Paul’s first journey (47–48 C.E.) models Word-driven mission: synagogue-first preaching, Gentile inclusion, miracles attesting, elders appointed, and churches strengthened.
The Apostle Paul’s First Missionary Journey
Why Did God Choose Saul/Paul?
God chose Saul of Tarsus to become Paul the Apostle, transforming a zealous persecutor into a chosen vessel for proclaiming the gospel to the nations.
Gamaliel: He Taught Saul/Paul of Tarsus
Gamaliel, the revered Pharisaic teacher, profoundly shaped Saul of Tarsus, whose disciplined training under him became the foundation for Paul’s gospel reasoning.
The Masada Fortress — 73 C.E.
Masada, the last Jewish fortress to fall to Rome in 73 C.E., reveals the tragic finale of defiance, zeal, and divine judgment in first-century Judea.
The Destruction of the Second Temple and the Rise of Rabbinic Judaism
Jerusalem’s 70 C.E. destruction fulfilled Jesus’ prophecies and ended Temple sacrifices, giving rise to text-centered Rabbinic Judaism across the Diaspora.
The Roman Occupation—From Herod the Great to the Destruction of the Second Temple
Herod’s rise, Jesus’ birth and ministry, and Jerusalem’s fall in 70 C.E.—the Roman stage on which Jehovah’s prophetic plan unfolded with precision.
A Vicious Persecutor Becomes a Zealous Witness (Acts 9:15, 16, 20-22)
Saul's dramatic conversion illustrates God's sovereign grace, emphasizing true discipleship through radical transformation, bold proclamation, and enduring suffering for Christ.
Who Was Gamaliel That Taught Saul of Tarsus?
Learn about Gamaliel, the renowned Jewish teacher who instructed Saul of Tarsus before his conversion to Christianity. Discover Gamaliel's background, teachings, and influence on Saul's life and ministry.
EARLY CHRISTIANITY: Theophilus—Loved by God; Friend of God
Theophilus is the person that Luke addressed both his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. (Lu 1:3, 4; Ac 1:1) His being addressed as (κράτιστος kratistos) “most excellent” may suggest that he held some kind of high position, or it may merely be that he was a person admired, highly regarded, and respected.
