Paul and Silas Strike Out

We meet the duo of Paul and Silas. They go overland to Galatia on the second missionary journey for Paul. Timothy enters into their lives too.

Barnabas and John Mark are on their way to Cyprus to strengthen the churches there. Paul and Silas will return to the churches in Galatia. God has MUCH more for them to do afterwards. Let’s rejoin Paul as he strikes out again, spreading the gospel to the Gentiles.

Holy Spirit, please share this story with me. Your story. Let me see beyond the surface and hear Your heart in it. Show me what You would have me learn from it and focus my mind to hear You clearly.

♥ ♦ ♥

Paul and Silas set off early in the morning the first day of the week. Their first stop is Tarsus. Paul wants to touch base with family, and strengthen the church he started there before he was brought to Antioch by Barnabas. It is a longer journey going by land than the short trip across the inlet, but the missionaries are not in any big hurry.

Following the coastal road, Paul and Silas enjoy the scenery and the people they meet along the way. They never stay more than overnight in one place, as this is not the ‘mission field’ Paul feels called to work.

Tarsus gladly welcomes Paul and Silas. They visit the church and teach in the synagogue only for one Sabbath. They still have a long way to go.

“Go with God, brothers.” The leader of the church commends them as he sends them on their way. “We will be praying for you” is shouted by several as Paul and Silas make their way out of Tarsus.

The next ‘adventurous’ leg of their journey is up ahead. They have to travel through the Tarsus mountains to reach Galatia. There is only one avenue to do this; the Cilician Gate. It is a narrow pass, between steep mountains. It is so tight in places that only one person at a time can pass through. It is also the perfect place for an ambush. Paul and Silas have no fear of ambush. They know that the Lord goes before them, and this mission is in His hands.

“The last time I came to Galatia, the travel was MUCH more difficult” Paul observes.

“How so brother” asks Silas.

“We had to climb the mountains from Perga to Antioch Pisidia. Barnabas and I had to rest several times from the steep terrain. And there were precipitous drop-offs everywhere. Here” Paul indicates the terrain with his outstretched arm. “All we have to deal with is making sure we don’t skin our nose or knees on the rock walls holding us between them.”

“It certainly is less of a climb” agrees Silas. “But I’m not that fond of tight spaces.”

“Would you have preferred the climb?”

“No! I will survive the tight places, and pray each time we go through a particularly narrow space.”

“That sounds like a good plan.”

“But there are other dangers to contend with. The river crossings can be pretty challenging in their own right, and bandits are known to love this pass” adds Silas.

“This is true, but I trust in the Lord to be our scout and rear guard. He called us to this mission; he will see us through it” Paul concludes.

It takes five long days for Paul and Silas to emerge on the other side of the Tarsus mountains. Both are glad to leave the pass behind them.

“Do we have to return that way?” asks Silas.

“I honestly don’t know. It depends on where the Lord takes us. After visiting the churches in Galatia, who knows where He will lead us.”

The first stop in the region of Galatia is Derbe. The church is thriving there. New believers are being added day by day. Paul and Silas stay two months to help iron out any little issues the church is having and to share the letter from the Jerusalem Counsel.

Paul delivers the ruling and its addendums. “After much debate between all the leaders, and recounting the works that the Lord has done in the people since His ascension, the leaders have come to a consensus. Those preaching that Gentiles cannot be saved without undergoing circumcision are preaching false doctrine. The only ‘added burden’ to be placed on the new Gentile believers is: abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, abstaining from sexual immorality, abstaining from eating meat that is strangled, and abstaining from eating any blood.”

“These things we will do willingly” the church leaders reply.

Paul and Silas next stop is Lystra. This is the same place where Paul was stoned and left for dead during his last visit. Many people remember those events, and Paul’s return to the city right afterwards. Paul’s boldness and healing convinced many who had been in the mob to become believers.

Paul again delivers the contents of the letter from the Jerusalem Counsel and it is received with gladness. Paul and Silas also help the church address any issues that have arisen since Paul’s last visit.

While in Lystra, Paul and Silas visit the church and come to know many of the disciples well. One of those disciples is a young man named Timothy. He is zealous for the Lord, thought of highly by all in the body and willing to serve in any capacity the Lord lays in his path.

Paul is very impressed by this young man. He and Silas talk about Timothy late one evening.

