Bible Study

A Commentary on the Book of Acts

Appendix 2


Chronology of Paul’s Life - A Quick Compilation of People, Places, and Epistles


EVENTLOCATIONNOTESREFERENCES
Early lifeSyria and JudeaBorn in Tarsus, his father was a Pharisee, he was a Pharisee, member of the tribe of Benjamin, taught by the Rabbi Gamaliel.Acts 22:3; 23:6
Romans 11:1
Conversion of SaulRoad to DamascusEncountered Jesus (14 years before the Jerusalem council).Acts 9:1-22
Acts 15:1-21
Galatians 1:15-16
Saul in ArabiaArabiaNo details given.Galatians 1:17
Saul returns to DamascusDamascusNo details givenGalatians 1:17
Saul escapes DamascusDamascusJews plot to kill Paul but able to escape by being lowered in opening in wall.Acts 9:23-25
Saul goes to JerusalemJerusalemInitially feared by believers, Barnabas accepts him. Saul preaches boldly.Acts 9:26-28
Galatians 1:18-20
Saul sent homeTarsus, CiliciaDue to death threats Saul is sent home for five years.Acts 15:41
Galatians 1:21
Church in Antioch startedAntioch, SyriaPersecuted Jewish believers evangelize to GentilesActs 11:19-21
Barnabas sent to AntiochAntioch, SyriaBarnabas sent to investigate regarding Gentile believers, he finds Saul and brings him along.Acts 11:22-24
Barnabas and Saul teachAntioch, SyriaBarnabas and Saul teach to a large number of people for one year.Acts 11:25-26
Galatians 1:21
Saul has a visionUnknownAround this time Saul has a vision of heaven.2 Corinthians 12:2-4
Barnabas and Saul sent to JerusalemJudeaBarnabas and Saul serve as envoys to Jerusalem with a collection to aid those affected by famine.Acts 11:27-30
Barnabas and Saul return to AntiochAntiochBarnabas and Saul return to Antioch with John MarkActs 12:25
First missionary journey beginsAntiochBarnabas and Saul sent by the Holy Spirit to plant churches and John Mark joins them.Acts 13:1-3
At CyprusIsland of CyprusEncounter with Elymas the magician. Saul is now called Paul.Acts 13:4-12
At Perga and Antioch (Pisidia)Pamphylia and PisidiaJohn Mark returns to Jerusalem, due to some of the Jews revolting they said they were "turning to the Gentiles." Acts 13:13-52
Galatians 4:13-14
At IconiumGalatiaPreached to Jews and Gentile, they quickly left after attempt to stone them, they fled to LystraActs 14:1-7
At LystraGalatiaPaul healed a man who was crippled from birth. The people thought Paul and Barnabas were gods. The Jews from Iconium caught up with them and stoned Paul.Acts 14:8-20
At DerbeGalatiaPaul and Barnabas preached the gospel.Acts 14:21-23
Return homeAntioch, SyriaThe first missionary journey is over.Acts 14:24-28
Dispute regarding circumcision arisesAntiochJudaizers were teaching that circumcision was required for Gentiles to be saved, so they sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to discuss the inclusion of Gentiles.Acts 15:1-3
The Council MeetingJerusalemA meeting of church leaders and the apostles to establish guidelines for Gentile believers.Acts 15:4-35
Galatians 2:1-10
Second missionary journey beginsAntiochPaul and Barnabas decide to return to the cities they had previously visited, but they had a heated argument over John Mark, so they went their separate ways.Acts 15:36-41
Paul and Silas in Derbe and LystraGalatiaTimothy joins Paul and Silas in Lystra.Acts 16:1-5
Holy Spirit guides themMysia to TroasThe Holy Spirit would not allow them to preach in Asia or Bithynia, so they went to Troas. Paul had a vision for them to go to Macedonia.Acts 16:6-10
At PhilippiMacedoniaLydia becomes a believer.Acts 16:11-15
Paul and Silas arrested in PhilippiMacedoniaPaul casts demon out of slave girl, but since the demon offered false fortune-telling services the owner of the slave had Paul and Silas arrested.Acts 16:16-24
Paul and Silas in Philippian JailMacedoniaPaul and Silas singing hymns when an earthquake hits and all chains on the prisoners break and doors open. Paul stopped the jailer from killing himself. The jailer and family accepted Jesus.Acts 16:25-40
