Paul's Missionary Journeys Matteson

The Missionary Journeys of

St. Paul the Apostle

Including Maps of the First Century Mediterranean

World, and a Directory of the Cities Visited by St.

Paul A Presentation by Travis Matteson

BIL102i Dr. Smith

Contents•An abbreviated biography of St. Paul the Apostle•Historically and geographically accurate maps illustrating the cities in which St. Paul ministered•A directory of cities, along with the first Biblical reference to the city in relation to St. Paul, given in parentheses directly after the name of the city. The cities are defined according to their historical and spiritual significance.•A chronological list of Paul’s companions and fellow travelers on his missionaries.•Brief archaeological notes for key cities.•A list of major trends within Paul’s journeys.• A brief explanation of the organization of the ancient city.•A succinct timeline of events beginning with Paul’s first journey.•Note: This presentation does not include cities through which Paul passed on his journeys that are not given in direct reference to the major part of his ministry in the New Testament.

Sources•The Translation of the Bible Used in this Presentation, The New Revised Standard Version, Reflects the Personal Preference of the Author of this Presentation and in no way is it to be Considered the Definitive Translation.•Various Internet Sources were Utilized in the Construction of this Presentation.•HALLEY’S Bible Handbook•The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary•The Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary•NIV Archaeological Study Bible

St. Paul the Apostle•Saul was a Jew, a Pharisee, from Tarsus, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians. (Acts 8)•He was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus when Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision and changed his life. (Acts 9)•Saul’s name was changed to Paul, and he became one of the prominent missionaries of the Christian faith. (Acts 13)

TrendsFrom the NIV Archeological Study Bible (Kaiser, 1904)

•“Paul was seldom without a fellow worker”•“Paul always spoke in term s that would be meaningful to a particular audience””•“Paul tended to speak first at local synagogues when preaching in a new city”•“Paul had to deal with persecution from both Jews and Gentiles”•“Paul demonstrated deep commitment to the churches he planted, and his emotional ties to the new converts were deep”

The Cities in the Days of Paul

From the NIV Archaeological Study Bible•City structure primarily depended on the geographic location of the city.•Outer walls – protect from invasion, defensive fortifications•Inner walls – provide defense for the center of the city if the rest of the city is overrun, barracks of military units•Markets – located on main roads for easy access, sometimes surrounded by colonades•Monuments to local heroes/deities

TimelineDates according to Halley’s Bible

Handbook•45-48 A.D. –Paul’s First Missionary Journey

•48-50 A.D. – Paul remains in Syrian Antioch

•50-53 A.D. – Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

•53-54 A.D. – Paul remains in Syrian Antioch

•54-57 A.D. – Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

•58-60 A.D. – Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem and imprisonment in Caesarea

•60-61 A.D. – Paul’s Journey to Rome

•61-62/63 A.D. – Paul the Prisoner in Rome

•62/63 A.D. – Paul Freed from Prison

Original Maps

Original Maps

Original Maps

Directory of the Cities•Damascus – (Acts 9:20)

– Historical: Damascus was a bustling cultural and commercial center under Roman rule, also one of the “oldest continuously occupied cities in the world” (Myers, 254).– Spiritual: Upon Paul’s conversion, he began preaching in the synagogues, and Acts says that he “confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.” Then the Jews tried to assassinate him, but he escaped (Halley, 735).

Directory of the Cities•Jerusalem – (Acts 9:26)

– Historical: Jerusalem is the richly historical capital city of Judea, which fell under Roman rule in 63 B.C. at the hand of Pompey. It is also known as the “City of David, ” and its name means “city of peace and wholeness” (Myers, 254). This meaning is significant because at the time, Jerusalem was war-torn and fragmented instead of peaceful and whole. The only element uniting the region was Christianity, as it says in Acts 9:31: “the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up.”– Spiritual: When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he wanted to join the disciples but they feared that he was a false convert, but Barnabas sided with him and the disciples accepted him. Then the Jews in Jerusalem tried to kill him, but the disciples sent him away to safety in Tarsus (Halley, 735).

