Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
Session TWELVE: PAUL’S 2ND MISSIONARY JOURNEY - Part 1
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen / Discuss ACTS 15:36 – 16:40
a. Discuss initial impressions & translation differences
• Verse 16:16 – spirit of divination (pneuma puqwn = pneuma python)
1. Apollo – Oracle at Delphi (pythian spirit)
2. Seers and Ventriloquists called “pytho”
3. Harry Potter’s “parseltongue”
• Verse 16:22, 35 – beaten; police/sergeant/officer
1. rabdizo, rabdoucos = Lictor = Fasces in Latin (*see illustration)
III. Preparations for Another Trip (15:36-41):
a. Desire to visit every city from 1st journey.
• Barnabus agrees – wants to take John Mark.
• Paul – “no way!” (v. 39 paroxusmos = provoke. See Hebrews 10:24)
b. de tis hmera = de tis hemera = “after many days”
• Silas had time to return to Antioch - vv.15:34.
• Barnabus and John Mark to Cyprus and Paul and Silas to Asia Minor.
1. Luke doesn’t mention Barnabus again in Acts.
2. John Mark & Paul reconciled. (Col 4:10; Philemon 24; 2 Tim 4:11)
c. Churches throughout Syria and Cilicia are strengthened.
IV. Joined by Another Disciple (16:1-8):
a. Timothy (co-author with Paul of 2nd Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, and Philemon).
• Mother a Jewish believer; Father was a Greek (very likely deceased)
• Timothy was not circumcised (yet).
1. “when in Rome” –not an issue of salvation but Jewish acceptance.
b. They continued to share the decision from the Jerusalem Council.
• The churches were strengthened and increased in number daily.
c. The Third Person of the Trinity refused to let them speak in Asia and forbade them to go up into Bithynia.
• God had a plan other than Paul’s initial plan.
1. (see 15:36 and review 2nd journey map)
2. God sometimes leads us by closing doors.
V. Ministry in Macedonia (16:9-40):
a. A Call from a Vision (vv. 9-10)
• In Troas they meet up with (none other than) Dr. Luke.
• Obediently, “we” sought to go. (see vv. 10, 16, 40, and Acts 20.5)
1. There are six or seven years between vv. 40 and 20:5.
b. At Philippi: Lydia; A Slave Girl; A Jailer
• (vv. 11-12) Paul and Co. staying “some days” in this very Roman, very Pagan city.
1. Sign on main gate prohibited teaching false or strange religions.
2. City known for gold mines and a school of medicine.
3. Luke’s hometown.
c. (vv. 13-15) They meet Lydia and other women worshipping out of town, down by the riverside. She (and her household) is converted. Paul and Co. stay at Lydia’s home.
d. Then while they go for prayers, a possessed slave girl follows them. (vv. 16-19)
• Paul finally has enough and delivers her. (reminiscent of Luke 4:31ff)
• Most likely, she becomes a believer. But not her owners.
e. (vv. 20-40) Paul and Silas arrested (only the Jews – Timothy can pass as a Greek)
• A jailer and his household believe.
• Paul now has opportunity to reveal his and Silas’ Roman citizenship.
• They return to Lydia’s home and then Paul and Silas and Timothy depart.
1. Luke presumably remains to pastor the new church in Philippi. (17:1)
VI. APPLICATION
• When things are at their worst, you can always sing and pray in praise to God.
• Be ready to share the Gospel to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
• The size of a congregation is irrelevant in measuring God’s work, through that church, in a town or city.
VII. Close in Prayer
NEXT SESSION: PAUL’S 2ND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (Part 2)
Read ACTS 17:1 – 18:22 to prepare for class
