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Chapter 7
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
Acts 15
u Acts 15:36 – 18: u Length – 3 years u 51 - 54 A.D. u Total miles traveled – Approximately 2,700+ miles (1,290 by sea, and 1.410 by land)
A. Preparation for the Second Missionary Journey
- Acts 15:36 – “Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.’”
- Paul and Barnabas disagreed over the accompaniment of John. Acts 15:37-41 – “Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” a. The contention between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark was very, very, strong. a. John Mark had begun the first missionary journey but did not finish it. b. After traveling some 390 miles with Paul and Barnabas, John Mark had turned back in Perga of Pamphylia. Acts 13: c. Paul would not give in and agree with Barnabas, and Barnabas would not give in and agree with Paul. The chose to go their separate ways. 1. Paul took Silas and departed toward his home area of Cilicia. 2. Barnabas took his cousin, John Mark, and departed for his home area of Cyprus. NOTE: This is the last mention of Barnabas in the Book of Acts.
- Now, instead of one missionary team going out from Antioch of Syria, two were going out. d. In time, John Mark did redeem himself to Paul. He is later seen serving with Paul and well as with Peter.
- Colossians 4:10 – “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him).”
- 2 Timothy 4:11 – “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.”
- Philemon 23-24 – “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers
- 1 Peter 5:13 – “who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.” e. In writing to the Orinthians, Paul spoke affectionately of Barnabas, acknowledging his great ministry. 1 Corinthians 9:6 – “Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?”
B. From Antioch through Syria and Cilicia, Confirming the
Churches. Acts 15:
Acts 16
C. From Syria and Cilicia, Paul came to Derbe and Lystra. (About 270 miles) Acts 16:1-
- Timothy joins Paul’ work and is circumcised. Acts 16:1-3 – “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
- Decrees from Jerusalem were delivered to the churches. Acts 16:
D. From Lystra They went Through Phyrgia and the Region of
Galatia. (About 200+ miles)
- Paul was attacked by sickness. Galatians 4:13-14 – “You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
f. The Gangites River flowed just outside the city, about one mile west of Philippi. g. Located on a fertile plain. h. Gold mines in the region had yielded considerable wealth and had supported the Macedonian army.
- The conversion of Lydia and her household. Acts 16:13-15 – “And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ So she persuaded us.” a. This took place on the Sabbath Day out by the riverside. b. inscribed on the arches outside the city of Philippi was a prohibition against bringing an unrecognized religion into the city. c. Lydia was a business woman from Thyatira, one of the “Seven Churches of Asia.” Acts 16:14; Revelation 2:18- d. NOTE: First recorded conversions on the continent of Europe.
- The healing of the demoniac girl. Acts 16:16- a. For many days she followed Paul and his company, crying out: “... These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” Acts 16: b. Acts 16:18 – “... But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour.’” c. The girl’s masters drew Paul and Silas into the marketplace and before the magistrates. Acts 16:19-
- Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and cast into prison. Acts 16: a. As a Roman citizen, this was an illegal beating of Paul. b. Paul and Silas were cast into the inner prison with their feet in stocks. Acts 16: c. Paul and Silas were singing and praying at midnight, and the other prisoners heard them. Acts 16: d. Suddenly there was an earthquake. Acts 16: 1. The doors of the prison were opened. Acts 16: 2. The prisoners’ chains “were loosed.” Acts 16:
- The Philippian jailor.
a. Acts 16:27 – “And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.” b. The jailor assumed that all the prisoners had immediately escaped. c. He knew that under Roman law he would have to pay with his life if any prisoner under his guard escaped. d. He immediately drew his sword and prepared to commit suicide (self murder). e. Acts 16:28 – “But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.’” f. Acts 16:29 – “Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. g. The Philippian jailor brought Paul and Silas out then asked the most important question and any human being can ask: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16: h. Because he was a pagan, and no doubt a believer in many gods, he was told: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16: i. The jailor and his household were taught the gospel of Christ and were baptized into Christ that very night. Acts 16:32-33 – “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized”. j. The jailor took Paul and Silas into his won house and showed them kindness. Acts 16:34 – “Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.”
- Paul and Silas are released the next morning. a, Acts 16:35 – “And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, ‘Let those men go.’” b. Paul refused to leave immediately. Acts 16:37 – “But Paul said to them, ‘They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.’” c. Acts 16:38-39 – “And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.” 1. The magistrates did appear in person as Paul had required. 2. The magistrates were fearful because they knew they had violated Roman law in beating Roman citizens uncondemned.
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
- Philippians 4:16 – “For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.” b. Paul’s faithfulness in preaching.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 – “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1- c. The faithfulness and love of the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians
- From Corinth Paul would write his first epistle to the church at Thessalonica in 52 or 53 A.D. His second epistle was also written to the Thessalonian brethren, 2 Thessalonians also written from Corinth.
- Envious Jews gathered a mob against Paul. Acts 17:5-7 – “But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king -- Jesus."
- For their own safety, the brethren sent Paul and Silas away by night over to Berea. Acts 17:
J. From Thessalonica to Berea. (About 50 miles) Acts 17:7-
- When Paul and Silas arrived int Berea, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Acts 17:10.
