the mid-1st century

The missionary journeys and epistles of the apostle Paul

Much of the book of Acts is devoted to Paul's three journeys. The first led through Cyprus into Asia Minor. The second went through Asia Minor, Troas, Macedonia and Greece. The third included a long stay at Ephesus, then again passed through Macedonia and Greece.

On arriving in a new city, Paul usually went first to the synagogue. He preached not a new religion but the fulfillment of the promises to Israel.

Christianity spread rapidly to Antioch, Ephesus, Athens, Corinth, Rome and possibly Alexandria. By an unconfirmed tradition, it reached Spain as well. Paul, though, was not first everywhere: the church at Rome existed before him. Many obscure Christians, along with Barnabas, Mark and Apollos, spread the faith through the efforts of "non-professional missionaries".

The books regard Paul's chief legacy as his epistles. They became part of Scripture and shaped the theology of the church.