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#30.
The Second Missionary Journey (16: 6 - 19: 20).
pp. 228 - 232
We now approach another section of the Acts, and a wider circle of witness. In the
nineteenth chapter we have the separation of the Church from the Synagogue, and in the
sixteenth chapter the call of the man of Macedonia. In response to this call the Gospel
enters Europe. Such a chapter as this ranks in importance with Acts 2:, 13: and 28:
We have given in the Appendix to "The Apostle of the Reconciliation" an adjustment
of the Structure of the Acts, so that this vision may at least be noted, but at best the
outline suggested was a reconstruction of the work of others and cannot be allowed to
take its place in this series. We therefore turn to the pages of the Acts afresh, examining
each step as we go. The result of this investigation is that the outline on page 247 of "The
Apostle of the Reconciliation" is found to be insufficient. It is true that the geographical
terms are there, and in the order shown, but there is little value in a mere list of names--
except of course, that they show the footsteps of the apostles and the opening up of the
Roman world to the Gospel. Let the reader and the writer share together, as far as
possible, the thrill of first discovery and see the light dawn as patience, persistence and
prayer overcome obstacles. The obstacles are many and various. Chief among them is
the wealth of detail and the amount of material. Look for instance at the places
mentioned: Galatia, Phrygia, Asia, Mysia, Bythinia, Troas, Macedonia, Samothracia,
Neapolis, Philippi, Thyatira, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens,
Mars' Hill, Corinth, Syria, Cenchrea, Ephesus, Cęsarea, Antioch, Alexandria. To
turn these geographical names into centres of real interest would demand a volume. And
if we add to these the different peoples that cross and re-cross the path, and the varied
experiences of the Apostle, from the prison at Philippi to the Acropolis at Athens, the
difficulty grows.
To return to our quest, here then are the chapters awaiting us, and we are convinced
that they are stamped with the hallmark of inspiration, that we have found throughout the
Scriptures. We begin with the conviction that the vision at Macedonia is a feature of
importance, and we therefore make a note of it. We write "Macedonia: Vision". As we
do so, there comes to mind another vision, recorded in chapter 18:, and as this is a
likely parallel, we make a note of that too. "Corinth: Vision". Philippi, which follows
the Macedonian vision, occupies a large space, and we provisionally set aside the rest of
chapter 16: under the heading "Philippi". As we do so, however, we observe that there
is recorded here the strange occurrence of the damsel possess with a spirit of divination,
and that the spirit, instead of opposing the Apostle, apparently endorses his message,
saying: "These men are the servants of the Most High God, which shew unto us the way
of salvation." This is evidently an indication that the old enemy is adopting new tactics,
and this item is therefore important. So we note, "Spirit of Python: Way of Salvation."
As we do so, we recall that there is an incident parallel to this further on in the Acts, and
to our delight we find waiting for us the record of the Jewish exorcists, who used the
name of "Jesus, Whom Paul preacheth". This is so obviously a corresponding member