An Outline of the Life of the Apostle
Paul
1. Pre-Christian
Life
Paul was born in Tarsus in modern day Turkey (of the Tribe
of Benjamin) and trained to be a Pharisee under the guidance of Gamaliel. His
trade was tentmaking. We meet him first in the book of Acts as a persecutor of
Christians. Before his conversion to Christ he was called Saul.
Paul was in Jerusalem to witness the execution of Stephen.
2. Conversion to Christianity (37
AD) Acts 9:1-19
Damascus Road / Blinded for three days / Healed when Ananias
visited him.
Spent three years in the deserts of Arabia Galatians 1:17
Preaches in Damascus Acts 9:20
Barnabas arrives to take Paul to Jerusalem. Acts 9:27
Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem (40 AD) Acts 9:26 /
Galatians 1:18
Lived in Antioch for a time (42-44 AD) Acts 11:25-30
Second visit to Jerusalem (44 AD) Acts 11:30-12:25
3. 1st Missionary Journey (45-47
AD) Acts 13:2-14:26
Church sends out Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark
Seleucia to Cyprus Acts 13:4
Salamis - preaching in the synagogues Acts 13:5
Paphos - met with Sergius Paulus the governor of
Cyprus Acts 13:7
Opposition from Elymas the scorcerer Acts 13:8-11
Sergius Paulus converts to Christ Acts 13:12
Perga - John Mark leaves to go home Acts 13:13
Antioch (Pisidia) - preached in synagogues Acts 13:14
Ordered out of the city. Acts 13:50
Iconium - preached in synagogues Acts 14:1-2
Church planted
Jews rise up against Barnabas and Paul Acts 14:2
Miracles Acts 14:3
Lystra - Healed lame man Acts 14:10
People thought Paul and Barnabas were gods. Acts 14:11-17
Lois, Eunice and Timothy converted
Paul stoned and dragged out of the city. Acts 14:18-19
Paul returned to Lystra.
Derbe - Spent winter in Derbe Acts 14:20
Church planted
Returned to Antioch (Syria) via Lystra, Antioch, Seleucia,
Attalia.
Third visit to Jerusalem Acts 15:2-30 / Galatians 2:1-10
4. 2nd Missionary Journey (49
AD) Acts 15:36-18:20
Spent winter in Antioch
Paul refused to take John Mark on this journey Acts 15:36-39
Barnabas does not go with Paul
Silas accompanies Paul Acts 15:40-41
Tarsus
Cilicia
Derbe Acts 16:1
Lystra - joined by Timothy Acts 16:2
Phrygia / Galatia Acts 16:6
The Holy Spirit forbids Paul to go into Asia Acts 16:7
Troas - received the vision and call to go to Macedonia Acts
16:9
Philippi
Lydia converted Acts 16:11-15
Possessed girl delivered Acts 16:16-18
Paul and Silas beaten Acts 16:22
Prison / Earthquake / jailer saved Acts 16:25-34
Released from prison Acts 16:35-40
Amphipolis / Apollania Acts 17:1
Thessalonica - stayed with Jason Acts 17:1-9
Church planted
Paul, Silas, and Timothy leave at night Acts 17:10
Berea - many people accept Christ Acts 17:10-15
Athens - preached to Epicureans and Stoics on Mars Hill Acts
17:16-34
Corinth - Met with Aquila and Priscilla Acts 18:1
Crispus (chief ruler of synagogue) converted Acts 18:8
Spent one and half years in Corinth
Ephesus - accompanied by Aquila and Priscilla Acts 18:18
Caesarea / Jerusalem / Antioch Acts 18:22
5. 3rd Missionary Journey (53
AD) ) Acts 18:23-21:15
Ephesus - preached about the Holy Spirit Acts 19:110
Stayed in Ephesus for two years Acts 19:10
Miracles of healing and deliverance Acts 19:11-20
Riot caused by worshippers of Diana Acts 19:23 41
Sailed for Macedonia Acts 20:1
Philippi / Troas Acts 20:5
Raising of Eutychus Acts 20:7-12
Miletus (Matla) Acts 20:17
Cos / Rhodes / Patara Acts 21:1
Tyre - for seven days Acts 21:3-4
Ptolemais Acts 21:7
Caesarea / Meeting with Philip Acts 21:8-14
Arrest and imprisonment at Caesarea (58 AD) Acts 21:15-23:35
Bound in chains Acts 21:33
Declared that he was Roman Acts 21:39
Taken before the Sanhedrin Acts 22:30
Vision of Christ Acts 23:11
Plot to kill Paul Acts 23:12-22
Transferred to Caesarea Acts 23:22
Trial before Felix Acts 24:1
Trial before Festus (two years later) Acts 25:1
Appealed to Caesar Acts 25:10-11
Paul’s witness before King Agrippa Acts 26:1
6. Final
Journey
Voyage to and arrival in Rome (59 AD) Acts 27:1-28:16
Sidon Acts 27:3
Myra Acts 27:5
Cnidus Acts 27:7
Fair Havens Acts 27:8
Shipwrecked off the coast of Malta Acts 27:27
Snake entwines itself around Paul’s hand Acts 28:3
Healing of Publius’ father Acts 28:7-10
Remained on Malta for three months Acts 28:11
Syracuse Acts 28:12
Rhegium Acts 28:13
Puteoli Acts 28:13
Arrived in Rome about 62 AD Acts 28:17
Given private room with prison guards Acts 28:23
Allowed some freedom for two years Acts 28:23-31
Timothy visited Paul
Wrote letters to the various churches
7. Final Years (tradition)
Released from prison (65 AD)
Made a trip to Ephesus
Arrested in Nicapolis
Martyrdom at Rome (67 AD?)
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