Lessons From Acts – Lesson 25
What is called the first missionary journey is finished. And looking at it several things should be noticeable.
- Paul did not work a job during this trip. On another trip you will see him work as a tent maker. Paul and Barnabas traveled to many cities. That costs money. They did not have churches to go to as they traveled and put them up and pay their expenses.
They were going and preaching in Synagogues until they got to the last town where they preached to worshipers of heathen gods. After Paul gets stoned and left for dead they travel back to those cities they got ran out of and they stopped and this time was not preaching in Synagogues but instead training and teaching and organizing the new believers into churches.
Then they go back to Antioch. This was a fairly quick trip. No staying in one place long. But it still would have taken a good amount of money to pay all the expenses for two men.
That means someone had to pay for it. Most believe that since Antioch sent them out that they funded the trip. I think that makes sense. And since they paid for it they put hands on them signifying that they were going out as their missionaries.
- A second thing that really stands out is God over and over on this trip says Paul and Barnabas. The two were a team. Paul did not go out alone. And we will see this example over and over again. The biblical example usually is actually for either two men to go to the mission field or even a team of several go out.
There are a few times that you will see one man go out alone. But in those cases it was not for an extended trip. One example is the man who was sent to preach to the eunuch in the chariot. That was a short errand. For long mission trips, the example in the Bible, is a team goes out. We sometimes see this today.
Sometimes I will read about a man going to plant a church somewhere and another family or two will go with him. That is actually a good thing. It is following a solid biblical example.
Yes. I know some go out alone and are successful, but there are a lot of advantages to having someone go with you. It is a sin filled hard world out there. Having someone with you who also believes can help with the work and give encouragement. It does make a difference. God of course knows best and so we see Him right from the first missionary trip set the example of not going alone.
Again, people can and do go out alone. I am not saying that is wrong. I am just saying it is better if someone goes with and that is the Bible example.
- A third thing we noticed was that once they finished the trip and reported what happened, they were done. They stayed in Antioch a long time the Bible says. They did not just go right back out. I think there are several reasons for this. God wanted them to teach and preach in Antioch for a while again.
The Jews were all worked up and so much so that they were following them to other towns and getting Paul stoned. So a break would let things calm down a little. And God of course knew all about the false teaching that was coming and how He was going to use Paul and Barnabas to testify to the truth.
After they testify in Jerusalem the other Apostles and Elders arrange for letters to be written and men sent to correct the false teaching.
A man named Silas steps up and goes as one of the ones who will correct the error face to face.
And we noticed that the false teachers are not the ones who go correct the error. And this is usually the case. This is what we often see today. It is others who have to correct the false teaching.
After they correct the false teaching they stay a little while and preach. That is where we pick up today.
Acts 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
Acts 15:33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
Acts 15:34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
So Silas lets his heart be moved with what God is doing in Antioch and he decides to stay and serve the Lord.
Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
At this time in history, God is preparing the Christians at Antioch to be the main group to fulfill the Great Commission. Antioch will be the first ones to translate the Bible into another language.
Antioch will be the main source of preserved manuscripts. While Jerusalem is fading in usefulness in the work. Antioch’s usefulness is exploding.
At this time Jerusalem does not have that much longer. The Romans march in and destroy the Temple in 70 A.D. Jesus ascended in about 33 A.D. And many years now have passed since then.
We are now at about 50 A.D. Jerusalem has only about 20 years left.
To grow the Christians in Antioch in faith and knowledge and dedication and heart for the job they are embarking on God sends the right men to teach and preach. Getting Antioch built up to do this work takes work and teaching and preaching and patience. And we see that in verse 35.
Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Here once again is demonstrated God’s foreknowledge and how He is always working ahead. And is very involved in His work. He is preparing Antioch for a great work before anyone else has a clue that Jerusalem is going to be destroyed.
In God’s timing. He is done using Paul and Barnabas in teaching at Antioch and so He moves on Paul’s heart that it is time for another trip. It has been a while. The First trip started about 46 A.D. So they have been back in Antioch for several years.
This break after the 1st trip and then going again was all Spirit led. It was not on some automatic timer of working 4 years and then furlough and then 4 years and furlough.
God uses different men differently and God has reasons that some trips take longer than others. I am simply saying that it is always best to let God lead.
And after years of teaching again in Antioch God moved on Paul’s heart that it is time to go out again.
Acts 15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
Acts 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Acts 15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
Acts 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
We already went over that a while back. We know Marks grew and God uses him greatly.
Acts 15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
Silas the one who came to correct the false teaching and stayed, and he gets to go on Paul’s second missionary trip. They start with the churches that had been formed.
Acts 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Acts 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Then something that is odd. It is not explained in any depth, just documented and the account quickly moves on.
We have Timotheus whose mother was a Jew and father was a Greek. And he is a disciple of Jesus. A saved man. And Paul wanted him to join them on this missionary journey.
Now remember not long ago we had false teachers preaching that to be saved you had to be circumcised. And Paul testified that was wrong. There is no scriptural or spiritual reason for a saved man to have to get circumcised.
Acts 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
The reason that is given is that Paul circumcised Timotheus because of the Jews in the area.
Paul did not do it as a part of salvation. He did not do it because God said so. It was done to pacify the local Jews.
And as they travel Paul and his team deliver the same instructions that were sent out to correct the false teaching. So Paul is at the same time as he circumcised Timotheus he is giving out the truth that you do not have to be circumcised to be saved.
So it is a little odd, but was done only to pacify the local Jews.
Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
They now want to go into new areas.
Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Acts 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
They wanted to go first to Asia, God said no. Then they wanted to go into Bithynia, but God said no.
Acts 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
So they go to Troas. That is so far three attempts if you are counting. Asia, Bithynia, and Troas.
Here is a good example for us. If God’s direction does not come immediately. Don’t stop. Keep moving. Keep trying and know that in His perfect timing God will work to clear things up for you. And that is exactly what Paul and his team did.
And then God gave clear direction. This is often called the Macedonia call and it should be familiar to you. It is often preached at mission conferences.
Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Acts 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Don’t you love the response of Paul’s team. Immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia. That is more than just obedience. There is heart here. They wanted to be where God wanted them and they wanted to be there quickly.
And there is faith displayed here. assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
They had faith immediately that this was God’s will. Faith is always important. Remember without faith it is impossible to please Him.
Acts 16:11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
Acts 16:12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
They made it to Philippi which is the chief city of Macedonia. So they made it to where God directed them. And Philippi should be familiar to you. The letter to the Philippians will be written years later to a church that is about to be established here.
Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Lydia is one of the great women of the Bible and someday I am going to take some time to talk about her some more.
But today I just want to bring up how God directed Paul to this place at this time.
And the first reason is so that Lydia would get saved.
But God was also looking way ahead. And Paul being obedient to go here and not where Paul wanted, that would come back to Paul years later for good over and over again.
It is about 50 A.D. when Paul meets Lydia and the church in Philipi was established. 13 years later. In 63 A.D. Paul writes to them.
Php 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Php 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Php 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Php 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
The Philippian church was a blessing to Paul for years. They sent him help many times that was really needed. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
God knew that Paul was going to need this help and that is another reason God sent Paul here and why God opened the eyes of Lydia.
And you can tell from the beginning of the letter how much Paul loved these people and how much he wanted what was best for them and wanted them to have a close walk with Jesus.
Php 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Php 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Php 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
Php 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Php 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
God was working to direct Paul to the right place at the right time so that souls would be saved that day and also so that Paul would receive help over the years and also so that we today would have the wonderful book of Philippians.
God is very involved in His work and He works both in the present and He is always working way ahead.