Table of Contents
Topic
Page number
Introduction
2
Saul’s Early Life
3
The Persecution Of the Christians
3
The Events that changed a man
4
The conversion of Saul
5
Ananias and Saul
5
Saul the preacher
6
Saul in Arabia
6
Saul and Barnabas
6
First Missionary Journey
7
Second Missionary Journey
9
Third Missionary Journey
12
Paul’s Proposed Fourth Missionary Journey
13
Paul’s Epistles and purposes
14
Paul’s death
16
Conclusion
17
Bibliography
18
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Introduction
Paul being one of the most influential people of the Christians. Paul being called the Apostle of the
gentiles. Paul was a great missionary and theologian. Paul wasn’t one of the twelve disciples or
apostles. Paul had written many books in the New Testament which consists of letters to the
churches and to people who he was mentoring. He taught people how to behave and how to grow
spiritually. He had removed the old way of thinking and brought about the message of truth and
understanding of grace and how it works in everyday life.
Paul and his ministry was the beginning of the early church, where the Jewish nation had their own
understanding God and disregarding the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ was therefor then
given to the gentiles and throughout the letters and epistles that Paul had wrote we can see him
dealing with the different view point that the people had. He had not only tried to bring unity in the
gospel but also bring about the sense of life in grace to those who did not understanding. The
struggles and countless attacks that Paul had faced showed his love for the Gospel and the people.
“Paul transformed the Jewish “sect” into the Christian religion. “Dr Gert LJ Venter, 2014-1.
Paul being a great theologian had brought into being the practice of the Doctrine of Christ. He had
formulated these doctrines for the betterment of the church and the lives of the believers. Paul was
the man that bridged the gap to the people not understanding Christ’s purpose, to those who lived
under the law, to those who weren’t ready to let go and try new things. Paul’s transformation of the
church and its practices had bridged that gap for people that was under the law. He had taught them
that they just have to believe with their heart and they can enter the kingdom of God through grace.
Paul also being known for his persecution of the church in his early life without Christ, became the
greatest apostle of the faith. From being a persecutor of the faith, to becoming persecuted for the
faith. Paul’s life consists of mission journeys and ministry. His humility and faithfulness after his
conversion, from Saul to Paul, has been an influence on the modern day church. Paul didn’t just
transform the early church, but he also transformed the modern day churches who hold the ministry
of Paul as one of the greatest influencer. Paul transformed the church for the years he had lived and
transformed it for the years that were still to be experience where we can see no end to the church
until the day of the Lord comes.
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Saul’s Early Life
Originally Paul was known as Saul of Tarsus. He was born in Cilicia around 5AD, Tarsus which is
now known to us as Turkey. Saul had held Roman citizenship. Saul was a fluent speaker of the
Greek language as being a Jew from Asia Minor. His birthplace was Tarsus, which was a major city
in the eastern Cilicia, it was a region that had been made part of the Roman province of Syria by the
time Saul had grown up into adulthood. Saul was given an excellent education.
For Tarsus was the place for learning and this is where Saul had become acquainted with the Greek
philosophies and religious cults whilst he was still a youth. He was given an outstanding education;
it has been said that by the time he was 21 that he had earned the equivalent of two advanced
academic degrees. He was an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin and was raised a Pharisee. He studied
in Jerusalem in the school of Rabbi Gamaliel, Gamaliel was one of the leading Jewish thinkers of
his time.Saul was a Pharisees, and The Pharisees were most passionate for the law of God. Paul
knew that he was great among the Pharisees because of his passion. Paul disliked any deviations
from the Pharisaical code.
In Saul’s childhood and youth, He learned how to “work with his own hands” which we see here,
“And we labor, working with our own hands.” 1 Corinthians 4:12, NKJV. Saul had a trade, he was a
tent maker, which he practiced even after his conversion to Christianity, and this helps to explain
important aspects of his apostleship. Saul could travel with a few leather-working tools and literally
set up and work anywhere. It is doubtful that his family was wealthy or aristocratic, but, since he
found it noteworthy that he sometimes worked with his own hands, it may be assumed that he was
not a common labourer.
