Heading towards Jerusalem

“When he had landed in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.” (1) From Ephesus to Caesarea: (a) If returning directly to Antioch, one would take a ship to Seleucia. (b) However, since Paul planned to go up to Jerusalem, he disembarked at Caesarea. (c) The journey from Ephesus to Caesarea covered approximately 500 miles (800 km) by sea. (2) From Caesarea to Jerusalem: (a) The terms “up” and “down” refer to approaching or departing from Jerusalem. (b) Paul greeted the mother church, meaning he gave a report on his missionary activities. (3) From Jerusalem to Antioch: (a) Paul traveled north from Jerusalem to reach Antioch. (b) This marked the completion of his second missionary journey. (c) Without much delay, he would begin his third missionary journey.

Summary of the second missionary journey

(1) Distance Traveled: (a) During the first missionary journey, Paul traveled 1,392 miles (2,240 km). (b) During the two and a half years of the second missionary journey (Acts 15:40-18:22), he traveled double that distance totaling 2,784 miles (4,480 km). For reference, the shortest route on road from Los Angeles to New York City is approximately 2,790 miles. (2) Representing messages: (a) First Missionary Journey: The message in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:16-41). This was delivered in a synagogue to the Jews. (b) Second Missionary Journey: The message in Athens (Acts 17:22-31). This was delivered at the Areopagus to Gentiles. (c) Third Missionary Journey (for future reference): The message in Miletus (Acts 20:18-35). This was delivered to the elders of Ephesus (believers). (3) People who were saved. (a) Through Paul, the gospel reached Europe. As a result, many Jews were saved. While Paul was called as an apostle to the Gentiles, he prioritized Jewish evangelism. (b) There were encounters with individuals like Timothy, Luke, and the couple Aquila and Priscilla. (c) Many Gentiles and Jews were saved. The salvation of Lydia, a God-fearing Gentile businesswoman, and her household. The salvation of a Roman jailer and his household. The salvation of a member of the Areopagus council (Dionysius) in Athens. The salvation of two synagogue leaders (Crispus and Sosthenes). Even during the second missionary journey, the living Christ worked through Paul. Today, the living Christ continues to work through us. We are called to write the “Acts of the Apostles” in our present day.