The Second Missionary Journey

Sabbath afternoon – Acts 15: 32-41

 As soon as the Jerusalem council was over, Judas and Silas go to Antioch to deliver the verdict from the
council. They go to Antioch because the issue of circumcision began from there primarily. Paul and
Barnabas are also in Antioch. They were preaching and teaching there. We don’t know how long they
were in Antioch.
 Acts 15:36 – Paul tells to Barnabas, let us go again and visit those to whom we have preached the gospel
before to see how they are doing. This is an evangelism strategy that is vital. But why is this important?
o It was important to see if the fruits are evident and if their conversion was real.
o It also gives him an opportunity to preserve them from devil’s attack.
o It was important for them to grow in knowledge of the truth; therefore, it was a session of
teaching.
o It was to strengthen the congregation.
o If I remember correctly, Jesus often revisited the cities he had worked.
o Another purpose for Paul revisiting the church is also because he was training the young men to
proclaim the gospel with them.
 After making a missionary tour, he and Barnabas retraced their steps and visited the
churches they had raised up, choosing from them men whom they could train to unite in
proclaiming the gospel. {AA 367.2}
 This is an important strategy.
 Continuing with the story, Barnabas is ecstatic to go with Paul but he wanted to take his cousin John Mark
with him. But Paul does not think that it is a good idea. This contention was so sharp that they parted their
ways. No one compromised in this issue. In fact, Barnabas was determined to take John Mark with him.
These two missionaries who co-labored in their previous journey now separated from each other.
o Why did Barnabas want to take John Mark while Paul didn’t want to?
 Paul’s reason:
 Because of John Mark’s failure in the previous journey because he deserted
them.
 Barnabas possible reasons:
  John Mark was Barnabas’ cousin.
 Perhaps because he wanted to give another chance.
 Barnabas’ decision to take his cousin with him proved to be a life-changing experience
for John Mark because later we see Paul complementing John Mark (Col. 4:10).
 How does this show God's character to us?
 God doesn’t give up on us easily as Paul did. God shows mercy over and over and
over again.
 Mercy wins people.
 It also shows how short sighted we could be and are quick to judge people their
destiny. But God sees things otherwise.
 But God always brings out good out of every “seemingly bad” situation. This division between Paul and
Barnabas caused God's work to multiply. Division leads to multiplication.
 Paul now goes with Silas and Barnabas takes Mark. But Luke, the author of the book of acts follows the life
and ministry Paul.
 Acts 15:41 – “And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.”

Sunday – Acts 16: 1 - 13

 From Cilicia and Syria, Paul and Silas go to Derbe and Lystra.
 It was in Lystra where Paul was stoned in his first missionary journey, and now again he is there
strengthening the converts there. What we find here is that Paul is choosing a young person from Lystra to
train him to be a missionary like him. That person is Timothy.
 What do we know about Timothy?
o His mother is a Jewish Christ; while his Father was a gentile, a Greek.
o 2 Timothy 3: 15 – Timothy learned scriptures from the time he was very young.
o Acts 16: 2 – As a result of learning scriptures and practicing it very young in his life, we see
timothy being well reported by the believers in Lystra. This is why it is very important to be
mindful of what we sow in young people’s mind because what we sow is what we reap.
o Timothy was also uncircumcised.
 So, Paul selects timothy and he tests timothy before taking him on his journey because he learnt his lesson
from John Mark who left him.

