Who were the Galatians? Galatia was a Roman province during the time of Paul and was located in what we now know as central Turkey. Paul visited this area during his first mission trip during 47 – 48 ad. On this trip, Paul and his traveling companion Barnabas left Antioch of Syria to travel to Cyprus and then to the area of Galatia.
They spent time in several cities according to Acts 13 – 14. These cities’ names sound strange, but they were on a main road then. In each town, the two missionaries began preaching in the Jewish synagogues. That would only last a few weeks because the Jews did not want to believe Jesus was the Messiah. Unrelenting, Paul and Barnabas would then preach to the Gentiles, who joyfully received the Good News of Jesus.
Cities that Paul Visited
Paul began his time in Galatia in Antioch in Pisidia (which differs from Antioch of Syria). Then they moved on to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. While there were a few Jews converts, most Jews strongly opposed Paul and Barnabas in each city. In Antioch of Pisidia, there was mob action.
Acts 13:50 Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town.51 So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium. 52 And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.[1]
A similar thing happened in the next town, Iconium. Acts 14: 5 Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. 6 When the apostles learned of it, they fled to… the towns of Lystra and Derbe.[2] Their experience in Lystra was similar. Acts 14:19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.[3]
There was more success in Derbe, where they established a church. On the way home, Paul and Barnabas traveled back through each town to encourage the churches.
New Believers in Each City
While a few Jewish believers made up the churches in Galatia, most were converts from various pagan religions. These new believers were young in their faith and vulnerable to attack. Paul knew this and committed each church to God. Acts 14: 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.[4]
Who were the Galatians? To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/live-by-the-spirit
[1-4]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
I appreciate the thoughtful outline of Paul’s first “missionary” journey – especially the nifty map and explanation of the both the civil structure (the province of Galatia) and the cities therein – as well as noting Lycaonia as a region – which was a bit confusing to me when described in 14.6
One question – the time period is described is 47 – 48 AD. What is the basis for this time period?
Thanks,
Greg
Greg,
Paul’s first mission trip (Acts 13-14) was before the Jerusalem Council because it brought up the question of if new believers had to become Jews before they became Christians. That isn’t an issue for us, but it was huge to them. The Jerusalem Council, described in Acts 15, is widely dated by scholars to approximately AD 48–50. It occurred between Paul’s first and second missionary journeys to settle the crucial debate on whether Gentile converts needed to follow Mosaic laws, specifically circumcision, to be saved.
Hope that helps, Blessings,
Paula Graves