The First Missionary Journey

Directory of the Cities•Antioch of Syria – (Acts 11:26)

–Historical: Founded in 300 B.C. by Seleucus Nicator, Syrian Antioch was a cultured and extravagant city, yet morally bankrupt. Captive Jews, deported by Seleucus Nicator, comprised a major portion of the population. It was also a major city of the Roman Empire under Pompey (Unger, 82).–Spiritual: Antioch of Syria became the nucleus of the Christian Church beginning in Acts 11:21 as “a great number became believers and turned to the Lord” following the testimonies of Christians from Cyprus and Cyrene. Saul first came to Antioch in Acts 11:25-26 when Barnabus sought him out and brought him there, where he remained for a year. Saul became an established Christian teacher there according to Acts 13:1, and it became the base from which Saul would begin his three missionary journeys (Halley, 740).–Archaeological note: Between 1932 and 1939 excavations uncovered the remains of Antioch of Syria: “streets…flanked by broad walkways, temples, shops and baths” (Kaiser, 1904).

Directory of the Cities•Cyprus – (Acts 13:4)

–Historical – An island off the coast of Syria in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus was an early settlement of the Phoenicians, but in the first century A.D. it was under Roman rule via proconsul, or governor (Unger, 268).–Spiritual – Originally the home of Barnabas (Acts 4:36), Cyprus was Saul’s first stop on his missionary journey. The influence of the Christian Church in Cyprus was great strengthened when the proconsul converted to Christianity when God, through the words of Paul, struck a sorcerer blind. It was here that Saul began to be called Paul (Acts 13:9) (Halley, 741).

Directory of the Cities•Antioch of Pisidia – (Acts 13:14)

– Historical: Pisidian Antioch was also founded by Seleucus Nicator, and lay in the path of a well-traveled traded route from Ephesus to the Cilician Gates, establishing the city as a pivotal center of commerce (Myers, 60).– Spiritual: Paul came to Antioch, and began preaching first in the synagogues of the city. He met with some success in the conversion of the Jews and Gentiles of the city, but ultimately was driven from the city by unbelievers, specifically Jews, and so in Acts 13:51, Paul and Barnabas “shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went on to …[see next slide].” Paul passed through Pisidian Antioch again on his return journey in Acts 14:23 (Halley, 741).

Directory of the Cities•Iconium – (Acts 13:51)

– Historical: Iconium was the capital of ancient Lycaonia, Iconium was a luxurious center of trade on the route between Syria and Ephesus, and derives its name from the Greek word for “image” (Myers, 511).– Spiritual: In Iconium, as in Pisidian Antioch, many Jews and Gentiles were converted to Christianity by Paul and Barnabas, and a group of unbelieving Jews persecuted Paul and his followers in Iconium. Nevertheless, Acts 14:3 states that Paul “remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord,” and left only after an attempted assassination in Acts 14:5. This was also a stop on Paul’s return to Antioch of Syria (Halley, 741).

Directory of the Cities•Lystra – (Acts 14:6)

– Historical: A rural settlement that became a Roman fortification against local tribes, Lystra lay near a Roman road connecting Pisidian Antioch with Syria (Myers, 671).– Spiritual: When Paul arrived in Lystra, he healed a cripple, and the citizens of this city thought he and Barnabas were gods, and prepared to make sacrifices for them (Acts 14:8-13). The apostles spoke out against this, and Jews from Antioch convinced the crowd to stone Paul, and they left him for dead, but when Paul’s companions surrounded him he got up and continued his journey. He stopped in Lystra again on his return journey (Halley, 741).

Directory of the Cities•Derbe – (Acts 14:20)

– Historical: Derbe was a city that lay within the Roman boundaries of Galatia, and was on the frontier of this province (Myers, 279).– Spiritual: Acts 14:20-21 tells that Paul went on to Derbe and made many disciples, and then began his return to Syrian Antioch through Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch (Halley, 743).

•Perga – (Acts 14:25)– Historical: Located on a crucial trade route, Perga was a lavish Roman city with centers of culture such as a stadium, baths, and a theater (Myers, 813).– Spiritual: Acts only relates that Paul spoke here briefly in verse 25, and then returned to Syrian Antioch, “but probably established no lasting Christian community there” ( Myers, 813).

The Companions of Paul

•Barnabas was with Paul throughout his first missionary journey, as ordained by the Holy Spirit in Acts 13:2.•John Mark traveled with Barnabas and Paul from Antioch to Cyprus but returned to Jerusalem when they reached Perga (Acts 13:13).•At Antioch with Paul before his journey began were Simeon (or Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who was a member of King Herod’s court, but they did not accompany them on the journey (Acts 13:1).

