S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The New Testament records Paul taking three missionary journeys that spread the message of Christ to Asia Minor and Europe. The apostle Paul was a well-educated, leading Jew named Saul. Living in J...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

MISSIONARY JOURNEYS OF PAUL

First Acts 13:1-14:28

Second Acts 15:36-18:22

Third Acts 18:23-21:16

https://www.conformingtojesus.com/images/webpages/pauls_first_missionary_journey1.jpg

First Journey (AD 46–48) https://www.conformingtojesus.com/images/webpages/pauls_first_missionary_journey1.jpg

Companions: Barnabas, John Mark (who left early).

Route: Antioch → Cyprus (Salamis, Paphos) → Pamphylia (Perga) → Galatia (Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe) → back to Antioch (1,400 miles, 1–2 years).

Key Events: Converted proconsul in Paphos; preached in synagogues; stoned in Lystra but survived; focused on Gentiles.

Outcomes: Founded Galatian churches; reported Gentile conversions.

Second Journey (AD 49–52) https://www.conformingtojesus.com/images/webpages/apostle_paul_second_missionary_journey_map1.jpg

Companions: Silas, Timothy, Luke.

Route: Antioch → Syria/Cilicia → Galatia → Troas → Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea) → Greece (Athens, Corinth) → brief Ephesus → Jerusalem/Antioch (2,800 miles, 3 years).

Key Events: Imprisoned in Philippi (earthquake conversion); Areopagus sermon in Athens; 18 months in Corinth; Holy Spirit-guided detour to Europe.

Outcomes: Entered Europe; established churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth; wrote Thessalonians. 

Third Journey (AD 53 to 58, though some sources cite AD 53–57 or AD 54–58)

Companions
Paul began the journey with Timothy. Other companions joined at various points, including Erastus (sent ahead to Macedonia), Sopater (from Berea), Aristarchus and Secundus (from Thessalonica), Gaius (from Derbe), Tychicus and Trophimus (from Asia), and possibly Luke although my map does not list companions. (https://www.conformingtojesus.com/images/webpages/pauls_third_missionary_journey1.jpeg)

Route
Antioch → Cilicia/Galatia/Phrygia → Ephesus → Troas → Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea) → Achaia (Corinth) → return via Macedonia to Troas → coastal sail (Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Miletus, Cos, Rhodes, Patara) → Phoenicia (Tyre, Ptolemais) → Caesarea → Jerusalem (Acts 19:1-21:14).

Key Events
Ephesus: Baptized John's disciples; failed exorcists; burned magic books; Demetrius' riot against Christians.
Troas: Revived Eutychus after fall.
Miletus: Farewell to Ephesian elders, warned of Jerusalem perils.
En route to Jerusalem (Tyre, Ptolemais, Caesarea): Disciples warn Paul; he persists.
Jerusalem: Arrested in Temple, defends faith to Jews.

Outcomes
Strengthened Asian, Macedonian, and Achaean churches; widespread Ephesian conversions and repentances amid opposition; emotional farewells; arrest in Jerusalem leading to trials and Rome voyage.

Grok AI helped me with this.

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