“I believe this young man could be very useful in planting other churches. His talents are going to waste here. Their leadership is already strong, and Timothy has grown as far as he can here.”

“What are you suggesting Brother Paul?”

“I propose that we take Timothy with us and use him however the Lord leads.”

“You realize that we have not had a Gentile missionary before?”

“Timothy’s ima is Jewish.”

“But his abba is Greek.”

“This is true.” Paul thinks for a minute. “Do you think he is circumcised?”

“I doubt it, as his abba is not Jewish. His ima would bow to his abba’s faith in such matters. But what does it matter, because the Jerusalem Counsel ruled that Gentile believers don’t have to be circumcised.”

“It may be advantageous for him, if he goes with us, to be circumcised. The Jews will accept him more readily.”

“This is true. What do you suggest we do?”

“I will approach him tomorrow and discuss the situation with him.”

“He may not want to go, considering the cost” Silas adds.

“If I am any judge of my fellow workers, I believe he will willingly, and eagerly, come; regardless of the cost.”

Paul searches out Timothy the next morning and tells him of his plans. “If you come with us, you will need to be circumcised.”

“I will go wherever the Lord leads. I know I am safe in your hands and submit gladly to whatever is required of me.”

Paul circumcises Timothy that same day in the home where he is staying. They wait another week for him to heal before continuing on their journey.

Timothy’s ima is overjoyed to see her son being used by the Lord alongside Paul. “Send me word as often as you can. Go with God” she calls as they exit the city.

The next stop is Iconium. Paul wonders what kind of reception they will receive when they arrive.

“The Jews from Iconium and Antioch are the ones who instigated the mob in Lystra. I don’t believe there would have been a problem, had they stayed home. I wonder if they are still persecuting the believers.”

“Actually, Brother Paul” Timothy says. “The church is doing quite well in Iconium. Many of those who were persecuting the Gentiles in the beginning have become believers. However, the staunchest among them still do their best to stop the growth. They are failing miserably.”

“That is good to hear, brother” Silas adds.

Upon reaching Iconium, Paul, Silas, and Timothy find matters exactly as Timothy described them. The church is thriving and adding new members every day. Paul has an idea he wants to implement, in hopes of turning down the persecution that still exists.

“I want to speak in the synagogue this Sabbath and share the decision of the Jerusalem Counsel with the Jews. I pray that their animosity towards their brothers will die down when they hear that the Gentiles are welcomed, even in Jerusalem.”

Paul stands before the Jews and delivers the Counsel’s ruling. “See, even the earliest of Jesus’ disciples stands with welcoming the Gentile believers into the body of Christ. Let there no more be a division among us.”

Some of the Jews listen, while some still hold firm to the ruling counsel’s belief that Jesus is NOT the Messiah. These Jews, Paul will pray for.

The new Jewish believers are folded into the church of Christians. Many of them were among the group that tried to kill Paul in Lystra. Paul, Silas, and Timothy spend two months making sure everything is running smoothly before moving on to Antioch Pisidia.

Paul uses the same technique in Antioch Pisidia that he employed in Iconium. Again, many of the Jews come to faith in Jesus. Not only because of Paul’s message, but because of him appearing to them after being stoned.

The Gentile church welcomes these new believers and the letter from Jerusalem. “What must we do now, brother Paul?”

“Continue the good work of Jesus Christ. Heal the sick, bind up the broken hearted, visit the captive, feed the poor, care for widows and orphans, reach out to the hurting, and share the good news of Jesus wherever you go.”

“We do this already. Is there more we should be doing?”

“Whatever you do, do it as unto Christ Himself. That is all He asks of you” Paul answers.

It is time to depart from Antioch Pisidia. The three missionaries have been with them for close to three months, strengthening and addressing any questions the people have. Before leaving, they are brought before the church for prayer. Paul has requested this to aid them in knowing where to go next.

As the church is praying for Paul, Silas and Timothy, the Holy Spirit speaks through one of the believers.

“You are forbidden to speak the word in Asia. Pass on through.”

This surprises all three of the men, but they will comply with the words of the Spirit. They set out to cross Asia. This is not an easy journey. There is mountainous terrain they must cross along the way.

“Well, brother Paul, here are your mountains to climb” offers Silas with a smile.

“It had to come sometime. Nothing to do but push on.”

After a week and a half, the group enters the area of Mysia.

“We can reach Bithynia from here. Why don’t we turn in that direction” Paul says.