The Second Missionary Journey

Directory of the Cities•Troas – (Acts 16:8)

– History: Under Roman rule, Troas was a thriving center of trade on the eastern coast of the Aegean Sea. The proximity to the coast made it a prime location for sea trade, and Troas lay near the city of Troy as well (Unger, 1310).– Spiritual: It was in Troas that Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia, pleading with him to bring his ministry to Europe, and Acts 16:10 states that Paul felt this was God calling him to minister in Europe for the first time (Halley, 745).

Directory of the Cities•Philippi – (Acts 16:12)– Historical: Philippi was situated on a trade route connecting Rome with Asia, and was famous for its gold mines and arable land. Its name means “warlike” due to its proximity to the site of the battle between Marc Antony and Octavian for the rule of Rome (Unger, 1002).– Spiritual: Paul and his company were met in Philippi by Lydia, who heard their message and believed, and welcomed them into their home. Others in Philippi were not as hospitable towards the missionaries, however, and Paul and Silas were imprisoned for driving a spirit out of her. In prison, an earthquake came and opened the doors and broke all the chains, and the guard was converted by the words of Paul and his fear of God. Philippi is crucial because it is the site of Paul’s first European church, and signifies the ever expanding sphere of the influence of Christianity (Halley, 745). – Archaeological note: Remains of a theater, and a crypt thought to be Paul’s jail have been unearthed in Philippi (Kaiser, 1927).

Directory of the Cities•Thessalonica – (Acts 17:1)

– Historical: Thessalonica, in Macedonia, is located on the Via Egnatia, or the great road, and therefore has utmost strategic importance. Its rulers, or politarchs were elected by and assembly called the demos, so Thessalonica was an early site for democracy as well (Unger, 1275).– Spiritual: Paul’s visit to Thessalonica was short, but he gained a great many converts there, but this segment of his journey was not without conflict. The Jews of Thessalonica persecuted Paul and Silas, and attacked the home of Jason, with whom they were staying (Halley, 745). – Archaeological note: In Thessalonica, there have been uncovered the remains of Roman arches, and a Roman forum (Kaiser, 1944).

Directory of the Cities•Beroea – (Acts 17:10)

– Historical: At the foot of Mt. Bermius in Macedonia, Beroea, or Berea, was a flourishing city and the home of a large Jewish population (Unger, 160).– Spiritual: Acts 17:11 says, “these Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica,” and Paul applauded them on their careful exploration of scripture. However, the Jews of Thessalonica heard that Paul had grown the church and stirred up a rebellion in Beroea (Halley, 745).

Directory of the Cities•Athens – (Acts 17:15)

– Historical: Athens, the capital of Attica in Greece, was a flourishing cultural center of the ancient world, but faded in its glory under the rule of Rome beginning in 146 B.C. This city was also an important site for the root of philosophy, and learners from the entire Mediterranean region came to Athens to study (Unger, 122).– Spiritual: In Athens, Paul faced a great challenge: the Greek intellect. As it was home to the world’s largest university at the time, Paul faced the least receptive audience he had thus far. This visit was by the Athenians, as they said, “We will hear you again about this” in Acts 17:32 concerning the resurrection. He also converted a few people, including Dionysus the Areopagite and a woman, Damaris, and others (Halley, 745). – Archaeological note: Athens is a prime location for the architecture of the ancient world. The Parthenon, and the Areopagus, the site of Paul’s preaching in Athens, are two great examples (Kaiser, 1802).

Directory of the Cities•Corinth – (Acts 18:1)

– Historical: In 146 B.C. this Greek city was destroyed by Roman invaders, but rebuilt by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C., under whose rule Corinth prospered and became the capital of Achaia, and the seat of the Roman proconsul (Unger, 255).– Spiritual: Corinth was an extended stop for Paul, and he remained there for a year and a half, growing the church. He was met with strong opposition from the Jews, and Acts 18:6 gives his reaction: “in protest, he shook the dust from his clothes and said to them, ‘Your blodd be on your own hands! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’” In Corinth, Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla, and he received aid from the proconsul Gallio who refused to put him on trial at the request of the Jews (Halley, 745). – Archaeological note: Evidence has been found in Corinth of “votive offerings” to a god of healing, using various body parts made of clay that were supposedly healed (Kaiser, 1887)

The Companions of Paul •In Acts 15:39, Paul and Barnabas separate because

Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark on the second journey but Paul refused. So Barnabas was no longer Paul’s companion, and he went to Cyprus with John Mark.•Paul chose a new companion named Silas in Acts 15:40 and set out on his second journey.•In Acts 16:3, Timothy, “the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer” joins Paul and Silas at the request of Paul. Timothy’s father is Greek however, so Paul has Timothy circumcised first so Timothy would not raise the objections of the Jews.•Many scholars, according to the Harper Collins Study Bible deduce that Luke joined Paul and Silas in Acts 16:15, because the writer of Acts switches to the “WE” pronoun, and then back to third-person in 16:18, suggesting he was with them for a time and then departed.•Aquila and Priscilla traveled with Paul from Corinth to Cenchreae and on to Ephesus, where they broke company (Acts 18:18-21).

