Journey Two
An´tioch Of Syr´ia (Acts 15:35-40)
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s Paul began
his second journey, we find him back at the headquarters—An´tioch of Syr´ia.
After a great task had been accomplished in Jerusalem of helping settle the
question of circumcision among the Gentiles, Paul was ready to travel again.
They can now travel to the Gentiles with the full support and backing of the
apostles and elders in Jerusalem. When the question of binding circumcision on
the Gentiles comes up, they can refer them to the decision made in Jerusalem by
the elders and apostles (Acts 15:23-29).
When one is filled with the missionary spirit to reach the lost, he does not want to waste time and opportunity. It seems that Paul could not be content until his feet were back walking the paths of the known world. Barnabas and the others must have felt the same way.
You
might think that these workers would want more time to rest and that a strong
fear would be present in their minds after so much persecution. However, Paul
and Barnabas were so filled with the love of lost souls, and the spreading of
Christianity to the lost world, that they were, in the words of Paul to the
Corinthians, ready to “spend and be spent” (2 Corinthians 12:15).
We can be assured that Paul was not a quitter! In fact, when the road became hard and painful, Paul kept going. He believed that the One who was guiding him, was more powerful than the world that was fighting him.
One day during a siege as Charles the Twelfth of Sweden was dictating a letter, a bombshell from the enemy fell upon the house, broke through the roof, and burst near his apartment. The secretary was alarmed and his pen fell from his hand.
“What’s the matter?” asked the king; “why do you not continue writing?”
“Most gracious sir,” said the secretary, “the bombshell!”
“Well!” said the king, “what has the bombshell to do with the letter? Go on with the writing.”
It is wondered by many, if Paul realized the magnitude of this second journey when he left An´tioch of Syr´ia. His original plan was to re-visit the converts made on the previous trip, but God has for him more extensive plans.
When
the suggestion was made to return to the mission field, Paul assumed that he
and Barnabas would work together. However, Barnabas wanted to take his cousin, (Colossians
4:10), John Mark. Paul was not willing to
risk the chance of a repeat performance. Consequently, a sharp contention arose
between the two men, even to the point of parting company. Paul selected Silas
and set his course through Syr´ia and Cilic´ia his native land. Barnabas chose
John Mark and returned to his homeland on the Island of Cy´prus (Acts
4:36).
Let it be remembered that these two men were still friends and brothers in Christ even though they disagreed. They were still striving and working for the same purpose. However, due to conflicting circumstances they felt it best to work in different sections of the world.
Although they had different opinions about an earthly decision, they were still united in their purpose of carrying the gospel to the lost and dying world. Therefore, you do not hear either man saying, “I’ll just quit! I’ll give up teaching and preaching.” They simply parted company with the working partner of their choice.
How could they disagree and still go their separate ways in peace? Because they had strong faith that God was with them. They believed that He would guide them regardless of the physical circumstances of their lives.
A little child, whose father and mother had died, was taken into another family. When night came, she knelt and prayed as her mother had taught her; and when that was ended she added a little prayer of her own. “O God, make these people as kind to me as my Papa and Mama have been.”
Then she paused and looked up as if expecting an answer, and added, “Of course you will.” How sweetly simple was that little one’s faith in God! We are but children—God is our Father.
This is the last we read of Barnabas, but it must be assumed that he was successful for the cause of Christ throughout his life. Paul, in later writings, came to appreciate John Mark, and let it be known that he did not hold a grudge (2 Timothy 4:11). However, at the beginning of this journey, Paul thought it expedient not to take a chance with John Mark until he was proven.
Therefore once again, Paul left An´tioch of Syr´ia for a successful journey.
(For details of An´tioch of Syr´ia, refer to Journey 1).
Syr´ia And
Cilic´ia (Acts 15:41)
The record in Acts simply states, “he went through Syr´ia and Cilic´ia confirming the churches.” As he left An´tioch, it is obvious that this missionary, with his helper Silas, took the route of the mainland. Paul has chosen to cross his native land in Cilic´ia, but these stops are only stepping stones for a more advanced work that lies ahead.
It seems that as Paul travels across the country that he is working as if time is running out. He wants to make each day count, for he knows that sooner or later Christ would return. Paul did not wish to stop preaching and wait for the Lord’s return, but he wanted rather (should the Lord return) to be found preaching.
An old man who was warned by one such enthusiast to quit his work and be ready to meet his Master replied, “My Bible tells me, ‘you do not know when the time is’ (Mark 13:33). The tick of God’s clock is not heard on earth until it strikes the hour.”
Der´be And Lys´tra (Acts 16:1-5)
At
the very place where Paul had almost died, he found a son in the gospel,
Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2). Paul was able
to see that this young man had the potential for a great worker. His background
had been filled with truths from the Holy Scriptures, and he had been taught to
live them in his life by a godly mother and grandmother (2 Timothy
1:5; 3:15)
.
Timothy’s father was a Greek (Acts 16:1), and possibly had forbidden the boy’s mother to have him circumcised according to the Jewish religion. For we learn in this text that Paul had this done before taking him on this important tour. The Jews were very strict, and much persecution was ahead even when all precautions had been taken.
Circumcision was no longer binding as a religious command, because one of the purposes of this journey was to visit the churches to inform them of the recent decision of the Jerusalem elders (and apostles) in regard to circumcision not being bound on the Gentiles (Acts 15:23-29). However, Paul felt it expedient for the sake of influence and opportunity to preach Jesus, to have this young man circumcised.
