A C T S Go Tell the Good     News! Lesson 17  Acts 15:36—16:15

Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey Acts 15:36-40 Background and beginning: This trip bridges Paul’s past efforts with his future endeavors -- visiting churches already established, but breaking new ground as well. The trip will take 3 years and cover some 2,800 miles. Paul proposes the trip to Barnabas, but they disagree over taking John Mark (15:36-38) Note that this was not a matter of faith or doctrine. What were Paul’s later feelings toward Mark? (Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; cf. 1 Peter 5:13) Barnabas takes Mark and sails to Cyprus, while Paul takes Silas through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches (15:39-41)

Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey Acts 16:1-5 In Derbe and Lystra Paul recruits Timothy (16:1-3) Timothy is a disciple who is well spoken of by the brethren in Lystra & Iconium. He probably knew about Paul’s stoning at Lystra. The son of a Jewish mother but a Greek father. Paul had him circumcised because of the Jews in the region. In light of the decrees of the apostles in Jerusalem, and the fact that Paul had not had Titus circumcised, why circumcise Timothy? Paul & Silas deliver the Jerusalem decrees (16:4). The churches were strengthened in faith (16:5).

Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey Acts 16:6-7 The Macedonian Call After Paul & Silas had gone through Phrygia and Galatia, the Spirit forbids them to preach in Asia. Continuing on to Mysia, the Spirit did not permit them to go to Bithynia (16:7). Mysia

The Macedonian Call (Acts 16:6-12) In Troas, Paul sees a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help Apparently Luke joins Paul in Troas (note the “we”). The evangelists conclude that the Lord had called them to preach in Macedonia, and so they sail to that region. They travel through Samothrace, to Neapolis and then to the city of Philippi (a Roman colony).

The Romans were superb road builders The Romans were superb road builders. The Egnatian Way or Via Egnatia was a major link between Italy and Asia. In Macedonia, the route passed through Philippi and Thessalonica among other cities

The Conversion of Lydia and her household (Acts 16:11-15) On the Sabbath, Paul and his companions go to the river, where prayer was customarily made, and speak to the women there (16:13). Lydia heard the word (16:14). She was a seller of purple from Thyatira (in Asia). She worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to “heed” what she heard. She and her household were baptized (16:15a). She persuaded the travelers to stay at her house (16:15b).

The Gangitis River near Philippi