Religion and Theology

Apostle Paul had wide-ranging knowledge of the Old Testament, as he was a devout Jew originally but then had a meet with the risen Christ while travelling on the road towards Damascus and embraced Christianity.  He acquired philosophical understanding of the teachings of Christs New Testament. Despite an ongoing debate, Paul is credited with having written 14 Epistles during his lifetime.  These epistles make up approximately 38 of the New Testament (Blank, 2002).
   
After a revelation from the Holy Spirit the elders of the church at Antioch sent Barnabas and Saul (also known as Paul) for missionary work.  They set out from the port Seleucua Pieria, along with a third member John Mark for Barnabas home on the island of Cyprus.  From this point onwards Saul starter using his Roman name Paul, and took over as leader of the mission. A Roman Proconsul Sergius Paulus accepted teachings of Christ, and the apostles continued their journey northward and landed at Perga.  At this point John Mark separated from the party, while Paul and Barnabas continued on to Pisidian Antioch (Acts 131314). The first sermon was preached here in a synagogue, but their stay here was cut short as opposition from the Jews grew against them. This pattern of being accepted initially then being forced to move on in face of opposition was the standard pattern they faced throughout their journey.  From  Pisidian they continued on to Iconium, where they found many believers, and then on to Lystra. Paul nearly died here but recovered miraculously. Finally they went to Derbe, and again Paul and Barnabas found many believers.  After this they returned to Anatolia. The first journey took place at around the years 47-48 AD.  The trip was successful and the church was encouraged by the response of the Gentiles. (Niswonger, 1992)
   
In late 49 A.D. the Church at Antioch send Paul as the leader of the second missionary journey. This time he was accompanied by Silas, Timothy, a laborer who becomes Pauls closest friend, and Luke, the physician. On this trip they revisited the churches Paul had set up on the first trip and went further westward into Turkey and on to Europe.  In summer of 50 A.D. Paul has a vision from God assuring him that he will be protected and his message will bear fruit, after which Paul stayed in the city for a year and a half. Here he wrote his first two epistles, the 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians.  (Timeline of Pauls Life  Missionary Journeys First Missionary Journey to Pauls Death)
   
Paul went on his third journey to reinforce the churches already established and eventually arrived in the city of Ephesus, where he stayed for a little over three years. During his journey to Corinth Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, 2Corinthians and book of Romans between 56 A.D and 57 A.D. The letters could be taken as the most important work Saint Paul did during his time in Ephesus.
   
After his departure form Ephesus, Paul travelled through Macedonia and on to Achaia in southern Greece, where he stayed 3 months. Two important letters were written at this time. First letter came after Paul received report about Judaizers being active in many Galatian churches and wrote Galatians and second was a letter to the church at Rome in which he told them to prepare the Roman Christians for his arrival. These were the last of the letters while on the journeys to spread and strengthen the word of Christ. (McGee, 1998)
   
Saint Paul continued his missionary work of strengthening and spreading the word of Christ  travelling as far as Spain and the northeastern Mediterranean basin. The remaining eight epistles came during this time.