The Heart Of Paul’s Theology: Paul And His TheologySample

Paul’s First and Second Journeys: Acts 13:1 – 18:22

We learn about Paul’s first missionary journey in Acts 13–14. It began when God told the church in Syrian Antioch to set aside Paul and Barnabas for a special work. Immediately after this the Holy Spirit led these men through the isle of Cyprus. After several opportunities for ministry there, they moved forward on an evangelistic tour of Asia Minor. Paul’s initial practice was to proclaim the gospel primarily in the Jewish synagogues. But after meeting much resistance from the Jews, he began to preach to the Gentiles as well. 

Paul successfully planted a number of churches on this journey, including quite a few in the region of Galatia. After traveling to the east as far as Derbe, Paul and Barnabas reversed their direction. They returned through the cities of Galatia, eventually reaching the sea and sailing for home.

Paul’s first journey as an apostle of Christ was relatively short and uncomplicated. But his second journey took him much further from the land of Palestine. 

Paul’s second missionary journey appears in Acts 15:36–18:22. This expedition began when the apostles and church leaders in Jerusalem selected Paul and Barnabas to deliver a letter to the churches in Antioch, Syria, Cilicia and Galatia, explaining that Gentile converts did not need to be circumcised or to keep the Law of Moses in order to gain salvation. 

Now, just before the journey began Paul had a falling out with Barnabas, so they parted ways and Paul teamed up with Silas. These two traveled first through Syria and then through Cilicia until they reached Galatia. It was in Lystra of that region that Timothy joined Paul in his journey. 

As Paul continued, he wanted to preach the gospel to the north in Asia and Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit prohibited him. So, Paul traveled to the coastal city of Troas. There the reason for the Holy Spirit’s prohibition became clear through Paul’s famous “Macedonian Vision.” In this vision a man begged him to preach the gospel in Macedonia, the northern province of Greece. So, Paul and his party immediately responded to this dream by sailing for that province. Paul planted many churches in Greece, including those in Philippi and Thessalonica in the north. 

Eventually he moved southward, visiting Athens and planting a church in Corinth. Paul then went to Ephesus, and after a period of time there, he made his way back to Palestine.