The Gospel Goes to Europe

MEMORY VERSE: “And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the Gospel unto them.”—Acts 16:10

ACTS 15:36-41; 16:6-12

NOT long after the Jerusalem conference of apostles and elders, at which certain conclusions were reached pertaining to Gentile converts, Paul suggested to Barnabas that they embark on another journey. He said, “Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the Word of the Lord, and see how they do.” This indicates that the ministry of the truth is not merely a one-time proclamation of the Gospel, but it also calls for the spiritual building up of those who respond through belief.

Paul and Barnabas had had a wonderful response to their efforts on their first missionary tour. Many groups of earnest disciples had been begun, and now Paul’s concern for these brethren was manifested in his desire to revisit them. This viewpoint should help to govern the activities of all the Lord’s people. Let us make sure when we note interest resulting from our efforts that we do what we can to nourish that interest and thus help those interested to progress in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

Barnabas shared Paul’s viewpoint in this matter and was willing and ready to start out with him again. He suggested that Mark accompany them, but to this Paul did not agree. John Mark had started out with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but did not remain with them, returning home instead. (Acts 13:13) The account does not indicate why Mark had returned to Jerusalem, but evidently Paul was not pleased and was unwilling to take him with them on another journey. There was sharp “contention” between Paul and Barnabas on the matter, and finally they agreed to go their separate ways. Barnabas took Mark with him, and Paul selected Silas to accompany him.

We know little of Mark’s activities from then on. Some time later, though, he may have been associated with Timothy, for when Paul was in prison in Rome, expecting to be executed, he wrote to Timothy to visit him and said, “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” (II Tim. 4:11) It is plain that Paul held no rancor in his heart toward Mark. He had perhaps kept track of him and knew that he had matured spiritually and now could be a valuable helper in the divine cause. This, we think, is an interesting sidelight on Paul’s nobility of character.

After Paul and Silas had been “on the road” for some time, confirming the brethren and doing evangelistic work, they apparently undertook to “preach the Word in Asia.” But the Lord’s providences, through the Holy Spirit, did not permit this. Then they “assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” Here we have a clear indication of the Lord’s direction as to where the Gospel was to be preached. For the time being these must have been frustrating experiences for Paul and Silas.

In seeking the will of the Lord as to the direction of their journey, these two faithful ambassadors for Christ reached Troas. There “a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Macedonia was in Europe, and up to this time apparently Paul had no intention of extending his missionary efforts into this part of the world.

Paul was quick to follow the leadings of the Lord, as our memory verse indicates, saying that “immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia.” They traveled by ship, which finally took them to Philippi, “which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia.” As we shall see in our next lesson, it was in Philippi that the first congregation of disciples in Europe was established.

While the disciples of Christ in every part of the age are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel anywhere and everywhere they can in the world, we can see a definite overruling of the Lord in the beginning of the age causing the kingdom message to spread north and west throughout Europe, and later to America, rather than in the other direction, through the Orient. We can be thankful for this, because it has given us an opportunity to become Jesus’ disciples and, if we prove faithful, eventually to live and reign with him in his thousand-year kingdom.

We read concerning the result of the very early witness work that “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47) The Lord’s hand directs the efforts of all his sincere, truth-enlightened people. The selecting and preparation of the “little flock” to whom it is the Father’s good pleasure to give the kingdom has not been a haphazard work, for the Lord has directed all the way.

QUESTIONS

Why is it important to follow up interest created by witness work?

What facet of Paul’s character is revealed in his attitude toward Mark?

Has the Lord directed as to the areas of the world in which the Gospel should be most preached?

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