The Third Missionary Journey

Directory of the Cities•Ephesus – (Acts 19:1)

– Historical: In 133 B.C. Ephesus was conquered by Rome, and plunged into a century of civil war. However, Ephesus grew and prospered to a population of nearly half a million in the first century A.D., and is located on a major Roman trade route (Unger, 366).– Spiritual: For three years, Paul remained in Ephesus, teaching in homes and working miracles and healing. One of the largest mass of conversions came when seven men attempted to drive out evil spirits in the name of Jesus and Paul, but the demons attacked them instead (Acts 19:16). A man named Demetrius was Paul’s greatest adversary in Ephesus, speaking out against him, and stirring up a riot, after which, Paul left (Halley, 747).– Archaeological note: Ephesus has been a gold mine for archaeological discoveries, including the remains of many temples, a great theater, a library, gymnasiums, public baths and latrines, remains of private homes, and the Basilica of St. John.

Directory of the Cities•Miletus – (Acts 20:15)

– Historical: An important Ionian city, Miletus was an extravagant cultural center just south of Ephesus, and led the Ionian rebellion against the Persians. It rose to great and prosperous heights under Roman rule (Unger, 853).– Spiritual: Miletus bears significance due to Paul’s farewell meeting with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:17-38. This may have been the last time Paul met with them, and he encouraged them to become the center of Christianity in the Roman world (Halley, 751).

The Companions of Paul

•Timothy accompanies Paul at the beginning of his third journey, along with Sopater, Aristarchus and Secundus, Gaius, and Tychius and Trophimus. (Acts 20:4)•Paul and Timothy parted company briefly in Acts 20:22 when he sends Timothy and another companion named Erastus to Macedonia.

Paul the Prisoner•Acts 21:17-20 – Paul Arrives in Jerusalem

•“When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us warmly. The next day Paul went with us to visit James; and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When the heard it, they praised God.

•Acts 21:27-28, 33 – Paul Arrested•“… the Jews from Asia…stirred up the whole crowd. The seized him, shouting, ‘Fellow Israelites, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against our people…’” “Then the tribune came, arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains”

•After this, Paul spent two years in Caesarea, passing Felix, to Festus, to Agrippa, and finally is sent to the Emperor Rome.

Paul’s Final Journey• On his way to be tried by the emperor in Rome, Paul’s ship was tossed for fourteen days in a storm, and the guards of the ship planned to kill the prisoners so they would not escape in a shipwreck, but one centurion dissented in order to save Paul’s life. The ship was wrecked, and they came ashore on the island of Malta. Here Paul is bitten by a snake, but is not poisoned, and heals the “leading man of the island,” Publius of an illness, and all the other afflicted citizens of the island were also healed (Acts 28:1-10)•Upon reaching Rome, Paul was treated with respect and allowed to live under house arrest. Here, Paul met with the Jewish leaders of Rome, and won the favor of many. He lived in Rome for about two years in his own home, and many people visited him and were blessed. Ultimately Paul was acquitted in 61 or 62 A.D. (Halley, 759).•Further details concerning Paul’s Missionary Journeys is available in his Epistles of the New Testament.

Paul’s Final Journey•“He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” Acts 28:30-31

BibliographyHalley, Henry H. Halley’s Bible Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI:

Zondervan Publishing House, 2000.Unger, Merrill F. The Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Chicago, Il: Moody Press, 1988.Myers, Allen C., ed. The Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdman Publishing Company, 1987.Attridge, Harold W., ed. The Harper Collins Study Bible. San

Francisco, CA: H arperCollins, 2006.Kaiser, Walter C., ed. NIV Archaeological Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2005.Image of Paul. Retrieved October 27, 2006 from http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/_graphics/pics/paul.jpg Mosaic of Paul. Retrieved October 27, 2006 from http://www.apostlepaulthefilm.com/images/paul.jpg Maps of Paul’s Journeys. Retrieved October 17, 2006 from http://dev.bible.org/drupal/index_map