Bible Question:

When did Paul start the churches in the region of Galatia?

Bible Answer:

The book of Acts tells us that the apostle Paul had three missionary journeys. Each journey started in the city of Jerusalem and ended back in the city of Jerusalem. On the first missionary journey the apostle traveled to Asia Minor or modern day Turkey. The second and third missionary journeys took Paul through Asia Minor to Greece.

Paul's First Missionary Journey - 500W

Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey Started In A.D. 47

The apostle Paul’s first missionary journey started in Jerusalem (Acts 13:4). The estimated date for the start of this missionary journey is the spring of A.D. 47 as determined by William M. Ramsay who was once an atheist.[1] William Ramsay personally visited and researched the Middle East extensively in an attempt to prove the book of Acts was wrong. In the process he became a Christian. His research is considered to be extremely dependable.

Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4–14:26)

Paul’s first missionary journey started and ended in the city of Jerusalem. After leaving Jerusalem in A.D. 47, Paul’s first stop was Seleucia, Syria (Acts 13:4, He then left for Cyprus. Here is Paul’s itinerary for the first missionary journey and the approximate times.

 

Table - Paul’s First Missionary Journey (A.D. 47 - 49)

Paul visited the cities of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe in Galatia before returning to Antioch, Syria and then the city of Jerusalem.

Conclusion:

When did Paul start the churches in the region of Galatia? The best estimate is Fall 47 to May 49. Paul revisited the region of Crete and Galatia (Acts 16:1-6) during his second missionary journey. During Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 18:22–21:17), he passed through the region of Galatia (Acts 18:23) and visited Greece again. He never revisited Cyprus again. God greatly used Paul to plant churches in Asia Minor.

 

References:

1.  William M. Ramsay. St. Paul The Traveller and Roman Citizen. Kergel. 2001. p. 303.

Suggested Links:

Call of Paul and Barnabas - sermon
Promises and Patience - sermon
The Victor - sermon
One Mark of True Faith - sermon
What happened on Paul’s first missionary journey?
What happened on Paul’s second missionary journey?
What happened on Paul’s third missionary journey?