Acts 15:26-18:22 - Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
Discussion notes:
In this section of scripture, we see numerous churches planted and the gospel message extended into many cities as Paul and Silas set out on their second missionary journeys. We see some big stories that ministers like to refer to, Paul and Silas: in Prison, being run out of Thessalonica, accepted at Berea, the inscription "to an unknown god", and "the Lord" offering encouragement to Paul at Corinth.
But also consider these two small passages that are frequently overlooked.
1. Acts 16: 6 "...having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in Asia." Questions: Am I hearing the Holy Spirit or My Intuition? Am I responding properly to the small voice of God's Word?
There Are Differences
Human intuition either nudges us in a general direction or alerts us when there’s danger. In threatening situations, intuition provokes the biological fight-or-flight response we all learned about in school.
The Holy Spirit is different than our intuition because He works above and beyond our physical senses. He attunes believers to God’s answer and evokes an extraordinary peace that enables us to do what God wants, even if we’re scared.
The Spirit often inclines us to “stay and obey” rather than to “run or resist.” To run or resist is our instinctive, human response; to stay and obey is the Christian’s Spirit-led response.
More Similar Than We Think
The second thing we should understand is that, for followers of Christ, human intuition and the Holy Spirit are more similar than we might realize. Or, at least more connected.
When you accepted Christ into your heart as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit came to live inside you. Just as every person is born with intuition, every individual who is born again is given the Holy Spirit as part of this new birth. And because the Holy Spirit is one with God the Father and Christ the Son, He knows the deep ways and thoughts of God.
Jesus said of the Holy Spirit:
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).
“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth . . . whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).
What does this mean? It means the core of your being has been the repository of the Holy Spirit’s wisdom for as long as you’ve been a Christian. Therefore, trusting your intuition, or your “gut” in my terminology, is trusting the collection of your experiences as you’ve walked with the Lord. Your intuition holds all the insights you’ve gained as you’ve studied the Bible, prayed, read thoughtful books, listened to sermons, interacted with fellow believers, and practiced the presence of God.
“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth . . . whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).
What does this mean? It means the core of your being has been the repository of the Holy Spirit’s wisdom for as long as you’ve been a Christian. Therefore, trusting your intuition, or your “gut” in my terminology, is trusting the collection of your experiences as you’ve walked with the Lord. Your intuition holds all the insights you’ve gained as you’ve studied the Bible, prayed, read thoughtful books, listened to sermons, interacted with fellow believers, and practiced the presence of God.
Wait for Peace
The best way we can discern when we are hearing from the Holy Spirit—including when He speaks through our intuition—is the reality of peace in our hearts. Running on our own instinct is often driven by fear and typically produces fear, worry, and doubt. When we are aligned with God’s will, He gives us peace.
The signs of divine direction through the Spirit are not only a peace that is beyond understanding, beyond circumstances, and beyond ourselves—but also outcomes that promote “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23). This is how we know it’s the Spirit of God at work rather than simple human intuition or skill. Not only do we gain discernment about God’s will, but our character actually undergoes transformation so that our choices and values more closely echo Christ’s!
When it’s all said and done and you have the “answer” for your decision, confirmed by the steadfast peace of God, you may be unable to recount the exact chain of events by which the Holy Spirit brought you to that answer. But be assured that your gut has the truth of God readily available, and the Holy Spirit knows both where to find it and how to deliver it so that you can clearly recognize God’s will for your situation.
2. Acts 17: 11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Questions: Am I relying on ministers and teachers or am I searching the scriptures for answers? Do I question what others say about living the Christian life by confirming what they say in the bible?
More Discussion Notes:
The baptism of Lydia shows how the Lord graciously opens hearts to repent and believe the gospel. How do we see God as the active agent in bringing believers to faith in Christ, in Acts 16:14? Also, consider Acts 18:27.
Paul and Silas in prison were asked what question by the jailer? Acts 16:30. Their answer in Acts 16:31 was? How did the jailer respond? Acts 16:33-34
The people of Thessalonica and nearby Berea have an opposite reaction to the gospel in Acts 17:1-15. How does each city respond?
The thinkers and philosophers of Athens wanted to know what Paul had to say. Notice carefully what Paul told them. 'For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. ' "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past, God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.'
Acts 8:29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
His listeners know little of the old testament so, Who does Paul quote in verse 28?
His listeners know little of the old testament so, Who does Paul quote in verse 28?
