Day 326 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Acts 15:36–18:22
Working with the Holy Spirit; Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey
How do we recognize the leading of the Holy Spirit? Do we get a quiver in our liver? Seriously speaking, how do we know the decisions we are about to make are from his Spirit and not our own will? How do we work in cooperation with God? What is our work, and what is his? Observing the Holy Spirit's work during the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey helps us find the answers. We will also look at other relevant passages about God's Spirit.
Is the Holy Spirit Leading Us?
In Acts 13, we read that the Holy Spirit called out Paul and Barnabus for their first missionary journey. In today’s Bible reading, Paul wants to take Barnabas on a second missionary journey. He wants to share the Jerusalem resolution (see yesterday’s lesson) with the recently established churches in Asia Minor (Turkey) and strengthen them.
However, there is a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas about taking John Mark with them. Mark had turned back soon after they had embarked on their first missionary journey. Paul doesn’t want to take a quitter! Barnabas is an encourager, however, and he insists on giving Mark another chance.
Paul and Barnabas can't agree, so Barnabas sails on a missionary journey with Mark to Cyprus, and Paul takes Silas on a missionary journey to Syria and Cilicia (Turkey’s southern coast).
Who was right, Paul or Barnabas?
Three ways we can tell if we are in line with the Holy Spirit’s work:
1. Does the decision fulfill our own desires or God’s desires? (Galatians 5:16-17, and Romans 8:5-6)
Are Paul and Barnabas both seeking to glorify God and fulfill their mission? Yes, but they disagree on how to do it. Can Christians disagree and still be in the will of God? Yes!
Have you guessed how this situation works for God’s glory? That’s right! Because of the conflict, two missionary teams are formed (Acts 15:36-40). Later, Paul would admit John Mark is profitable to the ministry (2Timothy 4:11).
2. Are we flexible? The Holy Spirit leads as God Wills
Continuing on Paul’s second missionary journey, we see something strange about the Holy Spirit’s working. He forbids Paul and Silas to preach the gospel to cities in Asia Minor, Galatia, and Bithynia. Yet, he calls them to Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10).
We don’t know why the Holy Spirit permits them to preach to one group of people and not another—only God knows the mind of the Spirit (Romans 8:27). We know, however, the Holy Spirit does everything in accordance with the Father’s will. We must be willing to be flexible as God changes our plans for his greater glory.
3. Are the results in keeping with the nature and work of the Holy Spirit? (see more insights on this)
Life-Giving Results
In the city of Philippi, Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman who sells purple cloth, is saved. Shortly after that, Paul and Silas are dragged into the marketplace before magistrates (governing officials). There they are falsely accused, beaten, and put into stocks in a dungeon.
Did resistance and persecution mean the Holy Spirit was not leading Paul and Silas? No, God told Paul he would suffer for Christ’s sake (Acts 9:15-16). Jesus promised his disciples they would also be persecuted if he was persecuted (John 15:17-21). The Spirit leads us to die to ourselves so others might live.
Working with the Spirit; Doing our Part
Up to this point, we have emphasized the Holy Spirit’s work, but how do we work in cooperation with him? What is our part or responsibility?
Be Witnesses.
We know it is God’s will for us to be witnesses of Christ and make disciples wherever he sends us (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). When we obey, we are working with God, and he is working with us.
Use your Mind and Understand the Culture
We work with the Holy Spirit when we study the Bible, so we can apply it to our culture and use it in our witness to people. When the Apostle Paul travels to different cities (Acts 17:1-3), he reasons with Jews from the Scriptures on Sabbath days. He explains and gives “evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead” (Acts 17:3a, NIV). As he reasons with them, he considers their culture and their knowledge of Old Testament Scriptures and shows them how Jesus fulfilled them.
Because of heavy persecution by the Jews, Paul and Silas leave Thessalonica at night. They find a more receptive audience in Berea, but again the Jews bring pressure upon them, so they go to Athens, Greece. Paul commends the Bereans for examining the Scriptures to see if what he said about them is right. We should also be students of the Word of God.
3. Know your Audience
We can work better in cooperation with God’s Spirit by knowing our audience and guiding them into all truth (1Peter 3:15).While in Athens, Paul is disturbed in his spirit because the city is full of idols. Daily, he reasons with Jews and Gentiles in the marketplace using the Holy Scriptures (Acts 17:17-34).Later, the Apostle uses apologetic arguments with Epicureans and Stoic philosophers. Paul uses natural revelation, specific revelation (the Scriptures), and even their own poetry to communicate the gospel.
After Athens, Paul travels to the city of Corinth. This is an evil city, full of immorality and idol worship. While there, he uses the Scriptures to illuminate truth to Jews and Gentiles, showing them that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah for which they are waiting. Although they suffer many threats and are taken before legal authorities, God encourages them to continue. He will be their shield and defender.
Christian, the Lord is also our shield and defender. Even if we experience resistance, let’s hold fast to him and do the work he has assigned us.
After Corinth, Paul makes a quick stop in Ephesus before going up to the Jerusalem church and then down to Antioch, Syria. This ends his second missionary journey. He stays in his home church for a while and encourages the disciples before leaving for his third missionary journey.
Discussion
What are some ways we can tell if the Holy Spirit is leading us or if it’s our will?
How can we work in cooperation with God’s Spirit?
Focus Verses
Romans 8:5-6, NIV
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
Endnote: Synagogues were mostly small structures used for the education of Jewish boys and for Jewish religious gatherings each Sabbath. Synagogues were built during the time of the jewish exiles, after their temple was destroyed.
Watch a video of today's Bible reading here. Start at 1:43:16 and end at 2:03:44
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: We may, like Paul, be persecuted for our faith, but God wants faithful endurance. Find out how to do that in our next lLesson in 1Thessalonians.
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