Paul’s Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul was not one of the 12 Apostles that followed Jesus, but was called by Jesus directly by divine revelation as described in Acts 9. He was taught everything he needed to know by Jesus and was tasked with preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles.
Paul has been described as a bald man with a crooked nose, and quite simply, replete with the grace of the Holy Spirit. His parents were very prominent Roman citizens, who originally dwelt in the city of Rome itself, but later moved to Tarsus. When he had come of age, he was sent to Jerusalem to study the Mosaic law under the famous rabbi, Gamaliel.
Among his fellow pupils were none other than the future apostle Barnabas, who, when he became a follower of Christ, prayed continually and with tears for God to enlighten Paul and turn his heart, and Stephen the future deacon and martyr [Acts 6:5], who was in fact, one of Paul’s kinsmen.
Paul was very zealous for the law and joined the conservative party of the Pharisees. As such, Saul (his original name) detested the holy Apostles and did not even want to hear about anyone preaching Christ. He scoffed at Barnabas, who had already become an apostle of Christ, and uttered blasphemy against Jesus.
Paul’s commitment to his misguided understanding of the law was firmly established, based on his actions against his kinsman Stephen. Deuteronomy 13:6-10 declares that even if one’s own brother or close friend tries to lead you to worship another god, he should not be spared or protected but that without regret, “Thy hands should be among the first to slay him, and the hands of all the people at the last. And they shall stone him with stones, and he shall die, because he sought to draw thee away from the Lord thy God.”
When the holy first-martyr Stephen, was being stoned by the Jews, Saul not only failed to show any pity for one of his own blood who was being put to death, though innocent, he even approved the murder and stood guard over the garments of the Jews who were casting stones at Stephen.
After his conversion, when Paul tried to meet with the Apostles in Jerusalem, they would not receive him, knowing of his infamous reputation as a persecutor. But, Paul’s former classmate and good friend Barnabas, knowing his fervent prayers for Paul’s salvation had been answered, did believe him. Thus, he and Paul then set out together to preach the Gospel.
He was martyred in Rome in 67 AD by the emperor Nero.
First Journey
Acts 13-14
Second Journey
Acts 15:36 – 18:22
Third Journey
Acts 19:1 – 21:14
Final Journey
Acts 27 – 28
