Lesson 6 - Paul's Second Missionary Journey - Part II

     Lesson 6 

Pauls's Second Missionary Journey - Part II

Bible Portion: Act. 17 -18 Ch

Memory Verse: Rom. 17: 19 - 20 

And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which your speak? For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean." 

Introduction: This is the continuation of the previous lesson. In this lesson, we will learn about the places further visited during the second missionary journey. The special events and achievements during the journey are noteworthy. We will also study details about the epistles written during this period. 

Let's study about 4 main centers of work during the second missionary journey.

1. Paut at Thessalonica (Act 17: 1 -9 )

Thessalonica was the second place in Macedonia. This city, about 100 miles away from Philippi, was the capital of Macedonia. It was formerly known as 'Therme". The city was renamed s Thessalonica after the name of the wife of Cassander, one of Alexander's Generals. There were a lot of Jews there. Paul preached in their synagogues on three Sabbaths continually. He proved the Messiahship of Jesus, quoting and explaining the scriptures. As a result, some of the Jews were convinced, and they joined Paul and Silas. So did many of the leading women and a large group of Greeks. 

  But the Jews were jealous and set the whole city in uproar. They brought false accusations against Paul and Silas, saying they were troublemakers everywhere (act 17:7). Since Paul and Silas found it challenging to continue working there, they left Thessalonica by night itself. Timothy stayed behind. 

The Church at Thessalonica

As a result of the work during a short stay at Thessalonica, a church arose there. From the book of Thessalonicans, we get details of Paul's manner of work there, their reception of the gospel, and their experiences ( 1 Thess . 1, 2, 3). The first and second Thessalonians are the two epistles to this Church. 

2. Paul At Berea: (Acts 17: 10 -15)

Paul and Silas reached Berea, situated about 50 miles west of Thessalonica. They preached in the synagogue. The Jewish groups here were notable for their open-minded study of the scriptures. (17:11). But they could not continue here either. The Jews in Thessalonica heard about Paul's preaching at Barea. They came there and stirred up the mob. The Jews constantly opposed the gospel (1 Thess 2: 15,16). Where God works, Satan fights strongly there. From here, Paul leaves Macedonia and proceeds and Achaia (Greece). 

3. Paul at Athens : 

   From Berea, he came to Athens in Achia, a city with 1000 years of history and the glory of ancient greatness. It was about 250 miles away from Berea. Paul came here alone. Being one of the world's wonders, Athenes was world famous from the 5 century B.C. It was the home of notable philosophers like Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato. People from all over the world would reach there in pursuit of wisdom. But the city of Athens was a center of idols too. Roman historian Petronius wrote about the city: " It is easier to find an idol in Athens than a man."  Even philosophies failed to put an end to idolatry and superstitions.

 At Athens, Paul preached in synagogue first. He was distraught when he noticed how full of idols the city was. He held discussions with various people, including philosophers. 

Epicureans and Stoics 

There were two philosophies prevailing in Athens. Epicureans were the followers of the philosopher Epicurus (B. C .. 34 - 270). They were materialists whose teaching was to pursue pleasure in the temporal world. Life beyond death and Judgment was ridiculous to them. Stoics were the followers of Seno. (B.C 260 - 362) whose teaching was that all is God: everything stays the same as ever, and happiness or sorrow is only our imagination. They were rationalists, to whom repentance, Judgment, resurrection, etc., were just mockery. These people took Paul to the Areopagus, or Mar's Hill, where scholars and philosophers used to meet, and courts of law were conducted. 

Paul on Mar's Hill (Act. 17: 22 - 31)

Study this famous sermon of Paul. This lays a pattern of evangelistic approach to the unreached people. Notice the following important outlines. 

1. He appreciated their religious zeal or devotion.

2. Mentioning their altar of an unknown God, he said that the unknown God is the creator of the universe. 

3. He tactfully stated, " Idol worship and offerings to idols are meaningless."

4. All owe their existence to God. 

5. Repent from all such worthless things.

6. Judgment is sure. Jesus Christ is the judge. 

7. Jesus is Savior who repents. It is interesting to note the people's responses in three different ways. 

8. Some mocked and made fun of him.

9. Some others said they would hear it again. 

10. A few people believed. Paul was not persecuted by Athenians. But the work there didn't bring much result. 

4. Paul in Corinth (Acts 18: 1 -17)

If Athens was the center of learning in Greece, Corinth was the center of trade and commerce. Cenchreae was the capital city of Corinth (Rom 16: 1). It would take only one day's voyage to reach Corinth from Athens. Though very rich and prosperous, this city was grossly immoral: The notorious temple of the Greek goddess lived in the temple. Paul came to this immoral and sinful city. 

When Paul arrived, he decided to present the crucified Christ to them in the simplest form of speech. Paul preached the message of the cross with power to the people at Corinth, the message which seemed foolishness to the learned men of Athens (1 Cori. 2: 1-5)

 

Aquilas and Priscilla 

This couple, who became Paul's associate, later happened to come to Corinth incidentally. The Roman Emperor Claudius ventured to revive the pagan worship in the city of Rome. All other religions were banned, and people of other faiths were thrown out. As a result, all the Jews had to go out of the city. Thus Aquila and Priscilla reached Corinth. Their coming to Corinth was incredibly beneficial to the Gospel work (Rom 16: 3, 1 Cori. 16:19, 2 Tim 4:19, Acts 18: 18 - 26). Their house was a place prepared by God for Paul in this immoral city. Their trade tent-making put them in good company with Paul. 

God's work in Corinth : 

Paul first preached in the synagogue. Meanwhile, Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia and joined him. As they arrived, they saw Paul very busy preaching what Word of God. The Jews, however, opposed him as usual. So Paul left the Jews and turned over to the Gentiles. The Lord began to work there. The leader of the synagogue named, Crispus, believed in the Lord. Many of the Gentiles got converted; most were of low social status (1 Cori. 1:26). In this context, the Lord encouraged Paul in a vision. Paul stayed in Corinth for about a year and a half, teaching the people the Word of God. 

The Church at Corinth : 

A blessed Church with spiritual gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit arose there. God Himself managed the Jewish opposition. Gallio, the Roman Governor, did not heed the allurements of the Jews. He replied that he was not willing to be a judge of matters regarding their law rather than of cases of crime or wrong. 

The First Epistles of Paul : 

The first epistles of Paul were the two written to Thessalonians. They were written at Corinth. After hearing about the Church at Thessalonica from Timothy, he wrote to them. The main theme of these epistles is the second coming of Christ, plus the apostle's admonition for the Church. 

The Second Missionary Journey Ends: 

After spending one and a half years in Corinth, Paul took Aquila couple and started back. On the returning way, they touched Ephesus, Caesarea, and Jerusalem and finally reached Syrian Antioch. During this journey of about 3 years, Paul traveled 2800 miles by land and sea.