"A HARMONY OF THE LIFE OF PAUL" Second Missionary Journey (51-54 A.D.) by Mark Copeland

 

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"A HARMONY OF THE LIFE OF PAUL"

Second Missionary Journey (51-54 A.D.)

INTRODUCTION

1. While Paul undoubtedly enjoyed his work at Antioch, it was not long before he was ready to take another journey...
1. He was concerned about the churches established on the first journey - Ac 15:36
2. He also had the goal of preaching Christ in places where the gospel had not yet been proclaimed - cf. Ro 15:20-21
2. And so begins Paul's second missionary journey...
1. That will allow him to visit churches established on the first
2. With new traveling companions
3. Taking him to a new continent
4. In which he will establish new churches, experience more persecution, and begin writing letters that will become part of the New Testament

[As with the first missionary journey, the second journey begins in...]

1. THE CITY OF ANTIOCH IN SYRIA (51 A.D.)
1. PAUL AND BARNABAS SEPARATE...
1. They disagree over whether to take John Mark - Ac 15:37-38
1. Barnabas was determined to take John Mark (his cousin) - cf. Col 4:10
2. Paul insisted that he was not reliable - cf. Ac 13:13
2. Their contention required them to separate - Ac 15:39
1. Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus
2. Where Barnabas was from, and which was visited on the first journey - cf. Ac 4:36; 13:4-12
2. PAUL AND SILAS BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY...
1. Paul selected Silas to accompany him - Ac 15:40
1. One of the two men sent by Jerusalem with the letter regarding circumcision - Ac 15:22-23,27
2. Who himself was a prophet - Ac 15:32
3. Who had stayed in Antioch - Ac 15:34
2. They pass through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches - Ac 15:41
1. From which Paul was from - Ac 22:3
2. Where he had spent time preaching before - Ga 1:21
3. To whom Paul and Silas likely delivered the letter addressed to them - Ac 15:23

[While the separation of Paul and Barnabas was unpleasant, it did not keep both men from their service to God. Paul eventually was reconciled with both men (cf. 1Co 9:6; Col 4:10; 2Ti 4:11; Phm 24), and this temporary separation provided the opportunity for others to become involved in the work of spreading the gospel. With Silas at his side, Paul proceeded to travel to...]

2. THE REGIONS OF ASIA MINOR (51 A.D.)
1. IN DERBE AND LYSTRA...
1. Where Paul healed a lame man, and was stoned, on his first journey - Ac 14:6-20
2. Paul desires Timothy to go with him - Ac 16:1-3
1. Whose mother was a Jew, his father a Greek - cf. 2Ti 1:5; 3:15-16
2. Who had a good reputation among the brethren
3. Whom Paul had circumcised in deference to the Jews
3. The decrees from the conference in Jerusalem were delivered - Ac 16:4-5
2. IN PHRYGIA AND GALATIA...
1. They next went throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia - Ac 16:6
2. This likely included the churches in Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia
3. They were forbidden by the Spirit to preach the word in Asia, i.e., to head southwest toward Ephesus - Ac 16:7
3. IN MYSIA AND TROAS...
1. Near Mysia they were not permitted by the Spirit to head north toward Bithynia - Ac 16:8
2. They arrive in Troas - Ac 16:9-10
1. Where Paul has a vision, a man of Macedonia asking him to help them
2. Understood as the Lord sending them in that direction
3. Note the use of "we"
1. Luke, author of Acts, now joins Paul and his company
2. He was a physician (Col 4:14), author also of the gospel which bears his name, and was with Paul in his last days - 2Ti 4:11

[From Troas they cross over to Samothrace, and then to Neapolis (Ac 16:11). They have now entered the continent of Europe, and come into...]

