03 Second Journey of Paul

Summary

This transcript recounts Apostle Paul's second missionary journey, which began in 51 AD. Paul and Silas revisited cities where they had previously preached, traveling through regions like Tarsus, Derby, and Macedonia. Along the way, they recruited Timothy and faced challenges such as illness, persecution, and imprisonment. Despite hardships, Paul continued spreading the gospel, converting people like Lydia and her household. The journey culminated in Corinth, where Paul stayed for 18 months before returning to Syria. Throughout, Paul's deep faith and commitment to sharing the message of Jesus' resurrection remained unwavering.

Takeaways

• 🚶‍♂️ Paul embarked on his second missionary journey in 51 AD, as recorded in Acts 15:36-18:22.
• 🤝 Paul was motivated by concern for the churches he had established on his first journey, desiring to check on their progress.
• 👬 Paul chose Silas to accompany him on this journey, starting their trip by visiting cities through Syria and Cilicia.
• 💪 Despite facing physical illness during the journey, Paul continued to teach and encourage believers, even recruiting Timothy to join them.
• 👣 The journey involved extensive walking, including hazardous mountainous treks and long distances across modern-day Turkey and Greece.
• ⛓️ Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi but miraculously freed after an earthquake, leading to the conversion of the jailer and his family.
• 🌍 The journey spanned key locations like Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth, where Paul preached and established new churches.
• ⛪ Paul spent 18 months in Corinth, one of his longest stays, during which he wrote the letters of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians.
• 🌊 Paul eventually made his way back to Ephesus, leaving Aquila and Priscilla to establish the church there.
• 🙏 Paul’s journey involved about 3,500 miles of travel over 100 days, motivated by his personal encounter with the risen Jesus and his mission to spread the Gospel.

Q & A

What was the main focus of Paul's second journey as recorded in Acts 15:36-18:22?

Paul's second journey focused on revisiting the churches established during his first evangelistic journey, strengthening the disciples, and spreading the gospel to new regions.

Who accompanied Paul on his second journey?

Paul was accompanied by Silas on his second journey, and later Timothy and Luke joined them.

Why did Paul decide to revisit the churches he established during his first journey?

Paul was concerned about the well-being of the believers in the churches and wanted to see how they were doing, as mentioned in Acts 15:35-36.

What challenges did Paul and his companions face during their travels?

Paul and his companions faced many challenges, including physical illness (Galatians 4:13-14), long and hazardous journeys, persecution, beatings, and imprisonment.

Who did Paul recruit in Lystra during his journey, and what role did this person play?

Paul recruited Timothy in Lystra, who had already been serving in the regional churches. Timothy joined Paul’s team for the remainder of the journey.

What vision did Paul receive while in Troas, and how did it influence the direction of his mission?

Paul received a vision of a Macedonian man pleading for help, which he interpreted as God's calling to preach in Macedonia. This led him to sail to Neapolis and begin work in Philippi.

What significant event took place during Paul’s visit to Philippi?

In Philippi, Paul and Silas were imprisoned after casting out a demon from a slave girl. An earthquake opened the prison doors, but they did not escape. As a result, the jailer and his family were converted and baptized.

What was the outcome of Paul’s time in Thessalonica?

Paul preached in the synagogue for three weeks, making converts. However, some Jews caused trouble, leading to Paul and Silas being sent to Berea for their safety.

What was Paul's experience in Athens, and how did he adapt his message there?

In Athens, Paul delivered a contextualized sermon on the Areopagus, using the image of the 'unknown God' to connect with the local audience. Although only a few believed, his approach demonstrated cultural sensitivity.

How long did Paul stay in Corinth, and what significance did this city hold in his ministry?

Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months, the longest stay of his journey. Corinth was a significant, immoral city where Paul established a church and wrote his letters to the Thessalonians.