Apostle Paul

Welcome back to the Men’s Huddle Bible study as we continue to look at the second missionary journey of the apostle Paul and his companions. Last week, we looked at the first half of Paul’s second trip. Paul and his companions faced opposition and were even thrown in jail, but that did not stop them from spreading the Word of the Lord. We left off where Paul and his companions went to Lydia’s house before they left. This morning open your Bibles to Acts, chapter 17. Follow along as I read the first 10 verses:

Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. The brethren immediately sen...

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...l notice that Paul “cut his hair” as part of keeping a vow. In the Old Testament the Israelites had Nazarites, who were holy men. They vowed not to cut their hair or drink wine. One would cut their hair when the vow started – Paul may have cut his hair, indicating the vow was over. It could be that Paul was faithful to Judaism and went through a purification process before making his way to Jerusalem. After arriving in Ephesus the three parted ways. Aquila and Priscilla remained in Ephesus, while Paul made his way to Jerusalem. Luke ends the second missionary journey abruptly. After arriving in Jerusalem, Paul “greeted the church” and made his way to Antioch. This completes Paul’s second missionary trip. Next week, we will take a look at Paul’s final missionary trip to end our study. I hope this has been a blessing to you as it has been for me. God bless you all.