We may often wish that the author would have told us more details about each stop on this journey, but after considering the total journey and its happenings, we have a complete picture of Paul and the many different facets of his work. The thing that should impress us is found in these words: “And so the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16:5). With this comforting thought, we should be ready to follow these workers farther into this good work.
Paul must have viewed the world as being trapped in sin and needing a way out. With God’s help, he made it his goal in life to show as many as possible the way out.
There are many beautiful gates in life to higher and better things: The Gate of Hope, the Gate of Love, the Gate of Character, the Gate of Faithfulness, the Gate of Prayer. Jesus Christ is the Beautiful Gate to eternal life.” –Peloubet.
Phryg´ia And Gala´tia (Acts 16:6)
Next we are simply told that they went through the region of Phryg´ia and Gala´tia. Phryg´ia is located in Asia Minor. At one time it was a large district province, the largest in Asia Minor, but it seems that the provinces around it began crowding in, and at the time of Paul it had ceased to be a province—only such in local name.
It was bounded with Gala´tia on the east, Lyd´da, Mys´ia, and Ca´ria on the west, Bithyn´ia on the north and Pisid´ia and Ly´cia on the south. It has been described as a high tableland between the chain of Tarus Mountains on the south and the Olympus Mountains on the north. Its chief cities mentioned in the New Testament are Laodice´a, Colos´se, and Hierap´olis. Phryg´ia is mentioned in (Acts 2) as one of the nations represented on the first Pentecost Feast after the resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem.
In the same connection they also went through the region of Gala´tia. This province lies east of Phryg´ia also in the central part of Asia Minor. As we have already studied, Paul and partners worked Lys´tra and Der´be which are cities located in the southern part of Gala´tia. Gala´tia is often referred to as the “land of the Galli, Gauls,” and it derived its name from the Gallic tribe. At this time they were known as the “Gaul of the East.”
God admires all good qualities in His children, but somewhere near the top of the list He must especially appreciate steadfastness. Since God is unchangeable, He wishes His children to be the same. The Gala´tian Christians took their eyes off of Christ and centered them on false teaching. There are many things in life capable of detractions if we allow such, but all of these must be removed if we are to stand firmly in Christ.
An artist was employed to paint the Last Supper. It was his object to throw all his art into the figure and countenance of Jesus, but he put on the table, in the foreground, some ornamental cups, the workmanship of which was very beautiful. When his friends came to see the picture on the easel, one said, “What beautiful cups.”
“Ah,” said the painter, “I have made a mistake. These cups have diverted your eyes from the Lord.”
He blotted the cups from the canvas, that the figure of Christ might be the chief object of attraction.
According to (Galatians 4:13,14), Paul was ill while in Gala´tia. Our text says that he wanted to preach in Asia, but the Holy Spirit did not permit them. With the attitude that “God knows best,” they traveled on to Mys´ia.
Mys´ia (Acts 16:7)
Since they were to avoid Asia, they must have touched on the border of Bithyn´ia as they traveled to Mys´ia. This was a province in the northwestern part of Asia Minor. It was bounded on the east by Bithyn´ia, on the west by the Aegean Sea, on the north by the Black Sea and on the south by Lydia. At this point, since Paul was forbidden to enter Asia, the region of Bithyn´ia looked to be a good field. Thus they tried to go into Bithyn´ia, but again the Spirit said no!
Therefore, it was obvious that the Spirit wanted these men to go toward the Ægean Sea, and they traveled toward Tro´as.
Here, on this occasion as well as others, Paul stepped aside and allowed the Spirit to guide him. This is not always easy! One may easily surrender others, but with self it is different.
One of Tamerlane’s followers once dug up a gold coin from the earth and brought it to the emperor. Tamerlane gazed at it and saw that it was good gold. Then he looked again and saw that the image stamped upon it was not his own but the face of Roman ruler.
Crying, “It is worthless,” he cast it away. Yet it was good gold and would have passed current anywhere in the world. He thought it worthless, though it was minted by a greater power tan his own, simply because his own face was not upon it.
Paul
listened to the Spirit because he was living by the rule: “For to me, to
live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Tro´as (Acts 16:8-10)
Paul, Silas, and Timothy are now entering a place in the ancient world that is very familiar to all students of literature. For Troas was only some four miles from the ancient Troy which was a seaport on the Hellespoint. It was on this familiar setting that Homer gave his famous story.
Dr. James Stalker in his book, “The Life Of Paul,” describes the setting in these words: “At only four miles distance lay the Plain of Troy, where Europe and Asia encountered each other in the struggle celebrated in Homer’s immortal song. Not far off Xerxes, sitting on a marble throne, reviewed the three millions of Asiatics with which he meant to bring Europe to his feet. On the other side of that narrow strait lay Greece and Rome, the centers from which issued the learning, the commerce and the armies which governed the world.”
So we can see that Paul was completely surrounded by what is now known as truly historical greatness, and yet, he knew that what he offered the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ, was far greater than all of these.
In this famous spot of the world, the Lord sent him a vision in the night. In this vision, Paul saw a man standing in Macedo´nia, and pleading with him, saying, “Come over to Macedo´nia, and help us” (vs. 9). When the morning came, Paul knew that this man represented the people in Macedo´nia and that the Lord wanted him to go to them. Now it became clear why the Spirit would not permit him and workers to go to Asia or Bithyn´ia.
Today as we think about being guided by the Holy Spirit, whether in a miraculous way as in Paul’s day or through the word given by the Spirit, be assured that God is in control. It is a beautiful picture to see one living his life under the direction of the Holy Spirit through the word today. His life is so different from those of the world.