- Acts 17:11 - These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
- Jews from Thessalonica, some 50 miles away, came and stirred up trouble. Acts 17:13 – “But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.”
- Because of the danger, the brethren sent Paul away by sea. a. Silas and Timothy remained in Berea. Acts 17:14 – “Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.” b. Timothy I later sent to Thessalonica. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 – “Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith.”
K. From Berea to Athens. About 270 miles (20 miles to the coast + 250 miles to Athens). By land it would require 12 days of traveling time. By sea the journey could be made in about three days.
- Athens a. Athens was named after the Greek goddess, Athena. b. Was the home of: 1. Socrates 2. Demosthenes 3. Plato c. Was a center for: 1. Philosophy 2. Science 3. Art d. The greatest university of the ancient world was in Athens e. Many beautiful and ornate buildings were found in Athens, including the Parthenon. f. Two notorious philosophies in Athens: 1. Epicureans a. Followed the teachings of Epicurus. b. Epicureans believed: 1. That everything happened by chance. 2. That death was the end of all. 3. They believed that the gods were remote from this world and did not care.
i. The ignorance that true God once overlooked, He no longer overlooks. Acts 17: j. That true God... “now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-
- There were different responses to the idea of God’s Son having been resurrected form the dead. Acts 17:32, 34 a. Some mocked. b. Others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” c. “Come men joined him and believed.” (obeyed). Among them were: Acts 17: 1. “Dionysius the Areopagite.” 2. “A woman named Damarias.” 3. “Others with them.”
- Paul departed and went to Corinth, some 50 to 55 miles away.
Acts 18
L. From Athens to Corinth. (Some 50 to 55 miles away)
- The city of Corinth. a. Know as ‘the Ornament of Greece.” b. Also called the “Paris of Greece.” c. Named for Corinthus, son of Jupiter. d. Appointed as a Roman colony by Julius Caesar in 64 B.C. e. Estimated population during the time of Paul was around 600,000. f. A wealthy trade and commercial tade center. g. Served by two harbors. 1. The temple of Aphrodite was located on the top of the 1,750 foot high Acro-Corinth and was staffed with 1,000 temple prostitutes, both male and female. 2. Its immoral reputation was known far and wide. 3. George W. McDaniel, writing on page 204 of his The Churches of the New Testament , said: “Sport and business, pleasures and profit, luxury and pride, riches and poverty, debauchery and crime, combined to make Corinth the most wicked city since Sodom and Gomorrah.”
- According to Acts 18:11 , Paul remained at Corinth one year and six months (18 months), “... teaching the world of God among them.”
- Paul met Aquila and his wife Priscilla and made tents with them. Acts 18:1-3 – “After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. “ a. NOTE: This is the first mention of Paul’s trade or occupation. b. The word for tentmaker in Greek was also used to describe a leatherworker. c. Paul received some support from the Philippian brethren. 1. 1 Corinthians 9:1- 2. 2 Corinthians 11:6- 3. Philippians 4:15-16 – “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.”
- Paul preached in the synagogue every Sabbath. Acts 18:
- Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia. Acts 18:
- While at Corinth, Paul wrote the first two of his epistles. a. 1 Thessalonians in 52 A.D. b. 2 Thessalonians in 53 A.D. c. 1 Thessalonians 3:6 – “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you.”
- Justus, whose house was next door to the synagogue, was converted to Christ. Acts 18:
- The conversions of Crispus (the chief ruler of the synagogue) and all his house, Gaius, and “the household of Stephanas.” a. Acts 18:8 – “Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” b. 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 – “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
a. 220 feet by 425 feet. b. The structure was supported by 127 columns measuring 50 feet high and six feet in diameter. c. Constructed of purest marble. “Gleaned like a meteor.”
d. Its construction required some 220 years. e. Its interior opened to the sky. f. Statue of the multi breasted goddess, Diana, was located in the interior. The Ephesians believed she fell from the sky. Acts 19:
- Was destroyed by fire seven times. It was rebuilt each time on a larger and grander scale.
- The temple formed a sanctuary for criminals. No criminal could be arrested within a bowshot of its walls. i. Paul preached in the synagogue at Ephesus. Acts 18: j. Left Aquila and Priscila at Ephesus. Acts 18: k. By the end of the 1st^ century, Ephesus had been served by:
- Paul
- Apollos
- Aquila and Priscila
- John
O. From Ephesus to Caesarea. Approximately one month’s sailing time.
Some 650+ miles.
P. From Caesarea Paul Went up to Jerusalem and Greeted the
Church.
- From Caesarea to Jerusalem, some 65 to 70 miles.
- This was Paul’s fourth visit to Jerusalem after his conversion.
Q. From Jerusalem Paul Returned to Antioch in Syria. Acts 18:
NOTE: During his second missionary journey, lasting some three years, Paul had traveled through large districts of Asia Minor, visited the European cities of Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth. He had returned by way of Ephesus and the sea to Caesarea, went up to Jerusalem then returned to Antioch in Syria. The Jews had violently resisted him in nearly every place except Athens and Ephesus. However, congregations were established not only in Galatia, but also in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth. Perhaps congregations were established in other places as well. End of 2nd Missionary Journey
