Mediterranean Moments

During the pause for Mediterranean moments in Galatia, consider the task of taking the message of the gospel from culture to culture. How has the church you attend attempted to take the gospel message to a younger generation? Can you identify methods for reaching a more “un-churched” audience? Are you attempting to bring in other cultures into your congregation?

There is a point when you travel by car across the plains of Kansas and into Colorado on Interstate 70 that the city of Denver seems to rise up from the flat lands and, along with the mountains, miraculously appear.  Whether physically or figuratively, the scene makes you stop in your tracks and pause to ponder.  There are still miles of slowly rising “nothing” to traverse before the destination of Denver is within your grasp; and something compels you to turn your head back around and gawk at the multitude of miles from which you have come.

The Steps of Expansion

Think about where we are in the process of Christianity at this moment Paul’s second journey. The Jerusalem Council met to address the concerns raised by Jews who were accepting Jesus as their Messiah. Does a person need to become a Jewish believer first before they can become a Christian?

Paul’s letter to the Galatians addresses the relationship between the gospel and the Law. Estimates for the writing of the book of Galatians range from 48/49 to 57/58 A.D. Using the earlier date, the writing of the letter precedes the Jerusalem Council in A.D. 49/50. Galatians becomes one of Paul’s earliest letters. Paul probably penned the epistle while at Antioch of Syria. Sir William Ramsay dated the letter early, while J. B. Lightfoot dated in the late fifties. If Lightfoot is correct, the letter originates from Corinth on Paul’s third missionary journey. The date approximates the writing of the book of Romans. The earlier date points to the South Galatian Theory; the later date affirms the North Galatian Theory.

In either case, Christianity is defining its place within a Jewish culture. The gospel, as presented by Paul and his friends, is stepping beyond Judaism into a pagan and Gentile environment.

Mediterranean Moments in Galatia to Pause and Reflect

The flavor of the verses in Acts 16:6-10 leave the impression that this was a moment of reflection for Paul and his companions on this journey.  They had retraced the steps of the first missionary journey through the southern region of Galatia – which would have included stops strengthening the churches in Lystra, Derbe and Iconium.  These congregations would one day in the not-too-distant future receive a letter from the apostle, treasured as it was circulated in the region and preserved in our New Testament as the Epistle to the Galatians.  And now, the horizon of literally the known world looms large.  Where do we go from here? Where is God leading? Notice in our passage in Acts how many times God prevents them from moving in one direction and nudges them another. Notice in our passage in Acts how many times God prevents them from moving in one direction and nudges them another.

 

Even as productive and positive as these visits were, Paul’s mind must have also retraced memories of Jewish persecution, of debates lost, of newly formed friendships turned sour and of harrowing, near-death experiences that plagued his steps through the area during the first missionary journey.  That compelling glance backwards:  What can be learned from the steps taken?  Which steps should be replayed?  Which footprints are better erased? The slow turn forward provides even more questions to ponder.  Physically, into what cities of the known world should the gospel be taken?  What routes will make the travel to these cities most productive and safe?  What direction allows for the best stewardship of time, money and human resources?

Helping the Gospel Change Culture

Philosophically and spiritually, the questions are even more biting.  What happens when the gospel spreads from one culture to another?  Is there a way to make the “collision” – the clash of values, perceptions and traditions – more of a melting, without causing damage to the cause of Christ and the spiritual well-being of the believers?  There is no escaping Jesus’ mandate that His followers cross ethnic, national, tribal, linguistic and cultural lines to spread His message of salvation.  The term “nations” (making disciples of all nations – Matt 28:19) is the Greek word “ethne” from which we get the word “ethnic” literally means ethnic groups. Is it possible that someone from a different background might serve the same Lord, but do so in a way that feels uncomfortable to us because of cultural differences, but still be within the realm of sound theology?

 

That explains the pause for Paul and his companions.  And on this journey called “life” – where is your Galatia?

 

This Series This Lesson The Pointe in Galatia
KBS_2105_Grab_Your_Passport Galatia
the Pointe

Paul’s provocative words to the Galatians, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20), provide both a summary of Paul’s Old Testament theology and an introduction to the application of truth to the Christian life. Even attempting to understand the political and regional boundaries to determine who comprised the people of Galatia reminds us that the Christian faith always exists and applies within a myriad of cultures.

