A Strategy for Mission

MEMORY VERSE: “I heard the voice of the Lord, saying. Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” —Isaiah 6:8

ACTS 15:39 – 16:10

ON PAUL’S first missionary journey, beginning at Antioch, he had Barnabas as a co-worker, and also Mark. But Mark did not continue with Paul and Barnabas, no reason being given for his departing from them. When preparing for the second journey Barnabas wanted again to take Mark, but Paul did not agree. The first verse of our lesson indicates that there was a sharp contention between Barnabas and Paul on this matter which was not resolved—Barnabas going his own way and taking Mark with him, while Paul chose Silas, one who was “recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”

First they traveled into Syria and Cilicia, “confirming the churches.” These were, apparently, the churches that were established by Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey. “Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek.”

Timotheus was “well reported of by the brethren that were of Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” The fact that Timotheus had not previously been circumcised would have not ordinarily made any difference to Paul, but he knew that he was in an area where they might be criticized by Jews if he were not, so Paul arranged for him to be circumcised in order to silence any unnecessary criticism.

“As they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.” (vss. 4,5) They continued their journey through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, but were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the Word in Asia.

“After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit suffered them not.” An interesting aspect of this narrative is the fact that, while Paul and his traveling companions were apparently making certain decisions as to the route they would take and the places they would visit, the Lord’s influence was directing them. The Lord did not permit them to preach the Word in Asia, nor did he permit them to go into Bithynia. Happy are the followers of Jesus who can recognize and be guided by these leadings of the Holy Spirit in their lives! It is one of the evidences of God’s blessings upon his people.

Finally Paul and his companions reached Troas, “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” From this vision the group concluded that the Lord wanted them to go into Macedonia and there preach the Gospel.

This led to the introduction of the Gospel message into Europe. The first place that Paul visited in Macedonia was Philippi, he and his companions arriving there on the week-end. They learned of the weekly Sabbath gathering of the group—apparently mostly women—outside of the city near a river, where they held prayer meetings. The apostle reasoned, and correctly so, that this would be an excellent place to begin his Macedonian mission.

He preached the Gospel to this little group of devout women, and some believed, among them one called Lydia, who in the business world was a seller of purple. She believed, and was baptized, and invited Paul and his companions to be guests in her home. It was in this home that the first Christian church in Europe was established.

Paul did not cease to proclaim the message in Philippi and vicinity, and it was not long before circumstances led to his arrest and imprisonment. Silas was incarcerated with him, and they were both locked in the stocks. At midnight, instead of complaining concerning their lot, they were singing hymns, and a great earthquake shook the prison, opening the doors and freeing them.

Out of this circumstance came the conversion of the jailer and his family. The authorities attempted to put Paul on trial, but changed their minds when they learned that he was a Roman citizen. However, he did voluntarily leave the area, bidding farewell to the little group of Christians who had been brought together and were meeting in the home of Lydia.

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