2 Corinthians 11:23-25
Paul, Silas, and Timothy in ThessalonicaMacedoniaA few jealous Jews got some wicked men to motivate a mob to come after Paul and Silas.Acts 17:1-9
1 Thessalonians 1:4-2:16; 3:4
Paul, Silas, and Timothy in BereaMacedoniaWith the help of fellow believers they left Thessalonica at night and made it to Berea. They were more responsive to their message and when they went home they looked up in the Scriptures to see if what they were taught was true.Acts 17:10-15
1 Thessalonians 2:17
Paul in AthensAchaiaWhile Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he reasoned in the synagogue and conversed with several philosophers who brought him to speak at the Areopagus.Acts 17:16-21
Paul speaks at the AreopagusAchaiaPaul's sermon at the Areopagus (Mars Hill).Acts 17:22-34
Timothy sent back to ThessalonicaMacedoniaTimothy sent to help and encourage church in Thessalonica.1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Paul in CorinthAchaiaPaul goes to Corinth to meet Aquila and Priscilla.Acts 18:1-4
Paul writes to the churches in GalatiaAchaiaEstimated time period when Paul wrote his epistle to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia. In this epistle is the first reference of Titus, who is not mentioned in the book of Acts.Galatians 1:1-2, 6; 2:1-10
Paul, Silas, and Timothy in CorinthAchaiaSilas and Timothy join Paul in Corinth. Acts 18:5-
1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
Paul writes to the church in ThessalonicaAchaiaEstimated time period when Paul wrote his first epistle to the church in Thessalonica.1 Thessalonians 1:1
Crispus BaptizedAchaiaCrispus the synagogue ruler in Corinth is baptized.Acts 18:6-8
Paul has a visionAchaiaJesus tells Paul to keep on speaking and that He is with him.Acts 18:9-10
Paul in CorinthAchaiaPaul remains in Corinth for one and half years.Acts 19:11
Paul writes to the church in ThessalonicaAchaiaEstimated time period when Paul wrote his second epistle to the church in Thessalonica.2 Thessalonians 1:1
Jews want Paul arrested.AchaiaJews bring charges against Paul before proconsul Gallio's tribunal, he refuses and the Jews beat up Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue in front of him.Acts 18:12-17
Paul leaves Corinth with Priscila and AquilaAchaia to Asia to SyriaClosing the second missionary journey. Paul cuts hair in Cenchreae, leaves Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus, and returns to Antioch. Acts 18:18-22
Apollos in EphesusAsiaApollos taught in Ephesus but only knew of John the Baptist's baptism, Aquila and Priscilla taught him a more accurately the things concerning Jesus.Acts 18:24-28
Third missionary journey beginsSyriaPaul passes through Cilicia and Galatia to the city of Ephesus.Acts 18:23; 19:1
Paul in EphesusAsiaPaul proclaimed the gospel and reasoned daily from the Scriptures in public places. He performed many miracles of healing.Acts 19:2-20
Riot in EphesusAsiaIdol-making tradesmen seeing their businesses decline due to their patrons turning away from pagan deities cause a major disturbance in town. They seized Gaius and Aristarchus and dragged them into the theater.Acts 19:21-41
Paul writes to the church in CorinthAsiaEstimated time period when Paul wrote his first epistle to the church in Corinth.1 Corinthians 1:1; 16:6-8
Paul in GreeceAchaiaPaul travels through Macedonia to Greece, spent three months there.Acts 20:1-3
2 Corinthians 7:5-7
Paul writes to the church in CorinthMacedoniaEstimated time period when Paul wrote his second epistle to the church in Corinth and his first epistle to Timothy.2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:5; 8:6, 16-24; 12:18
1 Timothy 1:2-3
Paul in CorinthAchaiaPaul returns to Corinth where he receives a collection for Judea.2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15