The Persecution of the Christians
When Paul learned of the people who were called the Way, the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, Paul
began to persecute them.In Acts 8:3 we see that Saul created havoc in the church and going into
every house and literally dragging men and woman and putting into jail. Saul didn’t want to stop
there but he wanted to go further even beyond Jerusalem. During this time we find that Paul had
consented to the death of Stephen and when this had happened we find that people began to leave
Jerusalem and Saul wanted to go after them.
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In Acts 9:1-2, we see that Saul was threatening and murdering the disciples of the Lord and he was
going to the high priest to get a letter that enables him to arrest anyone following the Way, be it men
or woman and they would be brought bound to Jerusalem. Saul had learned this from Gamaliel
which we find in Acts 5:35-39, as Gamaliel was Saul’s mentor. Saul had gotten the letter and he
began on his way.
We also see in Acts 26:10-11 that Paul is saying that he used to compel the believers to blaspheme
against God. Saul’s motive was to persecute them and stop them from living under the new law of
grace. However Saul had couldn’t make that happen. Saul’s persecution pushed the people far out
but I believe that God had a purpose for this. Saul needed to leave and pursue the Jews in order for
him to meet Jesus face to face on the way to Damascus.
The events that changed the man
A man who was an unbeliever became a believer through a divine meeting. A man who hated and
breathed threats of murder becomes one of the most die-hard believers. Saul a man who had a love
for God but not the grace of Christ became a man who preached the gospel and taught the doctrine
of Christ. This man Saul has a story that has changed a believer’s life and it brings understanding of
the doctrine of Christ.
The conversion of Saul began when there was a stoning of Stephen the martyr. If we read through
Acts chapter 7 where Stephen the martyr was sharing the happenings of the history of the Jewish
nation, including the history of Abraham, Moses, David and many others, and upon bringing the
history and the mistakes that their forefathers had made, Stephenthe Martyr also were telling them to
receive the Holy Spirit and not reject it like their forefathers did. Stephen said, “You stiff-necked
and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do
you.” Acts 7:51, NKJV. Stephen had insight and he couldn’t let them continue in their ways. When
the people had heard him say these things, the bible says that “they were cut to the heart, and they
gnashed at him with their teeth” Acts 7:54, NKJV. Even though all these threats and motions was
toward him, Stephen still looked up whilst facing adversity and being full of the Spirit he looked
toward heaven and saw the glory of Godand he saw Jesus standing at Gods right hand, Acts 7:55,
NKJV. HE began to tell them of what he saw and this angered the people even more and they “ran at
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him in one accord” Acts 7:57 and threw him out of the city and stoned him, the bible says that “they
laid down his clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul” Acts 7:58, NKJV.
We find in Acts 8 that Saul had consented to the death of Stephen the martyr. We also find that Saul
had been creating much havoc in the churches against all, men and women. Saul in Acts 9:2 had
asked for letters to go out and capture all those who are believers in the synagogues of Damascus
and this is where Saul meets Jesus through a vision.
The Conversion of Saul
In Acts 9 we see that as Paul was journeying to Damascus, he saw a bright light that was surrounded
him and Saul fell to the ground, a loud voice came from heaven saying “Saul, Saul why are you
persecuting Me?” Acts 9:4, NKJV. Saul trembled and asked the Jesus, “Lord what do you want me
to do?” Acts 9:6, NKJV.
Jesus had gave him a set off instructions to do. The men that were with Saul was speechless because
they could hear the voice but not see the face behind the voice. When Saul rose up from the ground
and when he opened his eyes, he couldn’t see. He was led to Damascus by the hand and for three
days he was without sight and he “neither ate nor drank” Acts 9:9, NKJV.
