Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey (28 ottob 48 anni – 1 agos 51 anni)

Descrizione:

Acts 15:36 - 18:22

Paul proposed a second missionary journey to Barnabas. He agreed, but soon disagreement arose about whether to take John Mark along as well (recall how he had left them in Perga in the previous trip), causing them to split apart. Barnabas took his cousin John Mark to Cyprus, presumably to do mission work. Paul took Silas (a.k.a 'Silvanus') with him and went north to the city of Tarsus, and then to Derbe and Lystra to visit the believers there.

While in Lystra, Paul and Silas meet Timothy and circumcises him there. Timothy's mother was a Jew and his father was a Greek. He was educated in the faith by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (see 1 Timothy 2:1-5) and likely worked with Paul in Lystra during his first missionary journey, as he already had a good reputation with fellow believers there. After staying in Lystra, Paul and Silas, accompanied by Timothy, move throughout the regions of Phrygia and Galatia, stopping in Mysia.

While in Mysia, Luke joined Paul, Silas, and Timothy. They wanted to move northward into Asia Minor (particularly Bithynia), but the Holy Spirit prevented them from doing so (though we do not know how exactly). Paul received a vision telling him to go to Macedonia instead, and immediately left Mysia for Troas, where they boarded a ship. Landing in Samothrace, they stayed the night before heading to Neapolis and Philippi.

While in Philippi, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke went outside the city to the place of prayer. Along the way, they encountered a demon-possessed slave girl. Her owners used her for profit through fortune-telling. Paul, annoyed with her, ordered the demon to leave.

At the place of prayer, they met Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman selling purple linens. She listened as them speak and believed and was baptized.

As Paul, Silas, and Luke are heading back, the owners of the slave girl seized Paul and Silas (but not Timothy or Luke??) and drag them before the magistrates, who, against Roman law, ordered them to be stripped, beaten, and thrown in prison. While in prison, an earthquake shook the prison, providing means of escape, though no one did. The jailer of the prison listened to Paul and believed, and he and his household were baptized. Paul and Silas (and Timothy?) were ordered to leave the city by the magistrates. Before leaving, they visit Lydia and her family, encouraging them. Leaving Luke behind, they left Philippi and travelled to Thessalonica.

While in Thessalonica, Paul, Silas (and Timothy?) discussed with the Jews in the synagogue the necessity of Christ's death and resurrection according to the Old Testament. Many people heard and believed, but the Jewish leaders became jealous and formed a mob, attacking a man named Jason, dragging him before the authorities and accusing him of acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar. Jason paid the authorities for his safety, and they released him. Meanwhile, Paul, Silas (and Timothy?) leave Thessalonica and flee to Berea.

While in Berea, they preach, converting many Jews and Gentiles of the faith. But some Jews from Thessalonica came and stirred up the masses. Paul set sail for Athens, leaving Silas and Timothy behind for a short time.

In Athens, as Paul is waiting for Silas and Timothy, Paul notices the vast idol worship, even seeing an altar dedicated "to the unknown god." After debating with the Epicureans and Stoics in the Areopagus, he preaches about Christ, the "unknown god", quoting from Greek philosophers and poets like Epimenides and Aratus.

After Silas and Timothy meet Paul, Paul sends Timothy back to Thessalonica to minister among the believers there (see 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2). He also sent Silas away (to Philippi maybe?). Paul stays by himself for a while, converting a few Gentiles (including Dionysius and Damaris) before departing for Corinth.

While in Corinth, Silas and Timothy return from Macedonia to join Paul, bringing contributions to his ministry (see 2 Corinthians 11:9) and reporting to him the status of the churches in the region (see 1 Thessalonians 3:6). Paul also meets Priscilla (a.k.a 'Prisca') and Aquila, tent-makers and recent converts from Rome. He stayed in their home for some time, helping them in tent-making all the while preaching throughout the city. They later joined him in his ministry.

In Corinth, Paul and Silas continue to preach and debate with the Jews there (see 2 Corinthians 1:19). Many Corinthians believed and some were baptized, including Crispus, Gaius, and Stephanas (see 1 Corinthians 1:14-16). Paul later is dragged before the tribunal, but is released. Paul also composes two letters to the churches in Thessalonica with the help of Silas and Timothy (see 1 Thessalonians 1:1 & 2 Thessalonians 1:1).

During this time, some of the Jewish leaders brought Paul before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, accusing him of trying to lead people to worship God contrary to the law. Gallio refused to judge the matter since it was not a civil or legal issue. To try force Gallio's hand, they seized Sosthenes, a chief ruler in the synagogue, and beat him, but Gallio paid no heed to the matter. Sosthenes would later become a companion of Paul (see 1 Corinthians 1:1).

After 1.5 years in Corinth, Paul - along with Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila - leave Corinth for Ephesus. Silas may have been left behind in Corinth, though it is more likely that he left for Syrian Antioch ahead of Paul.

Making a pit stop in Cenchreae, Paul had his hair cut due to a vow he had made.

Arriving in Ephesus, Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila to attend the church there. He then sets sail for Caesarea, travels to Jerusalem, and eventually returns to Syrian Antioch, thus concluding his second missionary journey.

It is possible that Paul made a short trip to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost (see 1 Corinthians 16:8 & Acts 18:21-22).

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