Jan 30 2025

Saint Paul's Missionary Journeys Summary

Overview of Paul's Journey

• Paul had three major missionary journeys, each contributing significantly to the spread of Christianity.

• His second journey was initiated to revisit earlier communities in Asia Minor but led to much broader travels.

Second Missionary Journey

• Initial Plan: To revisit communities from the first journey concentrated in Asia Minor.

• Change of Plans: Midway through, Paul was led by a vision to travel to Macedonia in Greece.

• Key Locations:

  • Troas: Significant stop that prompted the vision to enter Macedonia.

  • Athens: Notable for encountering a statue inscribed "To an unknown god."

    • Paul educated the Athenians against idol worship and revealed the knowledge of a living God.

    • His teachings caused controversy, leading him to the high court of Athens (Areopagus).

  • Corinth: Spent 18 months establishing a Christian community.

Encounter in Athens

• Paul is brought before the Areopagus high court in Athens.

• Dionysius the Areopagite: A member who converted to Christianity; possibly became Bishop of Corinth.

• Attribution Issue: Writings on mystical theology falsely attributed to Dionysius centuries later.

Third Missionary Journey

• Focus: Similar to the second mission but with further reaching efforts in cities across Asia Minor and Greece.

• Duration in Ephesus: Spent two years in Ephesus preaching.

• Return to Jerusalem: Led to a confrontation due to preaching to Gentiles in the Jewish temple, leading to accusations and eventual arrest.

Arrest and Journey to Rome

• Paul’s trials and travels led him to Rome due to being a Roman citizen.

• Shipwreck on Malta: Survived a storm and a snake bite, performing miracles that garnered local respect.

• Arrival in Rome (AD 60):

  • Placed under house arrest but able to preach to visitors.

  • Last Words in Acts: Emphasized that salvation had been sent to the Gentiles.

Pliny the Younger's Letters to Trajan

• Discusses the presence of Christians in Bithynia during his governorship (AD 111).

• Key Issues Covered:

  • Christians refused to participate in the imperial cult, labeling them as potentially treasonous.

  • The treatment of Christians varied depending on their responses; some were executed, while others were released.

  • Provided insights into early Christian worship practices and roles of female deacons.

Early Christian Worship Practices

• Recitations and Gatherings: Christians would meet before dawn for hymns and oaths to promote moral conduct.

• Agape Feast: A communal meal consumed after the morning service, potentially linked to Eucharist celebrations.

• Transition to Distinct Services: Later practices showed a shift from combined meals to separate Eucharist observances.

Formation of the New Testament

• The New Testament as we know it was formalized around AD 390.

• Contents: Includes 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Acts of the Apostles, and 21 epistles (letters), mainly from Paul.

• First Writings: Early epistles like those to the Thessalonians and Galatians were some of the first texts to be recognized, reflecting Christian thought after Jesus’ death.

The Septuagint

• Translation of Hebrew scriptures into Greek, commissioned by Ptolemy Philadelphus for the Library of Alexandria.

• Legend of 72 Translators: A mythologically preserved story where 72 scholars supposedly produced an identical translation in 72 days.

Conclusion

• The notes capture the foundational experiences, challenges, and contributions of Paul and offer a glimpse into early Christian worship and structure as Christianity spread and developed.