Kevin's Kommentary: Acts 15:36 -- 16:10 The Second Missionary Journey = February 20

The Second Missionary Journey
Acts 15:36 -- 16:10

What "breakup" was hardest for you and why: Moving? Losing your first girl/boyfriend? Empty nest? Closing shop?

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

1Paula came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2He was well spoken of by the brothersb at Lystra and Iconium. 3Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

The Macedonian Call

6And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10And when Paulc had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

The Conversion of Lydia

11So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of thed district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

What was the best idea or invention you ever came up with? How did it turn out?

God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
Role play how you think Paul and Barnabas split up. With which one would you have sided? Why?
Given the decision in Acts 15, why did Paul circumcise Timothy? How could this be justified (see 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)?
Note the change from "they" (v. 8) to "we" (v. 10): How does this relate to Luke 1:3-4?
How does this closed door point to another opportunity?
Compare verse 13 with 14:1 and 17:2. What does the lack of a synagogue in Philippi indicate about the Jewish community there? How did that affect Paul's strategy for the mission?
What do you make of Lydia's career and conversion?
I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
When have you given up your "rights" in order to better represent Christ to others? How can you do so now?
Have you ever lost a friendship because of a religious dispute? What happened?
How did the Lord open your heart to respond to the Gospel? Who did he use as part of the process?
Where do you have an “open door" for ministry now: In your home? School? Work? Community? How will you take advantage of it?
You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

=======================
Paul's Second Missionary Journey

Paul’s second missionary journey took him back to Asia Minor, then over to Europe to the cities of Philippi (Acts 16:11–40), Thessalonica (17:1–9), Berea (17:10–15), Athens (17:16–34), and Corinth (18:1–17). Most scholars agree that this trip ended about A.D. 52 when Paul returned to Antioch (18:22), but the beginning of the trip is variously dated between 46 and 50.

A disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over whether John Mark should accompany them on the new mission resulted in two missions instead of only one (15:37–40). Barnabas and Mark went one direction, while Paul ministered with Silas throughout this journey (15:40), with Timothy joining them at Lystra (16:1–3). The gospel spread further as Paul came into contact with Roman authorities and Greek philosophers.

Acts 15:36–18:22 Estimated: 2600 miles, approximately 3 years in duration. Planted at least 6 churches.

Place	Location	Events
1. Antioch of Syria	15:36	Plans to return to churches
2. Syria & Cilicia	15:41	Strengthened churches
3. Derbe & Lystra	16:1	Obtained & circumcised Timothy
4. Phrygia & Galatia	16:6	Passed through, wanting to go to Asia Minor.
5. Mysia	16:7	Passed through, wanting to go to Bithynia
6. Troas	16:8	Paul received Macedonian call.
7. Samathrace	16:11	Passed through on route to Philippi
8. Neapolis	16:11	Passed through on route to Philippi
9. Philippi	16:12	Lydia. Fortune teller. Jailer.
10. Amphipolis & Apollonia	17:1	Traveled through
11. Thessalonica	17:1	Preached 3 Sabbaths. Jason's pledge. Rejected.
12. Berea	17:10	Preached 3 Sabbaths. Jason's pledge. Rejected. Nobleminded people examined the Scriptures daily. Rejected.
13. Athens	17:15	Paul preached to idolatrous city. Won few converts. Laughed out of town.
14. Corinth	18:1	Friendship with Aquila and Priscilla. Paul stayed 1 1/2 years. Much controversy.
15. Cenchrea	18:18	Haircut because of vow.
16. Ephesus	18:19	Would return if Lord wills.
17. Caesarea	18:22	Landed here.
18. Jerusalem	18:22	Went "up" to great church.
19. Antioch of Syria	18:22	Went "down" to report to Antioch.

=======================

TIMOTHY AND TITUS
-- Oliver Howard

Two of Paul's most beloved fellow workers, Timothy and Titus, began their ministries in seemingly inconsistent ways. In Acts 16:1-3, the Bible tells us that Paul, who wished to take Timothy with him on his second missionary journey, circumcised him because the Jews who lived in the area knew that Timothy's father was a Greek. To the contrary, however, Paul withstood pressure from the Jews in Jerusalem who wanted young Titus to be circumcised before continuing his ministry with Paul. Galatians 2:1-3.
Scholars attempt to reconcile Paul's apparent inconsistency in dealing with Timothy and Titus by stating that the circumcision of Timothy was appropriate because he was half-Jewish. Such a strained attempt at reconciliation is contrary to Biblical teaching. Paul taught elsewhere that in Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek. Galatians 3:28.
The real explanation to the facial inconsistency between Paul's treatment of Timothy and Titus is that Paul was teaching a lesson on freedom; i.e., freedom demands concessions. In each case, Paul taught that the freedom of one side had to be subordinated to the will of the other. In the case of Timothy, the individual was asked to forego his freedom in deference to the traditions of the group. In the case of Titus, they rejected the traditions of the group to insure the freedom of individuals. Thus, Paul taught on each occasion that "nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:24.
The stories of Timothy and Titus show the concessions which freedom demands are reciprocal. An individual must, on occasion, bow to the needs of the group. Thus, they circumcised Timothy. Conversely, on occasion, the group must bow to the needs of the individual. Thus, they did not circumcise Titus.
Unfortunately, Paul gives us no litmus test to enable us to decide categorically whose freedom we should uphold at a given point in time. All he teaches is that we must temper our freedom with love and understanding. "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." 1 Corinthians 10:24.
The issues raised by Paul's handling of Timothy and Titus are present with us today. There are some of us who want to spread our wings and soar on high with our newly found freedom. Others of us caution against being carried away by winds of change, thus losing the freedom we have. We must somehow learn to accommodate the freedom of all. Regarding the former, we are admonished not to "put out the Spirit's fire." 1 Thessalonians 5:19. Regarding the latter, we are taught to "make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification." Romans 14:19.
One thing is sure. The concessions demanded by freedom are concessions that we all must make. Imagine a church where only the example of Timothy is present. Individuality and progress would die. Or, imagine on the other hand, a church where the principle of Titus is untempered. Fellowship and harmony would die. There is a time when each of us must be a Timothy. There is a time when each of us must be a Titus. May God help us know when we be one or the other.