What journeys did Paul make other than his three missionary trips?

Answer 1

At least five, probably more.

1. Before conversion he went to Damascus to capture Christians in order to bring them back to Jerusalem. (he was of course converted during this journey). Acts 9:1-18.

2. After his conversion he went into Arabia for three years. The chronology of time spent in Arabia is uncertain, as in the Galatians 1:17 account; the next verse stating that three years after returning to Damascus, he went to Jerusalem. Verse 18. Evidently He had been in Tarsus for some time before Barnabus brought him to Antioch to help the fledgling Church. Acts 11:25.

3. After his visit to Arabia he made a brief visit to Jerusalem and at some time after this he returned to Antioch (from where he was sent out in Acts 13:2 on his first missionary journey)

4. He made a journey down to Jerusalem to attend the first church council.

5. He appealed to Caesar and so made a journey (as a prisoner although granted some freedom) to Rome.

It is also believed that he made some journeys visiting churches in Asia Minor and possibly visiting Spain between his first and second imprisonment through which he was finally martyred.

It is likely he made a number of journeys which are not recorded, before his conversion, in order to persecute Christians.

AugmentedWhen Paul (first called Saul), who was on his way to persecute Christians, was converted by Christ on the road to Damascus, he obediently went to Damascus, although he was blinded by the dazzling light that he had seen. He was led by the hand to Straight Street, where later the Lord sent Ananias to lay hands on Paul to receive his sight. He was then baptized after gaining his sight and spent some days with the disciples there and preached in the synagogues, proving Jesus Christ was the Messiah. But some of the Jews angrily plotted to kill him. Acts 9:1-23.

Paul had learned of the plot and the disciples in Damascus ushered him at night to the wall of the city and lowered him down over it. He thus escaped and went to Jerusalem, and attempted to join the disciples there, but they were afraid of him, because he has formerly cruelly persecuted the Christians. But Barnabas had known of his conversion and stand for Christ, so he brought Paul to the Apostles, vouching for his genuine conversion. He spent a short time there, but did not confer with the Apostles on matters of faith. Acts 9:24-27; compare Galatians 1:16.

Some Grecians were angry with the strong reasoning of Paul at Jerusalem and plotted to kill him. but the believers brought him to Caesarea, where he took ship to Tarsus, his home town. His initial stay in Jerusalem was short. Acts 9:28-30.

Some time had elapsed from the early days of Paul's conversion, which undoubtedly Paul had left Tarsus to go to Arabia, where he spent time with the risen Lord, learning much about the salvation that Christ had provided through His death on the Cross. His burial and resurrection. Galatians 1:11,12,15-17; 1Corinthians 11:23--26. Afterwards He went to Damascus for an undetermined time, having returned to Tarsus again.

When some Cypriot Christian Jews came to Antioch in Syria, they reasoned with the Greeks there and many were saved. Acts 11:19-21. When this happened the church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to help this new church, and many more were converted to Christ. Verses 22-24. So much was going on that Barnabas went to Tarsus to have Paul come with him to help at Antioch. Verses 25,26.

Ultimately, it was revealed, by the Holy Spirit, that there was to be a famine. The church at Antioch chose to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem with funds and goods for relief to the church at Jerusalem. Acts 11:28-30. About three years had gone by since Paul was converted. Galatians 1:18,19 shows at this time Paul spent 15 days with Peter and saw James, Jesus' brother during this time.

After this, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch with John Mark. Acts 12:25. At this time the Church was moved by the Holy Spirit to commission Paul and Barnabas to go on mission work. Acts 13:1-3. They went out preaching the Gospel (good news) of Christ's salvation, starting in Syria, sailing to Cyprus and regions in Asia Minor: Pamphylia, Pisidia, Lyconia and Cilicia, after which they returned to the sending Church in Antioch. Acts 13:4-14:26; Galatians 1:21.

This was the first missionary Journey, which lasted about three years. Paul and Barnabas recounted all that the Lord had done through them on the mission's trip and stayed at Antioch for some time. Acts 14:27,28. Evidently Paul had not gone to any of the churches outside Jerusalem, in Judea, which were started by others. Galatians 1:22,23. It was Paul's policy to not go where others had gone in spreading the Gospel. Romans 15:20,21.

After the extended stay at Antioch, Paul and Barnabas went down to the Jerusalem Council, where they along with Peter shared What God was doing not only among the Jews, but with many Gentiles. James, the lord's Brother, was in charge of the council. Acts 15.

After two other Missionary Journeys, Paul was charged with treason, ultimately going as a prisoner to Rome, because he appealed to Caesar. He spent two years there, some considering that he was released for a while, only to be returned and executed by Caesar's Government. At any rate, he thought that he would be released, but was always ready to die for Christ's glory.