Was Paul a traveller? (Yes! In a different way!)

Hello Bookers, welcome to LET’S BOOK. Today we are posting with Metehan. Metehan is a friend from Antalya, Turkey. He is a Christian and making Christian contents in his social medias. You can visit his blog end of the blog.

A map of Paul’s journeys.

He was born around 5AD in Tarsus which is today named Mersin, Turkey. And his original name is Saul. Some of Paul’s notable contributions to Christianity include his teaching on love, unity and the importance of spiritual gifts within the church.

Was Paul a traveller? Yes. He was a traveller and missionary. He traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire, visiting cities such as Syria, Cyprus, Italy, Turkey, Greece.

My friend is not accepting the Paul was a traveller. Because he wasn’t want to travel, he wants to teach. And in Turkish the travel means like being relax. But in English translate of Bible is exactly using “traveled” in turkish translate of Bible is using “moved”. Actually the travel is not has only one goal. For example sometimes you can visit museums but sometimes you would go to beach. When you go to museum, you can see new things and you can learn new things. But when you go the beach you are just relaxing. But the two is “traveling”.

What was doing Paul?

Paul’s travels were primarily focused on establishing and nurturing Christian communities in different cities. He would typically spend time teaching, preaching, and organizing this communities. Often facing opposition along the way.

Main Journeys of Paul

The Conversion and the Road to Damascus

Paul’s journey of faith began with a remarkable event on the road to Demascus. As a devout Jew named Saul, he fervently persucated early christians until he encountered a vision of Jesus Christ. This encounter led to his conversion and his subsequent mission to share teachings of Jesus with the world. 

Acts 9:1-19 

This passage describes Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, where he encounters a vision of Jesus Christ and becomes a follower.

The First Missionary Journey

Paul’s first major journey occured around 46-48 AD, accompanied by Barnabas. They traveled to Cyprus and then ventured into the Roman Province of Galatia, establishing Christian communities along the way. This journey laid the foundation for Paul’s subsequent missions and set the tone for his approach to spreading Christianity. 

Acts 13:1-3

Paul’s first missionary journey is recorded here, as he and Barnabas are set apart by the Holy Spirit and sent on their mission to Cyprus and Galatia.

The Second and Third Missionary Journeys

In his second and third journeys, Paul expanded his reach by visiting various cities in Asia Minor and Greece.

These journeys encompassed regions such as Macedonia, Achaia, Ephesus, and Corinth. Paul’s travels allowed him to address theological and moral challenges within the early Christian communities, while also encountering resistance from both Jewish and Pagan populations.

-Second journey

Acts 16:6-10

During Paul’s second missionary journey, he receives a vision in Troas, leading him to travel to Macedonia and spread the gospel in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea.

Acts 18:1-11

This passage details Paul’s ministry in Corinth during his second missionary journey, where he stays for a year and a half, establishing a strong christian community.

-third journey

Acts 19;21-23

Paul’s third missionary journey takes him to ephesus, where he spends two years teaching and performing miraceles. Resulting in the growth of the Christian faith. 

The Journey to Rome

One of the most significant journeys of Paul’s life was his voyage to Rome. After being imprisoned in Caesarea for two years, Paul appealed to Ceaser and was sent to Rome for trial. This journey, filled with hardships and dangers. Allowed Paul to preach the Gospel even while under house arrest. His presence in Rome created opportunities for him to share his faith with influential figures and further spread christianity. 

Acts 27-28

Paul’s journey as a prisoner to Rome is documented in these chapters, including his shipwreck on the island of Malta and his eventual arrival in Rome, where he continues to proclaim the Gospel. 

Romans 1:13-15

In this latter, Paul expresses his desire to visit Rome and preach the gospel to the believers there, showing his eagerness to travel and spread the message of Jesus.

Now, I am asking to Metehan. What do you think about this topic?

“I am telling everyone to hello! Today’s topic is “Was Paul traveller?”. First I will talk about his life.

Life of Paul

Paul was a jew and citizen of Roman Empire. Paul’s teaching in the bible is an important part of the bible. Paul was enemy of Christians. But he changed his mind. Paul’s family was such a religious jew people. Paul was a “ Pharisee” . Pharisees was such a very religious group. He was actively has a role persecution to Christians. Even he help to killers of Christian Stephan. So the Paul is first time called “Saul”. (Acts 7:58-60)

Paul was opposite of the new “christianity” because the messiah would die on the cross like he is guilty.

Paul and Christianity

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ 

We are seeing in these verses how Paul become a follower of Jesus.

Paul and the Gospel of Christ

Afterthat he accept the Christ and he lived his life for spread Christianity. He is saying he changed because Christ’s grace.

Paul was teaching there is no need for circumcision. He was teaching the main thing of Christianity is power of Jesus’s Cross. And you will be saved from sins.

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬-‭30‬ ‭

Paul Spreading the Gospel

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ 

Paul spread the Gospel in different regions. He wrote mails to Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Thessalonians. He continued even persecution happening. 

So Paul is a traveller?

Traveller means “a person who wants to seeing, knowing, resting.” But the paul wasn’t wants to “resting, seeing”. He was wants to spread the gospel. And giving them his mails.

Metehan’s blog: https://mesihyolcusuu.blogspot.com/?fbclid=PAAaaDbGA_ma4rbaNczp86-u2jFcfU-EQka8Vq8xTsvUZJJAeGSNA2QbH_4c0&m=1

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