Broadcast Word: Lesson 11

And Now There are Two!

How does the old song go, “How ya’ goina keep em down on the farm, after they’ve seen Paris?”  Well, Paul and Barnabas are ready and eager to return to the churches they founded on their first missionary journey.  I have heard from modern-day missionaries that they too are eager to get back into the mission field.  The Holy Spirit provides the enthusiasm so that the Good News of Jesus Christ can be told.

There’s just one little problem.  Read Acts 15:36-39.  What was it?

Who is this John, a/k/a Mark?

MARK, JOHN Early missionary and church leader; author of second Gospel. He was the son of Mary in whose home the Jerusalem believers met to pray when Peter was imprisoned by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:12). Mark was sometimes called by his Jewish name, John, and sometimes by his Roman name, Mark.

John Mark was kin to Barnabas (Col. 4:10). After Barnabas and Saul completed a relief mission to Jerusalem, they took Mark with them when they returned to Antioch (Acts 12:25). When Barnabas and Saul went as missionaries, they took Mark to help (Acts 13:5). They went from Antioch to Cyprus and then on to Pamphylia, where Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). The most likely reason was because Paul had become the dominant missionary and was taking the gospel to Gentiles (Acts 13:4-12). Later, when Paul and Barnabas planned another journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark. When Paul refused, Barnabas and Mark went together while Paul and Silas went together (Acts 15:36-40).

When Paul wrote Philemon, Mark was one of Paul’s fellow workers who sent greetings (Philem. 24). Paul wrote to the Colossians to receive Mark if he came to them (Col. 4:10). When Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy, he asked Timothy to bring Mark with him because Paul considered Mark a useful helper (2 Tim. 4:11).

Peter referred to Mark as his “son,” and sent greetings from him near the end of his first letter (1 Pet. 5:13). (Source Holman Bible Dictionary)

Read Acts 15:39-41

Just think, a man who once fled danger when Jesus was arrested is now in the forefront of taking the Good News into foreign lands. And it was he who was the author of one of the four gospels.

• Identify the two missionary teams
  • Team #1
    • __________________________
    • __________________________
  • Team #2
    • __________________________
    • __________________________

Let’s take a look at just how extensive Paul and Silas would travel on this journey

Source: Parson’s Bible Atlas, Mileage Tool

• How many miles did they travel over land and see? _________________
• Barnabas and John Mark travel back to Cyprus, Barnabas’ home country. What happened on Cyprus during Paul and Barnabas’ first journey?

Read Acts 16

• Describe the events in the first five verses.
  • _________________________
  • _________________________
  • _________________________
  • _________________________
• Now we have seen where two different controversies have led to growth in the church.
  • Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark –>led to two missionary teams!
  • Disagreement over Gentiles and Jewish customs –> Council meeting agreement –> churches were strengthened and grew in numbers.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.  Praise Him all creatures here below.  Praise Him above ye heavenly host.  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

• Paul’s original plan was to revisit the churches that were founded on their first trip. But God had other plans. What do verses 6-10 tell us?
• Paul and Silas (Timothy and Luke added) cross over to the continent of Europe. The Holy Spirit moved (ruach) where He wills. And His will for the Good News of Jesus Christ was to brought to a lady named Lydia. What does Luke tell us about this wonderful lady?
  • __________________________
  • __________________________
  • __________________________
  • __________________________
• Luke tells us that God “opened the hearts” to respond to Paul’s message. Think of this spark of faith in terms of opening a door and greeting a friend. What words describe how you would feel if when you opened your front door, someone who you hadn’t seen in years appears on your doorstep?
• As was the case in Cyprus, the devil attempts to thwart Paul’s efforts. This time he uses a slave girl who predicted the future. Reread verses 19-24. What charges did the slave girl’s owners bring against the men?
• Another miracle occurs in Philippi. Describe the scene in Paul and Silas’ jail cell.
• Verse thirty-four tells us that the jailer was “filled with joy because he had come to believe in God.” What does it mean to be filled with joy?
• Backfire! The magistrates did not realize that Paul was a Roman citizen. Why did this make a difference according to verse thirty-seven?

Heavenly father, you continually guide our every step by your Holy Spirit.  Thank you for reminding us that when trials come, You never leave.  The witness of Lydia and the Jailer are important to us today.  Give us your power to witness wherever You direct.  In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.