1. Paul and Barnabas, at the direction of the Holy Spirit are released to do the work they have been called to do. John Mark accompanies them, Acts 13:5 (NAS)
a. At Antioch, in the church there were prophets and Teachers.
b. The Holy Spirit specifically called Paul and Barnabas.
c. They went to the synagogues of the Jews.
d. they also had John as their traveling companion.
2. Paul's first missionary journey. 13:4-14:26.
a. Seleucia a seaport of Antioch to Cyprus first to Salamis then to.
b. Paphos:
i. (Elymas) a Jewish false prophet, sorcerer, named Bar-Jesus.
ii. He withstood them as Sergius Paulus, the proconsul sought to hear the Word of God.
iii. He was seeking to turn the proconsul away from the Faith.
iv. Saul, who is also called Paul filled with the Holy Ghost said,
"You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11 "And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time." And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
3. From Paphos, they sail to Perga in Pamphylia, 13:13.
a. John Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas and went back to Jerusalem.
b. This caused a break in fellowship between Paul and Barnabas later.
4. From Perga to Antioch in Pisidia, 13:14-41
5. Paul's great sermon in the synagogue,.
a. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials said to them, saying,
b. "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."
c. And Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, he said,
d. "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:
e. He teaches Jewish history starting with God chose our fathers.
f. From David came a Savior, Jesus Christ.
g. Then John the Baptist words,
h. 10. 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'
i. Then his death though they found no cause.
j. The resurrection.
k. God has fulfilled this promise to our children.
l. In that He raised up Jesus,
m. As it is also written in the second Psalm,
n. ' Thou art My Son; today I have begotten thee.
o. 'Opposition by the Jews and work among the Gentiles, 13:44-49.
6. Next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of God. The Jews were jealous. They began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.
a. Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
b. "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; Since you repudiate it, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, Behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. "For the Lord has commanded us, ' I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, That you should bring salvation to the end of the earth.'
c. The Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.
d. The Jews stirred up some people in the city which caused persecution against Paul and Barnabas and they were expelled them from the city. The shook the dust from their feet.
7. Next city was Iconium.
a. They entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a great multitude believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.
b. But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and embittered them against the brethren.
c. Much speaking and signs and wonders by the grace of God was given at their hands.
d. But the multitude of the city was divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.
e. And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, they flee.
8. Lystra and Derbe, and surrounding regions. 14:6.
a. The healing of the lame man at Lystra results in the people proposing to worship Paul and Barnabas as Zeus a Greek god. They tore their cloths and ran among them saying we are only men. They could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
b. The Jews stir up opposition and Paul is stoned and dragged out of the city as dead. when the disciples gathered around him he got up and went back into the city, the next day they left for Derbe. 14:8-20.
9. Retracing their steps Paul and Barnabas revisiting and organizing the Churches, and return to Antioch in Syria, where they make a report of their journey, 14:21-28.
a. They returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
b. And they passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; and from there they sailed to Antioch, They gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
10. The council at Jerusalem. The issue, 15:5-6.
a. "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses." And the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.
b. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, Peter's argument in favor of Christian liberty, 15:7-11. He relates his visit to Cornelius.
c. Paul and Barnabas relate their experiences, 15:12.
d. And all the multitude kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
11. The speech of James and the decision of the council in favor of exempting the Gentiles from the rules of the ceremonial law, 15:13-29.
a. James, thought to be the lead pastor of the church in Jerusalem. And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, "Brethren, listen to me.
"Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. "And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, ' After these things I will return, And I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, And I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it, In order that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name, ' Says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old. "Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. "For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
b. Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas-- Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, and they sent this letter by them,
"The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. "Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell. "
c. Judas and Silas are sent to Antioch to deliver the letter from the council to the church, 15:27-30. 27
1. Paul's second missionary journey, 15:36-18:22.
a. A disagreement between Paul and Barnabas concerning John Mark.
b. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.
c. But Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.
2. Places visited and outstanding events: Visitation of the churches of Syria and Cilicia, And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. 15:41-16:5.
a. In Lystra was Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. Paul wanted Timothy to go with him. He took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
b. Churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.
