PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS

1st Missionary Journey

1. Acts 13: 4 – 12 (First Mission Begins in Cyprus)
 Barnabas and Paul were sent forth by the Holy Spirit
 They went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus
 They arrived in Salamis (eastern side in the island of Cyprus) where they proclaimed the word of
God in Jewish Synagogues
 John was also their assistant
 They arrived in Paphos (western side in the island of Cyprus) where they met a magician and a
Jewish false Prophet namely Bar- Jesus and was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus a man of
intelligence.
 Paulus summoned Barnabas and Paul and wanted to hear the word of God but Elymas (the
meaning of Bar- Jesus) opposed them to turn the proconsul away from faith.
 But Saul aka Paul filled with the holy spirit looked intently at him and said “You son of the devil, you
enemy of all that is right, full of every sort of deceit and fraud. Will you not stop twisting the straight paths of the Lord?
Even now the hand of the Lord is upon you. You will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.”
 Immediately a dark mist fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.
 Upon witnessing what had happened, the proconsul was astonished but the teaching about the
Lord.
 Paul was recognized as the Leader of the Missionary Team.
2. Acts 13: 13 – 52
(Paul’s Arrival at Antioch in Pisidia)
 From Paphos, Paul and his companions set sail and arrived at the town of Perga in Pamphylia, but
John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
 When they reached the city of Antioch in the region of Pisidia on the Sabbath Day, they entered a
synagogue and took their seats.
 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the synagogue officials sent word to them, “My
brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
(Paul’s Address in the Synagogue)
 Paul talked about the History of Israel and showed through Prophecy that Jesus is the Promised
Messiah: “Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our
ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With uplifted arm he led them out of it
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert. When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of
Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance at the end of about four hundred and fifty years. After these things he
provided judges up to Samuel prophet. Then they asked for a king. God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man from the
tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have
found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’ From this man’s descendants
God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.”
 Paul ends by telling that they can free themselves from sin if they put their faith in Jesus. Everyone
who doesn't listen is going to die.
 As Paul and Barnabas are leaving, the people invited them to speak on these subjects the following
Sabbath. Many Jews and worshippers who were converts to Judaism followed and urged Paul and
Barnabas to remain faithful to God’s grace.
(Address to the Gentiles)
 The following week, almost the entire city turns out to hear Paul preach. But there's a group of Jews
who aren't so pleased with what's going on, and they let everyone know that they think Paul's full of
it.
 Paul and Barnabas tell everyone that the good news about Jesus was passed on to the Jewish people
first. But since they're so good at rejecting it, God has asked them to move onto the Gentiles.
 Lots of Gentiles start following Jesus after this, but the naysayers get someone to spread rumors
about Paul and Barnabas and they're forced to leave town and head for Iconium.
 The disciples were filled with joy and the holy Spirit.
3. Acts 14: 1 – 7 (Ionium)
 Barnabas and Paul entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that both a great number
of both Jews and Greeks came to believe although the disbelieving Jews stirred up and poisoned the
minds of the gentiles against the brothers.
 They stayed up for a considerable period, speaking out boldly for the Lord who confirmed about the
word about his grace by granting signs and wonders to occur through their hands.
 The people of the city were divided: some were with the Jews, some were with the apostles
  They fled to Lycaonian cities of Lystra & Derbe when there was an attempt by both the Gentiles
and the Jews togethers with their leaders to attack and stone them where they continued to
proclaim the good news.
4. Acts 14: 8 – 20 (Lystra and Derbe)
 Paul healed a crippled man through the power of God causing the people of Lystra to proclaim that
they are Roman Gods, Barnabas was “Zeus” and Paul was “Hermes” because he was the Chief
Speaker.
 The priest of Zeus whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the
gates, for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.
 Barnabas and Paul tore their garments upon hearing this and rushed to the crowd, shouting “Men,
why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you
should turn from these idols to living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them…”
 They scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
 Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds.
 They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the
disciplines gathered around him, he got up and entered the city. The following day, he left with
Barnabas for Derbe and preached.
5. Acts 14: 21 – 28 (End of the 1st Mission / Return to Antioch)
 They returned to Lystra, Iconium and to Antioch
 They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith saying it’s
necessary for them to undergo many hardships to enter God’s kingdom.