The Pointe in Galatia

Paul’s words are not merely a theological argument between the concepts of faith or works. Was Jesus Israel’s Messiah, which the Jewish people had been looking for since the time of Abraham or not? What does it mean that God’s Messiah was crucified? Can the Messiah bring rest to God’s people, by leading them into the Promised Land, or does He just add to the rules and regulations of Moses? Is God somehow involved in all of this? How does God intervene and interact in human history?

Most importantly, as we pause on our journey, let us ponder the pointe in Galatia:

  • God has initiated a new covenant

God’s new covenant and world has begun, ushered in through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is not just an addendum to the Law – He is the completion and fulfillment of the Law. Christianity’s position in relationship to Judaism reminds us the the message of Jesus is a message in the milieu of religious confusion. In the Mediterranean culture, Christians must speak to the monotheistic legalism of the Jews and the polytheistic fantasy smorgasbord of Greek mythology. Even in Paul’s day, skeptics were seeing the impossibility of living a perfect life. While myths were fun, they did not provide real answers to life’s problems. Atheism was knocking on the front door.

  • Christianity exists in a context

The nature of the demands and expectations upon the Messiah were also political. Christianity exists within a political culture. Accepting and applying sound doctrine affects behavior. Is loyalty and dedication to Jesus as the Messiah a threat to the demands for complete loyalty to the Caesar? Is there a separation between church and state – and if so, where is the line drawn and by whom? Isn’t this charting new territory for a believer? How does Christianity respond to culture?

  • God intervenes

If Christianity travels its journey in such difficult waters, is God involved in helping navigate the experience? What spurs God to providential involvement? How can we know God’s leading? Are there ways to improve our sensitivity to God’s prompting?

 

Lesson Series This Lesson This Lesson: Mediterranean Moments
KBS_2105_Grab_Your_Passport Galatia Mediterranean Moments

“The Region of Galatia” from the lesson series Grab Your Passport, April 2021

our Scripture

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia

Acts 16:6-10 ESV
NASB

Acts 16:6-10 NASB

 NIV

Acts 16:6-10 NIV

 NLT

Acts 16:6-10 NLT

 MESSAGE

Acts 16:6-10 MESSAGE

 

Other Scriptural References:

Acts 14:6-8

Acts 14:21

Galatians 1:2

Acts 16:6

Galatians 3:26-29

1 Corinthians 16:1

2 Timothy 3:11

2 Timothy 4:10

1 Peter 1:1

our Lessons

A slight pause in Paul’s journey gives us a moment to rest as well, and to review what Paul has been doing. Paul was in Antioch of Syria when he decided to take a journey to revisit the churches established on his first journey. For reasons that may be tied to incidents that happened in the area (either interactions with the Jews and their leader or health issues), Paul was not convinced John Mark was a good fit for the mission. Barnabas took John Mark and sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas and began to travel on land to the cities of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Antioch of Psidia.

These cities lie on the southern edge of a region known as Galatia. The region is mentioned several times in the New Testament and is the destination for one of his epistles. Galatia’s boundaries prove difficult to define. The term “Galatians” is one of the most elusive words in the entire New Testament. The problem comes in how the term Galatia is used in history. It was originally a designation for the area settled by immigration of a large body of Gauls from Europe into Asia, c. 278-277BC. After 232BC their boundaries became rather fixed and their state became known as Galatia.

Rome Changes Things

King Amyntas (36 – 25BC), the last independent ruler of old Galatia, expanded the territory to include parts of Phrygia, Pisidia, Lyconia, and Isauria. As Rome marched through the area, King Amyntas bequeathed his kingdom to Rome to avoid bloodshed. As such the entire region became known as Galatia, the Roman province.

The question is, in what sense did Luke and Paul use the term? To what people did Paul write this epistle? The Scriptures tell us that Paul was in the province of Galatia (southern Galatia) when he visited Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe on his first missionary journey. It is possible that Paul traveled through the northern Galatian regions on the second and third journeys. To which group does Paul write the letter?

