Acts 15:36-41.Acts 16-1-15
Q.1. What complicated the return visits to the newly established churches? In what way was the parting bad? Was there anything good in the outcome? – (Acts 15:36-41)
Barnabas agreed to join Paul on a return visit to the churches that they had established. However, Paul sharply disagreed with the desire of Barnabas to take along John Mark, who had previously deserted them (Acts 15:36-38). They had a bad fall-out. Barnabas parted, taking with him John Mark – But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord (Acts 15:40). God doubtless used the disagreement to bring about change in John Mark. Later, he wrote the Gospel of Mark. It is believed that Peter teamed up with him with this. John Mark also became useful to Paul (Col.4:10; 2 Tim.4:11). Sad though the disagreement was, it resulted in two excellent teams taking encouragement to the churches in Asia Minor.
Q.2. What message did Paul and Silas bring to the churches? How did it impact on God’s work? Who was Timothy? Did Timothy need to be circumcised? – (Acts 16:1-5)
One of the key purposes for their return was – … delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe (Acts 16:4). The impact was significant – So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number daily (Acts 16:5). At Lystra they found – 1 … And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium (Acts 16:1-2). To head off potential trouble from Judaizers, Paul had Timothy circumcised, since it was known that his father was Greek (Acts 16:3).
Q.3. What unusual measures did God take to lead the team to Macedonia? Who was their first convert there? How did she meet their needs? – (Acts 16:6-15)
Paul and Silas had their plans interrupted by God – 6 … having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them (Acts 16:6-7). This was an important example in maintaining sensitivity to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. As they obeyed – 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them (Acts 16:9-10). Therefore, they went to Philippi and met – A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul (Acts 16:14). Her household came to Christ and all were baptized. Paul and Silas lodged with her (Acts 16:15).