3. THE REGIONS OF MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA (52-53 A.D.)
1. IN PHILIPPI...
1. A chief city of Macedonia, and Roman colony - Ac 16:12
2. The conversion of Lydia and her household - Ac 16:13-15
3. The healing of the demon-possessed girl - Ac 16:16-18
4. Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned - Ac 16:19-24
1. Paul refers to this in his letter to the Thessalonians - 1Th 2:2
2. Also in his letter to the Philippians - Php 1:30
5. The earthquake, and conversion of the jailer and his family - Ac 16:25-34
6. Paul and Silas released, and depart from Philippi - Ac 16:35-40
1. Not before pointing out the serious mistake made by the magistrates beating Roman citizens (not only Paul, but evidently Silas was a Roman citizen also)
2. Not before going to the house of Lydia and encouraging the brethren
7. The church at Philippi...
1. Included Lydia and the jailer, along with their families
2. Luke, who stayed behind (note the use of "they", Ac 16:40; 17:1)
3. Euodia, Syntyche, Syzygus ("true companion"), and Clement - Php 4:2-3
2. IN THESSALONICA...
1. Passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they come to Thessalonica - Ac 17:1
2. Paul visits the synagogue and reasons with the Jews for three Sabbaths - Ac 17:2-4
1. Proclaiming Jesus as the Christ
2. Some of whom who were persuaded, along with a great multitude of Greeks
3. Unbelieving Jews gather a mob, and attack the house of Jason - Ac 17:5-9
4. Paul and Silas sent away by the brethren - Ac 17:10
5. Elsewhere, we learn the following about Paul's stay in Thessalonica...
1. He supported himself, aided by the Philippians - 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:6-10; Php 4:16
2. The dedicated nature of his ministry - 1Th 2:1-10
3. The faithfulness and love of the Thessalonians - 1Th 1:1-8; 2:13-16; 4:9-10
3. IN BEREA...
1. The Jews are more fair-minded than those at Thessalonica - Ac 17:11-12
1. They received the word with all readiness
2. They searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true
3. Many believed, along with prominent Greeks
2. Jews from Thessalonica came and stirred up the crowds - Ac 17:13
3. Paul sent away by the brethren, but Silas and Timothy stay - Ac 17:14
4. IN ATHENS...
1. Paul sends for Silas and Timothy - Ac 17:15
2. Moved by the idolatry, Paul disputes with both Jews and Greeks - Ac 17:16-17
1. In the synagogue with Jews and other devout persons
2. In the market place daily
3. Invited by the Epicurean and Stoic to speak at the Areopagus - Ac 17:18-21
4. Paul's sermon on "The Unknown God" - Ac 17:22-34
1. Proclaiming the One True God
2. Proclaiming the need to repent, the coming Judgment, and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
3. Reaction was varied: some mocked, others agreed to hear more, some believed
5. At some point, Timothy is sent back to Thessalonica - cf. 1 Th 3:1-2
1. To encourage the brethren there
2. Some believe Timothy may have been sent from Berea
5. IN CORINTH...
1. Paul arrives and lives with Aquila and Priscilla - Ac 18:1-4
1. He worked together with them as a tent-maker - cf. 1Co 9:6-15
2. He also received support from Philippi - cf. 2Co 11:7-10; Php 4:15
3. He reasoned with the Jews every Sabbath - cf. 1Co 2:1-5
2. Silas and Timothy arrive from Macedonia - Ac 18:5; 2Co 1:19
1. With good news regarding the church at Thessalonica - 1Th 3:6-7
2. Prompting Paul to write First Thessalonians (52 A.D.) - 1Th 1:1
1. Purpose:
1. To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution
2. To instruct them concerning holy living
3. To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second coming of Christ
2. Theme: Holiness In View Of The Coming Of Christ
3. Brief Outline:
1. Personal reflections - 1Th 1:1-3:13
2. Apostolic instructions - 1Th 4:1-5:28
3. Paul leaves the synagogue, and preaches next door - Ac 18:5-7
4. His success in Corinth - Ac 18:8; 1Co 1:14-16
1. Crispus, ruler of the synagogue, believes with his household, and is baptized
2. Many of the Corinthians believe and are baptized
3. Gaius is baptized, who later becomes host of the church - cf. Ro 16:23
4. The household of Stephanas is baptized - cf. 1Co 16:15
5. Paul's vision from the Lord - Ac 18:9-11
1. Not to be afraid, nor remain silent
2. The Lord has many people in the city
3. So Paul remains a year and six months (52-53 A.D.)
4. During which he writes Second Thessalonians (53 A.D.) - 2Th 1:1
1. Purpose:
1. To encourage them in their steadfastness under persecution
2. To correct their misunderstanding about the imminence of the Lord's return
3. To instruct the congregation on what disciplinary action to take toward those who refused to work
2. Theme: Steadfastness While Waiting For The Coming Of Christ
3. Brief Outline:
1. Encouragement In Persecutions - 2Th 1:1-12
2. Enlightenment About The Coming Of The Lord - 2Th 2:1-17
3. Exhortations To Christian Living - 2Th 3:1-18
6. Paul before Gallio - Ac 18:12-17
1. The Jews bring Paul up on charges before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia
2. Gallio refuses to heed them, the Greeks beat Sosthenes, ruler of the synagogue
7. Paul remains in Corinth a good while - Ac 18:18a

[After such a long and successful stay (comparatively speaking) in Corinth, Paul begins the backward leg of his journey and his...]

4. RETURN TO ANTIOCH IN SYRIA (54 A.D.)
1. FROM CORINTH TO EPHESUS...
1. Joined by Aquila and Priscilla - Ac 18:18
2. Cut his hair in Cenchrea (near Corinth), for Paul had taken a vow - Ac 18:18; cf. Ro 16:1
3. In Ephesus - Ac 18:19-20
1. Left Aquila and Priscilla there
2. Reasoned with the Jews for a short time in the synagogue, who wanted him to stay longer
2. FROM EPHESUS TO JERUSALEM...
1. Anxious to get to Jerusalem in time for the feast (Passover?) - Ac 18:21
2. Sailed from Ephesus to Caesarea - Ac 18:21-22
3. Went "up" (elevation-wise) to Jerusalem and visited the church - Ac 18:22
3. FROM JERUSALEM TO ANTIOCH...
1. He went "down" (elevation-wise) to Antioch - Ac 18:22
2. He spent "some time" in Antioch of Syria - Ac 18:23a

CONCLUSION

1. On this second journey, Paul was able to...
1. Encourage churches like those in Syria, Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch
2. Establish churches like those in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth
2. It was a journey that saw the beginning of long-lasting relationships...
1. Silas and Timothy
2. The physician Luke, the brethren at Philippi (Clement, Euodia, Syntyche)
3. Aquila and Priscilla, the brethren at Corinth (Gaius, Crispus, the household of Stephanas)
3. This was a journey that provides much historical background to the New Testament...
1. Describing churches to whom letters were later written (Galatians, Philippians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians)
2. Introducing key persons whose impact is felt in the New Testament (Luke, who wrote the gospel and the book of Acts; Timothy, to whom Paul wrote two epistles)

It was also a journey with several notable examples of conversion (Lydia, the Philippian jailer, the Corinthians). We also saw the worthy example of the Bereans in how they listened to Paul, and searched the Scriptures daily. May such examples encourage us in our devotion to the Lord!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2022