 They appointed presbyters for them in each church and with prayer and fasting, commended them
to the Lord in whom they had put their faith.
 They traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia and after proclaiming the word at Perga,
they went down to Attalia.
 From Attalia, they sailed to Antioch where they had been commended to the grace of God for the
work they had now accomplished.
 When they arrived, they called the church together and reported what God had done with them and
how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
6. Acts 15 (Council of Jerusalem)
 In Judea, there's a bunch of guys talking about circumcision. Mainly, they're saying that no one can
be saved unless they're circumcised. Paul and Barnabas don't agree. Male Gentiles everywhere
rejoice.
 Paul and Barnabas decide to head to Jerusalem to take up the topic with the twelve apostles and
elders to get their opinion on the big snip.
 Some of the Christians there say that male converts need to be circumcised. After all, a follower of
Jesus still must follow the laws of Moses.
 But Peter stands up and tells everyone that God is cool with the Gentiles. If he wants to give them
the Holy Spirit, the fact that their junk is still intact isn't going to stop him. Besides, they all know
that the path to salvation goes through Jesus, not Jewish law.
 Paul and Barnabas agree and tell all kinds of stories about how faithful and spirit-filled the new
Gentile-Christians are. They're model converts.
 James also tells everyone that he agrees with Peter. He decides that there are only a few things
Gentiles need to avoid. They shouldn't worship idols, have sex outside of marriage, eat any animal
that hasn't been ritually slaughtered, or drink animal blood.
 Judas who was called Barsabbas and Silas were chosen to be representatives to Antioch with Paul
and Barnabas. They sent a letter to be delivered by them to their brothers in Antioch, Syria and
Cilicia of Gentile Origin.
 They were sent on their journey and upon their arrival in Antioch, they called the assembly together
and delivered the letter which delighted the people with the exhortation.
 Paul asked Barnabas to have a return visit in the cities where they proclaimed the word of the Lord.
Barnabas wanted to take John with them who was also called Mark, but Paul insisted that they
shouldn’t take with them someone who had deserted them at Pamphylia and who had not continued
with them in their work. So sharp was their disagreement that they separated.
 Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus and Paul chose Silas and travelled through Syria and
Cilicia bringing strength to the churches.
2nd Missionary Journey
1. Acts 16: 6 – 10 (Through Asia Minor / Macedonia)
 Paul and Timothy travelled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory because they had been
prevented by the holy spirit to from preaching in Asia.
 They tried to go to Bithynia, but the spirit of Jesus didn’t allow them.
 Paul had a vision during the night where a Macedonian stood up before him asking for help. He
concluded that God had called them to proclaim good news to them.
2. Acts 17: 1 – 9 (Paul in Thessalonica)
 They took Amphipolis and Apollonia and reached Thessalonica where there was a synagogue of
Jews and Paul joined them
 For 3 Sabbaths, Paul he entered discussions with them from the scriptures expounding and
demonstrating that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead
 Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas. But the Jews became jealous & recruited
some worthless men loitering in the public square, formed a mob and set the city in turmoil.
 They marched on the house of Jason, intending to bring them before the people’s assembly, when
they couldn’t find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city magistrates,
who upon hearing, Jason welcomed them and opposed on the decrees of Caesar which stirred up the
crow and the city magistrates.
 They took a surety payment from Jason and the others before releasing them.
3. Acts 17: 10 – 15 (Paul in Beroea)
 The brothers sent Silas and Paul to Beroea at night
 They went to the synagogue of the Jews who were more fair- minded than those in Thessalonica for
they received the word with willingness and examined the scriptures daily to determine whether
these things were so.
 Many became believers but when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul had already
proclaimed the word of God in Beroea, they came there and caused a commotion and stir up the
crowds.
 The brothers at once sent Paul on his way to seacoast while Timothy and Silas remained behind.
 Instructions were given to Timothy and Silas to join Paul ASAP.
4. Acts 17: 16 – 32
(Paul in Athens)
 While Paul was waiting for Timothy and Silas, he was exasperated at the sight of the city full of
idols
 He debated in the synagogues with the Jews and worshippers and daily in the public square with
whoever happened to be there. As well as the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers engaged him in a
discussion.