A father wishing to make plain to his children the influence of the Holy Spirit, said, “Here is a needle that has received an electric shock and here is one that has not. They look alike, yet one has hidden qualities which the other lacks. The one needle is a magnet and when properly balanced it will enable man to find his way across the trackless ocean.”
Because of the guidance of the Spirit, Paul could move forward to new and great horizons with confidence. The Spirit was his chart to guide him to a new and great work. When we follow the directions of God’s Spirit–guided word, we can press onward with the same assurance.
It is here, at Tro´as, on this second journey that Luke the Physician joined company with Paul and workers. As Luke tells this great missionary story, he begins here in Tro´as to include himself by saying, “we” and “our.” Luke was a great man and it must have been a comfort and help for Paul to have this physician join the work with him and the others.
It seems that immediately they began seeking passage across the Ægean Sea. And the fact that they “ran a straight course” (vs. 11) to the next stop, Samothra´cia, indicates that the wind was just right for sailing, and that God was with them.
Throughout Paul’s ministry he had special friends like Luke who would make a special effort to find him and bring help and comfort. In some cases, such friends found him in prison and perhaps risked much persecution to be with Paul. There is no closeness like a friendship fortified with Christianity. The joining of Luke to the team of workers must have been among Paul’s richest blessings.
Richard the First of England on his way to the Holy Land was taken captive and thrown into a dungeon. His favorite minstrel, Blondel, knew that his king was imprisoned somewhere in a castle dungeon. So he went from one castle to another, playing well–known airs before the dungeon bars, until at last he was answered by the voice of the king from within. This led to the escape of Richard and his restoration to his throne. So the spirit of man answers to the Diving music.
Samothra´cia (Acts 16:11)
As they made their straight course toward Macedo´nia, they first came to a little island called Samothra´cia. Its real name was Samos, but since there was another Samos in the same sea, it was called Samos of Thrace—named after the country of Thrace just north of it.
A straight course from Tro´as would be only 60 miles, and the island contained a mountain 5000 feet high. Can’t you imagine that Paul and fellow–workers could see this mountain in the horizon many miles before reaching the it? This little island was an asylum for fugitives and criminals. Paul and partners did not stay her long, because on the next day they continued their journey to Neap´olis.
Neap´olis (Acts 16:11)
This represents the first place that Paul and workers set foot on European soil. This city was on the northern shore of the Ægean Sea, and only ten miles southeast of Philip´pi. This was only a landing place for these preachers as they continued their way on to Philip´pi. As much as we can learn from the Scriptures, nothing real important happened here. However, this seaport represents Paul and fellow–companion’s first landing in Europe where they did an outstanding work.
As Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke landed on this foreign soil, they must have had strong emotional feelings. Paul being the leader, he must have wondered what was ahead of them. The future (from a human standpoint) was dark and uncertain, but as in other experiences, Paul allowed the Lord to light the darkened way. Thus, step-by-step they will approach this new challenge by faith.
Be assured that our lives as Christians must be lived in the same way. When we have upsets such as changing jobs, moving to a new city, marriage, starting a family, and many other things that come into our lives, we must move into these challenges like Paul—by faith.
Steer on, though dark the path before
And endless ills betide;
Thy sure reward the shining shore
Where joy and love abide.
Then shalt thou see, no longer blind
The Pilot of thy soul;
Thy wounds all healed, in peace shall find
“Thy faith hath made thee whole.”
—J. Edwin Dodge
Philip´pi (Acts 16:12-40)
When Paul and workers entered this city, they entered a very interesting spot in Europe. It had been the sight of many battles in days gone by and had been taken from Thrace, and was presently in the possession of the Romans. Its original name, Krenides, meant “place of small fountains.”
It was known for its rich gold and silver mines. Thus, Philip had no trouble spending large suns in making it a chief city of Macedo´nia. Luke referred to this city as being the “chief or first city” which evidently meant the first city of the district since Amphip´olis was the capital.
Philip´pi laid inland about 10 miles and was separated from its seaport, Neap´olis, by a chain of mountains, which rose to heights of 1600 feet above the sea. As the missionaries followed the trail over the mountains to Philip´pi, it is possible that they saw the river where they would make their first convert in Europe. This river was called the Gangites River.
After
God sent a special vision of a man in Macedo´nia crying, “Come over and help
us,” you would expect these workers to
receive a great welcome at their arrival. But this was not the case! It seems
that they arrived without anyone there to meet them. In fact, no mention is
made of them getting acquainted with anyone at first, but simply says, “And
we were staying in that city certain days.”
When Peter was sent to the household of Cornelius, he was met with great appreciation. In fact, Cornelius fell down to worship him (Acts 10:25). However, this was not true with Paul and workers, yet this did not stop them, for they were set for the defense of the gospel.
It is true that these men entered Philip´pi without knowing a single soul, and as they looked about them, they must have seen strangers moving about their daily activities. Where would they get food, lodging, and find someone to teach?
Such questions were evidently turned over to God. Paul’s interest in material things was to simply survive. More than anything else, he wanted treasures in heaven. He had his eyes on inheriting eternal mansions with his elder brother, Jesus Christ.
A rich lady dreamed that she went to Heaven, and there saw a mansion being built. “Whom is that for?” she asked of the guide.
“For your gardener.”
“But he lives in the tiniest cottage on earth, with barely room enough for his family. He might live better if he did not give away so much to the miserable poor folks.”
Farther on she saw a tiny cottage being built. “And whom is that for?” she asked.