 

Where is Galatia?

Scholars lable the latter of these two views “the North Galatian Theory.” This theory finds the earliest support from older commentators (such as J.B. Lightfoot, Conybeare and Howson). According to the Northern Theory, Paul did not visit Galatia proper until his second missionary journey. Following stops within the southern territory of Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium, Paul traveled through the “region of Phrygia and Galatia” mentioned in Acts 16:6. Here he founded churches in the territory of old ethnic Galatia, including the cities of Pessinus, Ancyra, and Tavium. After traveling through this region, he finally arrived at Troas after a long journey. Since Paul did not travel into this area until his second missionary journey (Acts 16), the letter to the Galatian churches requires a later date for writing.

Theories

The former of these two views is called the South Galatian Theory and is the accepted theory since the time of Sir William Ramsay that many modern commentators (Tenny, Ridderbos) have adopted. According to this theory, the letter to the Galatians would have been sent to the churches of the cities founded on Paul’s first missionary journey mentioned in Acts 13 and 14, and this would allow for the earlier date of the letter. These churches were revisited on the second and third missionary journeys (Acts 16:1-6; 18:23).

These churches seemed to always have a special place in Paul’s heart – thus the many stops – and it would not be out of his character to also write a letter to them. From Acts we know the difficulty that these churches faced from the Jewish presence from Judea. The second tour of these southern churches would not have precluded completely a northern swing into the territory of old ethnic Galatia, but there is no mention in Acts 16 of the founding of churches there; Paul just “went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia” (Acts 16:6), northward along the Phrygio-Galatic border to Mysia and Bithynia. Prevented by the Holy Spirit from entering the provinces of Asia and Mysia (Acts 16:6-7), Paul then turned westward to Troas.

What Are the Lessons and How Do We Apply Them?

Two lessons emerge from this brief pause in Paul’s journey. We will look at one lesson here and the other in Mediterranean Moments. Does it matter what a Christian believes? Should the Christian acquiesse to the beliefs of everyone else? Using today’s vernacular, can a Christian be tolerant of other opinions, yet still hold fervently to Biblical truth?

During the journeys, Paul experienced difficulties from Judaizers – people who believed that Christians must first follow the requirements of the Jewish Law (Acts 14:19-20). The content of the book of Galatians addresses these issues in detail, even providing more information on events mentioned in the book of Acts. Evaluating the circumstance, this was another religion’s attempt to merge the two belief systems. We would hear this argument today, “Don’t all religions lead to God? Can’t we take the best from all religions?”

Interestingly, Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church addresses the attempt to somehow blend Christianity and culture. The mixture of those does not work, either.

The teaching of the Judaizers was understandable for the Jews who were coming from a legalistic background.  When we stray from the truth, the teachings of Christianity become weakened. Keeping the Law for salvation makes grace no longer grace. Therefore sound doctrine requires diligence and attention. Correct doctrine produces correct behavior.

So let’s make observations for today. Are there applications into areas of our faith that still become legalistic? What do we do about it? How can we guard against the tendency to become like the Pharisees? How do you answer the question, “Don’t all religions lead to God?”

Lesson Series This Lesson: The Pointe This Lesson: Mediterranean Moments
KBS_2105_Grab_Your_Passport Mediterranean Moments
Mediterranean Moments

The first stop on Paul’s second journey is the village of Lystra. Our Mediterranean Moments at Lystra focus on a market village situated in a pleasant valley, bordered by gently sloping hills through which two small but steady streams meandered their way to the open Lycaonian plain a few miles farther east.  The city resided on a small hill in the middle of the valley at the intersection of the streams.  Paul evangelized the village on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:8-21); revisited it on his second (16:1) and probably his third (18:23) excursions.

History of the Village of Lystra

Little is known of the early history of Lystra.  The name is apparently from the Lycaonian language as there are several bergs with derivatives of the name in the region.  Since Lystra did not lie along the course of the main roads, it was not destined to become a great city.  As a result, it was able to preserve more of its primitive, local character when Hellenism flavored the region.