 They took Paul in Areopagus to listen to something new from him together with all the Athenians
and foreigners residing there.
 He moves on to the marketplace and starts to engage some of the non-Jewish Greeks in the crowd.
He gives a sermon that's one part biblical and one-part Greek philosophy.
(Paul’s Speech at the Areopagus)
 Paul tells the citizens of Athens that they are obviously very religious, but God is the one who
created the whole world and who should be worshiped.
 The Athenians are intrigued and tell him that they'd like to hear more. Some even become believers
because Paul is just that darn good and one of them is Dionysius, member of the court of Areopagus
and a woman named Damaris.
5. Acts 18: 1 – 17 (Paul in Corinth)
 He left Athens and went to Corinth where he met a Jew named Aquila who is a native of Pontus
who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews
to leave Rome. Paul went to stay and work with them as they were tentmakers by trade like him.
Every Sabbath he attempts to convince both Jews and Greeks through discussions in the
synagogue.
 When Timothy and Silas came down from Macedonia, Paul began to occupy himself totally with
preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that the Messiah was Jesus but when they opposed him.
 Paul left and went to Titus Jutus’ house, a worshipper’s God whose house was next to a synagogue.
 Synagogue official Crispus believed in the Lord with his entire household and many of the
Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized.
 One night, through a vision Lord told Paul not to be afraid and continue speaking for He is with
him and that He has many people in that city.
  Paul settled there for one and a half year and taught the word of God.
(Accusations before Gallio)
 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews united together against Paul and brought him to the
tribunal, saying he is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.
 When Paul was about to reply, Gallio told the Jews that if it were a matter of some crime or
malicious fraud, he should with reason hear the complaint of the Jews; but since it is a question of
arguments over doctrine and titles and his own law, he must face it all by himself.
 They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none
of this was of concern to Gallio.
6. Acts 18: 24 – 28 (Apollos)
 A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria and an eloquent speaker arrived in Ephesus. He was
an authority on the scriptures. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus although he only knew
the baptism of John.
 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him
aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately.
 When he wanted to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to
welcome him. After his arrival, he gave great assistance to those who had come to believe through
grace. He refuted the Jews in the public, establishing from the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.
3 Missionary Journey
rd

1. Acts 21: 1 – 15 (Arrival at Tyre)

 They made a straight run for Cos and on the next day for Rhodes and from there to Patara
 They found a ship to Phoenicia and caught sight of Cyprus and sailed toward Syria and put in at
Tyre where the ship was to unload cargo.
 They sought out the disciples and stayed for a week
 They kept telling Paul through the holy spirit not to embark for Jerusalem
 At the end of their say, they left and resumed their journey. All the people escorted them out of the
city; after kneeling on the beach to pray, bade farewell and sailed home.
(Arrival at Ptolemais and Caesarea)
 They stayed at Ptolemais for a day with the brothers.
 Thee next day, they resumed the trip to Caesarea and went to the house of Philip, an evangelist who
was one of the Seven (appointed by the apostles) and stayed with him. Philip had 4 virgin daughters
gifted with prophecy.
 After several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
 He took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands with it. Agabus tells Paul that he will be
imprisoned and turned over to the Gentiles.
 All Paul's friends hear this and beg Paul not to go to Jerusalem.
 No way, Paul tells them. He's ready to die if that's what God needs him to do to spread the word.
 Well, in that case, go ahead, they tell him.
2. Acts 22: 3 – 5 (Paul’s Defense before the Jerusalem Jews)
 Paul addresses the crowd in Hebrew and tells them his life story.
 He is a Jew who was born in Tarsus and brought up in a good Jewish home where he learned respect
for Jewish law and customs. He's a real mensch.
3. Acts 22: 6 – 16 (Paul’s Defense before the Jerusalem Jews)
 He tells them how he persecuted Christians himself until he saw a light that blinded him on the road
to Damascus and heard the voice of Jesus himself.
 Then he explains that Ananias restored his sight and encouraged him to be baptized.