Key Verse
"As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers." It is obvious that the Holy Spirit is directing their journey because they were prevented "preaching the word in the province of Asia" Acts 15:4-5
(Help the group with your input: pray to understand His word, read this week's scriptures, and come to class ready to talk about God's word)
"As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers." It is obvious that the Holy Spirit is directing their journey because they were prevented "preaching the word in the province of Asia" Acts 15:4-5
(Help the group with your input: pray to understand His word, read this week's scriptures, and come to class ready to talk about God's word)
Thoughts to get us started
After the Jerusalem Council, Paul wants to deliver the Jerusalem decrees to other churches personally. He is encouraged to have the support of the other apostles, especially Peter and James. He knows that the Judaizers have created problems among the believers in Galatia – problems that he addresses in his letter to the Galatians, which may have been written before the Council. Now he wants to see how the churches in the region have responded to his letter.
Barnabas and Paul are ready to go, but controversy about Mark changes their plans and Paul decides to take Silas (15:40-41) and Barnabas takes Mark and sails for Cyprus.
Paul and Silas set out on a tour of the churches in eastern Asia Minor. Silas is a good choice as an associate. He was a leader in the Jerusalem church and can speak with authority on its behalf (15:12, 27). He is a prophet (15:32) and a Roman citizen (16:27). He is respected in the church as well as in the wider Roman society.
In Lystra, they connect with Timothy who will become the most important of Paul’s associates in his mission to the Gentiles. Two New Testament letters are addressed to Timothy personally. In several, he is listed as an author alongside Paul. Timothy remains a close confidant and friend up to Paul’s death. Timothy was circumcised before taking him along as his colleague. Paul knew the Jews would not accept Timothy unless he was circumcised (Timothy’s mixed parentage was known in the community)
It is obvious that the Holy Spirit is directing their journey because they were prevented from "preaching the word in the province of Asia" Acts 16:6 and were led to Macedonia where they stayed several days.
A woman named Lydia became a believer and takes an active role in helping. Notice, in chapter 16, the conflict over healing a slave woman. Paul and Silas were flogged and landed in prison and in and how the jailer reacted to the surprise of the open door. After leaving the prison, they went to Lydia's house.
Acts 17:16 "While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols." This sets the stage for an important discourse found in Acts 17:24-34. Some people believed and followed them.
After the Jerusalem Council, Paul wants to deliver the Jerusalem decrees to other churches personally. He is encouraged to have the support of the other apostles, especially Peter and James. He knows that the Judaizers have created problems among the believers in Galatia – problems that he addresses in his letter to the Galatians, which may have been written before the Council. Now he wants to see how the churches in the region have responded to his letter.
Barnabas and Paul are ready to go, but controversy about Mark changes their plans and Paul decides to take Silas (15:40-41) and Barnabas takes Mark and sails for Cyprus.
Paul and Silas set out on a tour of the churches in eastern Asia Minor. Silas is a good choice as an associate. He was a leader in the Jerusalem church and can speak with authority on its behalf (15:12, 27). He is a prophet (15:32) and a Roman citizen (16:27). He is respected in the church as well as in the wider Roman society.
In Lystra, they connect with Timothy who will become the most important of Paul’s associates in his mission to the Gentiles. Two New Testament letters are addressed to Timothy personally. In several, he is listed as an author alongside Paul. Timothy remains a close confidant and friend up to Paul’s death. Timothy was circumcised before taking him along as his colleague. Paul knew the Jews would not accept Timothy unless he was circumcised (Timothy’s mixed parentage was known in the community)
It is obvious that the Holy Spirit is directing their journey because they were prevented from "preaching the word in the province of Asia" Acts 16:6 and were led to Macedonia where they stayed several days.
A woman named Lydia became a believer and takes an active role in helping. Notice, in chapter 16, the conflict over healing a slave woman. Paul and Silas were flogged and landed in prison and in and how the jailer reacted to the surprise of the open door. After leaving the prison, they went to Lydia's house.
