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Timeline of Apostle Paul's Life and Missionary Journeys:
From Birth to First Missionary Journey*
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Saul (Paul) Born in Tarsus
Saul is born into an Israelite family of the tribe of Benjamin (Phil. 3:5). He is circumcised on the eighth day, in compliance with the law of God (Gen. 17:12, Lev. 12:3, Phil. 3:5). Paul has at least one sister (Acts 23:16).
The city of Tarsus is the capital of the Asia Minor province of Cilicia. Because the Roman empire designated it as a "free city," Saul was considered a free man and a Roman citizen (See Acts 22:25-29).
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Young Saul Goes to Jerusalem
Saul goes to Jerusalem to attend a Pharisaic Rabbinical school. This school is headed up by Gamaliel (see Acts 5:34), who Jews consider to be one of the greatest teachers ever of Judaism.
Saul is personally taught by Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) and eventually becomes a Pharisee (Acts 23:6-8, 26:4-5; Phil. 3:5).
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Who are the Pharisees? |
Pharisee means "to separate" or "separated." Pharisaism was a major "school of thought" or sect of the Jews. Popular at the time of Jesus (John 7:48) they were known for their rigid adherence to the letter of the law (Acts 26:5, Matt. 23:3, Luke 11:39, etc.).
Jesus frequently rebuked the Pharisees for their self-righteous, unmerciful, hypocritical way of life (Matt. 9:11, 23:14; John 8:7, Luke 18:11, etc.). |
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Martyrdom of Stephen / Saul Leads Persecution Against 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).
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From Saul to Paul: Saul of Tarsus' Conversion
Saul (Paul) receives written permission from the High Priest (Sanhedrim) 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)
What is the Sanhedrim? |
The Sanhedrim (Sanhedrin) is the supreme council of the Jews composed of 70 elders plus the high priest (as president of council) that had jurisdiction over religious matters. In the New Testament, the Sanhedrim is also referred to as the "chief priests and elders of the people" (Matt. 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 travelling 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)
Paul (Saul) Begins Preaching the Gospel and has His Life Threatened
Saul (first referred to as Paul in Acts 13:9) stays in Damascus and powerfully preaches the gospel. Paul's incredible ability to prove Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) so angers Jews in the city that they conspire to kill him (Acts 9:20-23). 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, where for three years he is personally taught by Jesus (Galatians 1:11-12, 15-18).
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Paul's First Visit to Jerusalem After Conversion
After three years in Arabia, Paul journeys back to Damascus in the Spring of the year (Gal. 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 definetively 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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Paul Stays Home
Paul stays in his hometown of Tarsus from the summer of 36 A.D. to the summer of 40 A.D..
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Barnabas Seeks Paul's Help with Gospel's Success
Due to the rapid spread of the Gospel among Antioch Greeks, the Jerusalem church sends Barnabas to minister to the new believers (Acts 11:20-22). God uses Barnabas, after his arrival in Antioch, to add even more converts to the church (Acts 11:23-24).
Barnabas soon travels to Tarsus, where Paul is located, to solicit his help with the newly converted Antioch brethren.
When were people first called Christians? |
The term Christian to designate someone who believes Jesus is the Messiah is first used in 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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Serving in Antioch
Paul and Barnabas stay in Antioch for an entire year teaching the brethren (Acts 11:25-26). |
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Famine Prophecied; Christians Prepare to Send Relief
The prophet Agabus prophecies that a famine is soon to occur (Acts 11:28). Christians plant and gather food to relieve brethren in Judea (v. 29). |
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Jerusalem Receives Famine Relief
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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Apostle Paul's First Missionary (Evangelistic) Journey
From Antioch Paul, Barnabas and John (surnamed Mark) begin their first journey (Acts 13:4-52, 14:1-25). They travel to Cypress (Cyprus) and Perga. John Mark leaves Paul and Barnabas at Perga and returns to Jerusalem (see Acts 13:13). After Perga Paul and Barnabas journey to Antioch in Pisidia,
then to the cities of Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. When they finished preaching the gospel in Derbe, they retrace their steps through Lystra, Iconium, Pisidia Antioch and Perga to strengthen and teach the brethren (Acts 14:21-25). From Attalia they sail back to Antioch (Acts 14:25-26).
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