4. Acts 22: 17 – 21 (Paul’s Defense before the Jerusalem Jews)
 When Paul returned to Jerusalem, while he was praying in the temple, he fell into trance and saw
the Lord telling him to leave Jerusalem because they will not accept his testimonies about the Lord.
Paul was sent to the gentiles.
5. Acts 22: 27 – 29 (Paul Imprisoned)
 The cohort commander was alarmed and told Paul that he acquired the Roman citizenship for a
large some of money when Paul told them that he is a Roman citizen.
6. Acts 23: 7 – 10 (Paul before the Sanhedrin)
 When Paul said that he is a son of a pharisee and a pharisee who hopes for the resurrection of the
dead, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, dividing the group.
 For the Sadducees, there is no resurrection, angels or spirits while the Pharisees acknowledge all
three.
  A great uproar occurred and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and argued that
they find nothing wrong with Paul.
 The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be killed by them ordered
his troops to go down and rescue him from their midst and take him into their compound.
7. Acts 26: 12 – 18 (King Agrippa Hears Paul)
 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon,
King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my
companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute
me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Then I asked, “Who are you, Lord?”, “I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting,” the Lord replied. “Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a
servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the
Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Return to Rome
1. Acts 28: 11 – 16 (Arrival in Rome)
 3 months later, they set sail on a ship that had wintered at Malta, it was an Alexandrian ship with
the Dioscuri as its figurehead.
 They put in at Syracuse and stayed there for 3 days and from there, they sailed round the coast and
arrived at Rhegium.
 In two days, they reached Puteoli where they found some brothers and were urged to stay with
them for 7 days.
 Then they went to Rome; the brothers from there heard about them and came as far as the Forum
of Appius and Three Taverns to meet them.
 When Paul entered Rome, he could live by himself with the soldier who was always guarding him.
2. Acts 28: 17 – 30 (Testimony to Jews in Rome)
 3 days later, Paul called together the leaders of the Jews. He told them that he had done nothing
against their people or ancestral customs, he was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from
Jerusalem. After trying his case the Romans wanted to release him, because they found nothing
against him deserving the death penalty. But when the Jews objected, he was obliged to appeal to
Caesar, even though he had no accusation to make against his own nation. And that it is the reason
why he has requested to speak with them, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that he wears
those chains.
 They told him that they have received no letters from Judea about him, nor has any of the brothers
arrived with a damaging report or rumor about him. But they like to hear him present his views, for
they know that this sect is denounced everywhere.
 They arranged a day with Paul and came to his lodgings in great numbers, from early morning until
evening, he expounded his position to them, bearing witness to the kingdom of God and trying to
convince them about Jesus from the law of Moses and the prophets.
 Some were convinced by what he had said, while others did not believe. Without reaching any
agreement among themselves they began to leave; then Paul made one final statement. “Well did
the holy Spirit speak to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah, saying: “Let it be known to you that
this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
 He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him and proclaimed the
word of God without hindrance but with complete assurance.
1. Synagogue – the building where a Jewish assembly or congregation meets for religious worship and instruction. It’s a Jewish
assembly or congregation.
2. Proconsul – a governor of a province in ancient Rome, having much of the authority of a consul.
3. Presbyters – (in Episcopal churches) a minister of the second order, under the authority of a bishop; a priest.
4. Mensch – a person of integrity and honor.
5. Pharisee – a member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional and written law, and
commonly held to have pretensions to superior sanctity.
6. Sadducee – a member of a Jewish sect or party of the time of Jesus Christ that denied the resurrection of the dead, the
existence of spirits, and the obligation of oral tradition, emphasizing acceptance of the written Law alone.
7. Sanhedrin – the supreme council and tribunal of the Jews during postexilic times headed by a High Priest and having
religious, civil, and criminal jurisdiction.
8. Areopagus – earliest aristocratic council of ancient Athens
9. Disciples – a personal follower of Jesus during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.
10. Apostles – each of the twelve chief disciples of Jesus Christ.
11. Tribunal – generally, is any person or institution with authority to judge, or determine claims or disputes—whether or not it
is called a tribunal in its title.
12. Evangelist – a person who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith, especially by public preaching.
13. Messiah – the expected king and deliverer of the Jews.