Ananias and Saul
The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision and said to him that he must go to the street called Straight,
and go to the house of Judas and look for the person called Saul of Tarsus and that he will find him
praying. The Lord said that Saul also has seen in a vision that Ananias will lay hands on him and he
will receive his sight. Ananias told the Lord that he had heard about Saul was and how he persecuted
the believers. Ananias was afraid because Saul had authority from the chief to jail anyone who call
on Jesus’s name (Acts 9:10-14). The Lord had said to him that Saul is a chosen vessel of Mine to
bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many
things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:15-16, NKJV. Ananias went to Saul and
confirmed that he was sent by the Lord Jesus to give him back his sight and that he may be filled
with the Holy Spirit. “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received
his sight at once: and he arose and was baptized.” Acts 9:18, NKJV. This is where the ministry of
Paul begins and the process of his conversion has begun. I say process because we see in Acts 9 that
Saul spent some days with the disciples.
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Saul the preacher
After the time spent with the disciples, we see that Saul began to preach the gospel and proclaiming
Jesus Christ as the son of God. The people that heard this was amazed and asked amongst
themselves whether this is the same man who was persecuting the people, they thought that Saul
was just there to bring those who believed in Christ bound to the chief priests. It was said that Saul
had confounded the Jews, Saul amazed and astonished the Jews, Saul grew stronger and he was
proving that Jesus is the Christ. The Jews had found out about this and they plotted to kill Saul but
the disciples took him and put him in a basket at night and let him down through a hole in the wall.
Saul ended up in Jerusalem and he had tried to join the disciples but the disciples were afraid of Saul
and they did not believe that Saul was a disciple. However, Galatians 1:1 confirms that of Acts 9:26.
Saul believes that he is the last disciple due to the fact that he did not receive the word from
someone else, or past stories but through the meeting of Christ through revelation. The conversion
of Saul is the focus of Galatians 1.
Saul in Arabia
In Galatians chapter 1 we see Saul telling the church of Galatia about how his conversion wasn’t
through man but by the revelation of Christ who met him on the way to Damascus. Saul also refers
to time that he spent in Arabia and spent three years before he went back to Damascus.There’s not
very much information on this era of Saul’s life.
Saul and Barnabas
In Acts 9 after the disciples became afraid of Saul, Saul had come to Jerusalem and he tried to join
the disciples but they were afraid of him and they did not believe that he was a disciple. Saul
believed that he was the last disciple because of his revelation of Christ. Barnabas took Saul to the
apostles and had spoken on his behalf on the things that he saw Saul do at Damascus and how stood
boldly for Jesus Christ. When the brethren had heard this they were at peace and understood that
Saul was now one of them going after the same cause and Saul was sent out to preach and the grew
in number, they multiplied. Saul spent some time in Caesarea and they sent him to Tarsus. In Acts
11:25 we find that Barnabas goes to look for Saul at Tarsus and Barnabas took Saul with him to
Antioch where they spent a year. In that year they assembled with the church and had taught many
people. At this place in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians. The prophets from
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Jerusalem came to Antioch, one prophet Agabus had foreseen a famine throughout the world
through the Spirit and the disciples determined to send relief or help by the means of food and drink,
each according to the capacity that they could give to the brethren at Judea. They had sent it to the
elders by means of Saul and Barnabas.
When Saul and Barnabas returned from fulfilling their ministry in Jerusalem, with John Mark. We
see in the above chapter of Acts 12 that an angel of the Lord had struck Herod as the people were
now in the place of understanding that they needed to be led by the voice of god and not a voice of
man. Herod was struck because he did not give glory to God in verse 23 and we see that he was
eaten by worms and he died.
First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)
Whilst the church was in worship and fasting in Antioch, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me
Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them.” Acts 13:2, NKJV. The journey started
from Salamis where they sailed to Cyprus. The bible says that when they had arrived in Salamis,
they went to the synagogues and preached the word of God to the Jews. Along with them they had
John Mark as their assistant, we find this in Acts 13:5. After they had finished in Salamis they went
to Paphos and on their way they found a man, who was a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus and this
man was a sorcerer and a false prophet. Bar-Jesus the Jew was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus,
who was an intelligent man. A proconsul is person who was previously a Consul, the proconsul is an
official of ancient Rome who acted on behalf of the Consul.