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 o In Timothy Paul saw one who appreciated the sacredness of the work of a minister; who was
not appalled at the prospect of suffering and persecution; and who was willing to be taught. Yet
the apostle did not venture to take the responsibility of giving Timothy, an untried youth, a
training in the gospel ministry, without first fully satisfying himself in regard to his character and
his past life. AA 203.1
o Timothy's father was a Greek and his mother a Jewess. From a child he had known the
Scriptures. The piety that he saw in his home life was sound and sensible. The faith of his
mother and his grandmother in the sacred oracles was to him a constant reminder of the
blessing in doing God's will. The word of God was the rule by which these two godly women had
guided Timothy. The spiritual power of the lessons that he had received from them kept him
pure in speech and unsullied by the evil influences with which he was surrounded. Thus his
home instructors had co-operated with God in preparing him to bear burdens. AA 203.2
o Paul saw that Timothy was faithful, steadfast, and true, and he chose him as a companion in
labor and travel. Those who had taught Timothy in his childhood were rewarded by seeing the
son of their care linked in close fellowship with the great apostle. Timothy was a mere youth
when he was chosen by God to be a teacher, but his principles had been so established by his
early education that he was fitted to take his place as Paul's helper. And though young, he bore
his responsibilities with Christian meekness. AA 203.3
 Acts 16: 3 – Paul take timothy and circumcises him. Why? Didn’t Paul preach that circumcision wasn’t
necessary? Didn’t the Jerusalem council says that they won’t put greater burden on people by requiring
them to be circumcised? Why did Paul circumcise timothy?
o Was it morally wrong to circumcise? It is morally wrong when we make circumcision as a
salvational issue.
o Timothy was a Jew and therefore it wasn’t wrong to circumcise him. Not circumcising him would
have hindered both their ministry, therefore Paul thought it was practical to circumcise him.
Circumcision meant nothing after the cross because of the end of the ceremonial law. So, at this
point it was a cultural practice, but we should keep in mind that in the minds of Jews it was still
an essential ceremony for salvation. So, Paul was not contradicting himself when he circumcised
timothy.
o “As a precautionary measure, Paul wisely advised Timothy to be circumcised—not that God
required it, but in order to remove from the minds of the Jews that which might be an objection
to Timothy's ministration. In his work Paul was to journey from city to city, in many lands, and
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 often he would have opportunity to preach Christ in Jewish synagogues, as well as in other
places of assembly. If it should be known that one of his companions in labor was
uncircumcised, his work might be greatly hindered by the prejudice and bigotry of the Jews.
Everywhere the apostle met determined opposition and severe persecution. He desired to bring
to his Jewish brethren, as well as to the Gentiles, a knowledge of the gospel, and therefore he
sought, so far as was consistent with the faith, to remove every pretext for opposition. Yet while
he conceded this much to Jewish prejudice, he believed and taught circumcision or
uncircumcision to be nothing and the gospel of Christ everything.” AA 204.1
o This was in accordance with God's principle which Paul adopted.
 “And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under
the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;” 1 Corinthians
9: 20.
o This teaches us an important lesson in evangelism. As long as we don’t sacrifice principle and as
long as it is consistent with our faith, we can do certain things to remove any pretext for
opposition.
o Acts 16: 4, 5 – Paul, Silas and Timothy go through the cities in Lystra, Derbe, Phrygia, and some
parts of Galatia to share the decree from the Jerusalem Council. As a result, the churches were
established and they increased in number.
 Acts 16: 6 – 12
o Paul endeavors to go to Asia and to Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit forbids him. And through a
vision, the Holy Spirit leads him to go to Philippi in Macedonia.
 Vs. 10. As soon as the call comes, they leave immediately. There is an implicit obedience.
 Also, for the first time in the book of acts, we see the author speaking in first person
language.
 We need to develop this aspect of implicit obedience in our lives when God brings any
conviction. Delaying any conviction leads to benumbing it.

Monday – Acts 16: 10 – 40.

 Paul and his team go through neapolis, and from there to Philippi. And in there they were staying for
certain days.
 What happens on the sabbath?

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 o It was Paul’s usual practice to go to local synagogues on the sabbath to begin his ministry from
there, but the fact that here he goes to the riverside shows us that there were probably not
much Jews and a synagogue for them to meet. Reading the context, it shows us that it was
densely populated by romans.
o The lesson author writes, “The significance of this (Paul going to riverside) is that Paul did not go
to Jewish synagogues on Sabbaths only for evangelistic purposes, but also because this was his
day of worship.”
 Read the story of the jailor from Acts 16: 16 – 40.
o The focus of the author is from vs. 30 – 34.
 What do we need to do to be saved?
 “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
 We are to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, not believe about Lord Jesus Christ in
order to be saved
 If believing in Christ Jesus is what it takes to be saved, why do we have to go
through lengthy doctrinal discussions and series of evangelistic meetings
teaching the crowd the doctrines of the church and then go through a baptism
preparation classes to baptize a person?
 Does this verse support quick baptisms?
 Ellen White in another place she writes, “There is need of a more thorough
preparation on the part of candidates for baptism. They are in need of more
faithful instruction than has usually been given them. The principles of the
Christian life should be made plain to those who have newly come to the truth.”
Testimonies vol. 6 pg. 91, 92.
 “Circumstances did not permit a profound theological discussion. The fearful
man needed succinct directions for salvation. His situation might be compared
with that of the thief on the cross (see on Luke 23:39–43). The Christian
prisoners skillfully ministered to the jailer’s urgent need. They put Christian
teaching into a simple formula that the distressed man could readily grasp. The
formula did not represent the extent of their teaching. At the moment, however,