 

Despite these drawbacks, or perhaps because of them, Augustus designated Lystra, along with Antioch of Psidia, a Roman colony in AD 6. Roman rule demanded a safe passage way connect the two cities.  Rome ruled Lystra for some time previously, following the reign of the Seleucids and Attalids. Augustus’ generals regarded Lystra as a suitable place for the Roman garrison charged to defend the province of Galatia from the mountain tribes.

 

Lystra was probably not significant enough to have been on Paul’s original itinerary during the first journey.  Paul and Barnabas were driven there from Iconium by hostile opponents. Thus Lystra became a relatively unimportant city of refuge, as did Berea later when Paul and Silas fled the wrath of the Thessalonians (Acts 17:10).

 

Luke identifies Lystra along with Derbe as cities of Lycaonia (in contrast to Iconium).  Lycaonia was a region or “state” in a broader region known as Galatia. In turn, Galatia occupied an even broader region known as Asia Minor. References in the area become a little confusing, as “Galatia” was also the designation of a smaller “state” like Lyconia. (Compare that to our “New York City, New York” concept.)  These cities of southern Galatia were most likely the recipients of the epistle to the Galatians.

Mission and Mentoring in Mediterranean Moments at Lystra

Converts made at Lystra during the first journey fulfilled Paul’s mission. Soon, though, many allowed themselves to be carried away by efforts from Jews in the area seeking Paul’s death.  Although Lystra was a Roman colony, the account contains no hint of Roman order or justice.  At the end of his career, Paul referred to the persecution that he experienced in Lystra (2 Tim 3:11). Earlier he explicitly recalls a stoning attempt (2 Cor 11:25).  It is probable that he alluded to this life event in the Galatian letter when he poignantly proclaims that “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Gal 6:17).

 

Mediterranean moments at Lystra remind us of the setting in which Paul started his mission and his mentoring.

After gathering Silas and probably an entourage of a dozen believers for the journey, Paul leaves with his group across land from Antioch in Syria to the Galatian region of Derbe and Lystra. The conflict between Paul and Barnabas caused them to separate, but it did not seem to cause a division either between the two or toward the progress of the gospel message. Although the journey revisits cities from the first journey, the second journey tours through new lands, new adventures and new challenges.

Lystra was a Roman colony, serving mostly as a market town, both in Paul’s day and in current Turkey. Most likely, there was not a strong Jewish presence in the village. Our stop in this city, brings several discussion points and lessons to apply to our study.

The Pointe at Lystra

From The Pointe at Lystra, let’s pause to consider these ideas:

  • Paul develops a close mentoring relationship with his traveling companions. Most notably, we read and see the impact that the Apostle has on the lives of Silas and Timothy at this stop. For thought and consideration, what provisions are in place for people to develop that kind of relationship within your congregation? Who are you mentoring purposely to pass on both your understanding of Scripture (sound doctrine) and your commitment to serving and ministry? Who mentored you?
  • From our understanding of Scripture, Paul circumcised Timothy in order to take away a stumbling block that the youth would have in ministry and preaching to a Jewish population. As Paul had written to the Corinthians, it is an example of “becoming a Jew” in order to win converts from within Judaism (1 Corinthians 9:19). What freedoms are you setting aside in order to better reach the lost?
  • On the first journey, the people of Lystra witnessed a miracle performed through the hands of Paul. They immediately thought the pair of missionaries were gods sent from above. The people wanted to offer sacrifices and worship the duo (Acts 14:8-13). It is easy for leaders, especially the preacher, to be placed upon a pedestal. How did Paul and Barnabas respond (Acts 14:14-18)? Can this kind of dependence be found in your congregation? What safeguards are in place to prevent it from happening? Can the dangers of pride affect us all?
  • The disagreement which occurred between Paul and Barnabas before this journey could have caused the first division in the church. Conflict – especially unresolved conflict – is a challenge wherever it occurs. Are there people in your life with whom you have unresolved conflict? What assistance can passages like Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:23-25 and Matthew 18:15-17 provide? Does Paul’s words to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:32) help?
Lesson Series This Lesson: Lystra This Lesson: Mediterranean Moments
KBS_2105_Grab_Your_Passport Lystra Mediterranean Moments

 

Lystra

“The City of Lystra” from the lesson series Grab Your Passport, April 2021

our Scripture

Paul also came to Derbe and to Lystra.