There was a sorcerer named Elymas and his name translated “withstood them”. This name was
trying to turn away the proconsul from the faith. “Then Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the
Holy Spirit” Acts 13:9, NKJV. This is the first time we see Saul being referred to as Paul, and here
after we don’t see Paul being called Saul anymore. Paul looked at Elymas and spoke of his deceit
and called him a fraud and the son of the devil, and immediately we see that the bible says that he
will be blind and a dark mist came upon him and he needed help from someone to lead him by hand.
When the Proconsul had seen this, he believed and was amazed by the teaching of the Lord.
The next part of the journey for them to set sail to Perga which is in Pamphylia, and John had
departed from them and had returned to Jerusalem and Paul had looked at this as an abandonment as
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we see later on in the following chapters of Acts where they want to go on another mission and Paul
disagrees to take John Mark with them. When Paul and Barnabas departed from Perga they went to
Antioch in Pisidia and went into a synagogue and sat down on the Sabbath day. After the Law was
read, the Prophets and the rulers had said if any of you have any word of exhortation for the people.
Paul had stood up and Paul began to speak and share history and he began to speak about Christ as
the son of God and the Saviour of the Jews (vs23) and how Jesus was raised up from the dead
(vs30). Paul begins to speak about justification and forgiveness. Paul said “and by Him everyone
who believes is justified from all things which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses” Acts
13:39, NKJV. We see that after the Jews had left the synagogue, the gentiles had begged them to
share the word of God with them. However the Jews saw this the opposed the things that Paul had
said. Paul and Barnabas grew stronger and bolder and told the Jews that since they reject the word of
God they now turn to the gentiles, and this is where the gentiles were given the opportunity to be
accepted into the kingdom of God. “I have set you as a light to the Gentiles that you should be for
salvation to the ends of the earth” Isaiah 49:6, NKJV. After hearing this the Jews stirred up the
devout women and chief men of the city and they began to start persecuting Paul and Barnabas and
forbid them to enter that region again. The Bible says that they shook of the dust from their feet and
went to Iconium.
In Acts 14 we see Paul and Barnabas in Iconium where they were talking to the Jews and the Greek
in a synagogue and a great multitude of both Jews and Greek became believers. However there were
some unbelieving Jews who stirred up the gentiles and changed and poisoned their minds against
Paul and Barnabas. However they still stayed there a while and spoke boldly of the Lord, due to the
multitude being divided some with the Jews and some with the apostles, there was a violent attempt
and plot to stone and abuse Paul and Barnabas. They became aware of it and fled to Lystra where
Paul had healed a man who was lame and the people assumed that the Greek gods have come to the
land. They thought that Barnabas was Zeus and Paul was Hermes. They began to raise their voices
in the Lycaonian language that the gods have come down. The people had begun to bring oxen and
garlands to the gates with the intention of sacrificing with the multitudes. (vs13)
When the Apostles Paul and Barnabas had heard about this they stripped their clothes and went into
the middle of the crowd trying to stop them and asking the multitudes why they are doing these
things> by removing their clothes they were proving to them that they are of the same nature as
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them and that they were indeed humans and they began to share the word of God but they couldn’t
stop the crowd from sacrificing to them. The Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there and
persuaded the crowd (vs19) and they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city and left him for
dead.
“However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next
day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” Acts 14:20, NKJV. After they had preached the gospel to
that city of Derbe and made many disciples they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, they
strengthened the souls of the disciples sharing with them to continue in faith and saying “We must
through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” Acts 14:22, NKJV. Paul and Barnabas was at
the point where they realized that in order for them to enter the Kingdom of God they would need to
go through much struggles and trials and they needed to stand steadfast in faith and continue on
building the kingdom.
