This is the first episode where Paul takes the role of primary evangelist - until this point the text refers to ‘Barnabas and Saul’ but from here it is ‘Paul and his companions’.  Barnabas was there (Acts 13:42) but his job in encouraging Paul, and mentoring him in mission (Acts 13:2; Acts 13:7), was over.  John Mark had travelled with them as an apprentice, from Antioch in Syria, to Cyprus.  There they travelled the length of the country from east to west.  They boarded a ship from Paphos to Attallia, in what is now southern Turkey (Acts 14:24-26), from where they travelled a few miles north to Perga.  They had travelled many miles, following the Holy Spirit's leading.

Now we do not know what happened, but John Mark did not continue with them.  He probably took a ship from Attallia to Joppa, and thence back home to Jerusalem.  Paul was disappointed that the apprentice deserted them (Acts 15:36-41), but the episode certainly did not stop Paul’s missionary journey.  From Perga, they travelled about 100 miles north to Antioch in Pisidia – which is near the modern town of Yalvac in Isparta, southern Turkey.  The Lord was leading them to this strategic capital city on the ancient east-west Silk Road where it crossed the north-south road joining the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.

Paul did not go first to the Roman gym or forum to debate with the Greek philosophers.  Even though Paul had been commissioned as the apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8), Paul was a Jew and believed that Jews had the right to hear the gospel first (Romans 1:16).  So, he headed to the synagogue on the Sabbath day.  As usual there were readings from the first five books in our Bible (and theirs), and then from the writings of the prophets.  After that they, as visitors, were invited to interpret the scriptures to encourage the congregation of Jews and interested Gentiles (Acts 13:16).

Being led by God is an adventure where He determines the destinations and the routes to get there.  However, gospel work is rarely an individual enterprise; it should be teamwork.  That is why Jesus sent the disciples out two by two (Mark 6:7).  Solo discipleship can breed either spiritual arrogance, or depression, or an inability to sustain the spiritual and personal pressures.  Friends and family may prove disappointing: you thought they were alongside you but later you realised that their interests were not ministry focussed.  Everything may take a lot longer than you had expected and it often feels like hard work getting there.  But God has prepared the way and spiritual companions to serve with you.  He is leading you to people who are hungry for Jesus, so that you can explain who He is and how to welcome Him.