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 they impressed on the suppliant the truth that salvation depends on personal
belief in the redeeming life and work of Jesus.”1
 Read from the lesson.
 What this shows to us is that Jesus is enough for salvation. His sacrifice is
complete and full. His righteousness is enough to cover every penitent heart. But
how do we know more about Jesus, his work for us, and the promise he gives to
us? It is through the doctrines we find in his scriptures, because it is they which
testify of Jesus.
 “There is need of a more thorough preparation on the part of candidates for
baptism. They are in need of more faithful instruction than has usually been
given them. The principles of the Christian life should be made plain to those
who have newly come to the truth. None can depend upon their profession of
faith as proof that they have a saving connection with Christ. We are not only to
say, “I believe,” but to practice the truth. It is by conformity to the will of God in
our words, our deportment, our character, that we prove our connection with
Him. Whenever one renounces sin, which is the transgression of the law, his life
will be brought into conformity to the law, into perfect obedience. This is the
work of the Holy Spirit. The light of the Word carefully studied, the voice of
conscience, the strivings of the Spirit, produce in the heart genuine love for
Christ, who gave Himself a whole sacrifice to redeem the whole person, body,
soul, and spirit. And love is manifested in obedience.—Testimonies For The
Church 6:91, 92 (1900).” Ev 308.4

Tuesday – Acts 17: 1 - 15

 Being released from the prison, Paul and his team go to Thessalonica.
 What we see here is that it was Paul’s custom or his habit even after his conversion to go to synagogues on
Sabbaths to preach about Christ. But preaching in Thessalonica brought a lot of opposition to Paul and his
team and even for Jason who was hosting Paul. So for security reasons Paul and his team leave

1
Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 6, p. 334).
Review and Herald Publishing Association.
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 Thessalonica and go to Berea. But what Paul found in Berea was a faithful people who were committed to
God's word.
 The people in Berea were not satisfied by only listening to the apostles, but rather they wanted to know
for themselves if what was preached was biblical. If only every Adventists would do this today, many false
doctrines which perplex the church wouldn’t even exist.
o “The minds of the Bereans were not narrowed by prejudice. They were willing to investigate the
truthfulness of the doctrines preached by the apostles. They studied the Bible, not from
curiosity, but in order that they might learn what had been written concerning the promised
Messiah. Daily they searched the inspired records, and as they compared scripture with
scripture, heavenly angels were beside them, enlightening their minds and impressing their
hearts. AA 231.2
o Wherever the truths of the gospel are proclaimed, those who honestly desire to do right are led
to a diligent searching of the Scriptures. If, in the closing scenes of this earth's history, those to
whom testing truths are proclaimed would follow the example of the Bereans, searching the
Scriptures daily, and comparing with God's word the messages brought them, there would
today be a large number loyal to the precepts of God's law, where now there are comparatively
few. But when unpopular Bible truths are presented, many refuse to make this investigation.
Though unable to controvert the plain teachings of Scripture, they yet manifest the utmost
reluctance to study the evidences offered. Some assume that even if these doctrines are indeed
true, it matters little whether or not they accept the new light, and they cling to pleasing fables
which the enemy uses to lead souls astray. Thus their minds are blinded by error, and they
become separated from heaven. AA 232.1
o All will be judged according to the light that has been given. The Lord sends forth His
ambassadors with a message of salvation, and those who hear He will hold responsible for the
way in which they treat the words of His servants. Those who are sincerely seeking for truth will
make a careful investigation, in the light of God's word, of the doctrines presented to them.” AA
232.2
 But the unbelieving Jews come to Berea to stir the people and again Paul flees to Athens.

Wednesday – Acts 17: 16 – 34

 What do we know about Athens and the Athenians?