3. The Spirit guides them to Troas, where they are called into Europe by the Macedonian vision, 16:7-10.
a. And when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia,
b. And the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; And passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A certain man of Macedonia was saying "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
c. Immediately we sought to go into Macedonia
4. At Philippi Paul and Silas are imprisoned, and the jailer converted, 16:12-34,
a. Philippi, is a leading city of the district of Macedonia. On the Sabbath day preached by some women by the river. Lydia, from the city of Thyatira a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.
b. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed.
5. The demon divination were cast out of a certain slave-girl as they were going to the place of prayer, She was bringing her masters much profit by fortune telling.
a. Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, "These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, Who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation."
b. Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit,
c. "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!"
d. And it came out at that very moment. Her masters’ hope of profit was gone,
6. They seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities,
a. They were brought before the chief magistrates, the charges.
b. "These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, They are proclaiming customs, which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans. " The crowd rose up together against them, The chief magistrates tore their robes off them, And ordered them to be beaten with rods. they inflicted many blows upon them,
c. they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; He, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks.
7. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
a. a great earthquake occurred, the foundations of the prison were shaken; and the doors came opened, And everyone's chains were unfastened.
b. The jailer drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had escaped.
c. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!"
d. he fell down before Paul and Silas, said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
e. They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him.
f. He took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.
g. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, He rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household and a church is established.
8. The next important event is the founding of a church at Thessalonica, where persecution arises and they depart for Berea, traveling through Amphiboles and Apollonia 17:1-10
a. They came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ."
b. And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, Along with a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.
c. The Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, They formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; Coming upon the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. And when they did not find them,
d. They began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them, They all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. "
e. And they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.
9. Paul and Silas are forced to leave for Berea by night. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
a. In Berea they find some faithful students of the Word who become ready converts, 17:11-12.
b. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, They received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, To see whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.
c. A storm of persecution breaks out again, and Paul goes on to Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy to establish the church in Berea, 17:13-15.
10. Paul goes to Athens and asked Silas and Timothy come to him as soon as possible. At Athens Paul finds a city filled with idols, and preaches a sermon on Mars' Hill, but makes only a few converts to the faith,. 17:15-34.
a. His spirit was being provoked within him as he was beholding the city full of idols.
* Epicurean Devoted to the pursuit of pleasure; fond of good food, comfort, and ease. A devotee to sensuous and luxurious living; an epicure[1]
** Stoic One who is seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain. A member of a Greek school of philosophy, founded by Zeno about 308 B.C., believing that human beings should be free from passion and should calmly accept all occurrences as the unavoidable result of divine will or of the natural order.[2]
b. Some of the *Epicurean and **Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some called him an “idle babbler” others, said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities," Because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
* Areopagus The highest judicial and legislative council of ancient Athens.[3]
c. They took him and brought him to the *Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? You are bringing some strange things to our ears; We want to know therefore what these things mean."
d. So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.'
e. What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, But others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this." Some men joined him and believed, and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
11. After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 18:1-17
a. He became acquainted with a certain Jew named Aquila and his wife Pricilla. (They had left Rome at Claudius command. All Jews had to leave.) the were tent makers.
b. Paul and Aquila and Pricilla worked together as they were also tent-makers. When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonian, Paul was compelled by the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
c. And when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them,
d. "Your blood be upon your own heads! I am clean. From now on I shall go to the Gentiles."
e. He left there and went to the house of a certain man named Justus, Who was a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue.
f. And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, And many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.
12. In the night by a vision, God told Paul. And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
a. "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
b. I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city. "
13. But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
a. The Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,
b. Saying, "This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law."
c. But when Paul was about to open his mouth,
d. Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, there are questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves;
14. After a considerable time Paul bids the brothers farewell, and sets sail for Syria, making a brief stop at Ephesus and closes his journey at Antioch, 18:18-22.
a. And Paul put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila.
15. And they came to Ephesus he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
b. They asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, I will return to you again if God wills
c. When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.
d. After spending some time there, he departed for Antioch.
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