November 7, 2014
Acts 16-18
These chapters recount for us Paul’s Second Missionary Journey! This one actually begins at the end of Acts 15, and not very happily. Paul and Barnabas split up after arguing over John Mark who had left them during the last trip. Barnabas wanted to give him a second chance, Paul didn’t. In the end, Barnabas took John Mark back to Cyprus, and Paul found Silas and traveled the inland route from Antioch through Asia Minor (modern day Turkey).
After checking on the churches he and Barnabas had planted on their first trip, Paul and Silas (and Luke, too, apparently, for he beings to use the word “we” in Acts 16:10) are called to Macedonia through a vision. This means leaving Asia (Turkey) and crossing over into Europe (Macedonia).
The amazing account of the birth of the Philippian Church fills the rest of Acts 16. Don’t miss it! Lydia, the first convert on European soil welcomes the opportunity to host Paul and Silas. But they soon find themselves in trouble and in prison for delivering a young woman from demonic possession. What happens next never ceases to grab my heart. These two beaten, shackled prisoners begin to sing songs of praise to God! An earthquake opens the doors of the prison and sets in motion an incredible evening that ends with the jailor and his entire household coming to faith in Jesus! Read it; it’s glorious.
In Acts 17, our intrepid missionaries travel south through Macedonia and Greece, visiting Thessalonica, Berea (where people famously “received the word with all eagerness”), Athens (where Paul spoke to secular philosophers on Mars Hill), and Corinth. Near the end of Acts 18, Paul and Silas have returned to Antioch, yet again.
Anyone for a Third Missionary Journey?
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
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