Acts 15:36-16:15

We have followed Paul and Barnabus as they teamed together on the first push to extend the message of the Gospel to “the uttermost parts of the earth”.

After having been back at home base in Antioch for some time, they agree to revisit the work that has been established on their first trip.

• The second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)
  • A disagreement (Acts 15:36-39a)
    • Why do you think that Paul saw Mark’s presence on this trip as a problem?
      • Mark had failed to complete the first mission, and Paul felt he would not have been readily accepted by the churches
      • Paul may have had a problem with Barnabus’ failure to support the Gentile Christians at the Jerusalem Council
    • Can anything good come from a disagreement?
      • Yes, it all depends upon how it is handled. The end result was a faster spread of the Gospel work.
      • While there is no record that Paul and Barnabus worked together again, Paul wrote favorably concerning Barnabus and his work.
  • A disbursement (Acts 15:39b-41)
    • Paul and Silas take the northern section of the previous trip
    • Barnabus and Mark go to the Island of Cypress
      • This gave Barnabus the opportunity to encourage Mark in his service to the Lord
    • Timothy is introduced as a team member (Acts 16:1-3)
      • The matter of the right of circumcision arises again here (Acts 16:3)
        • Since the Jerusalem Council had resolved this issue, why do you think that Paul had the rite carried out for Timothy?
        • To avoid any possibility that this would be a point of contention among Jewish people where they were going to be working. Paul had indicated elsewhere that “if eating meat offends my brother, I will eat no meat”. This shows his desire to not have anything become a hindrance to the Gospel.
  • Their report to the churches and the result (Acts 16:4-5)
    • The report – the Jerusalem Council report
    • The result – encouragement and growth
  • A call to new work (Acts 16:6-10)
  • See how the Holy Spirit guided their direction (Acts 16:6-8)
    • While they tried to go north, they were directed west
    • Why do you think the Spirit would lead them westward?
      • To advance the work in large cities in the Roman Empire
    • What does that teach us about the plans we make?
      • We need to make our plans submissive to God’s plans
    • The new call (Acts 16:9-10)
      • Their response
  • The conversion of Lydia (Acts 16:12-15)
    • They met at the river for prayer
    • The purpose of the men (Acts 16:13)
    • The city had no synagogue. Apparently, they did not have sufficient leadership to have an organized group. Under such circumstances, it was not uncommon to go to a place such as these folks did for prayer.