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Date | | Significant Events
in Apostle Paul's Life |
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32 A.D. | | Martyrdom of Stephen / Saul begins to persecute believers |
| | | Stephen, whose Grecian name means " crown," is stoned for his testimony about Jesus (Acts 6-7). Stephen was one of the first deacons specially appointed by the early church to serve (Acts 6:1-6) and is considered the first Christian martyr. A young, zealous Saul (Paul) consents to and witnesses Stephen's death (Acts 7:58-8:1), after which he leads persecution against believers of Christ (Acts 8:1-4). |
33 A.D. | | From Saul to Paul: The conversion of Saul of Tarsus |
| | | Saul (Paul) receives written permission from the High Priest (Sanhedrin) to search in Damascus' synagogues for those who believe Jesus is the Messiah. Saul is also given the authority to arrest and bring these believers to Jerusalem for trial and punishment. (Acts 9:1-2) |
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| | | What is the SANHEDRIN? | | | The Sanhedrin, or more properly the Great Sanhedrin, was the supreme council of the Jews composed of seventy elders plus the high priest. The Great Sanhedrin, who met daily in Jerusalem's temple, had jurisdiction over religious matters. It was they who arrested, tried and condemned Jesus to death. In the New Testament the Sanhedrin is referred to in several ways such as " the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people" (Matthew 26:3). | | |
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| | | Saul, accompanied by several others, travels to Damascus. As he approaches the city a burst of light suddenly appears and causes him to fall to the ground (Acts 9:3-4). He then hears the booming voice of Jesus saying: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4, NIV) Saul is struck blind and led into Damascus by his traveling companions. Three days later Jesus inspires a disciple named Ananias to visit Saul and heal him of his blindness. After he is healed Saul is baptized and receives God's Holy Spirit. (Acts 9:4-18) Saul (who is first referred to as Paul in Acts 13:9) stays in Damascus and powerfully preaches the gospel. After learning of the plot against his life, Paul flees the city at night by having Christians lower him down a gate wall using a basket! Once out of the city he travels to Arabia. |
Spring
33 A.D
to
Spring
36 A.D. | | Paul is taught directly by Jesus Christ |
| | Paul spends three years in Arabia being personally taught by Jesus Christ. "But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, BUT IT CAME THROUGH THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. . . " "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; BUT I WENT TO ARABIA, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days." (Galatians 1:11-12, 15-18, NKJV unless otherwise stated)
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Spring
to
Summer
36 A.D. | | Paul's First Visit to Jerusalem after his conversion |
After three years in Arabia, Paul journeys back to Damascus in the Spring of the year (Galatians 1:17). He then travels to Jerusalem and stays fifteen days (Acts 9:26, Galatians 1:18-19). Although Paul tries to get to know other converted people in Jerusalem, the brethren are suspicious of him and stay away (Acts 9:26). Barnabas, a disciple known for encouraging others, takes Paul to the apostles and personally vouches for his converted character (Acts 9:27). Paul is then accepted by fellow Christians. Paul's preaching once again infuriates some Jews to the point where they seek to kill him (Acts 9:29). When the brethren learn about the threat to Paul's life they escort him to Caesarea and then send him back to his hometown of Tarsus (Acts 9:30). |
| | | Was the Apostle Paul MARRIED? | | | The Bible does not definitively state what was Paul's marital status. However, the social norm of the time required Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin to be married. As Paul was a Pharisee and likely a member of the Sanhedrin, he was almost certainly married at one point. If this is the case, Paul would have been a widower at the time of his ministry. | | |
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Summer
36 A.D.
to
Summer
40 A.D. | | Paul stays home
Paul stays in his hometown of Tarsus for four years. |
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Summer
40 A.D.
to
Summer
41 A.D. | | Barnabas seeks Paul's help due to growth in Antioch church |
Brethren scattered because of Saul’s (Paul's) persecution (before his conversion) preach the Word of God to Jews as far away as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch (Acts 11:19). Some converted men from Cyprus and Cyrene travel to Antioch in Syria and begin to speak to Grecians (non-Jews) concerning Jesus. God blesses their efforts and a great number of people become converted. (Acts 11:20-21). Word of the gospel's success in Antioch reaches Jerusalem. The Jerusalem church sends Barnabas to aid in the ministering to the new converts. When he arrives in Antioch he encourages the brethren to continue to grow as believers. (Acts 11:22-24). Because of the continued growth of the Antioch church Barnabas travels to Tarsus to seek Paul's help with teaching the newly converted Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas journey from Tarsus back to Antioch and stay in the city for an entire year (Acts 11:25-26). |
| | | When were believers first called CHRISTIANS? | | | The term 'Christian' to designate someone who believes Jesus is the Messiah is first used in Syrian Antioch. The Bible doesn't state whether the term originated from those in or outside the church. The word Christian occurs only THREE times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1Peter 4:16). | | |
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Spring
42 A.D. | | A famine is prophesied to occur |
| | The prophet Agabus travels from Jerusalem to Antioch. In Antioch he prophesies that a three-year famine will soon occur (Acts 11:27-28). In response to the prophecy the disciples plant and prepare food and relief to send to the believers in Jerusalem (Acts 11:29). |
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Spring
44 A.D. | | Famine relief brought to Jerusalem by Paul and Barnabas |
| | Food and relief are sent to Jerusalem by the hands of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 11:30). After delivering relief Paul and Barnabas, along with John Mark, return to Antioch (Acts 12:25). |
