Timeline of the Apostle Paul

 

3 BC – 34 AD

  • Born an Israelite in Tarsus around the same time of Jesus and John the Baptist Acts 22:3, Phil 3:5
  • He was a Roman citizen by birth right Acts 22:28
  • Paul starts school at age 6 or 7 where the OT would be the focus of his study.
  • At age 13 he would go through bar mitzvah, assuming full obligation of the law.
  • At Jerusalem Paul studies and trains under the famous teacher Gamaliel. Acts 22:3

 

35 AD – 43 AD

  • Paul watches and consents to Stephen’s death. Acts 7:58, 8:1
  • He inflicts great persecution on Christians. Acts 8:1-3, 26:10-11, Phil 3:6
  • On the road to Damascus Paul meets Jesus and is converted and baptized. Acts 9
  • At some point over the next 3 years Paul goes to Arabia and then returns back to Damascus. Gal 1:17
  • Paul’s life is in danger and he escapes Damascus by being lowered down the outside wall through a window in a big basket. Acts 9:24, 2Cor 11:32-33
  • Paul makes his way to Jerusalem and Barnabas brings him to the apostles. Acts 9:26-29, Gal 1:18
  • Once again Paul’s life is in danger and he travels to Tarsus. Acts 9:30
  • Later, Barnabas goes to Tarsus and finds Paul and they go to Antioch and teach a great number of people over the next year. Acts 11: 25-26
  • Paul and Barnabas deliver aid to the brethren in Jerusalem. Acts 11:29-30
  • Completing their mission they return to Antioch with Mark. Acts 12:25

 

First Missionary Journey 44 AD – 49 AD

  • The Holy Spirit separates Paul and Barnabas out for this Journey. Acts 13:2-3
  • They travel to Seleucia and set sail to the island of Cyprus Acts 13:4
  • They preach in the Synagogues at Salamis and Mark assists them Acts 13:5
  • At Paphos they encounter a false prophet named Bar-Jesus who tries to keep the proconsul, Sergius Paulis, from hearing the word of God. Paul strikes Bar-Jesus blind by the power of the Holy Spirit and the proconsul believes. Acts 13:6-12
  • When they arrive at Perga, Mark departs and returns to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13
  • Paul and Barnabas continue onto Antioch in Pisidia. Paul preaches his first and longest recorded sermon in the synagogue. Acts 13:14-49
  • They are driven out of Antioch and they go to Iconium where they stay for a long time boldly speaking the word of God. Acts 13:50 - 14:3
  • Their lives are threatened so the flee toward Lystra and Derbe. Acts 14:4-7
  • In Lystra, Paul heals a crippled man and the crowds try to worship them. Acts 14:8-18
  • Paul is stoned and drug outside the city presumed dead, but he gets up and goes back into the city and the next day Paul and Barnabas go to Derbe. Acts 14:19-20
  • At Derbe they make many disciples. Then they return back to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch to strengthen the churches there and to appoint elders. Acts 14:21-23
  • They preach at Perga and return back to Antioch in Syria where they report to the church everything that happened on their journey. Acts 14:24-28
  • Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem to ask the apostles and the elders if Gentiles have to be circumcised. They decide that Gentiles don’t have to be circumcised and they send Paul and Barnabas and other men back to Antioch with a letter explaining this. Acts 15:1-34, Gal 12:1
  • They preach and teach at Antioch. Acts 15:35
  • Paul possible writes Galatians from Antioch.

 

2nd Missionary Journey 50 AD – 54 AD

  • Paul and Barnabas separate from one another over Mark Acts 15:36-39
  • Paul and Silas join forces and go through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches. Acts 15:40-41
  • They go to Derbe and Lystra and Timothy joins the journey. Acts 16:1-5
  • They go to Troas and Paul has a vision of a Macedonian man asking for help. Acts 16:6-10
  • They sail to Neapolis and travel to Philippi where they meet Lydia and convert her and her household. Acts 16:11-15
  • Paul and Silas are thrown into jail after Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl. Acts 16:16-25
  • A great earthquake opens the jail doors and chains holding the prisoners. Paul and Silas convert the Philippian jailer and his household. Acts 16:25-34
  • They preach the word of God in the synagogue at Thessalonica and convert men and women. Acts 17:1-10
  • They flee to Berea and convert more people. Paul goes to Athens while Timothy and Silas stay behind. Paul sends word for them to join him. Acts 17:10-15
  • Paul preaches to the people at Athens converting men and women. Acts 17:16-34
  • Paul goes to Corinth and Timothy and Silas join him there. They teach the word of god for a year and six months there. Acts 18:1-17
  • Paul writes 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
  • Paul returns to Antioch of Syria after stopping at Ephesus, Caesarea, and Jerusalem. Acts 18:18-22