In this mission they appointed leaders over the churches, through fasting and prayer they
commended them to the Lord in whom they believed. From there they went to preach the word in
Perga and then to Attalia and from there they sailed to Antioch where they were commended to the
grace of God for the work which they had completed. “Now when they had come and gathered the
church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He opened the door of faith
to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:27, NKJV. Here they spent some time with the disciples. On this mission
we find that the Gentiles were now given the faith and to believe in Christ.
Paul and Barnabas was sent to Jerusalem to answer a question about being saved. Some men had
taught the brethren that if they aren’t circumcised according to the custom of Moses, they cannot be
saved. On their way they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria and described the conversion of the
Gentiles and caused great joy amongst the people.
Pauls Second Mission Journey (Acts 15:36 – 18:22)
A letter to the gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia about the elders sending Silas and Judas and
also explained to the gentiles how Paul and Barnabas risked their lives for the gospel. This letter was
also there to state how they should live free from sexual immorality, from blood, from idols and to
keep themselves from these things in order to do well in the kingdom. (Vs24-29)
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Paul and Barnabas go on their second mission but this posed a problem as Barnabas wanted to take
John Mark with but Paul said no because John Mark abandoned them. Paul and Barnabas had a fall
out and Paul took Silas and Barnabas took Mark. Barnabas went to Cyprus, Paul and Silas went
throughout Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches.
In Acts 16 we that Paul and Silas came to Derbe and Lystra. There they meet a disciple who was the
son of a Jewish woman who was a believer but his father was Greek. His name was Timothy.
Timothy was well spoken of in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted to take Timothy with him however
he need Timothy to be circumcised because of the Jews in that region who had also know that
Timothy’s father was a Greek. The church was strengthened daily and grew in number.
Paul had gotten a vision to go to Macedonia whilst he was in Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they
were forbidden to preach the word in Asia by the Holy Spirit. After they went to Mysia, they tried to
go to Bithynia but the Holy Spirit had not permitted them to go there. When Paul had the vision of
the Macedonian call, he immediately sought to go to Macedonia and share the gospel with them. He
sailed from Troas to Samothrace and then to Neapolis and from there to Philippi. Philippi is the fore
most city in Macedonia.
On the Sabbath Paul, Timothy and Silas went to the river where they were looking to find Jews who
were offering up customary prayer. They a women named Lydia, who was selling purple cloth
Lydia was from Thyatira. Paul's message was received by Lydia and her family and after receiving
the word they got baptized. Lydia wanted the disciples to stay at her house (Acts 16:13–15).
One day on the way to the river, the missionaries met a slave girl who was possessed by a spirit
which allowed her to predict the future. Her owners exploited this situation to make money off the
girl. When she saw the disciples, she followed them around screaming that these men were prophets
of God. Paul was so annoyed that he chastised her and cast the spirit out. Her owners were furious
that their source of income had been neutralized, so they dragged Paul and Silas before the
authorities. Complaining that the disciples were throwing the city into an uproar, the slave girl's
owners turned the town against them and the authorities had them stripped and beaten with rods.
Afterward, the two were thrown into prison. God sent a dramatic earthquake which opened all the
prison doors and loosed everyone’s chains. The jailer was startled awake and, sure that the prisoners
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had gotten away, was about to kill himself. When Paul assured him everyone was accounted for, the
jailer believed in Jesus, and his whole household was baptized. The next day the magistrate had Paul
and Silas released and encouraged them to leave. Paul told the officers that he and Silas were
Roman citizens who had been beaten and imprisoned without due process and they wouldn't go
unless the magistrates escorted them out themselves. When the authorities heard that Paul and Silas
were Romans, they became nervous. They rushed to the prison and they tried to appease the two.
Paul and Silas left the prison, and the disciples left town. (Acts 16:16–40).
