The apostle Paul made several missionary journeys to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman world. These journeys are described in detail in the book of Acts in the New Testament. There were three main missionary journeys that Paul took:
Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-14:28)
Paul’s first missionary journey began around AD 46-48 when he and Barnabas were commissioned and sent out by the church at Antioch. They traveled to the island of Cyprus and preached in the synagogues there. Then they sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them to return to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas continued to Pisidian Antioch where they preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Many Gentiles believed Paul’s message about Jesus, but jealous Jews stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, forcing them to leave the city (Acts 13:50-51).
The two missionaries went on to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe in Lycaonia and had many converts among both Jews and Gentiles. In Lystra, Paul healed a lame man and the people tried to worship Barnabas and Paul as Greek gods. But jealous Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and stoned Paul nearly to death. Paul and Barnabas then retraced their steps, appointing elders in the churches and encouraging the believers before sailing back to Antioch of Syria (Acts 14:21-28).
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)
Paul’s second missionary journey began around AD 49-52. After attending the Jerusalem Council, Paul suggested to Barnabas that they visit the cities where they had preached on their first journey. But Paul and Barnabas disagreed sharply over taking John Mark, so they went separate ways. Paul chose Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches (Acts 15:36-41).
In Lystra, Paul recruited Timothy to join him and Silas. Paul wanted to preach in Asia but was prevented by the Holy Spirit. In Troas, Paul received the vision of a Macedonian man pleading for help, so they sailed to Greece (Acts 16:6-10).
In Philippi of Macedonia, Paul and Silas were imprisoned but supernaturally released after an earthquake. They went on to Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens where Paul preached and debated with Greek philosophers on Mars Hill. Paul had some success in Athens but faced much opposition. He went on to Corinth where he stayed for a year and a half, establishing a strong church (Acts 17:1-18:11).
Paul returned through Macedonia and sailed from Philippi to Caesarea, and finally back to Antioch, completing his second missionary journey (Acts 18:22).
Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:16)
Paul’s third missionary journey took place around AD 53-58. It began with Paul traveling back through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening believers (Acts 18:23). He ministered for over two years in Ephesus, spreading the gospel so effectively that it impacted the entire province of Asia (Acts 19:10, 26).
After the riot in Ephesus started by Demetrius the silversmith, Paul went to Macedonia and Greece, staying three months in Corinth (Acts 19:23-20:3). As he was about to sail for Syria, a plot against his life was uncovered, so Paul backtracked through Macedonia to Philippi, Troas, and Miletus (Acts 20:3-16).
At Miletus, Paul met with the Ephesian elders and gave them a solemn farewell, warning them about false teachers. He sailed to Tyre and Ptolemais, greeting the believers, and finally arrived in Jerusalem, completing his third journey (Acts 21:1-17). Paul was later arrested in Jerusalem, taken to Caesarea, and eventually sent to Rome.
In summary, through his three missionary journeys, the apostle Paul traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD, tirelessly preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He spread the message of salvation to both Jews and Gentiles, establishing churches, appointing leaders, and writing letters of instruction and encouragement that still impact Christians today. Paul’s trips contributed greatly to the rapid expansion of early Christianity throughout the Mediterranean region.
Key Events and Locations from Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Here is a brief overview of some of the key events and locations from each of Paul’s three missionary journeys:
First Journey (Acts 13:1-14:28)
- Sent out from church in Antioch with Barnabas
- Preached in Cyprus and Galatia (modern-day Turkey)
- John Mark left them at Perga and returned to Jerusalem
- Preached at synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, many believed
- Faced opposition from jealous Jews, forced to leave
- Went to Iconium, Lystra, Derbe – many converts
- Paul stoned and left for dead in Lystra
- Appointed elders in the churches
- Returned to Antioch of Syria
Second Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)
- Disagreed with Barnabas over John Mark and separated
- Took Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening churches
- Recruited Timothy in Lystra
- Received vision to go to Macedonia (Greece)
- Won converts in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea
- Preached in Athens on Mars Hill
- Spent a year and a half establishing church in Corinth
- Returned to Antioch of Syria via Ephesus and Caesarea
Third Journey (Acts 18:23-21:16)
- Traveled back through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening believers
- Spent over 2 years ministering in Ephesus, impacting all Asia
- Riot started in Ephesus by silversmith Demetrius
- Went to Macedonia and Greece, 3 months in Corinth
- Plot to kill Paul uncovered, had to backtrack to Jerusalem
- Met with Ephesian elders at Miletus, gave farewell warning
- Greeted believers in Tyre, Ptolemais, and Caesarea
- Arrived in Jerusalem, completing his third journey
Churches Paul Established
In addition to preaching the gospel wherever he went, Paul helped establish churches across the Roman Empire. Here are some of the key churches mentioned in Acts that Paul helped start on his missionary journeys:
- Church at Antioch (Acts 11:19-26) – One of the first major Gentile churches.
- Churches in Galatia (Acts 13:14-14:23) – Paul established churches in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe on his first journey.
