NLT Illustrated Study Bible - Book of Acts - Flipbook - Page 29
1985
Early Apostolic Journeys
The early chapters of Acts describe several journeys of the apostles and their associates as
the Good News began to spread out from Jerusalem into the surrounding areas.
Acts 8:4–11:18
The Baptism of the Eunuch,
Rembrandt
The Conversion on
the Way to Damascus,
Caravaggio
St. Peter Baptizing the Centurion,
Cornelius, Alberto Carlieri
Philip (8:5-8, 23-40)
Saul (Paul) (9:1-31)
Peter (9:32–11:18)
When persecution began sweeping
over the church in Jerusalem (8:34),
Philip (1) traveled north to Samaria,
where he proclaimed the Good News
and many people became believers.
Later, (2) God’s Spirit directed Philip to
go south toward Gaza. Along the way,
he evangelized an Ethiopian eunuch.
After the eunuch was baptized, (3) the
Spirit “snatched Philip away” to Azotus
(8:3940). (4) Philip preached and
traveled north to Caesarea, where he
continued to live (21:89).
In his zeal to stamp out Christianity, Saul
(1) traveled north toward Damascus,
where he intended to arrest believers, but
along the way Christ appeared to him. In
Damascus, Saul was baptized and began
preaching about Jesus (9:2023). During
this time, Saul evidently (2) traveled to
Arabia and (3) back (see Gal 1:17). After
three years in Damascus, he escaped
a plot against his life and (4) went to
Jerusalem, where he finally met with
the apostles (Acts 9:2628; see Gal 1:18).
There, too, he faced death threats, so after
a visit of about two weeks he was taken
to Caesarea and (5) sailed to Tarsus, his
hometown (Acts 9:2930; see Gal 1:21),
where he stayed for approximately ten
years (ad 37~47; see Acts 11:2526).
Sometime after meeting Saul in
Jerusalem (9:2628; see Gal 1:18; about
ad 37), (1) Peter left Jerusalem and
began traveling “from place to place.”
(2) He first went to Lydda (Acts 9:3238)
(3) and then Joppa, where he stayed
“a long time” (9:3943). He was there
when (4) the Lord sent messengers
from Cornelius and prompted Peter to
go to Caesarea, where Cornelius and
his household heard the Good News
and believed (10:148). After staying
a few days, (5) Peter returned to
Jerusalem and gave the church a report
of what had happened (11:118).
Tarsus
to Ethiopia
Med
an S
ea
Sebaste
SAMARIA
Antipatris
3
rrane
5
GA
1
Caesarea
Lydda
Damascus
Sidon
Tyre
Joppa
4
Joppa
Medite
JUDEA
Dead Sea
2
Jerusalem
Caesarea
SHA
Sea
ean
rran
dite
Me
Azotus
1
Salamis
IA
Gaza
SAMARIA
YR
3
150 Km
S
Samaria
Lydda
100 Mi
0
Antioch
Seleucia
Caesarea
4
0
RON
CILICIA
nean
Sea of
Galilee
iterra
40 Km
2
2
EE
LIL
3
4
1
BIA
0
Sea
30 Mi
5
Jerusalem
ARA
0
JU
D E Jerusalem
A Dead Sea
JUDEA
0
20 Mi
0
30 Km