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Late Spring
44 A.D.
to
Fall 46 A.D. | | Apostle Paul conducts his First Missionary Journey |
| | In the late Spring of 44 A.D. Paul and Barnabas are ordained by the brethren as apostles (Acts 13:1-3). From Antioch Paul, Barnabas and John (surnamed Mark) begin Paul's first missionary journey (Acts 13:4-52, 14:1-25). They travel to Seleucia then sail to Salamis, the principle city and seaport of the island of Cyprus. Cyprus is where Barnabas was born and raised (Acts 4:36). In Salamis they preach the gospel in several synagogues. Paul and company then cross the island by foot and arrive at Paphos. While in Paphos the island's Roman governor requests Barnabas and Paul meet with him so that he can personally hear the word of God. Accompanying the governor to the meeting is a sorcerer and false prophet known as Elymas the magician. Elymas resists the gospel and tries to prevent the governor from accepting the truth of God (Acts 13:6-8). Paul perceives Elymas' intentions, intently looks at him, then . . . : “Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, 'O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.'” (Acts 13:9-11, NKJV throughout) Elymas immediately goes blind and is unable to see for a period of time. The governor, astonished at what he sees, believes the gospel (Acts 13:11-12). |
| | | Mark abruptly leaves Paul and Barnabas |
| | | Paul, Barnabas and Mark soon board a ship and sail to Perga. Mark then abruptly leaves the group and returns to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). The issue of Mark suddenly abandoning the first missionary journey will be the catalyst for Paul and Barnabas' separation before Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-41). Paul and Barnabas leave Perga and journey to Antioch in Pisidia (also called Pisidian Antioch, to distinguish it from the Antioch located in Syria). |
| | | Paul and Barnabas thrown out of one city and flee from another! |
| | | In Antioch Paul and Barnabas attend a local synagogue where Paul preaches a powerful message (Acts 13:16-41). After the Jews leave the synagogue the Gentiles (proselytes) in the audience ask Paul to speak the next sabbath day. Then, after the synagogue had been dismissed, many Jews and proselytes follow Paul and Barnabas in order to hear more about the gospel. On the next sabbath almost the entire city comes to hear the word of God. (Acts 13:42-44). Some Jews, however, envious of the large crowd drawn by Paul, begin to speak against the gospel. Their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah means that Paul and Barnabas will now primarily preach only to Gentiles (Acts 13:45-47). As the word of the Lord spreads through the entire region some Jews begin a campaign to convince important men and women of the city to be against Paul and Barnabas. Persecution soon sets in and culminates with both men expelled from the area. Arriving in Iconium Paul speaks at a local synagogue. His preaching convinces many Jews and Greeks to become believers. Jews who do not believe in what Paul teaches, however, stir others up against the gospel. Although signs and wonders are performed to confirm what is preached the city is divided as to whether Paul and Barnabas are true servants of God. In a short time some Jewish leaders, along with other Jews and Gentiles, conspire to have the two apostles stoned to death. After the threat against their lives is discovered Paul and Barnabas flee the city to Lystra (Acts 14:1-6). |
| | | Were Paul and Barnabas worshipped like Greek gods? |
| | | In Lystra Paul meets a man born crippled and never able to walk. He perceives, after the man hears his message, that he has the faith to be healed. When Paul commands the crippled man to stand he miraculously leaps up and is able to walk (Acts 14:6-10)! The response to such a miracle was immediate and unexpected: "Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, 'THE GODS HAVE COME DOWN TO US IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN!' And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes." (Acts 14:11-13)
Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes in amazement! They are BARELY able to keep the crowd from offering sacrifices to them like they were Greek gods (Acts 14:14-18)! |
| | | Was Paul STONED TO DEATH by those who wanted to WORSHIP him? |
| | | In a short time Jews from Pisidian Antioch and Iconium arrive in Lystra and succeed in turning people against Paul and Barnabas. Paul is soon STONED and has his dead body dragged out of the city. Some believers find Paul's body and as they stand around it Paul comes back to life! Amazingly, Paul re-enters the city. The next day he and Barnabas travel to Derbe (Acts 14:19-20). |
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| | | Paul and Barnabas visit a few more cities, then travel home |
| | | Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel in Derbe, then retrace their steps through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch in order to strengthen the brethren. From Pisidian Antioch they travel to Perga and then to Attalia, where they catch a ship to sail back to where their missionary journey started (Acts 14:21-26). This ends Paul's first missionary journey. |
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| | | Maps and Pictures
of Paul's Missionary Journeys | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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