Setting apart for the first official missionary work of the church also took place on the basis of charismatic revelation. In the Antioch church there were "prophets and teachers." "While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off" (Acts 13:1-3).

The solemn setting apart of missionaries for the work has always been based on this blessing of the first missionaries. And thus began Paul's first official missionary journey 47-49 A.D. Its detailed route with its main events can be best seen from the accompanying diagram of the missionary journeys, which one can follow more closely in the light of the relevant passages in the Acts of the Apostles:

Antioch; the setting apart for missionary work (13:1-3). Seleucia; sailing to Cyprus (13:4). Salamis; John Mark joins the company, synagogue sermon (13:5). Paphos on the island of Cyprus; the blinding of Elymas the magician (13:6-11), commander Sergius Paulus is converted (13:6-13). Perge; John Mark returns to Jerusalem (13:13). Pisidian Antioch; the first example of a missionary sermon by Paul (13:14-43), the birth of the first Gentile Christian church and Paul's expulsion (13:44-52). Iconium; successful preaching for a "long time" with miracles and expulsion (14:1-7). Lystra; healing of the lame man (14:8-10), the attempt to worship Barnabas and Paul as gods (14:11-18), and the stoning of Paul (14:19-20). Derbe; fruitful preaching (14:20-21). Afterwards the return journey by the same route, strengthening the churches: Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch, official commissioning of the elders of the churches (14:22-23), journey through Pisidia and Pamphylia to the ports of Perge and Attalia (14:24-26). Voyage to the point of departure, Antioch in Syria, where they stayed "for a long time."

The most important comment on the first missionary journey is connected with the missionary sermon at Pisidian Antioch. It can be compared to both Peter's Pentecost sermon and Stephen's long speech of testimony. It is the briefest and best example of an apostolic sermon.

When the Torah reading and the so-called "haftarah" or passage from the prophets are read, according to Jewish custom, Paul as an invited guest was given the opportunity to present his greetings and possibly give a "word of exhortation." So he "stands up and motions with his hand," when the hum of voices ceases. Philo too described the appearance of such synagogue preachers.

Paul's speech can be divided into an introduction, which comprises a review of the history of Israel (13:17-25), a sermon on Christ (13:26-31), Old Testament Messianic prophecies (13:32-37) and an exhortation to receive salvation and forgiveness of sins (13:38-41). The heart of the message is that everyone who believes in Christ "is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the Law of Moses." This apostolic sermon should be a model for all preaching at all times. When the following Sabbath the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch listened to Paul's sermon, again a disturbance broke out. And then Paul and Barnabas took a far-reaching decision: "We had to speak the Word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles." However, we are told of the church that "the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."