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Home , 2 Thessalonians 1, Acts 18

CHURCHES BEGIN

Week 42: Paul’s Travels: 2nd Missionary Journey ( – 18; 1st & 2nd Thessalonians)

The Council of (15) conceded that God accepts Gentiles without circumcision or keeping the law. This decision made it possible for people to come to God without going through . Paul was jubilant and returned to with . They were eager to begin another missionary journey so they could at least return to and report the outcome of the Jerusalem proceedings to the believers there.

Paul and Barnabas had an argument about whether or not should accompany them on the 2nd missionary trip. The reason for the difference of opinions was that during the 1st missionary journey, Mark left Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem prematurely. Unable to resolve this dispute, Paul and Barnabas decided to separate—Barnabas took his cousin John Mark with him, while joined Paul. Though Paul and Barnabas apparently never traveled together again, there was no lasting animosity between them—Paul later spoke highly of Barnabas. He also made up with Mark (who was the author of the Gospel of Mark studied in Week 31), who later was with him during Paul’s imprisonment in .

Paul left for his second missionary journey from Antioch, in late Autumn 49ad and he would not return until about 3 years later. Paul and Silas first visited Tarsus where Paul was born and Galatia. Then, they went on to revisit the churches that were established during the first mission trip in and . In Lystra, they met Timothy, a promising disciple, and decided to take him with them. Churches were planted (in , Thessalonica, and Berea), many people became , and disciples were strengthened in their faith.

But the journey was not without its problems—Paul and Silas were often opposed by those who refused to believe. It seems that riots and mobs were always close at hand. Even while in Philippi, Paul cast out a spirit of divination from a servant girl, whose masters were unhappy about the loss of income which her fortune telling had provided. The masters turned the city against Paul and Silas and threw them into jail. But as they were singing and praising God at the midnight hour, an earthquake occurred that caused the gates of the prison to break open. Paul and Silas could have escaped but instead remained in their cell. This led to the conversion of their jailor and to their release. They then continued traveling to Berea and then on to where Paul preached to the and God-fearing Greeks in the synagogue and to the Greek intellectuals in the Areopagus. The Gospel of was spreading into Europe.

Around 50ad, Paul crossed over to , the seat of the Roman government of Achaia, and spent 18 months there. The reference to Proconsul Gallio helps ascertain this date. While in Corinth Paul wrote his two letters to the church of Thessalonica. Also, he met who became faithful believers and helped Paul through his other missionary journeys. After other successful visits throughout the region, Paul then began making his journey toward Jerusalem in order to observe there. He was accompanied by Aquila and Priscilla as far as . They stayed there and started one of the strongest and most faithful churches at that time. In 52ad, Paul Week Forty-Two Reading Plan made his way by :36-16:40 The Missionary Adventures of Paul, Silas, Timothy & Luke sea, to Jerusalem. :1-34 Ministry in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea & Athens Afterward, he Acts 18:1-17 Priscilla & Aquilla in Corinth with Paul returned to Antioch where they stayed :1-2:20 Paul’s Ministry in thessalonica for about a year :1-4:12 Knowing God’s Will before leaving 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2; 2:13-3:18 Knowing God’s Will again on their 3rd Acts 18:18-23 Paul Returns to Antioch missionary journey. Chapter Chapter 1 1 THESSALONIANS – Readiness 5

Thessalonians’ growth Paul’s ministry Timothy’s report Holy living Church’s conduct Let us be waiting Let us be hopeful Let us be strengthened Let us be encouraged Let us be thankful For suffering Christians For uninformed Christians 1:1-10 For new Christians 2:1-20 For young pastors 3:1-13 4:1-18 5:1-28 For “sleepy” ChristiansChapters The  of a pastor The burden of a pastor How a Christian leader is to act How a follower is to respond Topics A saving hope A purifying hope A comforting hope

Past: work of faith Present: Future: steadfastness of hope Labor of love } Church established beginning of 2nd missionary journey. Letter written about 50ad. Time

The key word is coming. The key verse is 1 Thes. 4:16-17. One sentence summary: Whatever difficulties and sufferings believers experience in this life, the coming of Christ is the true hope of the Christians.

Chapter Chapter 1 2 THESSALONIANS – Return 3

1 AFFIRMATION 3 EXPLANATION 3 CLARIFICATION AMIDST AFFLICTION OF PROPHECY REGARDING RESPONSE why are we suffering? when will He come? how do i respond? Written to discouraged believers Written to confused believers Written to wayward believers Comfort in the Correction on the Encouragement to live hope of Christ’s return timing of Christ’s return in light of Christ’s return Peace amidst pain Lawlessness versus restraint Work while waiting Be faithful Stand firm Keep working Thanksgiving prayer Man of lawlessness Diligence in the church The Lord knows The day of the Lord has not yet come Do not grow weary of doing good!

The key word is stand firm. The key verse is 2 Thes. 2:15-17. One sentence summary: Whatever difficulties believers face, they should stand firm and continue living useful lives even though Christ’s return may be in the distant future.