As they begin to turn, Silas hears in his spirit, not to enter this area. He is uncertain if he should challenge Paul, so he remains quiet. Timothy next gets the same message and chooses the same response.

Paul goes to set foot on the highway leading to Bithynia and runs into what almost feels like a wall; an invisible one. Timothy and Silas watch as Paul stops. He reaches out his hand and pushes it forward. Nothing is in front of it. He steps out again toward the highway and his foot will not advance.

Paul turns back to Timothy and Silas with confusion covering his face. Both men’s cheeks redden in shame.

“What is it?” Paul asks.

“I thought I heard in my spirit, not to go into Bithynia, but I wasn’t sure, so I kept silent” Silas says.

“I received the same thing” adds Timothy.

Paul shakes his head. “Next time, speak up. We can all judge together then and I won’t have to run into another ‘hard stop’ from the Spirit.”

The group continues on until they hit the sea at Troas. They haven’t received an answer as to where to go from here. They are still in Asia, so they don’t go into any synagogues or speak the word of the Lord. Instead, they find lodging for the night and wait.

In the middle of the night, Paul has a vision. There is a man of obvious Macedonian descent beckoning to him with his arm. His words build in strength until Paul can hear them clearly. “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9).

Paul is ready to jump up immediately and go. He wakes Silas and Timothy.

“I have received a vision from the Lord. A man from Macedonia was beckoning us to come and help him.”

“Then that is where we will go” Silas says with authority.

After packing their belongings, they make their way down to the docks. Ships don’t sail in the middle of the night, so they have to wait and book passage in the morning. During their wait, they meet a physician named Luke. He is already a believer. He is looking for a way to serve the Lord. Paul invites him to join the three of them.

“I don’t know for certain where our journey will take us, or what we will encounter, but you are most welcome to come along with us and preach the gospel.”

“I would be most honored to join your group. I believe that the Lord has led me down here this morning for this very reason” answers Luke.

After welcoming Luke into their midst, they set out in search of a ship going to Macedonia. The first ship they come to suits their needs and they are on their way before the sun rises more than a hand’s breadth into the sky.

The voyage is swift, due to favorable winds and they arrive on the tiny isle of Samothrace that evening. The captain anchors for the night and sets sail again in the morning. They arrive in Neapolis the evening of the following day.

The group makes straight for one of the leading cities in Macedonia; Philippi. This city is also a Roman colony and under excellent protection. There is no synagogue or meeting place for the Jews in this city.

Paul and his companions begin to teach in the streets, keeping the crowds down due to Roman dictates. After being in the city a while, they all three longed for a place to gather with other believers.

The four men make their way outside the city gate and down by the river. As they are going, a young girl comes up behind them and starts crying out; “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17).

It is clear to anyone within the hearing of her voice, what Paul and his companions are doing. When they reach the river, they see several women gathered there, so they sit and talk with them. Paul begins sharing the gospel and answering questions as they arise.

One of the women listening is a woman named Lydia. She fears God already and grabs onto Paul’s message, quickly becoming a believer. Lydia as a special woman. She is a business woman in the city of Philippi, who makes and sells purple cloth. This business makes her quite wealthy. Her heart longs to hear more.

As the group begins to break up, Lydia approaches Paul. “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay” (Acts 16:15).

Paul initially tried to refuse, but she kept offering. “There is plenty of room for all, and I want my household to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Please, allow me to give this gift to the Lord through you, His humble servants.”

Who can resist such a plea? Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke go to retrieve their belongings from the home they have been staying. The girl who followed them from the city follows them again, crying out the same message; “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”

Paul and his companions ignore her. Then they follow Lydia to her home; the girl right behind. The girl is kept outside the gate when they arrive.

All four men are amazed by the size of her home. It is big enough to host a large number of guests.

“Thank you for your hospitality. This is more than we ever expected” Paul says as they are shown to where they will sleep.

As soon as the ‘tour’ is over, Lydia introduces Paul, Silas, and Timothy to her household.

“Please, share with them the good news you shared down by the river.”

Paul begins to share the gospel and everyone in Lydia’s household becomes believers.

“When can we be baptized?” asks Lydia.

It is only a little past midday, so Paul offers to do so now. “We can go back down to the river and baptize you there, now if you would like.”

