Our text for the morning sets us down in the middle of what many have called Paul's second missionary journey. Luke schematizes Paul's travels and arranges them so that Paul goes on three journeys, returning twice to the "headquarters" of the church in Jerusalem. Paul's letters, on the other hand, give a somewhat different account. But it is certain that Paul traveled thousands of miles for Christ in his mission to the Gentiles.

As we pick up our story, Paul, accompanied by Silas, journeys through Syria and Cilicia, visiting various local congregations and strengthening them in the faith (15:41). At Lystra, in Asia Minor, Timothy joins them in their travels (16:1-3). He is an appropriate Christian companion, because his mother is Jewish and his father is Greek, an apt symbol of the gospel…