Coachlight Bible Study - Acts Chapter 15:35-16:40

Paul's Second Missionary Journey Part One

From Antioch in Syria to Cilicia, Derbe and Lystra

Throughout Phirgia and Galatia, passing by Mysia to Troas

Through Samothracia and Neopolis to Phillipi

We have seen a contention among the brethren in the church settled by James going back to Scripture, and resulting in happiness to the Gentile converts and James and Paul bringing us teaching on the doctrine of justification.

Now we have a private quarrel between two Christians - Paul and Barnabas, before the second missionary journey.

It is some rebuke to Barnabas that after he left Paul we hear no more of him, - what he did or suffered for Christ. But Paul was recommended by the brethren to the grace of God, and his works after this are largely recorded. We will see him in this chapter from place to place, wherever he went doing good, dicipling, watering, planting, starting new work, or confirming the churches planting on his first journey..

I. Paul takes initiative as the leader and makes a proposal to visit the churches they had planted. (Acts 15:35)

A. The proposal made to Barnabas, his friend and fellow-labourer - after his rebuke of Peter and Barnabas had taken place:

Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Galatians 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Galatians 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

Galatians 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Galatians 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

B. The intention - "see how they do, " - Paul knew it was not easy for the Gentiles to "hold fast" - new conerts in a Pagan land.

II. The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37)

A. Barnabas wanted his nephew John, whose surname was Mark, to go along with them.

Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

B. Paul did not like the idea because Mark left them before in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13).

C. They parted for the next journey

1. Barnabas sailed to Cyprus with his nephew - Barnabas' home country

2. Paul and Silas went to Cilicia - Paul's home country

D. Paul later wrote to Timothy concerning John Mark:

2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

E. Turned out good

1. More places were visited

2. More people went on the journey

III. Timothy Joins Paul - Paul a spiritual Father (Acts 16:1-3)

A. Paul returns to Derbe and Lystra

B. Who was Timothy

1. His mother was a Jewess originally, but believed in Christ

a. her name was Eunice,

b. his grandmother’s name was Lois.

c. Paul speaks of them both with great respect

2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

2.His father was a Greek - a Gentile.

a. The marriage of a Jewish woman to a Gentile husband was prohibited as much as the marriage of a Jewish man to a Gentile wife, (Deuteronomy 7:3)

b. He was not circumcised: because its rule went by the father, not by the mother

C. Paul discipled him

1. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him on the ministry journeys

2. Paul circumcised hm - that Jews might not think of him as unclean

3. Paul layed hands on him conferring God's gift

2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

III. Apostolic Decrees Given to the Churches - (Acts 16:4-5)

A. Paul gave decrees to all the churches from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem

B. The churches increased in faith and numbers

C. Paul and Silas journyed through Phrygia, Galatia & Mysia

IV. Forbidden by the Holy Ghost to Preach in Asia

A. Thought of going to Bithynia

1. Spirit bade them not to go

2. In Bithnia is Nicea where the council later was held - Arian controversy

3. Peter sent his epistle to this area

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia

B. Asia received the Gospel later

Acts 19:10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

C. Paul was needed to preach now in Phillipi in Macedonia

a. Paul's converts have been mostly Greeks to this point

b. Phillipians were mostly Romans - Military hated by the Jews- (Abomination of Desolation)

D. Paul and Silas pass by Mysia and go to Troas

V. Macedonian Call (Acts 16:9-12)

A. Paul had a vision - a man from Macedonia

1.An Angel appeared to him saying come over and help us.

2. Paul interpreted that Christ wanted him to preach there

B. Luke must have joined them "we" in verse 10 - From now on the book of Acts reads "we"

C. They went through Samothracia and Neapolis, and on to Phillipi named after Phillip of Macedonia - Alexander's father

VI. Lydia and her house is Converted (Acts 16:13-15)

A. Who was Lydia

1. Resident of Thyratira

2. Business woman - seller of purple

3. Worshipper of God

B. She heard the apostles

C. Her heart was opened

D. She obeyed God - She and her household were baptized

E. She was hospitable to the apostles

VII. Demon Cast Out (Acts 16:16-18)

A. Who was the Damsel

1.Possessed with a spirit of divination

a. A woman priest called pythonissa - the oracles of Apollo at Delphos were delivered by thiskind of priestess

b. Told people of supposed future events

c. Made her masters a lot of money

2. Followed Paul and company to the house of prayer

B. Grieved Paul for days

1. She yelled in the street - made notice of Paul to her masters

2. Paul cast out the devil in the name of Jesus

3. Devil was out within the hour

VII. Paul and Silas Jailed (Acts 16:19-25)

A. Damsel's masters saw that they would make no more money from her

B. Brought Paul & Silas before the magistrates

C. Accused them of troubling the city - being Jews

1. Teaching customs that are not lawful to Romans

2. Teaching observances that are not lawful to Romans

3. Romans did not like their subjects changing their gods

D. Magistrates Response

1. Rent off their clothes

2. Beat them many times with rods

4463 rabdizw rhabdizo hrab-did’-zo

from 4464; TDNT-6:970,982; v

AV-beat 1, beat with rods 1; 2

1) to beat with rods

3. Cast them into prison

4. Told jailor to keep them safe

E. Jailor's response

1. Put them in the inner prison

2. Stocks on their ankles

F. Paul & Silas's Response

1. At midnight they prayed

2.Sang praises to God

3. Prisoners heard them sing

VIII. The Earthquake (Acts 16:26)

A. Prison shaken

B. Jail doors opened

C. Bands were loosed

IX. Phillipian Jailor Saved and His House (Acts 16:27-34)

A. Jailor afraid for his life

1. The Keeper of the prison wakes up

2. He saw the prison doors open

3. Figured that the prisoners had escaped

a. The law was like we read when Peter escaped in Acts 12:19

b It was according to that of the prophet in I Kings 20:39,42:

1 Kings 20:39 And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. {pay: Heb. weigh}

1 Kings 20:42 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

4. Drew his sword to kill himself

5. Paul stops the suicide - "we are all here"

6. Jailor calls for a light

7. He went to Paul

8. Fell down before Paul & Silas

B. The Jailor afraid for his soul

1. Brought Paul & Silas out

2. "What must I do to be saved?"

a. The Requirement -: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ"

b. The Promise - "Thou shalt be saved"

c. The Promise Extended - "And thy house".

C. They instructed the jailor and his people in the Word

D. The jailor washed their stripes

E. The jailor and all his house was baptised

X. Paul & Silas Get A Honourable Discharge (Acts 16:35-40)

A. At Daybreak the magistrates send message to let Paul & Silas go

B. Paul refuses

1. We are Romans

a. Openly they beat us without being condemned

b. They put us in prison

2. Openly they can fetch us out

C. The magistrates were afraid when they found out they were Roman citizens

1. They came and brought them out of prison

2. Asked them to leave the city

XI. Paul & Silas Leave Phillipi

A. They went to Lydia's house

1. They saw the Brethern

2. They comforted them

3870 parakalew parakaleo par-ak-al-eh’-o

B.They departed