Acts 16:1-5 ESV
Acts 16:1-5 NASB Acts 16:1-5 NIV Acts 16:1-5 NLT Acts 16:1-5 MESSAGE

 

Other Scriptural References:

Acts 14:6-18

2 Timothy 3:10-11

Lystra was a mildly important city in the first century, though it was somewhat of a rustic, market town. Lystra is the city’s ancient Greek name. Today it is the village called Kilistra, also called Zoldera. It was located in a relatively backward region of Lycaonia, located today in south-central Turkey. In New Testament times, it was bordered on the west by Phrygia, on the north by Galatia, toward the east by Cappadocia and by Taurus on the south. The most important city in the area, both then and now, was the city of Iconium (which is Konya today).

Lystra was founded in 26BC by Augustus to be a colony for his retired army veterans. In Paul’s day, the colony had such Italian roots they used and spoke Latin rather than Greek. Some of the Italian cults became celebrated along with those of native gods and goddesses.

Lystra is located on a road that the Apostle Paul had no doubt traveled many times, even as a youth. The path stretched from Ephesus to Sardis to Antioch of Psidia to Iconium and Lystra, to Derbe, through the Cilician Gates, to Tarsus (Paul’s hometown), to Antioch in Syria where the road divided to go east or south.

Paul’s Journeys

The second missionary journey is underway, and each of Paul’s recorded journeys is longer than the one before. His first trip was about 1580 miles long. This journey will be about 3000 miles. The final and longest journey travels about 3300 miles.

 

In the first journey, Paul leaves Antioch in Syria by boat, but this time he travels on foot. Traveling on foot, Paul would have first come to Tarsus then to Derbe before making his way to Lystra. Luke does not mention a synagogue in Lystra, which probably means there were less than ten Jewish families in the city. There would have been a temple to Zeus in the city, probably near the city’s gates. A statue of Hermes (Mercury) has been found in excavations there. Greek mythological stories have Hermes visiting the city.

 

Interestingly, on the first journey, Paul healed a lame man in the city. The people believed that the gods had come down to visit them, calling Barnabas “Zeus” and calling Paul “Hermes” because he was the chief speaker (Acts 14:8-18).

Paul Develops Leaders in Lystra

The characters traveling with Paul changes on the second journey. Barnabas has taken John Mark and chooses to set sail toward the island of Cyprus. The paths of Barnabas and Paul do not cross again in the book of Acts. Barnabas may well have either stayed on Cyprus or continued south. evidence shows a strong Christian presence and tradition in Alexandria, Egypt.

Silas

Instead Paul chooses to take Silas, who is also known as Silvanus. Silas first appears as one of the leaders in Jerusalem during the time of the council concerning the admission of Gentiles into the church (Acts 15:22). His name indicates he was a Hellenistic Jew and probably comes from a stem meaning “wood.” He appears to have been a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37). After the council in Jerusalem, Silas was one of the leaders who accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Antioch to share the letter and their encouragement (Acts 15:22-32).

 

He was a good choice for Paul to take on the second journey because they were first heading into the hot-bed of Judaizers through the Galatian region. Silas would have been able to verify Paul’s leadership and message to the Jews in the area. Therefore his presence may have kept the persecution and turmoil to its minimum.

Timothy

It is at Lystra that Paul adds Timothy to his companions for the journey. Paul certainly served as a mentor to both Silas and Timothy, but the relationship with Timothy appears to be even deeper. Paul speaks of their connection as that to a father and son (1 Timothy 1:2). The chances are strong that Paul helped lead Timothy to Christ on his first journey (Acts 14:6), but in the absence of any allusion to Timothy’s father in the New Testament (both his mother and grandmother are mentioned by name – 2 Timothy 1:5), Paul may have stepped into that significant role as the young man matured.

 

Timothy was often left behind or sent ahead on the journey to help strengthen new believers or pave the way for the coming evangelistic message. Tradition has Timothy playing a significant role at the church in Ephesus. Timothy became one of Paul’s constant companions up until the point of the Apostle’s death.