“That is for you.”
“But I have lived in a mansion on earth. I would not know how to live in a cottage.
The words she heard in reply were full of meaning: “The Master Builder is doing His best with the material that is being sent up.”
Then she awoke, resolving to lay up treasure in Heaven.
What kind of material are we building into our every–day life?
If they had any physical disappointments they laid them aside. For after inquiring around they learned that there was not a synagogue in Philip´pi, but some women worshiped God outside of the city by a river. These women probably chose the river because it was a place of quietness away from the city of idolatry. It was also a quiet place to meditate, and too, they may have needed water for ceremonial washings under the Jewish law. This was a town full of idols, but these women let it be known by their actions that they were to have no part of them. Thus, on the Jewish Sabbath day, Paul and fellow–workers found these women at worship.
It is a wonderful thing today when Christians are always in their place at worship, but sinful for them to always find excuses to be somewhere else.
Each time we attend worship, and worship God in spirit and in truth, we are lifted higher from many fleshly things of life. There is a sense in which the devil is continually trying to pull us down, but God seeks to lift us up. Therefore, at every opportunity possible, we should set aside time to worship Him.
A child lay dying, and said plaintively: “Lift me higher! Lift me higher!”
The father took the little one in his arms, and lifted her up as high as he could raise her, as she continued to plead, with failing strength, “Lift me higher!”
Soon she was gone, lifted out of her earthly father’s trembling arms into the bosom of her Heavenly Father.
On the child’s grave they cut her name and the words: “Lifted higher!”
Since at the meeting of these women they had things in common, serving God, it did not take them long to gain their confidence to the point of being able to tell them the great story of Christ Jesus. The men, who entered a cold town without a reception, have now once again witnessed the saving power of God touch human hearts as Lyd´ia and her household obeyed and were baptized. With a heart full of appreciation from learning about Christ, she invited them to stay in her house.
In this conversion we can see the hand of God at work. There were many things brought together by God’s hand to make these first converts of Europe. When all come together, the end products are souls saved eternally.
All things work together for good. This word “together” is the emphatic word. At the weaver’s hand are many shuttles with differently colored threads. He now thrusts in a white, a blue, a black thread. You cannot judge the purpose by the thrust of one shuttle; you must wait until he has emptied all. Nor can we judge God or His purpose by any one event, nor by any one day. We are yet on the loom. Give God time to put this and that together.” —Hallock.
It seems that they continued to visit the river for prayer and service, for on one occasion they encountered a damsel possessed with a spirit of divination and was able to bring much gain to her masters by soothsaying. As she followed the men of God, she cried out, “These men are the servants of the most high God, who show to us the way of salvation” (vs. 17). After she did this for many days, Paul finally turned and cast out the spirit in the name of Christ. This made her owners angry at Paul and Silas and they captured them and presented them to the rulers in the Market Place with the accusation that they trouble our city. The truth was that they troubled them, but they made it appear that the whole city was affected.
Have you ever heard people say, “The church is disturbed over this,” when in reality, they were talking only of themselves and perhaps two or three more whom they had personally disturbed?
Paul and fellow–missionaries must suffer because of the sins of others. Those who follow the course of sin, grow worse until they are plunged into eternal death. How does this happen? The devil makes sure that one goes into sin so gradual that he does not recognize his condition.
It is said that you can boil a frog alive if you bring the water to a boil gradually! So, an evil here and another one there, add a little more hardness to the heart until permanent damage is done.
The people must have believed these evil men, because the whole multitude rise up together against them and these men of God received stripes from a beating and were thrown in prison. For many of us today, this would have been grounds to give up with the attitude, if God wants us to work, He had better get us from behind these bars! In fact, some of us would have taken the position that my wounds are too sore to work anyway!
How
easy it would have been for Paul and Silas to pout and feel self-pity. But not
so! For we learn that at midnight Paul and Silas were “praying and singing
praises to God, and the prisoners heard them” (vs. 25).
How, one might ask, could these men be so confident? How could they see beyond these bars and the physical pain? The answer, they trusted God to show them the way. Yes, they were doing their part and believed that God would do His!
A blind boy stood on the corner of a city street. “Shall I help you across, my little friend?” a gentleman asked.
“Oh, no, thank you; I am waiting for my father.”
“Can you trust your father?”
“Oh, yes: when he has my hand I feel perfectly safe.”
“Why do you feel safe?”
“Oh, because my father knows the way. He can see, but I am blind.”
Miraculous Earthquake
When we do God’s will, there are those who will see us. More importantly though, we learn that God heard them. For suddenly there was a great earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison opening all the doors. The prisoners were free to leave, but they didn’t! For when the Jailor was ready to take his own life, Paul informed him: “we are all here.” This great miracle not only opened the prison doors, but opened the hearts of the Jailor and his house to hear the word and to be baptized into Christ.
The same Jailor, who wanted stripes from a whipping laid upon their backs, now washes their stripes. Thus, the same men who came into this town of Philip´pi without a single friend are now invited to dine in the house of the Jailor.
These men’s faith and patience have now paid well—they have seen God’s powerful hand at work. Just think of the failure that would have been experienced had they attempted to break out! They were at their fullest strength when they patiently waited on God.
Be not swift to be afraid:
Many a ghostly thing is laid
In the light from out the shade;
Wait and see.
Better than your wildest dreams
Is God’s light that for you gleams
When the morning cloudy seems;
Wait and see.
