Luke, our author, stayed with Paul. We see a parting of ways now for Paul and Barnabas. They had had such a good run on the first missionary journey. But their vision for what was next or who would be included did not align. We’ve probably seen rifts between ministry leaders before, but this was a complete change of direction for these traveling companions. Paul thought highly of Silas, his new partner, and now they begin a new adventure together.
Early on, Paul meets Timothy, who will have an important role in Paul’s ministry of spreading the gospel. I was a little surprised after all the talk about circumcision we read in Galatians that Paul would put Timothy through that. But Timothy was considered a Jew, even if he was only half Jewish. The towns mentioned here, Lystra and Derbe, are both found in southern Galatia. Paul is now meeting the people for whom he writes the book of Galatians. Continue reading “Acts 15:36-16:15 – Are You Listening?”