 

Lesson Series This Lesson: The Pointe This Lesson: Mediterranean Moments
KBS_2105_Grab_Your_Passport
grab your passport to antioch

“The City of Antioch” from the lesson series Grab Your Passport, April 2021

our Scripture

 Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the Word of the Lord, and see how they are (Acts 15:36 ESV).

Acts 15:36-41 ESV
Acts 15:36-41 NASB
 Acts 15:36-41 NIV
 Acts 15:36-41 NLT
 Acts 15:36-41 MESSAGE

 

Other Scriptural References:

Acts 16:1-40

Acts 17:1-34

Acts 18:1-22

First century Christians were drawn to cities. The city of Jerusalem for its Old Testament heritage and for the chance to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.  Tradition has it that many would meet annually in the upper room to celebrate the “Last Supper.” Antioch became one of the prominent cities outside of Judea to be touched by the message of the Gospel.

Jerusalem was a center for the history and heritage of the church. But there is no question that Antioch was the Faith’s center – for encouragement, teaching, leadership and outreach.  In fact, churches today might consider Antioch as a model for what the church ought to do and be in the culture around them.

Antioch was the capital of Syria during both the Seleucid reign and the Roman imperial rule. Antioch today is modern Antakya on the border of Turkey and Syria. The ancient city was located on the east side of the Orontes River. In some places of the city, the river was completely surrounding the city.

The location of Antioch was the main reason for its status in the world. The city was located at the intersection of the major trade routes connecting Egypt, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy, Mesopotamia, Armenia and India.

It was a significant spot for the spread of the Christian faith. Antioch allowed a strong presence of Judaism to co-exist with the mythologies of the Greco-Roman world, coupled with the religions of Africa and Asia. In addition, education and the arts were held in high esteem.

 

Like most cities today, Antioch was racially diverse and culturally pluralistic.  As a result, when the believers were scattered from Judea and arrived there (Acts 11:19-20), they had to wrestle with how to make the gospel meaningful for the diverse groups.  There appear to be at least four factors that helped account for their success.

 

1) They wanted to create an ethnic union within the church rather than adhere to the world’s answer of ethnic division.  To maintain “peace” the political leader of Antioch “walled” off the four dominant ethnic groups of its population – Greek, Syrian, African and Hebrew.  Today’s political unrest in the Middle East has deep roots.  But the gospel breaks down walls of separation and hostility (Eph 2:14-22) and brings diverse peoples together in Christ.

2) They soon had multi-ethnic leadership.  The church developed a strong leadership base, including pastors, teachers and evangelists who reflected the composition of the community.  Notice the cross-section of the city represented by the leadership team in Acts 13:

  • Barnabas, a Hellenist from Cyprus raised in a priestly family (Acts 4:36, 11:22-33)
  • Simeon (Niger), an African
  • Lucius of Cyrene, also of African descent
  • Manaen, childhood companion of Herod Antipas (Mark 6:17-28)
  • Saul (Paul), a Hellenistic Jew from Tarsus with rabbinical training and Roman citizenship (note how Barnabas intentionally recruited this young, untried leader (Acts 11:25-26)

3) They sent out ministry teams. Paul used Antioch as his base of operations for his three journeys (Acts 13:1-3; 15:36-41; and 18:22-23). Moreover, Antioch served as a crossroads for travelers from the Tigris and Euphrates River valleys to the east, Asia Minor to the north, and Egypt to the south.

4) They joined together to accomplish projects of compassion.  A famine in Judea became an opportunity for the Christians at Antioch to serve their Jewish brothers in Judea (Acts 11:27-30).

 

Lesson Series The Pointe Mediterranean Moments
KBS_2105_Grab_Your_Passport
Paul's second journey

“Paul’s Second Journey” from the lesson series Grab Your Passport, April 2021

our Scripture

 Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the Word of the Lord, and see how they are (Acts 15:36 ESV).