—Marianne Farningham
The magistrates decided that they had better get these men out of town and sent word that they were free to leave. However, Paul seemed to say by his words to them, you can’t get us to go that easily. If you want us to leave, come do it yourself. Come face the Romans you beat openly who had not been condemned!
This word “Roman” frightened the rulers and they came personally and brought them out. After Paul and workers stopped by Lyd´ia’s house to say farewell to the brethren, they left Philip´pi.
As these men leave Philip´pi, they do not end their work here, because the seeds for future growth have been planted. They have begun a work that will develop more and more into the building of God’s great spiritual temple. These few new precious stones will influence others, and Paul will some day write a beautiful letter to a strong church. (See the book of Philippians).
Slowly throughout all the universe, the temple of God is being built. When in any world a soul by free–willed obedience catches the fire of God’s likeness it is set into the growing walls, a living stone. When, in your hard fight, in your tiresome drudgery, or in your terrible temptation, you catch the purpose of your being and give yourself to God and so give Him the chance to give Himself to you, your life, a living stone, is taken up and set into that growing wall.
Wherever souls are being tried and ripened in whatever commonplace and homely ways, there God is hewing out the pillars for His temple. Oh, if the stone can only have some vision of the temple of which it is to be a part forever, what patience must fill it as it feels the blows of the hammer and knows that success for it is simply to let itself be wrought into what shape the Master wills!” —Phillips Brooks.
Amphip´olis (Acts 17:1)
When Paul and workers left Philip´pi, they headed in a southwestern direction, 33 miles to Amphip´olis. This was a Roman Military Station located in a bend at the mouth of the Strymon River. In fact, it was known as a city pressed on all sides and was nearly surrounded by the bend of the river.
We have no reason to suppose that there was a synagogue in this town since Paul moved on—bound for Thessaloni´ca Where it is plainly emphasized that there was a synagogue. If Paul and traveling companions preached here, the record is silent.
We are learning that Paul passed through many such places as Amphip´olis without preaching. Does this mean that he neglected these places with the precious gospel? No! Paul’s method of mission work is like a wagon wheel with spokes. He chose the areas to preach far enough apart that they could span out after he left like spokes from a hub.
He not only sowed the seed of the gospel, but he sowed the seed of mission work to be done by others. He depended on them to cover a radius of several miles from where he sowed the seed. Therefore, he passed on through Amphip´olis that was only three miles from the Ægean Sea, southwest toward Apollo´nia.
Paul believed in the power of the gospel. He believed that once the seed was sowed, God would give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). With this assurance in his heart, he taught from city to city. Do we have this kind of faith in the word of God? Do we believe in sowing the seed of God’s word, as well as sowing good deeds as a Christian?
The tissue of the life to be
We weave with colors all our own;
And in the field of destiny
We reap what we have sown.
Apollo´nia (Acts 17:1)
With a 30-mile hike southwest, they were ready to pass through Apollo´nia. This was not a very important town—mostly used for trade. It was named from Apollo the youthful god of music, song, and soothsaying. It was to be reached with the gospel perhaps by those of Thessaloni´ca. These last two towns seem to be mentioned as travel markers, but after 37 miles slightly north and westward on to Thessaloni´ca, much work for the Lord began.
Thessaloni´ca (Acts 17:1-10)
As this great company of missionaries moved into Thessaloni´ca, they were coming into the seaport of the second part of Macedo´nia and the largest city. It was originally called Therme (hot spring), but one of the successors of Alexander the Great took over and evidently named it after his wife Thessalonike. This city was noted for its greatness because it was located on a main road that led from Rome to the country north of the Ægean Sea, known as the Via Egnatian Way. Thus we can see Paul’s strategy in planting a congregation of the church here in order that the gospel might go forth to thousands.
While studying the earnestness Paul sets forth in spreading the gospel, one might ask, “What drove him so hard?” Perhaps there are many factors that might be mentioned; however, Paul must have been driven by the fact that the devil was at work. He was using every method imaginable to deceive souls so that they would follow sin to death. Paul wanted to stop as many souls as possible from following the deceit of the devil.
One day I saw a drove of pigs following a man. To my great surprise I saw them follow him even to the slaughterhouse. I said to the man, “How do you induce the pigs to follow you?”
“Oh,” he replied, “I have a basket of beans, and drop a few as I go on.”
So the devil has his beans and his crowds, and he gets multitudes to go in the way of death. All the crowded cities are strewn with the beans that tempt to sin, and filled with the multitude who sin and lead others to sin.” —Rowland Hill.
Their first stop was to visit the Jewish Synagogue. They did not waste any time, but got down to the facts of the matter. For three Jewish Sabbath days, Paul proclaimed and reasoned with them from the Scriptures that Christ died, was raised from the dead, and is the Christ. He let them know that he was not ashamed of the Christ and faithfully preached Him.
These men experienced success here, for some of the Jews believed, along with a great multitude of devout Greeks, and not a few of the prominent women. But they faced the problem that preachers face today—some believed and some did not! The unbelievers were not content to disbelieve only, for they desired to harm these men of God.
Even though some refused to believe the great story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, Paul was able to reach others. In the midst of failure, there was great success. Also, Paul could close his eyes in sleep knowing that he had utilized every opportunity to preach Christ. There was not an enemy strong enough to keep him from preaching that great power he knew would save.
A story is told of a man who dreamed a guide took him through a corn field; every ear of corn was a precious jewel, and he went from one to the other until he came to the end of the field without picking one, when the guide said, “Opportunities lose.” Are we not impressed that this world is a field of precious lives, and we pass from one to another, and with all the opportunities that are ours, we will, like the dreamer, say, “Opportunities lost.”