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 o The whole city was given to idolatry.
o They believed in more than one gods.
o Jesus and the doctrine of resurrection was alien to them.
o Many were intellectuals.
o They spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
o They were deists who believed that God is not concerned about human affairs but is
transcendent.
o The city of Athens was the metropolis of heathendom. Here Paul did not meet with an ignorant,
credulous populace, as at Lystra, but with a people famous for their intelligence and culture.
Everywhere statues of their gods and of the deified heroes of history and poetry met the eye,
while magnificent architecture and paintings represented the national glory and the popular
worship of heathen deities. The senses of the people were entranced by the beauty and
splendor of art. On every hand sanctuaries and temples, involving untold expense, reared their
massive forms. Victories of arms and deeds of celebrated men were commemorated by
sculpture, shrines, and tablets. All these made Athens a vast gallery of art. AA 233.4
o As Paul looked upon the beauty and grandeur surrounding him, and saw the city wholly given to
idolatry, his spirit was stirred with jealousy for God, whom he saw dishonored on every side,
and his heart was drawn out in pity for the people of Athens, who, notwithstanding their
intellectual culture, were ignorant of the true God. AA 234.1
 Paul sees them and he is deeply distressed. They invite Paul to speak at the Mars’ hill.
 Paul sermon begins from vs. 22 – 31. This is Paul’s famous Apologetics sermon.
o What great truths about God, Salvation, History and Humanity did Paul preach to these people?
 He presents God as creator, sustainer, Judge, and as one who is interested and not far
from every one of us. He also talks about God being more than a statue of gold, silver or
an graven art. He says God is
 History – He speaks of creation.
 Salvation – He talks to the people about repentance and about judgement.
 Humanity – He talks about human beings as made of one blood and talks about the high
destiny set for them.
 While talking about the resurrection, he was interrupted.

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 o Why does Paul deal with these issues where on the other public sermons, he spoke about the
cross?
 Paul doesn’t speak from scriptures, or from history of Israelites here because his
audience were different. They were not Jews to understand the scriptures or the history.
 They were intellectuals and Paul had to speak to minds on their own grounds.
 Today as well, intellectuals pose a great problem to many of us. If an atheist asks us to
prove creation, how many of us would be ready to give an answer? If a Hindu asks you
why only Jesus and not the gods of Hindus, will you be ready to defend your faith?
 Doctrine Must Bear Scrutiny of Great Men—“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think
ye have eternal life.” Every position of truth taken by our people will bear the criticism of
the greatest minds; the highest of the world's great men will be brought in contact with
truth, and therefore every position we take should be critically examined and tested by
the Scriptures. Now we seem to be unnoticed, but this will not always be. Movements
are at work to bring us to the front, and if our theories of truth can be picked to pieces
by historians or the world's greatest men, it will be done. Ev 69.1
 We must individually know for ourselves what is truth, and be prepared to give a reason
of the hope that we have with meekness and fear, not in a proud, boasting, self-
sufficiency, but with the spirit of Christ. We are nearing the time when we shall stand
individually alone to answer for our belief. Religious errors are multiplying and entwining
themselves with Satanic power about the people. There is scarcely a doctrine of the
Bible that has not been denied.—Letter 6, 1886.” Ev 69.2
 As a result of Paul’s sermon there were few people who became Christians.
 We are told by Ellen White the following:
o Many of the greatest scholars and statesmen, the world's most eminent men, will in these last
days turn from the light because the world by wisdom knows not God. Yet God's servants are to
improve every opportunity to communicate the truth to these men. Some will acknowledge
their ignorance of the things of God and will take their place as humble learners at the feet of
Jesus, the Master Teacher. AA 241.3
 Generally, we tend to shy away from dealing with intellectual people. But these people need the gospel to
and just like Paul we need to go to them and reach them at their level.
 In vs. 28, Paul quotes a pagan author to make his point. What should that tell us about how, at times,
using sources like this could be of value? What dangers are there, as well?
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 Paul was able to easily relate to the people because he knew what they believed and therefore, he was
able to talk to them and minister to them in an effective way. How can we as a church show the same
understanding Paul had of cultural differences and the same willingness to meet the people where they
are without compromising the gospel or our own religious identity?
 The three reactions of the people after Paul’s sermon.
o Some mocked.
o Some postponed.
o Some accepted.

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