Paul’s Missionary Journeys

The Bible Story

In Antioch, a church of believers worshiped God, prayed, and listened for His leading. Among their teachers were Barnabas and Saul, who was also called Paul. The Holy Spirit directed the church to set Barnabas and Paul apart for special work. After fasting and praying, the believers placed their hands on them and sent them out. Paul and Barnabas were beginning a journey that would carry the good news about Jesus into new places.

They traveled by land and sea, entering towns where many people had never heard the message they were bringing. Paul taught from the Scriptures and explained that God's promises pointed to Jesus. Some people listened with joy and believed. Others argued with Paul and Barnabas or tried to stop them. The missionaries could not control how people responded, but they kept speaking truthfully about Jesus and moved on when it was time to go.

In places such as Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, new believers began to gather. Paul and Barnabas encouraged them to keep trusting the Lord. Then they returned through several of the same towns, strengthening the young churches and helping them grow. At last they came back to Antioch, where they told the church what God had done and how the good news had reached many people who were not Jews.

Later, Paul set out again. This time Silas traveled with him. Paul wanted to strengthen believers, but God also redirected their plans. They were prevented from going into some places they had expected to visit. Then, during the night in Troas, Paul saw a vision of a man from Macedonia asking for help. Paul and his companions understood that God was calling them to take the good news across the sea into Macedonia.

In Philippi, people heard about Jesus and some believed. Paul and Silas also faced serious trouble there and spent a night in prison. Even in that frightening place they prayed and trusted God. A jailer and his household heard the good news about Jesus, and the believers in Philippi were encouraged. This was one part of a much larger journey, so Paul and Silas continued on to other cities.

Paul eventually came to Athens, a city filled with idols. He spoke with people in the marketplace and later addressed a group who liked to discuss new ideas. Paul told them about the God who made the world and gives life to everyone. He explained that God was calling people to turn to Him, and he told them about Jesus being raised from the dead. Some laughed, some wanted to hear more, and some believed.

Paul kept traveling and teaching. He spent long stretches of time in places such as Corinth and Ephesus, helping believers understand the good news and live as followers of Jesus. Other Christians worked alongside him. Paul was important, but he was never the whole mission by himself. God was using many faithful people, many churches, many conversations, and many ordinary acts of service as the message about Jesus spread.

After years of travel, Paul began making his way toward Jerusalem. He knew the road ahead might be difficult. Friends cared about him and warned him about the trouble he could face. Paul did not think following Jesus meant that every journey would be safe or easy. He wanted to remain faithful to the work Jesus had given him: to testify to the good news of God's grace.

In Jerusalem, a disturbance broke out and Paul was taken into Roman custody. Later he was brought before rulers and officials. Those situations were serious, but they also gave Paul opportunities to speak. He told what Jesus had done in his life and explained the hope he had because of Jesus. Eventually Paul appealed to Caesar, as a Roman citizen could do. That meant he would be sent to Rome.

The voyage to Rome became dangerous. A fierce storm battered the ship for many days, and the people on board began to lose hope. Paul stood among them and encouraged them. God had assured him that everyone traveling on the ship would survive, even though the ship itself would be lost. Paul urged the people to take courage and to eat so they would have strength for what was ahead.

The ship finally ran aground near the island of Malta and broke apart, but everyone reached land safely. The people of the island showed the travelers unusual kindness. After spending time there, Paul continued toward Rome. Storms, delays, opposition, and imprisonment had changed many of his plans, but they had not stopped him from belonging to Jesus or from speaking about Him.

At last Paul arrived in Rome. He was still under guard, but he was allowed to live in a rented house. People came to visit him there, and Paul welcomed them. He taught about the kingdom of God and about the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts ends with Paul still doing the work Jesus had given him. From Antioch, across seas and roads, through welcoming homes, difficult cities, courtrooms, and a storm, the good news about Jesus had traveled all the way to Rome.