Travel back in time to explore the island of Cyprus with Paul and Barnabas as they shared the good news of Yeshua the Messiah. Their mission, as described in Acts 13:6, was to teach the scattered tribes of Israel about Yeshua the Messiah. They began in Salamis, the largest city in Cyprus and home to a large Israelite community. As Israelites themselves, Paul and Barnabas began their teaching in a synagogue, a common place where people gathered to learn about the Torah.
The Scattered Tribes of Israel
This community likely included descendants of the scattered tribes of Israel, fulfilling the biblical prophecies found in Deuteronomy 4:27 and Ezekiel 22:15. Paul’s goal was to reach out to these Israelite communities throughout Asia Minor.
By teaching in synagogues, which welcomed both Israelites and those who honored the God of Israel, Paul and Barnabas were able to share their message widely. Their teachings about Yeshua as the promised Messiah reached many hearts and led to a growing group of believers. This new network helped spread the message of the Messiah across different regions in Asia Minor.
The Island of Paphos
Paul and Barnabas didn’t stop in Salamis. They traveled west across the island to Paphos, the Roman capital of Cyprus. Paphos was famous for its grand temples and idol worship, very different from the synagogues where they had been teaching. In Paphos, they met a Roman official named Sergius Paulus, a wise man who wanted to hear God’s word. But a magician named Elymas tried to block their message. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke against Elymas, and the man was struck blind. This miracle convinced Sergius Paulus to believe in the message about Yeshua. This event showed that the good news of the Messiah was not only for Hebrews in the land of Israel, but also for the scattered tribes of the House of Israel, just as Yeshua had promised.
Answer the questions below?
- Which tribes of Israel were scattered among the nations?
- List five scriptures that mention the scattering of the House of Israel.
- What role do you think the followers of Messiah played in helping Paul teach the message of Messiah throughout Asia Minor?
Learn more about the travels of Paul the Apostle with our Paul the Apostle Activity Book BUNDLE.