“Count that day lost whose slow descending sun views from your hand no worthy action done.”
The Jews got together some of the wicked men of the baser sort from the marketplace, stirred up the city, attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And not being able to find Paul and Silas, they settled with Jason and certain brethren and began satisfying their hate by turning them over to the rulers.
It was on this occasion that they brought an accusation that they thought was terrible, but was one of the finest compliments ever paid to these missionaries. They said, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also” (vs. 6). In order to give it legal grounds, they accused the apostle and Silas of going against Cæ´sar by teaching about another king. Now this began to really stir up trouble!
At this point they received security of Jason and of the others. This is a legal expression, which means they pledged or posted bond that they would stop the trouble. We do not know whether they paid a sum of money or promised that these men would move on to another city, but at any rate, it became expedient for them to preach elsewhere. So the brethren immediately sent them away by night on the road to Bere´a.
Does this mean that they failed at Thessaloni´ca? Certainly not! Rather, it means that they had planted the word as long as humanly possible without miracles, knowing that God would give the increase.
Paul’s enemies could stir up enough troubles with the authorities to convince him to move on, but they could not stop everlasting impressions from being made. All the hate and turmoil could not erase the good that these men did in preaching Christ.
A man said to a boy who was scratching on a pane of glass with a diamond, “Do not write there.”
“Why?”
“Because it will not rub off.”
Remember, the preaching of the gospel makes impressions for good that will withstand time eternity.
The greatest proof of success comes forth when we learn that the second church on European soil was planted at this stop. For shortly after leaving Thessaloni´ca, Paul sent them the letter known to us as 1 Thessalonians. From this we learn some additional details about their stay in this city.
In
(1 Thessalonians 2:9), Paul says: “For
you remember, brethren, our labor and travail, for laboring night and day so as
not to be chargeable to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.” It is possible that Paul and Silas worked with skins
since the city was noted for the manufacturing of goat’s haircloth. Paul was a
maker of tents (Acts 18:3).
Then
finally, he tells of their success in setting up a church at this place. “For
they themselves report about us what kind of entering we had to you, and how
you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for
His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivered us
from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:9,10).
Why did God give these men such success? Why, in spite of strong opposition were they able to establish a strong working church? They had loved God with all their strength!
A little boy said that he loved his mother with all his strength. He was asked what he meant, and he said: “You see, we live on the fourth floor of this house, and there is no elevator, and the wood is down in the basement. Mother is busy, and is not very strong, so I carry the wood up for her. That is what I call loving mother with all my strength.”
These men showed their love by preaching and making tents with their hands. Each word spoken, and each hour of physical labor represented a work of love, and God truly blessed their labors.
Bere´a (Acts 17:10-14)
When Paul, Silas left Thessaloni´ca by night, they had a 50-mile journey southwest to Bere´a. Do you remember studying the road that ran from Rome to north of the Ægean Sea known as the Egnatian Way? Well, these men could continue their journey to Bere´a part of the way on this road. We are told that the Romans kept this road graded and planted with flag–stones, and pieces of them can be found today.
Even though they could not go all the way on this road, they probably did most all of their night traveling here, and were able to make faster time. Of Course, they eventually had to turn southward to Bere´a.
This town was noted for its beauty as it stretched out on the eastern slope of the Olympian range. Some ancient writers tell of its beautiful gardens with water running in the streets. It also had a Jewish synagogue and as was Paul’s custom, this was his first stop.
Although Paul was not in Bere´a for the beautiful sights of nature, it must have been thrilling to see the beautiful handiwork of God’s creation. As one writer expressed it:
There are sermons everywhere. Jesus preached from a lily, and from a handful of wheat, and from the stones of the temple, and from the vines, and from a coin. Lessons of faith and honor and purity and charity exhale with the morning dew. Every sunrise is a poem and every sunset the peroration of a noble discourse from God to His children.
The man who feels with, and suffers with, and smiles with nature: to whom every flower and every grain of sand is a thought of God, and every leaf a note in a continuous coronation song, has an ever increasing resource from which to draw as a wise lover and leader of souls.
As Goethe says, “To such there came trooping up out of the meadows and singing down out of the skies thoughts like free children of God, crying out: ‘Here we are! Here we are!’ “ —Mountford.
Perhaps we remember from this stop most of all the fact that this was a city of Jews who “searched the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (vs. 11). This is more than one can say about the Jews in Thessaloni´ca as well as other places on the journey. As a result of honest searching, many believed, along with Greeks. Timothy finally rejoins the team, and will remain here in Bere´a with Silas for a time while Paul moves on to Ath´ens.
One’s only hope today of finding the well balanced spiritual life is to search and apply the word of God. Other books have their place, but fall short of our greatest needs. Why not put the Bible to the test:
If you are impatient, sit down quietly and talk with Job.
If you are just strong–go and see Moses.
If you are getting weak–kneed, take a good look at Elijah.
If there is no song in your heart, listen to David.
If you are a policy man, read Daniel.
If you are getting sordid, spend a while with Isaiah.
If you are chilly, get the beloved disciple to put his arms
around you.
If your faith is below par, read Paul.
If you are getting lazy, watch James.
If you are losing sight of the future, climb up the stairs of
Revelation and get a glimpse of the Promised Land.
—Author unknown.
In
the days of persecution, the clock of peace did not tick for long and Bere´a
was no exception. For the Jews of Thessaloni´ca learned about the success of
this missionary team, and like vultures they came flying to Bere´a. Paul, from
experience, knew what was in store and permitted the brethren to send him away.