Heads nod all around and everyone gets ready for this wonderful event. As they step from the gates, the girl begins calling out again; “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”

“Ignore her” Paul says to his companions. “She is actually doing us good.”

“I believe she has an evil spirit inhabiting her” Timothy says.

Paul nods, but walks on anyway. All the way to the river the girl calls out. While Paul is baptizing Lydia and her household, the girl calls out. All the way back to Lydia’s home, the girl calls out!

Paul is more than grateful for the gates on Lydia’s home that keep the girl outside. She doesn’t even call out when they are away from her. Finally, there is peace.

During dinner, Paul makes a suggestion.

“Lydia, I don’t want to overstep here, but with the size of your home, would you be willing to host small gatherings of believers? There doesn’t seem to be anywhere for them to gather in this city.”

“That would be wonderful!” Lydia agrees. “I welcome any size of group of believers. We can grow together in the knowledge of the Lord.”

That settled, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke make plans during the night about how to let the believers whom they have already spoken to, about this meeting place.

“We should go back into the streets and tell the believers”, suggests Timothy.

“We have to be careful not to let those who would persecute the believers know of this place. It needs to be safe, as it is also Lydia’s home.”

“This is true. We don’t want to bring danger down on her” affirms Paul.

“What if we split up” suggests Luke. “We can cover more ground that way.”

“I don’t know what kind of opposition awaits us in this city. I think it would be better if we stayed together, for now” cautions Paul.

It is finally agreed that they will go back into the streets and speak to those who have approached them before, and tell them to spread the word about the new meeting place. This way, the people can judge for themselves the danger in who they share the information with.

As Paul and company leave Lydia’s home, heading back out into the streets, the girl is right behind them. She keeps calling out as they go. It is beginning to wear on them all, but they continue to ignore her.

“So much for keeping a low profile” Luke says.

After a full week of this girl following them, Paul has had enough. They have heard from others in the city of this girl’s history.

“She is a poor slave girl who has a spirit of divination. Her owners use her mercilessly in order to increase their fortune. She is very valuable to them, and very accurate as well.”

Even knowing this, Paul can take her no longer. He turns to her in the middle of the street.

“I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her” (Acts 16:18).

The girl violently shakes for a moment, then falls silent. She stands where Paul confronted her, stunned. Then she turns and runs to her masters.

They are furious when she tells them the story and they go searching for the man who dared to take away their income.

Now that the girl is gone, Paul and his group split in two. Paul and Silas and Timothy and Luke. They can cover more ground this way.

Paul and Silas are alone when the owners of the girl find them. The girl points out Paul.

“He is the man who spoke to me and released me.”

The men rush Paul and Silas. The group overpowers them and drags them through the city, right to the marketplace. This is where the rulers of the city met to adjudicate matters. Paul and Silas, still being held fast by their accusers are dragged before the magistrate. They push them forward to stand before the man.

“These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice” (Acts 16:20-21).

The men encourage the crowd to join in accusing Paul and Silas. The scene quickly becomes violent. The magistrate steps up to the two accused men.

“You will learn your place in our city.”

He motions with a hand and two guards take over. The tunics and cloaks are torn from the backs of Paul and Silas. They are then beaten on their backs with rods. Paul and Silas endure the blows without striking back.

When the beating is over, the magistrate steps up again. “Take them away and put them in prison. Make sure the jailer keeps them safe.”

Paul and Silas are led away and placed in the innermost part of the prison. Their feet are fastened in stocks and the door slams shut.

(to be continued)

We will leave our two evangelists where they are for now. As far as we can tell, other than the girl following them around, this is the first persecution they have faced on this journey. Nothing is without peril.

I’m sure you noticed the addition of Luke on this journey. From Troas, the account of this story is written by someone who witnesses all this. As Luke is the author of Acts, I had to put him in. I also had to separate Silas and Paul from Luke and Timothy. The latter two are never put in jail in this city.

No matter what, we see God’s hand guiding this journey. HE brought them to this region specifically. I wonder if Paul ever sees the man from his visions.

Father God, I’m grateful that I didn’t live in Paul’s time. I’m pretty sure that I would not handle the travel and the persecution. I’m probably spoiled in this nation. I know persecution is on the rise, but You have put me in a place where I don’t see it too often. I have confidence though, that, if You allow me to go through it, YOU will carry me the whole way. I will not be left floundering on my own. And neither are Paul and Silas. Victory is on the way!