Paul writes to the church in RomeAchaiaEstimated time period when Paul wrote his epistle to the church in Rome while in Corinth.Romans 16:1-5, 23-25; 2 Timothy 4:20
Paul in TroasMysiaPaul was going to sail back to Syria, but changed his mind and traveled back through Macedonia to Troas and stayed there for one week.Acts 20:4-6
Eutychus falls out of windowMysiaWhile Paul was teaching well into the evening a young man in the audience fell out of a third-story window and died. Paul through prayer was able to bring him back to life.Acts 20:7-12
Paul sails south to MiletusAsiaPaul meets with leaders of Ephesian church and tells them he is heading to Jerusalem and will not see them again.Acts 20:13-38
Paul travels to CaesareaSyriaPaul sails to Tyre then to Ptolemais and then to Caesarea Maritima. The prophet Agabus prophesies that Paul will be bound in Jerusalem. This ends Paul's third and final missionary journey.Acts 21:1-16
Paul in JerusalemJudeaPaul visits James and develop a plan to help the Jews accept Paul.Acts 21:17-26
Paul arrested at the TempleJudeaPaul is seen by Jews from Asia wanting to kill Paul start beating him all while inciting the crowds. The Romans intervene and removes Paul from the angry mob.Acts 21:27-36
Paul speaks to crowdJudeaPaul offers his testimony which they listened to until he spoke to them about salvation being offered to the Gentles.Acts 21:37-22:23
Paul in Roman custodyJudeaNot understanding why the Jews hated Paul the tribune has Paul appear before the Sanhedrin.Acts 22:24-23:11
A plot to ambush Paul and kill him is revealedJudeaPaul's sister hears about a plan to ambush the Romans guarding Paul and kill him.Acts 23:12-22
Paul sent to CaesareaSyriaProtected by a large number of Romans, Paul is transfered to Caesarea Maritima for his protection and to face Governor Felix.Acts 23:23-35
Paul faces FelixSyriaFelix hears accusations from Jewish leaders, but delays in making decision regarding Paul.Acts 24:1-21
Paul remains in custodySyriaFelix kept Paul in prison for two years.Acts 24:22-27
Paul faces FestusSyriaPorcius Festus replaces Felix and hears Paul's case. Since Festus wanting to do the Jews a favor wanted to sned Paul back to the Sanhedrin. Paul knowing they wanted him dead requested an appeal to Caesar.Acts 25:1-12
Paul faces AgrippaSyriaKing Agrippa visits Festus and wants to hear Paul. He determines that he did nothing to deserve death and would have been set free if he did not appeal to Caesar.Acts 25:13-26:32
Paul sent to RomeMediterranean SeaPaul joins other Roman prisoners onboard a hired ship and leaves Caesarea Maritima sailing north to Sidon, and due to weather conditions stop at the Island of Crete.Acts 27:1-12
Ship encounters stormIsland of CreteThinking the winds would be favorable to sail to a more favorable port on Crete, they sailed west. Instead they encounter a violent storm.Acts 27:13-38
ShipwreckIsland of MaltaTwo weeks later they shipwreck on the Island of Malta.Acts 27:39-44
Paul on the Island of MaltaIsland of MaltaPaul is bitten by poisonous snake but is unaffected, natives think he is a god. Paul also healed many sick people on the island.Acts 28:1-10
On the way to RomeVariousFrom Malta to Rome they sailed to Syracuse in Sicily, then to Rhegium and on to Putetoli on the mainland. From there they walked to Rome greeting several believers on the way.Acts 28:11-16
Paul in RomeItalyWhile waiting for a Roman hearing before Caesar, Paul spoke with the local Jewish leaders, they had not received any official documents regarding Paul, but they had heard about "this sect" and desired to hear more. Many did believe and many did not. Paul continued to preach the gospel for two years.Acts 28:17-31
Paul writes the "Prison Epistles"ItalyPaul writes his epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon, and possibly his second epistle to Timothy.

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