His next stop will be in Ath´ens while leaving Silas and Timothy in Bere´a (vs.
14).
As Paul leaves Bere´a, he has once again faced those who neglected to receive Jesus Christ. These unbelievers had heard the message, but due to being prejudice, they rejected it and became bitter.
A little fellow came running into a railroad station just as the train drew out.
“You didn’t run fast enough,” said a bystander.
“O yes, I did, but I didn’t start soon enough,” was the reply.
Carelessness! Neglect! Great masses of people neglect Christ.
There is disagreement by writers as to how Paul got to Ath´ens. In verse 14, Luke states that the brethren “sent Paul, to go as far as the sea,” or “to go to the sea.” Some think that he wanted to make his enemies believe that he was going by sea. Still others believe that he mad the trip by sea.
Perhaps
it does not matter how or by what route he traveled, but we do know that he was
accompanied to Ath´ens, and that those who accompanied him returned with a
message from Paul for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed (vs.
15).
Ath´ens (Acts 17:15-34)
As we travel with Paul to the city of Ath´ens, our hearts leap with the sound of the name. For he is entering the Capital of Attica, one of the Greek States as well as the capital of learning of this age. The beginning of this city took place on a high ledge of rocks, but it was not long until all the lower surrounding rocks had buildings erected on their sites.
This city was noted for its beautiful public buildings. A description of these is staggering to the imagination of man. However, let it be remembered that even though Ath´ens was a glorious sight, it had been some 400 years since it was at its highest peak of splendor.
But it was still at this time noted as the center of enlightenment in science, literature and art. Paul being an educated man must have been cognizant of all these devices of men. In fact, if he had been in the same situation prior to his conversion, he would have thought himself the luckiest of all men. But somehow this had lost its real value because he had learned that man’s wisdom and splendor would pass away. He had learned to look beyond the physical to an eternal soul. Therefore, Ath´ens with her wisdom of men, had to take second place to Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Until we have learned to think of our earthly possessions and life as being secondary to the church and God’s will, we have never found the real meaning of Christianity.
In the Tate Gallery, London, hangs a magnificent painting by the late George Frederick Watts, R.A. So beautiful is it that it has been selected as one of the few to be photographed and placed in the rotunda as a masterpiece. It represents a young man, life size, elegantly attired in the flowing robes of the Orient, adorned with gold chain and embroidery, but having his face turned away, his head bowed low and an inexpressible look of sadness and sorrow characterizing the whole figure, even the long, delicate jeweled fingers hanging listlessly at his side. Below are the words, “For he had great possessions.”
The foolishness of man in this city reflected brightly before Paul’s eyes when he observed that false gods were on every hand. Statues were made into the buildings and temples were erected in honor of false gods. If Paul had a tendency to appreciate the skill of their hands, it must have been lost when he saw a city groping for the true and living God.
It has been said that Athens contained more idols than all the rest of Greece. One writer said it was easier to find a god than a man. Another said that Athens was one great altar, one great offering to the gods.
Now,
can you begin to see why the Scriptures say: “His spirit was stirred within
him, when he saw the city fully given to idolatry” (vs. 16).
God will use Paul in the midst of these idols to declare His greatness. Even though the majority will reject his message, Paul will show them how much greater is the true God of heaven compared to their gods from human hands.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
—Wm. Cooper
These walls had rung out with every philosophy that man could ever imagine. Some of the world’s greatest thinkers had presented their school of thoughts to hundreds and many of these come down to us today as being great thinkers.
However,
little did these people know that the Apostle Paul was about to give the
greatest and most truthful address that had ever been spoken in this famous
city or in any other city that had not heard about the true God. In fact, Luke
records this speech so plain and forceful that your best commentary is to read
it from your Bible (Acts 17:22-31).
After
studying this speech word by word, we must note that he condemned their false
gods and crumbled every idol to the ground. Then he very forcefully erected the
invisible, true and living God of heaven. He claimed to have for them, “The
Unknown God whom they were ignorantly worshiping” (vs. 23).
By speaking of a living God, it was not difficult to show them that such a living God was able to make man as His offspring, and that He furnishes the very life within him!
One of the most exalted thoughts that can pass through our minds is the realization that God is our creator, and we are His offspring.
The King of Prussia, visiting in one of his villages, was welcomed by the school children. When it came his turn to speak, he thanked them for their welcome, and taking an orange, asked, “To what kingdom does this belong?”
“The vegetable kingdom, sir,” said a little girl.
Holding up a gold coin, he asked, “To what does this belong?”
“To the mineral kingdom,” was the quick response.
“To what kingdom do I belong, then?” asked the king.
The child blushed. She did not like to say, “The animal kingdom,” lest their royal visitor might be offended. Then there flashed into her mind the thought, “God made man in His own image,” and looking up brightly she said, “To God’s kingdom, sir.”
No doubt, these men of Ath´ens had never heard of such wisdom and they seemed to listen with an open mind until Paul mentioned the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This turned them off, and they immediately turned him down, gracefully bowing out by setting another time to hear him.
When
a truth was presented that did not fit their own will, they put a blinder over
their minds and walked away. However, Paul did not fail! In the first place, he
taught them the truth even though most of them refused. Their blood will not be
on him at the Judgment. Also, we read that certain men believed and named
Dionys´ius and a woman named Dam´aris and others with them (vs. 34).