- Church at Philippi (Acts 16:11-40) – Founded on Paul’s second journey in Macedonia.
- Church at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9) – Established as a result of Paul’s preaching on his second journey.
- Church at Berea (Acts 17:10-15) – Another church planted by Paul in Macedonia.
- Church at Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) – Paul spent a year and a half here on his second journey.
- Church at Ephesus (Acts 18:19-21, 19:1-41) – A strong, influential church established by Paul on his third journey.
The churches Paul planted became centers for the spread of the gospel throughout the region. Paul kept in touch with many of these churches through his New Testament letters, giving them warnings, instructions, and encouragement.
Paul’s Companions
Paul did not travel alone on his missionary journeys. He was accompanied and assisted by several key companions along the way:
- Barnabas (Acts 13:1-15:39) – A fellow missionary who traveled with Paul on his first journey until they parted ways over John Mark.
- John Mark (Acts 12:25, 13:13, 15:37-39) – Barnabas’ cousin who left Paul and Barnabas during the first journey.
- Silas/Silvanus (Acts 15:40-18:22) – A prophet who accompanied Paul on his second and third journeys.
- Timothy (Acts 16:1-3) – A disciple who joined Paul on his second journey and later led the church at Ephesus.
- Luke (Acts 16:10-17, 20:5-15, 21:1-18, 27:1-28:16) – The author of Acts who joined Paul at Troas and traveled with him at various times.
- Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-3, 18-28) – A Jewish couple who worked with Paul in Corinth and Ephesus.
- Apollos (Acts 18:24-28) – An Alexandrian Jew whom Paul’s companions Priscilla and Aquila mentored in Ephesus.
Paul was able to accomplish much more with these faithful companions who provided him with support, assistance, and fellowship along the way.
Opposition to Paul’s Ministry
As Paul spread the gospel across the Roman Empire, his preaching was often met with significant opposition and persecution. Here are some examples of the opposition Paul faced:
- In Pisidian Antioch, the Jewish leaders rejected Paul’s message and incited persecution, expelling Paul and Barnabas from the region (Acts 13:45,50).
- In Lystra, at first Paul was hailed as a god after healing a crippled man. But soon jealous Jews from Antioch and Iconium turned the crowd against him, stoning him and leaving him for dead (Acts 14:8-19).
- In Philippi, Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten, and imprisoned for delivering a slave girl from a demonic spirit (Acts 16:16-24).
- In Thessalonica, a mob incited by jealous Jews assaulted the house where Paul was staying, forcing him to flee by night (Acts 17:5-10).
- In Ephesus, the silversmith Demetrius started a riot against Paul for preaching against idolatry, endangering his lucrative silver shrine business (Acts 19:23-41).
- In Jerusalem, Paul’s preaching led to riots and multiple conspiracies by the Jews to kill him (Acts 21-23). He was eventually arrested.
Paul facedrequent hostility, violence, arrest, stoning, beating, imprisonment, and threats to his life. But he endured severe suffering and persecution in order to spread the gospel of Christ.
Paul’s Letters to the Churches
In addition to the book of Acts, many details about Paul’s missionary work are found in his New Testament letters or epistles. Paul wrote letters to churches he had visited to instruct, encourage, correct, and warn them. Here are the letters connected to his missionary travels:
- Galatians – Written to churches Paul established in Galatia to combat the Judaizers demanding circumcision.
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians – Written to believers in Thessalonica, commending their faith and answering concerns.
- 1 & 2 Corinthians – Addressed issues like division, immorality, spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church.
- Romans – A theological masterpiece written to the church in Rome Paul hoped to visit.
- Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon – Written during Paul’s Rome imprisonment to churches/individuals he ministered to.
- Philippians – Letter to the Philippians from prison, urging unity and joy in Christ.
- 1 & 2 Timothy – Instructions to Timothy left in charge of the Ephesian church.
- Titus – Guidance to Titus ministering on the island of Crete.
Through his epistles, Paul exhorted these churches to remain faithful to Christ in the face of persecution and false teaching. His letters are cherished as inspired Scripture.
Paul’s Impact on Christianity
Paul’s three missionary journeys, covering thousands of miles by land and sea over nearly 20 years, played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman world. Here are some of Paul’s major impacts:
- Spread the gospel far beyond Palestine across the Roman Empire to both Jews and Gentiles.
- Established numerous churches that became powerful centers for evangelism.
- Converted many thousands of people, establishing strong communities of believers.
- Endured immense suffering and persecution but never gave up.
- Authored 13 epistles that provide vital Christian theology and instruction.
- Gained legal rights for Christians within the Roman Empire.
- Shaped Christianity from a Jewish sect into a thriving worldwide religion.
- Served as an inspiring model of courage, endurance, and passion.
Without Paul’s rigorous missionary work, Christianity may have remained an obscure Jewish sect. Instead, he ushered in the gospel to the Gentiles and successfully transformed Christianity into a global force that continues to impact the world today.