Paul preached in a synagogue at Thessalonica. Paul spent three Sabbaths with them and he was
explaining and demonstrating that Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. He told them
that the Jesus he speaks about is the Christ. Some of the Jews were intrigued by it and quite a
number of Gentiles. The other Jews who weren’t persuaded and became envious and started a riot
with some evil men from the marketplace. When they couldn’t find Paul and Silas, and the
tormented the people and the house of Jason. The disciples sent Paul and Silas at night to Berea.
(Acts 17:1–10).
The Jews in Berea were learned and paid attention to Paul's message. Then they went to the
Scriptures to examine his teaching for themselves. Many Jews joined the church as well as many
Gentiles. The Jews from Thessalonica followed Paul and Silas to Berea and started stirring up
trouble there, too. Paul went to Athens through the coast and Silas and Timothy stayed behind in
Berea (Acts 17:10–15). Paul was alone in Athens and he became upset about all the idolatry in the
city. When he wasn't preaching in the synagogue, he was in the marketplace reasoning with the
Greeks. After sharing the gospel with the crowds in the market, many mocked and made rude
remarks but others wanted to hear more. Paul converted a number of citizens by the time he left
Athens.
In Corinth, Paul met a Jewish couple named Aquila and Priscilla. They were also tentmakers, and
they invited Paul to stay with them at their house while he shared the gospel in the local synagogue.
Paul was reunited with Silas and Timothy, he devoted himself to preaching to the Jews. The Jews
became abusive and Paul vowed to focus his attention on preaching to the Gentiles. He brought a
great number of Corinthian Gentiles to Jesus. Paul had received a vision from the Lord to be
courageous and keep preaching, the Corinthian Jews attacked him, dragged him before the
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proconsul, and charged him with blasphemy. Gallio, the proconsul, wasn't interested in hearing
about a Jewish disagreement. The crowd turned on Sosthenes, the leader who had allowed Paul to
preach, and beat Sosthenes but Gallio took no notice of these things. Paul was in Corinth for some
time. When he was ready to leave, he left Silas and Timothy and took Priscilla and Aquila to
Ephesus. Paul reasoned in the synagogue. The Jews asked Paul to stay, but he declined, promising to
come back if it was God's will. He left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus and went on to Caesarea
before heading back to Jerusalem.
The Third Mission
After his visit to Antioch, Paul had traveled again to the region of Galatia and Phrygia, with the
intention of making his brothers and sisters in Christ stronger. His third missionary journey lasted is
found in Acts chapters 18:23-21:14.
Paul’s third missionary journey was longer than the previous two, and he spent his time
strengthening and supporting the churches he had planted on his first two journeys. Acts tells us that
he spent a great portion of his time in Ephesus, about 2-3 years. And while he was there he
encountered some disciples who had not heard the Gospel of Christ message or the Holy Spirit. Paul
told them about Christ’s death and resurrection and when Paul placed his hands on them they were
filled with the Holy Spirit.
Ephesus went through a great revival during Paul’s time there, he performed many miracles, signs,
and wonders, and the people were brought to Christ in great numbers.
When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with
fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus held high honor. Many of those who believed now came and
openly confessed what they had done. Many people who practiced sorcery had brought their scrolls
together and burned them in front of everyone. The calculated the value of the scrolls were the total
of fifty thousand drachmas. The word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. Acts 19:17-20
In response to this great revival, a riot broke out in the city against Paul because their way of life
was being threatened by the Gospel. A silversmith who made shrines of Artemis was angered
because of his loss of business, so he stirred up the city into a state of anger and confusion. It took
several hours before the city officials were able to quiet them down.
Paul then met with the disciples in Ephesus and encouraged them, said goodbye, and left for
Macedonia, accompanied by Sopaterm Aristarchus, Secundus, Galius, Timothy, Tychicus, and
Trophimus. They visited the churches in Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea before Paul made his way
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to Corinth. Paul spent a short time there, Paul wanted to go back to Syria but was stopped short
when he discovered that the people had a plot against his life.