As Paul left Ath´ens to journey toward Cor´inth, he must have left with the belief that when the word is planted it will sooner or later bear fruit for God (Matthew 13:8). However, even if they had all refused it, Paul had still shown them the necessity of God’s touch in their origin, existence, and eternal destiny.
A gentleman visiting a glass manufactory saw a man molding clay into the great pats, which later were to be used in shaping the glass. Noticing that all the molding was done by hand, he said to the workman: “Why do you not use a tool to aid you in shaping the clay?”
“There is no tool that can do this kind of work,” replied the artisan. “We have tried a number of tools, but somehow it needs the human touch.”
So nothing but the touch of God can explain the beauty and fitness of the world to be the home of man.
Cor´inth (Acts 18:1-18)
After a journey of some 50 miles west from Ath´ens to Cor´inth, Paul’s eyes beheld the new Cor´inth. It is called new because the city was almost completely destroyed by Mummius in 146 B.C. and rebuilt by Julius Cæsar in 46 B.C. This city is located on a small strip of land with water on each side, but connecting the mainland on each end. This strip of land is called an isthmus.
It is not difficult to imagine why this new Cor´inth grew so rapidly and became so wicked. This little isthmus afforded a short cut for traders moving from the peninsula and the mainland. Also, very often, large boats would transfer their cargo to smaller crafts, and this whole process paraded through Cor´inth. Where there are people, money is spent, and where there is the free flowing of money, there is sin.
Thus, this city was so wicked that it became an example used by those who illustrated evil. There was present in Cor´inth the temple of Venus which housed 1,000 harlots known as slaves of the temple who sold themselves sexually in honor of the goddess. This brought in thousands of people and much wealth for the city.
Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans from Cor´inth, and it is no wonder that he was able to paint such an evil picture of the heathen people and the hideousness of their sins (Romans 1:21-32). However, this was not the only picture that could be seen in Cor´inth. There were those who made an honest living and found their enjoyment in art from their many skills, but of course, these were in the minority.
It seems that at Cor´inth, the average person gave the members of his or her body over to all kinds of sin. The false gods and goddess promoted the sinful use of the body. Those who were taught Jesus Christ were taught just the opposite. Listen to Paul in his letter to the Romans:
“Therefore
do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lusts.
Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield
yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead, and your members as
instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:12,13).
Someone has suggested seven good rules that will help us keep our bodies for the Lord:
(1) Mind your tongue! Don’t let it speak hasty, unkind or wicked words.
(2) Mind your eyes! Don’t permit them to look on wicked books, pictures or objects.
(3) Mind your ears! Don’t suffer them to listen to wicked speeches, songs or words.
(4) Mind your lips! Don’t let tobacco foul them. Don’t let strong drink pass them. Don’t let the food of the glutton enter between them.
(5) Mind your hands! Don’t let them steal, or fight, or write any evil words.
(6) Mind your feet! Don’t let them walk in the steps of the wicked.
(7) Mind the heart! Don’t let the love of sin dwell in it. Don’t give it to Satan, but ask Jesus to make it His throne.
Paul Meets Some Real Friends
One of the good things that happened to Paul in Cor´inth was the finding of Aq´uila and Priscil´la who had just arrived from Rome. Since these two were tentmakers by trade (vs. 3), it became easy to make friends while Paul stayed with them. But please remember that tent making was only a source of livelihood for this great apostle. His mission was to preach Christ.
How great a help such a friendship is in life’s mysterious journey no words can describe without the appearance of extravagance.
“What is the secret of your life?” asked Mrs. Browning of Charles Kingsley. “Tell me, that I may make mine beautiful too.”
He replied, “I had a friend.” —F.B. Meyer.
When Silas and Timothy arrived, Paul began his great spiritual work by testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. However, once again their hearts were made sad by the rejection of the Jews. This became the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. For with the shake of his raiment, Paul gave them up to shoulder their own guilt and blood.
The time can come when we must seek other fields to sow seed. Paul came to realize that the Jews, with their built–in prejudiced attitudes, were costing him precious time, which could be used in reaching the Gentiles where the opposition would be less.
Leaving the Jews he entered the house of a man named Jus´tus, whose house was next door to the synagogue. With the conversion of Cris´pus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, Paul’s work really became fruitful. For many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
This must have been encouraging, but not nearly so much as what happened to Paul one night. If he had been entertaining the idea of leaving this city shortly, such thoughts were erased when God appeared in a vision and said, “Do not be afraid but speak, and do not keep silent” (vs. 9). Paul was assured that no man would hurt him and that many souls would be reached in this city.
At times, it seems, that God left it to Paul’s judgment and the physical circumstances as to the proper time to move forward. However, just as he was previously guided by the Spirit to go to Macedo´nia, he is now guided by the same Spirit to stay in Cor´inth. Therefore, for 18 months, Paul devoted himself to reaching souls for Christ in this city as a congregation of the Lord’s church grew.
Among the many great things that can be said of Paul was the fact that he let God lead the way. Paul seemed to live by the rule, I’ll do my best and God will guide me to great things. Here in Cor´inth, he allows God to point the way, and be assured that all will be well.
Do we live this same rule in our lives today?
One of the best things that Beecher ever said was, “Do the best you can where you are, and when that is accomplished God will open a door to a higher sphere.” In actual life this truth is proved to be one of the natural laws in the spiritual world, and in the business world and in the world of scholarship as well.
These opening doors are always above us, and the ladder by which we climb to them is always the same. The rungs are individual duties well performed, and they must be mounted one by one. There is no bounding from the bottom to the top. There is no such thing as ignoring the first rungs because they are near the ground.