This blog was created to demonstrate the effective use of multimedia in online learning as part of Assignment 1. It covers a portion of the course content on the Life and Message of the Apostle Paul. Please note that alt text is provided for all images included in this post.

Module 2: Paul’s Missionary Journeys

Learning Outcome

  • Identify Paul’s missionary journeys and their impact on the spread of the Gospel and the growth of early Christian churches.

Key Topics

  • First missionary journey
  • Second missionary journey
  • Third missionary journey

Learning Activity

  • Watch a video illustrating Paul’s missionary journeys. (4:43)

Resources

  • All resources for this module will be provided online.

Tip: You can also find the full list of resources in the References section at the end.

In the previous module, we learned about Paul’s early life, from being a persecutor of early Christians to his conversion as a follower of Jesus Christ.

In this topic, we will explore Paul’s missionary journeys, which took place three times across various European regions, and their impact on the spread of the Gospel and the early Christian churches.

This image is a classical oil painting of the apostle Paul, dressed in dark robes with red accents, seated at a wooden desk. He rests his forehead on one hand while holding a quill in the other, appearing deep in thought. An open book lies before him, and a large sword leans against the desk. The name "Rembrandt" is inscribed on the book, indicating the artist. The dark background and dramatic lighting emphasize the subject’s contemplative expression.
Figure 2.1. The Apostle Paul, portrait by Rembrandt (c. 1657), Public Domain.
A colorful map illustrating Paul's first and second missionary journeys across the eastern Mediterranean region. It highlights key cities and routes taken, with different colors representing outbound and inbound paths for each journey. The map includes regions such as Judea, Syria, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. A compass rose and a legend provide additional context.
Figure 2.2. Map of Paul’s First and Second Missionary Journeys, n.d. Copyright 2007 Logos Bible Software.

First missionary journey

Acts divides Paul’s travels into three journeys. His first journey, led initially by Barnabas and commissioned by the Antioch community, took them from Antioch to Cyprus, then through southern Asia Minor, before returning to Antioch. In Cyprus, Paul confronted Elymas the magician for opposing their teachings.

They then traveled to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them to return to Jerusalem. In Pisidian Antioch, Paul preached in the synagogue, presenting Jesus as the descendant of David and the fulfillment of God’s promise. His message attracted both Jews and Gentiles, but opposition from some Jewish leaders led him to shift his focus to the Gentiles.

Antioch became a key base for Paul’s early missions, where he stayed for an extended period before continuing his work.

Second missionary journey

Paul began his second missionary journey in late 49 AD, after the Council of Jerusalem. Traveling around the Mediterranean, he and Barnabas stopped in Antioch but parted ways over a dispute about John Mark. Paul then journeyed with Silas, visiting Tarsus, Derbe, and Lystra, where they met Timothy. Planning to preach in Asia Minor, Paul instead followed a vision calling him to Macedonia.

In Philippi, Paul cast out a spirit from a servant girl, leading to his and Silas’s imprisonment. After an earthquake miraculously freed them, they stayed and converted the jailer. They then traveled through Berea, Athens—where Paul preached at the Areopagus—and finally reached Corinth.

A colorful map depicting Paul's third missionary journey across the eastern Mediterranean. It highlights key cities, including the "Seven Churches" from Revelation, and traces Paul's route with red lines. The map covers regions such as Judea, Syria, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia, with a compass rose and legend for reference.
Figure 2.3. Map of Paul’s Third Missionary Journey. n.d. Copyright 2007 Logos Bible Software.

Third missionary journey

According to Acts, Paul began his third missionary journey in Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening and teaching believers. He then spent nearly three years in Ephesus, a key center of early Christianity, performing miracles and organizing missionary work. A riot forced him to leave, after which he traveled through Macedonia and Achaea, staying in Greece (Corinth) for three months. During this time, he wrote the Epistle to the Romans. Planning to go to Syria, he instead returned through Macedonia due to a threat against him. On his way back to Jerusalem, he visited cities like Philippi, Troas, Miletus, Rhodes, and Tyre, stopping in Caesarea before reaching Jerusalem.

Learning Activity

Check out the following video created by Bible Project to learn more about Paul’s missionary journeys. As you watch, pay close attention to the key events, locations, and challenges he faced. Take notes on how his travels helped spread Christianity and establish early churches. Also, consider how his experiences influenced his letters and teachings in the New Testament.

References

BibleProject. (November 29, 2018). Paul’s Missionary Journeys: Acts 13-20. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fglsbcGSr3A

Paul the Apostle. (2025, February 9). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle