As we’ve followed Paul on his first, and now, his second missionary journey we’ve learned that the Apostle Paul is one tough man. Yell at him, threaten him, falsely accuse, beat him up, put him in prison, stone him to death; he just keeps coming. There was no quit in Paul.

In April 50AD, about six months after the Jerusalem Council, Paul set out on his second missionary journey. His partner was Silas. Paul and Silas started by visiting the churches Paul had planted on his first missionary journey: Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Antioch in Pisidia.

In our section today we will see a few of Paul’s strategies for his missionary journey and their varied results. Some strategies brought heartbreaking conflict, some seem confusing, some needed divine correction, some resulted in incarceration and some in conversions. Regardless of the outcome, through them all, you can see Paul’s commitment to the work God had called him to, and the power of God at work through Paul to achieve His purposes.

To better understand our study today, we must consider the role and importance that circumcision had in the Jewish community. The act of circumcising all male children on the 8th day was one of Judaism’s most essential and critical practices. It was the mark of the covenant God had made with Abraham, the Father of the nation of Israel (Genesis 17:9-14).

Whether it is the difficulties faced when presenting the good news of Jesus to loved ones, or the challenging hardwork of our own sanctification process, it is only through various trials and tribulations that anyone embarks on the kingdom life. In our section today we will see that this has been the case since the birth of the church until now.

After Peter’s miraculous rescue from the murderous hands of King Herod in 44AD, Luke fast forwards three years to 47AD. The Holy Spirit had a special assignment for the Church of Antioch, Barnabas and Paul.

Sometime between 41 AD and 44 AD, Emperor Claudius installed a new king over Judea and Jerusalem. This new king observed the animosity of the Jews towards the leaders of the Way and saw in it an opportunity to score political points with his newly acquired subjects.

The more information you have, the greater the level of clarity, resulting in a much higher level of confidence. In our study today, we will see how God clarifies a massive change in His program, and how this clarity results in unshakable confidence in the early church.

Matt & Jeannine Condon Commissioning Service

Matt & Jeannine Condon Commissioning Service