What were the different missionary journeys of Paul?

Luke does not mention his own name at all, although he accompanied Paul on more than one journey, which can be concluded from the so-called "we-paragraphs". On the first journey to Asia minor (around 46-49 AD) Paul was accompanied by Barnabas (Acts 13:1 - 15:33), on the second journey to Asia minor and Greece (around 51-54 AD) by Silas (Acts 15:40-18:22); later Timothy joined them (Acts 16:1-3), and in Troas Luke joined them for the first time (Acts 16:8-10 - "we"). Then Luke stayed at Philippi (Acts 16:40 - "they"). When Paul came again to Philippi on his third journey (around 54-58AD, Acts 18:23 - 21:26) Luke was still there, because now we have another "we-paragraph" (Acts 20:5-21:10). Now Luke accompanies the apostle again to Jerusalem. Finally, he belonged to those who sailed with Paul from Cesarea to Rome (Acts 27:1-28:16).

In the book of Acts we read that Paul made three missionary journeys through these parts. In the first of these journeys (see Acts 13 and 14), Paul and Barnabas were sent forth by the Holy Ghost from Antioch, that city in North Syria where the disciples were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26). Antioch in Syria was the chief city for the Gentile Christians, just as Jerusalem was for the Jewish Christians. From Antioch Paul and Barnabas went by ship to the large island of Cyprus. This was the native home of Barnabas. They preached the gospel through this island, and took a ship to Antioch in Pisidia. We must remember this is not the same city as Antioch in Syria. Both received their names from a great general named Antiochus.

From Antioch Barnabas and Saul started their first missionay journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor (around 46 to 49 AD). According to Acts 13 to 14 the stops of this journey were Salamis, Paphos, Perga (from where their young companion John Mark returned to Jerusalem), and Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. On the way back Paul (as he was now called) and Barnabas visited nearly all these places again before returning to Antioch by Attalia.

After a second visit in Jerusalem while at the so-called “council of the apostles” (around the year 50 AD; compare Acts 15 and Gal. 2:1-10) Paul started his second missionary journey from Antioch (around 51 to 54 AD). This time Silas accompanied him. Barnabas had separated from Paul because of his nephew John Mark. This is when Paul came to Europe for the first time. At first he visited Derbe and Lystra again where he found the young believer Timothy and took him with him as further companion. They then went to Phrygia, Galatia and Troas (where Luke joined them) and came to Philippi, their first stop in Europe. This is where they left Luke behind.

51.-Paul's Second Missionary Journey with Silas and Timothy. He goes from Antioch to Syria, Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra, Phrygia, Galatia, Troas. Luke joins the apostolic band (Acts 16:10).

It was on his second missionary journey that Paul reached the city of Thessalonica (today’s Thessaloniki). He had travelled through Asia Minor (today’s Turkey) to Philippi (Acts 16) and then to Thessalonica, from which he had to flee to Berea (Acts 17:10–11). Subsequently, he went to Athens (Acts 17:15; see also the map on the inside cover).

During his second missionary journey the Apostle Paul had come to Europe for the first time (around 51 – 54 AD). He also came to Corinth via Philippi, Thessalonica and Athens (Acts 18). There he remained for 18 months for the Lord “had much people in this city” (Acts 18:10). As usual Paul began his ministry of preaching the gospel in the synagogues of the Jews. Quite a few came to believe in the Lord Jesus. But when other Jews refused the message Paul withdraw from them and spoke to Greeks also. This is how a large assembly of Jews and Greeks came into existence in this city as a result of the apostle's activity (see 1 Cor. 4:15; Acts 18:4).

After three years he went up to see Peter at Jerusalem, where he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Jews again seeking his life, he was conducted to Caesarea, and sent to Tarsus, his native place. From thence he was fetched by Barnabas to go to Antioch, where the gospel had been effectual, and there they both laboured. After having, in company with Barnabas, taken supplies to Jerusalem (his second visit), on occasion of a dearth, he commenced his first missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor. He and Barnabas returned to Antioch, where he remained 'a long time.' On a dispute arising as to Gentile converts being circumcised, he went with Barnabas to Jerusalem concerning that question, and returned to Antioch. This city had become a sort of centre of the activity of the Spirit. Being far from Jerusalem it was less influenced by Judaising tendencies, though communion with the saints there was maintained.

Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece were the sphere of Paul's second missionary journey. Having differed from Barnabas, because the latter wished to take John with them (who had left them on the first journey), Paul selected Silas for his companion, and departed with the full fellowship of the brethren. During part of this journey Timothy was one of the company. He abode a year and a half at Corinth, where he wrote the two EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS. He now visited Jerusalem at the feast, and returned to Antioch. He took his third missionary journey through Galatia and Phrygia. When he visited Ephesus he separated the disciples from the synagogue, and they met in the school of Tyrannus. At Ephesus he wrote the FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS, and probably the EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. After the tumult raised by Demetrius he went to Macedonia, and there wrote the SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. He again visited Corinth and wrote the EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

46-49.-Paul's First Missionary Journey with Barnabas-goes to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and back through the same places to Antioch. They remain a long time in Antioch. Dissension and disputation about circumcision (Acts 13; 14; 15:1-2).

50.-Paul's Third Visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas, fourteen years after his conversion (Gal. 2.1). They attend the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15). Return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, with Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32-35).

Paul’s commenced preaching as soon as he was converted, for in Damascus “straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19-20). There “Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ” (verse 22). After his sojourn in Arabia, he was found in Antioch with “certain prophets and teachers,” and “as they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:1-2). Starting from Antioch in Syria, Barnabas and Saul went to Cyprus, preaching there, and from there they went over the provinces of Pamphylia, Pisidia and Lycaonia, before returning to Antioch from where they had set out. It had been a very successful mission, with much fruit for the Lord.

With this long stay in Corinth Paul's second journey drew to its end, and he left for Jerusalem and Antioch via Ephesus, where his stay was but short; he promised to return, "if God will." That God did so will, we see in the next chapter. Verse 18 shows us that Paul still observed Jewish customs, as in the matter of a vow.

At Antioch he now spent "some time," an expression which indicates not a very long period: then he was off on his third journey, and first to scenes of former labours in order to strengthen the disciples. This is always a much needed work since there are so many influences which make for the weakening of disciples. We pick up Paul's story in the first verse of Acts 19, and verses 24-28 are a parenthesis dealing with the full enlightenment of Apollos and his happy service, in which we discover that, though Paul had passed so quickly from Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla had remained there, and through them the Lord furnished Apollos with exactly what he needed.