Paul then retraced his steps back through Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, stopping in Troas where
he stayed for seven days. Led by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, and eager to be there for
Pentecost, Paul bypassed Ephesus knowing that he would need to stay there longer than he had time,
so he called for the Ephesian elders to come and meet him in Miletus. This meeting was a difficult
one for all the disciples and elders because Paul knew he was saying goodbye for the last time.
When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they
embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see
his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Acts 20:36-38
None of Paul’s journeys were easy or without persecution, but his journey to Jerusalem was nothing
but pain and difficulty. In about 55 A.D. Paul made his way to Jerusalem where he would be “bound
hand and foot by the Jews and given over to the Gentiles (Acts 21:10).”
After Paul had received a prophecy that he would be persecuted in Jerusalem, the people whom he
was staying with at Caeserea pleaded with him not to go, but Paul refused to stay.
Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but
also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave
up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:13-14. Paul went to Jerusalem and this concluded
his third and final missionary journey.
While in Ephesus on his third trip, Paul wrote 1st and 2nd Corinthians in about 53-55 A.D. to the
people of Corinth. In these two letters, he addressed some false doctrines that were being taught, as
well as some specific concerns they had brought to Paul’s attention.
Paul’s Proposed Fourth Missionary Journey
After Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he was quickly met by men who wanted to destroy him. He was
beaten, falsely accused, imprisoned, transferred from one place to the next, shipwrecked, held under
house arrest, all in the course of around 4 years.
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After Paul entered the Jewish Synagogue for the first time to teach, he was met with opposition by
the Jews. They caused a riot so violent and chaotic that Paul was arrested and carried off by two
soldiers for his own safety.
Paul had a plot against his life and brought it to the commander’s attention and was then transferred
to Caesarea where he was imprisoned for two years––58 to 60 A.D. Finally Festus planned to
transfer Paul back to Jerusalem to be put on trial there, but before this happened, Paul appealed to
Caesar and was transported by ship to Rome.
It was during this journey to Rome that Paul was shipwrecked and experienced many difficulties
before finally making it to Rome in 60 A.D. where he was under house arrest for two years. Paul
may have been released after 2 years in prison c. 62 AD and gone on a 4th Missionary Journey, or he
may have been kept in prison until the time of the Fire of Rome in 64 AD.
It is hard to say for sure whether Paul went on a fourth missionary journey or not, and some count
his trip from Caesarea to Rome as his fourth, as he ministered to many people along the way.
Others, however, believe that his letters to Timothy point to Paul being imprisoned in Rome two
times, and it is after the first release that he embarked on a fourth journey, possibly to Spain, though
there isn’t solid evidence for this. Nevertheless, we know that during Paul’s imprisonment he wrote
many of the epistles, which are actually known as the prison epistles:
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Paul’s Epistles and purposes
1 Thessalonians purpose was to persuade the leaders to live according to Gods will and how to live
as Christians and encourage them to change their lives according to Gods will. This letter was said
to be written around 50AD to the church of Thessalonians in Thessalonica.
2 Thessalonians purpose was deal with the people who developed a problem only after Paul left the
city. Paul shared with the Christians at Thessalonica his belief that the end of the age will come
soon.
Galatians purpose was to vindicate Paul’s call by God and to share the Gospel of grace. This letter
was written in 53AD to the church of Galatia.
1 Corinthians purpose was to warn or reprimand them firmly as they would correct kids due to the
issues that were troubling the community in Corinth. Paul wanted them to be imitators of Christ just
he taught in the rest of the churches. This letter is written in 53-54AD to the Church of Corinth.
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Philippians purpose was a lesson on humility. This letter was written in 55AD to the church of
Philippi with the bishops and the deacons.
Philemon’s purpose was to teach forgiveness and acceptance and to spread faith to unbelievers.
Written in 55 AD to the church that was in Philemon’s house.
2 Corinthians purpose was the forgiveness of others, an explanation of God new agreement which
came through the Holy Spirit and the importance of being a person of Christ and Paul shared his
experience of how his life changed through the revelation of Jesus Christ. This letter was written in
55-56AD to the church of Corinth.
