Paul and Barnabas are in Antioch for almost three years - from autumn 46 A.D. to late summer 49 A.D. (Acts 14:26-28).

Pharisaic Judaizers come down to Antioch (Acts 15:1, 5) in the summer of 49 A.D. and teach that circumcision is necessary before a person can be saved.

Paul, Barnabas, Titus and certain others (Galatians 2:1-2) are sent to Jerusalem to confer with other apostles, elders and brethren concerning the relationship between circumcision and salvation. This gathering in Jerusalem is commonly referred to as the Jerusalem Conference. This conference occurs in the Fall of 49 A.D. around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles (Acts 15:2).

Paul and his traveling companions are greeted in Jerusalem (Acts 15:4).

Paul and Barnabas have a private meeting with the apostles James, Peter and John about the circumcision question (Galatians 2:4-10). They agree that circumcision is not required for Gentiles to be saved. The ministry of Paul and Barnabas is confirmed.

The circumcision question is discussed further among the conference attendees. Peter offers his judgment then Paul and Barnabas tell the conference about the miracles and wonders God has wrought among the Gentiles through them (Acts 15:12). After James renders his judgment (Acts 15:13-21) the apostles, elders and the whole church agree that Gentiles need not be circumcised. The conference has Judas (Barsabas) and Silas travel with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch to deliver a letter, written by James, summarizing what was decided in Jerusalem regarding the circumcision question.

Paul and party arrive in Antioch (Acts 15:30-32). Paul and Barnabas stay in Antioch a certain number of days until they have a sharp disagreement over whether to take John Mark with them on another missionary journey. The argument becomes so heated that Paul and Barnabas separate: Barnabas decides to take John Mark to Cyprus while Paul decides to take Silas on what would become his second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-41).

In late 49 A.D. Paul begins his second missionary journey by taking Silas with him to Tarsus. From there they travel to Derbe and Lystra. It is in Lystra that Paul meets Timothy, who would become his frequent traveling companion, fellow laborer in spreading the gospel and his closest friend (Acts 16:1; 1Timothy 1:2, 4:14).

Paul has Timothy circumcised and then takes him and Silas to Iconium, Antioch in Pisidia, and then to the Asia Minor port city of Troas. In Troas Paul has a vision of a man in Macedonia (Greece) asking for help (Acts 16:8-9). Paul and his traveling companions immediately set sail for Neapolis (Acts 16:10-11). From there they travel to Philippi, where a woman named Lydia hears Paul's preaching. On Pentecost in 50 A.D. Lydia is baptized along with her entire household (Acts 16:12-15).

While in Philippi Paul casts a demon out of a female slave (Acts 16:16-18). Her masters, however, angry that they have lost the ability to make more money from the slave's demonic divination, stir up the city against Paul and Silas. The two evangelists are arrested, beaten and put in prison (Acts 16:19-24).

Soon after arriving in jail a miraculous earthquake causes all the cell doors to open and the bonds of Paul, Silas and the other prisoners to be loosed. This event leads to the conversion of the prison guard.

A freed Paul and Silas, along with Timothy, travel through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia and arrive in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1). In Thessalonica Paul visits a Jewish synagogue and for three consecutive Sabbaths (Saturdays) explains why Jesus is the Old Testament prophesied Savior of Mankind (Acts 17:2-4). Although many believe what is said certain Jews, envious of the Gospel's success, form a mob and start a riot (Acts 17:4-5). The riotous crowd goes to the house of Jason seeking Paul and Silas. When they are not found, the crowd drags Jason and some brethren to the local civil magistrates and accuses them of wrongdoing (Acts 17:5-8). In a short time, however, Jason and the brethren are let go. Paul, Silas and Timothy soon leave the city for Berea.

Paul and Silas preach in a synagogue in Berea. The Bereans are not only willing to listen to what Paul has to say they also verify what is preached against the Old Testament scriptures (Acts 17:11-12). Many Bereans come to believe the Gospel. Unfortunately, Jews from Thessalonica arrive in the city seeking to cause more trouble for Paul (Acts 17:13). He immediately leaves for the coast and sets sail for Athens while Silas and Timothy stay in Berea (Acts 17:14). While in Athens Paul preaches the gospel on Mars Hill.

Paul leaves Athens and travels to Corinth. He preaches the gospel every Sabbath in the synagogue. Silas and Timothy join him in Corinth. (Acts 18:1-5). The synagogue eventually splits and a new church is formed. After the split Paul stays and teaches in Corinth for a year and a half.

In the winter of 51 A.D. Paul is brought before the judgment seat of Gallio (Acts 18:12-18) and is released. Paul remains in Corinth until the Spring of 52 A.D. when he travels to Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila. In Ephesus Paul preaches in the synagogue. After a short time Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus while he sails to Caesarea. From Caesarea Paul travels to Jerusalem to visit the church and keep the Feast of Tabernacles. In Autumn 52 A.D. Paul returns to Antioch (Acts 18:21-22).