Acts 17:16 "While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols." This sets the stage for an important discourse found in Acts 17:24-34. Some people believed and followed them. Subject by Subject Outline
- 15:36-41
- Paul and Barnabas parted company over John Mark
- Barnabas and Mark (his nephew) left to go to Cyprus
- Paul and Silas went into Syria
- 16:1-4
- Addition of Timothy
- Paul added Timothy to his team
- Paul immediately circumcised him because he was a Jew
- 16:5
- Summary statement
- The churches were strengthened and grew in numbers daily
16:6-19:20 -- The Second and Third Missionary Journeys
- 16:6-10
- The Holy Spirit prevented Paul from going into Asia
- The Spirit told him to go to Macedonia
- 16:13-15
- Conversion of Lydia (dealer of purple goods)
- She met Paul at the river, heard his message, and believed
16:16-34 Encounter and aftermath involving demon- possessed girl
16:16-18
- She followed them for days, shouting they were from the Most High God
- Paul finally healed her at which point the spirit left her
16:19-24 - Owners of the girl got Paul and Silas arrested
- Owners felt loss of income, accused
- Paul and Silas
- Magistrate had them flogged, thrown in prison
16:25-34 - Rescue from prison, conversion of jailor
- Paul and Silas spent the night singing hymns
- About midnight, an earthquake opened all the prison doors
- Jailor thought they had all escaped, planned to kill himself
- Paul and Silas stopped him, preached to him
- He cared for them, listened to them, and was baptized
16:35-40 - Paul revealed he was a Roman citizen
- The next morning the magistrates told them they were free to leave
- Upon finding out they were Roman citizens, they escorted them out (Roman citizens were never to be publicly flogged – too humiliating)
17:1-9- Ministry at Thessalonica
- Paul preached successfully in the synagogue
- Then the Jews were "jealous" and started a riot against them
- They dragged their host, Jason, before the magistrates
- Paul and Silas left so Jason wouldn't be implicated
17:10-15- Ministry at Berea
- Bereans received the message eagerly
- Jews of Thessalonica followed, agitated the crowd
- Paul left by himself to go to Athens
17:16-34- Ministry at Athens
- Paul preached to the Jews, was overheard by philosophers
- Philosophers invited him to speak before the Council of Ares at Areopagus
- Paul modified his speech: spoke of God's nature (not Jewish history)
- A few were persuaded
18:1-17- Ministry at Corinth, met Priscilla and Aquila
- Paul stayed there for 18 months (ca 50-52CE)
- Silas and Timothy joined him there; Paul devoted all his time to preaching
- Jews opposed him again, but he went "next door" to house of Crispus
18:12-17 - Paul appeared before Gallio Jews stirred up accusations
- Gallio dismissed charges because they were of a religious matter
18:18-23- Paul traveled back to Antioch
- First stop was Ephesus, then Caesarea
- Then Paul traveled throughout Galatia and Phrygia
- 15:36-41
- Paul and Barnabas parted company over John Mark
- Barnabas and Mark (his nephew) left to go to Cyprus
- Paul and Silas went into Syria
- 16:1-4
- Addition of Timothy
- Paul added Timothy to his team
- Paul immediately circumcised him because he was a Jew
- 16:5
- Summary statement
- The churches were strengthened and grew in numbers daily
- 16:6-10
- The Holy Spirit prevented Paul from going into Asia
- The Spirit told him to go to Macedonia
- 16:13-15
- Conversion of Lydia (dealer of purple goods)
- She met Paul at the river, heard his message, and believed
16:16-18
- She followed them for days, shouting they were from the Most High God
- Paul finally healed her at which point the spirit left her
- Owners of the girl got Paul and Silas arrested
- Owners felt loss of income, accused
- Paul and Silas
- Magistrate had them flogged, thrown in prison
- Rescue from prison, conversion of jailor
- Paul and Silas spent the night singing hymns
- About midnight, an earthquake opened all the prison doors
- Jailor thought they had all escaped, planned to kill himself
- Paul and Silas stopped him, preached to him
- He cared for them, listened to them, and was baptized
- Paul revealed he was a Roman citizen
- The next morning the magistrates told them they were free to leave
- Upon finding out they were Roman citizens, they escorted them out (Roman citizens were never to be publicly flogged – too humiliating)
- Ministry at Thessalonica
- Paul preached successfully in the synagogue
- Then the Jews were "jealous" and started a riot against them
- They dragged their host, Jason, before the magistrates
- Paul and Silas left so Jason wouldn't be implicated
- Ministry at Berea
- Bereans received the message eagerly
- Jews of Thessalonica followed, agitated the crowd
- Paul left by himself to go to Athens
- Ministry at Athens
- Paul preached to the Jews, was overheard by philosophers
- Philosophers invited him to speak before the Council of Ares at Areopagus
- Paul modified his speech: spoke of God's nature (not Jewish history)
- A few were persuaded
- Ministry at Corinth, met Priscilla and Aquila
- Paul stayed there for 18 months (ca 50-52CE)
- Silas and Timothy joined him there; Paul devoted all his time to preaching
- Jews opposed him again, but he went "next door" to house of Crispus
- Paul appeared before Gallio Jews stirred up accusations
- Gallio dismissed charges because they were of a religious matter
- Paul traveled back to Antioch
- First stop was Ephesus, then Caesarea
- Then Paul traveled throughout Galatia and Phrygia
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