 

3rd Missionary Journey 54 AD – 58 AD 

  • Paul travels through Galatia and Phrygia strengthening the disciples Acts 18:23
  • At Ephesus Paul re-baptizes some disciples that had only had John’s baptism. Acts 19:1-7
  • Timothy is sent to Corinth 1Cor 4:17 He returns to Ephesus later. 1 Cor 16:10-11
  • Paul writes 1st Corinthians.
  • Paul preaches in the synagogue for 3 months and then at the school of Tyrannus for 2 years. Acts 9:8-10
  • He sends Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia. Acts 19:21 
  • On his way to Macedonia Paul stops at Troas to meet up with Titus, but he never shows up. Acts 20:1, 2Cor 2:13
  • Paul meets up with Titus possible in Philippi and writes 2 Cor. sending Titus with the letter to the Corinthians. 2 Cor. 7:6, 8:6, Acts 20:2
  • He goes to Greece for 3 months and writes the book of Romans Acts 20:2-3
  • From Greece Timothy and other brethren go ahead of Paul to meet him latter at Troas. Acts 20:4-6
  • Paul stays 7 days at Troas and partakes of the Lord’s Supper. Acts 20:7-12
  • He travels to Assos by foot and sails to Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Togyllium, and stops at Miletus. Acts 20:13-16
  • Paul sends for the Ephesians elders and he exhorts them. Acts 20:17-38
  • From there he sails to Cos, Rhodes, Patara and they stop at Tyre for 7 days. Acts 21:3-6
  • Next he stays at Ptolemais for one day. Acts 21:7
  • At Caesarea Paul stays with Philip the evangelist. Acts 21:8-14

 

At Jerusalem and the Journey to Rome 58AD – 62AD

  • Paul goes to Jerusalem and is arrested in the temple causing a mob Acts 21: 15-36
  • Paul speaks the mob. Acts 21:37 – 22:21
  • He speaks to the Sanhedrin Council Acts 22:30 – 23:10
  • Some Jews plot against Paul and take an oath not to eat or drink until they kill him Acts 23: 12-23
  • Paul is sent safely to governor Felix in Caesarea. Acts 23: 23-25
  • Paul gives his defense to Felix but he leaves him bound for 2 years Acts 24:10-27
  • Paul Speaks before Festus and appeals to Caesar. Acts 25:1-12
  • He speaks before King Agrippa and almost persuades him to be a Christian Acts 25:13 – 26:32
  • Paul and the other prisoners began their journey to Rome. Acts 27:1-2
  • At Sidon Paul gets to visit with his friends and then continues on to Myra. Acts 27:3-5
  • They change boats and sail to Fair Havens. Acts 27:6-8
  • Against Paul’s warnings they set sail for Phoenix. A strong wind comes through and forces them by Clauda and then out to sea until they shipwreck at Malta. Acts 27:9 – 28:1
  • At Malta Paul survives a viper bite and heals many of the natives over the next 3 months. Acts 28:2-10
  • From there, they sail to Syracuse and stay for 3 days. Acts 28:11-12
  • They sail to Rhegium and then to Pateoli where he was allowed to stay 7 days with his brethren. Acts 28:13
  • At Rome, Paul stayed for 2 years under house arrest in his own rented house where he could receive visitors and preach the word. Acts 28: 17-31
  •  Paul writes Philemon, Colossians,  Ephesians, and Philippians.
  • Timothy is at Rome with Paul part of the time. Phil. 1:1, Col 1:1, Phm. 1:1
  • Timothy was in prison as some point during this time. Heb. 13:23

63AD – 67AD

  • Paul is released from his 1st Roman imprisonment as he anticipated Phm. 1:22 Phil. 2:19-24
  • He possible goes to Spain Rom 15:28
  • Paul goes to Crete where he leaves Titus to work with the church. Titus 1:5
  • He travels to Miletus 2Tim 4:20 and possible goes to Colossae Phm. 1:22
  • Paul meets up with Timothy in Ephesus and leaves him there to work with the church as he travels to Macedonia. 1Tim 1:3
  • He was at Troas where he leaves his books and cloak 2Tim 4:13
  • Paul goes to Philippi and possible writes 1 Timothy Phil. 2:19-24
  • He possible writes Titus on his way to Nicopolis where he planned to spend the winter. Titus 3:12
  • After 2 years or more being free Paul is again arrested.
  • Paul writes his last letter 2 Timothy where he sends for Timothy. 2Tim 4:9-12
  • Paul’s life comes to an end.