Acts 15:36-41 ESV
Acts 15:36-41 NASB
 Acts 15:36-41 NIV
 Acts 15:36-41 NLT
 Acts 15:36-41 MESSAGE

 

Other Scriptural References:

Acts 16:1-40

Acts 17:1-34

Acts 18:1-22

our Lesson

The mission of Paul’s second journey fits with a question many churches face today. How many of the new Christians in your congregation this year will persist until next year? Several organizations have conducted limited and local polls among new converts, but the results have been varied and inconsistent. Some surveys have found a persistence

[su_pullquote align=”right”]Charles E. Hackett, former national director for missions for the Assemblies of God in the U.S. said, “A soul at the altar does not generate much excitement in some circles because we realize approximately ninety-five out of every hundred will not become integrated into the church. In fact, most of them will not return for a second visit.”[/su_pullquote]

rate as high as 85%, while others cite stats that do not get out of single digits. The surveys rarely follow a structured method for data collection, and are not part of a scientific study. Many of the numbers appear to be based on anecdotal evidence. Given the myriad of divisions within the Church, and even disagreement about the definition of “falling away,” it is not feasible to ascertain conclusive answers or results.

How Do Christians Persist?

The Pew Research Center gives a more accurate view of the religious landscape in America. According to their research, Americans who describe themselves as Christians stands at about 65% in 2019. The number is down 12 percentage points from a decade ago. Both Protestants and Catholics are experiencing losses of the population share. Meanwhile, the number who identify as atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular continues to grow at 26%.

Ed Stetzer, editor for Christianity Today and expert on church growth, writes about things mature believers can do to help keep people from falling away. “First, we can seek to understand why such people fall away. Second, we can discern and devise ways we can strengthen our discipleship environments to allow the full spectrum of seekers and strugglers have safe environments to belong, become and believe (and keep on believing).”

Paul’s Second Journey

When Paul wanted to return to visit believers from his first journey, his concern was for the persistence of the new converts to Christianity. Honestly, it is surprising that any Gentile church in the first century was able to endure. The resources upon which they were able to build were faulty and limited. New Christians were surrounded by a culture that was pagan and immoral. Few understood the teachings of this Rabbi from Nazareth. It was a time when Christianity was simply seen as a dissenting sect of the Jewish religion. These believers were subject to persecution from zealots of the Jewish faith to militants of the Roman Empire. Inside families, individuals were ostracized because they had abandoned the family faith.

Paul’s second journey found the Apostle returning to cities he had visited to see how the church and the people were surviving in such a hostile environment. Paul’s visit had an impact on the churches. Three phrases in three passages from Paul’s second journey provide threads of understanding of the Apostle’s methods and heart.

They Increased in Numbers Daily

When Paul and his companions traveled to the churches, they spent time with people and they proclaimed God’s Word as seen through the life of His Son. Luke connects this proclamation of the Word with “the churches were strengthened in the faith” (Acts 16:5). As a result, the church increased in numbers daily. The short phrase carries several implications. The growth happened outside and apart from a church building. There were no official church buildings until three hundred years later. The growth happened beyond the reach of the “professional” staff – the apostles and other church leadership. People shared their understanding of the good news of Jesus Christ to their friends, and their friends responded immediately.

God Had Called us to Preach the Gospel to Them

Luke includes vital details of the ministry of the Apostle  (Acts 16:6-10 NIV) that affirm an important principle. God is at work in achieving His purposes in the spread of the Gospel. Paul and his companions were sensitive and open to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit in their decisions and their journey. As they traveled through the regions of Phrygia and Galatia, they had been kept from entering Asia by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6). When they tried to enter Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them (Acts 16:7). They immediately departed for Macedonia after Paul had seen a vision (Acts 16:9-10). God wants to guide us; do we want to listen?

I See That in Every Way You Are Very Religious

When Paul would enter a new city or area, he would first connect with the people who had a religious or spiritual culture, even if the culture disagreed with the message of Christ. He would first go to the city’s synagogue and begin talking to the Jews who understood the longing for a Messiah. In his famous speech to the men of Athens (Acts 17:22-23), Paul commended them for being religious. He pointed them to their own altar offering reverence to “the unknown god.” Paul began speaking about the unknown God who could be known through His Son, Jesus the Messiah. He wanted the people listening to feel welcomed and connected, rather than antagonize them by ostracizing them.

