In this next series of lessons, I would like to share with you a study of the epistle, letter, of Paul to the Romans. This will take a few weeks or months to accomplish so I pray you will take the time to study alongside me and see what wonderful blessings God has for us. We begin with an introduction and will go through a look at Paul's three missionary journeys for our time today. So let's begin.
Part 1
The Book of Romans is considered to be one of the greatest letters Paul wrote. Some have said that it contains the heartbeat of Christianity. Alexander Campbell said the message of Romans becomes a key to all of Paul's letters. A man by the name of John R. W. Stott describes Romans this way:
"The Epistle to the Romans is the fullest and most coherent manifesto of the Christian gospel in the New Testament. In it the apostle Paul unfolds "the whole counsel of God."...There is a grandeur, a comprehensiveness, a logic about his exposition which has commanded the admiration and compelled the study of all succeeding generations."
Many more quotes could be made that all talk about how great this letter is. It is also the longest letter that Paul wrote. Though this was the 6th letter Paul wrote, you will notice that it is the first letter of his in the New Testament right after the Book of Acts. Some think maybe the reason it was put first was that it was the longest and because this letter is considered his masterpiece.
Paul did not write the letter with his own hands but dictated it to Tertius (Tur-shee-uhs) who added his own greeting near the end of the letter (Romans 16:22). Of course, if you want to get technical, the Holy Spirit is the true author of Romans. It is implied that Phoebe was the one who delivered this letter to Rome (Romans 16:1). Most believe that Paul wrote this letter while he was at Corinth for 3 months on his third missionary journey around A.D. 57-58.
Since Paul is the author of this letter, I want to take a quick look at his life by looking at his timeline.
3 BC-AD 34
Paul was born an Israelite in Tarsus around the same time as Jesus and John the Baptist were born (Acts 22:3, Phil 3:5).
He was a Roman citizen by birthright (Acts 22:28).
He started school at age 6 or 7, and the Old Testament would be the focus of his study.
At age 13, he would go through Bar Mitzvah (assuming the full obligation of the law).
In Jerusalem, Paul studies and trains under the famous teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).
AD 35 – AD 43
Paul watches and consents to Stephen's death (Acts 7:58, 8:1).
He helps to inflict great persecution on Christians, those of what was called "The Way." (Acts 8:1-3; 26:10-11; Phil. 3:6).
On the road to Damascus, Paul comes face-to-face with Jesus Christ and is later converted and baptized as a result of his faith. (Acts 9).
At some point over the next 3 years, Paul goes to Arabia and then returns 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; 2 Cor 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).
When they complete their mission, they return to Antioch with Mark (Acts 12:25).
First Missionary Journey AD 44 – AD 49
The Holy Spirit separates Paul and Barnabas out for this particular 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 arrived at Perga, Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).
Paul and Barnabas continue on to 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 they leave and head 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 dragged 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. They return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to strengthen the churches and to appoint elders (Acts 14:21-23).
They preach at Perga and return 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 the Gentiles must 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. 2:1).
They preach and teach at Antioch (Acts 15:35).
It's possible that Paul writes the letter to the Galatians from Antioch.
2nd Missionary Journey AD 50 – AD 54
Paul and Barnabas separate from one another over a sharp dispute with 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 now joins in 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 she is converted along with 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 loosens the 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, converting more people. Paul goes to Athens while Timothy and Silas stay behind. Paul sends word for them to come and 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).
Here, 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 AD 54 – AD 58
Paul travels through Galatia and Phrygia strengthening the disciples (Acts 18:23).
At Ephesus, Paul baptizes some disciples in the name of Jesus who had only heard of John's baptism (Acts 19:1-7).
Timothy is sent to Corinth (1 Cor. 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 19:8-10).
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; 2 Cor. 2:13).
Paul meets up with Titus possible in Philippi and writes 2 Corinthians 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 there writes the book of Romans (Acts 20:2-3).
From Greece, Timothy and other brethren go ahead of Paul to meet him later at Troas (Acts 20:4-6).
Paul stays 7 days at Troas and partakes of The Lord's Supper on The Lord's Day (Acts 20:7-12).
He travels to Assos by foot and sails to Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium, and stops at Miletus (Acts 20:13-16).
Paul sends for the Ephesians elders, and he strongly encourages them (Acts 20:17-38).
From there, he sails to Cos, Rhodes, and 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).
We will pick this up next time. May God bless, Mark
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