Acts Epistles Timeline and Maps

 

• Acts spans about 30 years.
• Paul's 3 journeys are about 12 years from about AD 46-58.

Timeline of Paul's Ministry. Over the course of his ministry, the Apostle Paul traveled > 10,000  miles and established at least 14 churches. Acts records 3 separate missionary journeys that took Paul through Syria, Turkey, Greece, and numerous regions you won't find on modern-day maps.

When Paul was traveling and preaching, he never went alone. Rather than being a "Lone Ranger," Paul always worked together with other Christian missionaries, indeed with more and more associates as time went on. 

Paul's 1st Missionary Journey AD 46-48 (Acts 13:4-14:28). In Acts 13 Paul is called on his 1st missionary journey. He left Antioch with Barnabas and traveled to Cyprus--now known as Turkey. Many people accepted his message, but others considered him an enemy and tried to stop the work he was doing.

The Jerusalem Council happened between Paul's 2nd and 3rd missionary journey. 

Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey AD 49-52 (Acts 15:36-18:22).

• Paul went to Corinth on his 2nd mission, where he stayed with Aquila and Priscilla. He preached and baptized many people (Acts 18:1–18). At Corinth, Paul wrote Romans.
• Luke was  with Paul during his initial mission into Greece—i.e., as far as Philippi, in Macedonia (AD 51). It is there that Luke later rejoins Paul and accompanies him on his final journey to Jerusalem (AD 58).

Paul's evangelistic ministry on his 2nd missionary journey was so successful among the Gentiles that a public demonstration broke out.

Paul's 3rd Missionary Journey AD 53-58 (Acts 19-21; Ac 18:23-20:38). 

Summer 53 A.D. Paul's 3rd evangelistic tour begins by revisiting the churches in Galatia in order to follow-up on the epistle he wrote to them in late spring (Galatians). He then visits brethren in the Phrygia province to strengthen them in their walk as Christians (Ac 18:23). After allowing the winter to pass, Paul started his 3rd Missionary Journey in the spring of AD 52. Paul's journey brought him to Ephesus where he stayed for 2 yrs 3 mths.

• Trophimus was one of 8 friends (Ac 20:4), who accompanied Paul at the close of his 3rd missionary journey and traveled with him from Greece, Macedonia, into Asia, and onward by sea until Jerusalem was reached. 
• Paul's 3rd missionary journey was unlike his first 2 because he didn't set out to plant churches. Instead, his mission was to encourage and strengthen existing churches. Paul wrote letters to the churches, but he knew some guidance was best given in person.
• In 57 AD, upon completion of his third missionary journey, Paul arrived in Jerusalem for his 5th and final visit with a collection of money for the local community. Acts reports that he initially was warmly received.

Paul's 4th journey was from Jerusalem to Rome as a prisoner. Between the 3rd missionary journey and the journey to Rome, Paul is in Jerusalem and Caesarea. Acts devotes 6 chapters to this troubled prelude to Paul's journey to Italy, and another 2 chapters to the journey itself.