|  Article 4 – Paul's Missionary Campaignsby Parishioner Ben CerimeleYear of St. Paul Article Links:The Year of St. Paul ArticlesArticle 4: Highlights of St. Paul's Three Missionary CampaignsPrelude Paul was a traveling man. Subsequent to his conversion he undertook several onerous and deleterious travels in spreading and fortifying the Christian gospel. In chronological order the post-conversion travels of Paul included a sojourn in Arabia, meetings with Peter and James in Jerusalem, participation in the Council of Jerusalem, three missionary journeys, a voyage under guard to Rome, and a purported trip to Spain. The Acts of the Apostles, that chronicles the early expansion of Christianity, is roughly divided between the travels of Peter as the Apostle to the Jews and Paul as the Apostle to the Gentiles. The focus in this article is confined to Paul's missionary journeys. Paul initiated his missionary campaigns in leadership of f teams sanctioned by the commission, prayers, and blessings of the Church in Antioch of Syria. The Antiochene Church, where the faithful were first called Christians, was an early hotbed of Christian activity. Paul's primary objective was to preach the gospel in the local synagogues of the Diaspora Jews residing in Asia Minor. If and when he was rejected by the Jewish residents, he would preach to the Gentiles in the area. He converted the Roman proconsul in Cypress and established mainline Gentile Christian communities in major urban centers of Asia Minor that extended across the Anatolian peninsula. He was directed in a dream to crossover into Macedonia and Greece where he planted the seeds of Christianity in the Eastern frontier of the European mainland. The specific Roman provinces traveled included Syria in Southeastern Asia Minor, the island of Cyprus, and Cilicia, Lycia, Pamphylia, Mysia, Pisidia, Phrygia, Bithynia, Galatia, and Lyconia that covered modern-day Turkey. In Europe he preached in the Roman cities of Neapolis, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea in Macedonia and Corinth, Cenchrea, and Athens in Greece. The dates given below are approximate and are based on 32 AD as the year in which Jesus died. Highlights of the First Missionary Journey (c. 45-47AD) Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark were sent as a missionary team from Antioch in Syria to proclaim the gospel to the nearby peoples in Asia Minor. They traversed the island of Cyprus and subsequently traveled through central Turkey. They went first to the Jewish populace and preached in their local synagogues. They were generally repelled by the local Jewish residents, but found greater receptivity among the Gentiles. John Mark abandoned this first campaign due possibly to Paul's liberal practice in exempting Gentile converts from circumcision. This mission established Christian communities in coastal cities and trade-route towns in the regions of Cyprus, Pamphylia, Pisidia, and South Galatia. After this trip Paul was summoned to participate in the Council of Jerusalem. This council was convened to resolve the controversy engendered by Paul's permissive practice of admitting Gentiles to Christianity without requiring them to abide by Jewish ceremonial laws, particularly circumcision. This divisive issue that threatened the first schism of the Church will be discussed in a forthcoming article. Highlights of the Second Missionary Journey (c. 51-53 AD) Prior to the second missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas had a rift that diverted Paul to team up with a new associate — Silas (Silvanus). Silas was a Roman citizen and a prominent member of the Church of Jerusalem. From Antioch they traveled initially through Syria and Cilicia and afterwards were joined by Timothy and by Luke. They revisited the churches founded by Paul on his first trip. Providentially they were redirected in a vision by the Holy Spirit to extend their outreach to Macedonia and Greece, the Eastern fringes of the European continent. Thereby they launched the foundation for the spread of Christianity in Europe. Luke joined Paul as his traveling companion and ally in Christianizing Western civilization. They established churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea in Macedonia and at Corinth in Greece. Paul also preached in Athens — the intellectual center of the ancient world. In Philippi Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for squelching a diabolical fortune-telling scam. They were miraculously released from prison by an earthquake. Notably Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth and developed a special rapport there with his community. He wrote his first letter (and the first NT writing) to the Thessalonians there in Corinth around 52 AD. Corinth was a sea port, controlling the Isthmus of Corinth, through which passed the major portion of shipping between East and West on the Mediterranean Sea. It was a bustling hub of transients - merchants, soldiers, and sailors - seeking a plethora of entertainment and pleasures. Corinth was renowned as the sin-city of Greece. From Corinth Paul made a circuitous return to Antioch through Ephesus and Jerusalem. Besides Timothy and Luke, several Christian neophytes are specifically mentioned during this journey; viz., Lydia, Dionysius, Damaris, Aquila and Priscila, and Apollos. Highlights of the Third Missionary Journey (c 54-58 AD) In his third missionary campaign, Paul revisited the communities in Syria, Cilicia, Galatia, Phrygia, and Pisidia where he founded Churches. Instead of retracing his steps into Europe, he continued through central Turkey to Ephesus on the Western coast where he remained for three years. This town was a pilgrimage site for idolatrous pagans who worshipped the goddess Diana enshrined in the Temple of Artemis (Diana in Greek) — one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus prospered through its industry of silversmiths who made idols of the goddess Diana and replicas of the temple that were sold to pilgrims. Economic collapse of Ephesus due to abandonment of goddess worship precipitated a city-wide persecution that drove Paul out of town. He traveled on to Macedonia and Greece and thereafter returned to Jerusalem. This third mission was distinguished for the miracles worked by Paul. Reflection Paul is accorded the distinction of being the foremost evangelist in disseminating Christianity to the Gentiles and to Western civilization. He is recognized as a missionary extraordinaire. His resolve, dedication, and forbearance in enduring hardships and traumas in his missions serve as heroic examples for all missionary endeavors. Respectfully submitted, Ben Cerimele Contact InformationIf you wish to contact us on any articles, have any questions, you can initiate contact either by: |