Highlights of Paul’s Second Journey

Paul’s second journey featured some incredible highlights. A few of them include:

  • Paul befriended a young man named Timothy at one of the first stops. His mother and grandmothers were Jewish believers, but from what can be determined, his father was Greek. Timothy had a good reputation among the believers so Paul invited him to join them on the journey. Timothy would receive at least two letters written by Paul which are now a part of the New Testament. The young man would one day be left in Ephesus to lead the believers there. How important are mentors in understanding the doctrines of faith – and in living the faith out each day?
  • As Paul was traveling through the edge of the region of Mysia, near the town of Troas, Paul had a dream that a man from Macedonia (north of Greece) called to him to come to Macedonia and help them. Paul took this as a sign from the Holy Spirit to alter their plans. Immediately the left for Macedonia. Do you look for signs of God’s leading in your life? How do you know God is directing you?
  • On the way to Macedonia, they traveled to Philippi where they met a slave girl who had an evil spirit. Through the power of the spirit, she was able to foresee the future. The girl followed Paul around until finally he cast the demon out of her. The girl’s owners were not happy because their means of making money was gone. They incited a riot against Paul and Silas and had them thrown in prison. Can demons be active today? What are their purposes? How do we see their effects?
  • As Paul journeyed, he spent about a year and a half of this tour in the city of Corinth. To support himself and his companions, Paul used his skills as a tent-maker. What does this say about the importance of our faith in the workplace? How does faith affect what we do at work?

As we travel from city to city, we will learn lessons that will help us share the Gospel with an “unchurched” culture.

KBS_2105_Grab_Your_Passport
KBS_2105_Grab_Your_Passport
“Let’s Travel with Paul” from the lesson series Grab Your Passport, April 2021

 

our Scripture

 Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the Word of the Lord, and see how they are (Acts 15:36 ESV).

Acts 15:30-36 ESV
NASB Acts 15:30-36 NASB
 NIV Acts 15:30-36 NIV
 NLT Acts 15:30-36 NLT
 MESSAGE Acts 15:30-36 MESSAGE

 

Often, in addition to the main Scriptural passage, other biblical references will be listed here.

our Lessons

Most of us are aware that Paul was an instrumental leader in the spread of Christianity through his missionary journeys. Three of the journeys are detailed in the book of Acts, with one or two more journeys hinted at in Paul’s epistles. We may even be aware of some of the cities that Paul visited, but we may not remember which city corresponded with which journey. Did Paul help start the congregation there? Who was with him at the time?

In the GRAB YOUR PASSPORT series, we will look at ten stops on Paul’s second missionary journey. We will use a few chapters from the book of Acts for the Scriptural foundation, but will glance at other references in the New Testament. We will try to learn more about the area, culture and people. The GRAB YOUR PASSPORT lessons can be found on the Koinonia website. You can read and study about the city or area prior to each Sunday’s lesson. Each city will have a wealth of links to help you “visit” the city before our time together and learn more about Paul’s journey.

 

Exploring Behind the Scripture

During the lesson time together, we will explore one or two important doctrines or events that are connected with the city on Paul’s second missionary journey. We will look for applications and truths from the passages that we can use today. A QUICK GLANCE will talk to you about the city, give Scriptural references that mention the city, provide a map of the area, and a link to the lesson page on the website. Look at the far right menu to find “THINGS TO SEE.” These links will take you to websites, like the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, that will give you a richer understanding of the area. You will get a chance to understand the ancient site, as well as explore the city today. A printable copy of A QUICK GLANCE will be available and will have a link to the lesson’s website.

At the bottom of each web page, you will find opportunities for further studies. The menu will look like this. The pictures will provide links to THE POINTE ane MEDITERRANEAN MOMENTS. There will also be a printable page of the QUICK GLANCE along with some discussion questions that could be used in a small group study. The Pointe shares the Scripture’s purpose in the passage. The Mediterranean Moments shares a deeper, personal devotional study helping you build a working context of the Scriptures.

 

Are you ready to travel with Paul? Grab your passport!