you are also learning more of the gospel as well.
Never deny inspiration from the Lord.

3.    Read the Bible Dictionary entry for “Barnabas” and the institute student manual commentary for Acts 9:27, “Who Was Barnabas?” (p. 259). Write a paragraph describing Barnabas. What blessings and advantages do you see for the Lord sending missionaries out two by two?
Barnabas, "son of consolation," sold his possessions then went with the apostles. He was sent to work with Saul by the apostles in Antioch. He was not on of the twelve Apostles himself, but he was regarded as one.
Because Saul and Barnabas are two different people with different personalities, the Lord allows their differences to reach out to more people. It can also allow the companions to become closer spiritually and to be able to work together as team, despite their differences.

4.    Review Acts 14:8–18. Explain in writing what happened to Paul and Barnabas. How did Paul and Barnabas respond to this praise and attention?
There was a man who was born lame and was not able to walk and Paul looked at him and just knew there was potential that he could walk again. Paul blessed him and he was able to walk again. The people saw this and were amazed at what they had just seen. They began worshiping Paul and Barnabas like the gods of Jupiter and Mercurius. Paul and Barnabas then tore their clothes (a sign of emotion and distress) and cried out to the people that they were humans just like them and to not gods. They then preached unto them to worship God, the One and Only, instead of their multiple gods.

5.    Review Acts 14:19–22 and compare in writing the way the people treated Paul in these verses with how he and Barnabas were treated in Acts 14:8–13. How did Paul say we would enter the kingdom of God? How are both these experiences examples of the principle Paul taught in verse 22?





In Acts 14: 19-22, certain Jews had tried to kill Barnabas and Paul. This is quite the black-and-white change of reaction to these men compared to when the people were just worshiping them back in versus 8-13. However, Paul still went back to Lystra and preached the gospel. The only way we can make it to the celestial kingdom is if we stay faithful, regardless of our trials. Paul seems to have an unstoppable personality when it comes to his trials. Most of the time, when a certain incident happens to a missionary, they have a choice to go home. Paul, however, returned to the place where people threatened to kill him, and continued to preach the gospel to new converts.

Acts 2: The Day of the Pentecost

What was the day of the Pentecost?

The Pentecost was a special day when a marvelous outpouring of the Holy Ghost converted over 3000 people into the Church. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)
Pentecost means "fiftieth" in Greek, so this was a special feast to show gratitude to God fifty days after Passover where large numbers of faithful Jews gathered together. 

Teachings from Peter on this day:

• A miracle occurred during this feast. People began speaking in tongues! They were able to speak different languages and understand each other. How is this possible? Many of the men claimed the Apostles to be drunk. Peter responded by standing up and denying the drunk accusation of the men. (It was only the third hour of the day. Why would someone be drunk at such an early hour anyway?) He repeated the words of the Prophet Joel, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." (Acts 2:17)
• In Acts 2:36, Peter lays the blame for Jesus' crucifixion directly on the Jews. God made the same Jesus the Lord and Christ, "whom ye have crucified." The people were truly touched by these words and asked what they should do. It was then that Peter told them to "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)

Peter was able to fulfill his role as a special witness of Christ by moving the hearts of these people, and he partnered with the Holy ghost to convert 3000 souls in one day. 

What gifts of the Spirit were made manifest on the day of the Pentecost?
Many spiritual gifts were present on this special day. At the beginning of the feast, the gift of communication was blessed upon the people. "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." Later, Peter prophesied unto the people to repent and be baptized, and 3000 people were able to receive the Holy Ghost, one of the greatest gifts one can ever have.

The hearts of these people made a black-and-white change on this day. They left the natural ways of man and gave up their hearts to Jesus Christ, and they were able to have the Holy Ghost with them. "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." (Acts 2:43)