Acts of the Apostles, Video preaching

Paul’s second missionary journey begins

Paul’s planned missionary journey has begun. Despite the difficulty of Barnabas leaving the team, the work goes ahead. This in itself is a wonderful thing as many such ventures are spoiled by the kind of division seen here.

The church in Antioch again supports this great gospel outreach. Along with Silas and others, Paul sets off.

There is a point reached in these verses that is of immense importance in history and to which we can trace our own experience of the gospel. When Paul crossed the sea at the command of God into Macedonia, he convened the very first gospel meeting on the continent of Europe.

I  TIMOTHY JOINS PAUL’S MISSIONARY TEAM.

  1. Derbe and Lystra. Paul returns for the 3rd time to this area to preach. He is back on the scene of previous blessing and suffering—even unto death. He followed an overland route this time as described in 15:41. Perhaps a human factor in this was the fact that Barnabas had followed their previous route in going to Cyprus. His concern in doing so is seen in 15:36.
  2. Timothy’s testimony, v1-2. Timothy is recognized as a true disciple far and wide. Cp 2Tim 1:5, 3:15. This simple fact is advanced as the principal reason for Paul’s desire to include him in his mission work. No doubt there were the necessary gifts, 2Tim 4:14; but this is where primary emphasis is laid. Cp 1Tim 3:2, 7.
  3. Preparation for the work, v3. Timothy was circumcised by Paul as a means to avoiding offence to the Jews among who he would preach. It was an instance of self-denial on his part. In this he shared in Paul’s attitude, 1Cor 9:19-23. Cp Gal 1:10, 1Cor 10:33, 1Pet 2:16. He was recognized as having Jewish heritage and so it was appropriate for him to do this. Cp Gal 2:3—a different scenario with Titus.
  4. A beneficial ministry. It is to be noted that their ministry entails instructing the disciples in the decrees from the recent Presbytery meeting in Jerusalem. The resolutions recorded in 15:20, 28-29 are an integral part of the ministry. This was a critical means of building up the church. This fact also argues against it being wrong for Paul/Timothy to act as they had done in his circumcision.

II  DIVINE GUIDANCE IN THE WORK.

As Paul’s preaching tour progresses he is obviously sensitive to the guidance of God.

  1. Timing, v6. N.b. when… There is a time when the guidance of the Holy Ghost may be expected. That time is seen to be when there has been a thorough and complete performance of the work already taken up. They had made full use of the opportunity given them in the regions named.
  2. Forbidden, v6-7. Here is the negative direction of God. He prevents His servants going in the direction they were trying to go in. They were actively trying to pursue new opportunities of service. It is important that we find out the correct place to serve the Lord. It is important that we look to the Lord to stop us doing what appears to be right but is not His purpose for us to do!
  3. A vision in the night, v9. Paul is positively guided by means of a vision from God. The Lord shows His servant His will. This vision is recognized as the call of God, v10. In this vision God showed Paul a man in need. This was pressed on his mind in such a way as he is burdened to respond to it. Such a spiritual vision is necessary for God’s servants. Cp Jn 4:34-35.

III   AN EXEMPLARY RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF GOD.

  1. The response of Paul and his companions. They knew this to be the mind of God for them all. Note the primary and secondary roles here. Paul was the one God guided and yet there were those who had a support role who must also regard this as God’s will for them.
  2. An immediate response, v11-12. Speed and directness now marks their efforts to get to the place God has spoken of.
  3. Conviction. They were absolutely convinced of the need to do what God had revealed. The revealed will of God ‘forced them together’ into joint action! God’s servants ought to come together around the revealed purpose of God. We can proceed with assurance on the basis of what God reveals.
  4. The role of personal thought. The Lord revealed a region to Paul. The decision was made to go to the chief city in that region, v12. There is a role for other considerations that line up with, or work within, the revealed will of God. Personal experience, wisdom, many other factors may all play a role. There is always a human factor in responding to the will of God. We must be diligent to obey all He does reveal and wise in any secondary decisions we are required to make.

 

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*