Romans purpose was explanation of God and what God has done. It tells us Jesus Christ and what
Christ’s death accomplished and it also tell us who we were without Christ and who we are after
becoming believers of Christ. This letter was written in 57AD to all who were in Rome.
Colossians purpose was to declare the supremacy of Christ over the universe and encourage
Christians to live Godly lives. This letter was written in 62AD to the church at Colosse.
Ephesians purpose was to provide unity for the church because the new converted Jews separated
themselves from the gentiles. This letter was written in 62AD to church of Ephesus.
1 and 2 Timothy purpose was for the mentorship of timothy by Paul to deal with personal
encounters and how to choose pastors and deacons and what qualifies them and also to offer support
to timothy for him to endure in the ministry as a preacher of the gospel. These letters were written in
62-64ad and written to timothy.
Titus purpose was to describe the requirements and duties of elders and bishops and Titus was under
Paul’s mentorship. This letter was written to Titus in 62-64AD.
Timothy and Titus are known as Pastoral Epistles as they were mentored by Paul.
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Paul’s death
The bible does not tell us the exact time of the death of Apostle Paul, but there are some evidence
that suggests that Paul’s death occurred after his fifth missionary journey which ended in 67AD.
Paul was like beheaded by the romans under Emperor Nero some time in 68AD.
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Conclusion
So much can be learned from the life of Paul and his missionary journeys, not only can we learn the
example by which we are to model present-day missions, but we can also learn what living an
abandoned life for Christ actually looks like.
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the
loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:7-8
Missions work is not easy, in some countries you may not face the threat of death, whilst in others
you might, but one thing is true of all countries, living in a different culture can be incredibly
challenging. In Philippians 3, Paul is explaining and contrasting his life before surrendering to
Christ, and he had everything, Paul had status, money, respect, knowledge. None of these were of
significance to him in comparison to knowing Christ.
All Christians are called to a life of living in Christ, although we won’t suffer to the extent that Paul
did, but rather lives wholly abandoned to Christ. By following Paul’s example and posturing our
hearts in the same way, we will find ourselves living Godly lives and walking in effective ministry.
This kind of doctrine has different opportunities to serve the Lord and spread the Gospel.
Paul’s life has brought us the understanding that without Christ we would be living wholesome
lives. Paul had brought the modern day church into grace that we now understand and can live
through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit dispensation in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost is a guideline for expectancy in the
Spirit. However, still today, we have many that are unbelieving and as much Paul was persecuted for
the faith, we also get persecuted and often by our own. The modern church has now a better
understanding of grace. Paul had taught the church through his life and was beaten for the change of
life. He knew that the only to live in Christ is to die to one’s self. We now live in an era that’s
governed by many laws and the church is often protected in certain regions whilst there are still
churches being persecuted.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit we live and we too need to be martyrs of the faith.
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Bibliography
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paul-the-Apostle/Mission
Persecution and conversion
Main article: Conversion of Paul the Apostle Conversion on the Way to Damascus (1601),
by Caravaggio
Dunn, James D. G. (2009), Christianity in the Making Volume 2: Beginning from Jerusalem, Wm.
B. Eerdmans Publishing
Barnett, Paul (2002). Jesus and the Rise of Early Christianity: A History of New Testament Times.
InterVarsity Press. ISBN 978-0-8308-2699-5.
Niswonger, Richard L. (1992). New Testament History. Zondervan. ISBN 978-0-310-31201-7.
Aslan, Reza (2014). Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. Random House. ISBN 978-08129-8148-3.
McRay, John (2007). Paul: His Life and Teaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. ISBN 9781441205742.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pharisee
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/paul-the-pharisee/
https://bethanygu.edu/news/missionary-journey/
https://bibleresearchtoday.com/2019/02/27/the-death-of-the-apostle-paul/
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
The Ministry of the Apostle Paul, compiled by Dr Gert L J Venter, 2014.
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