The Book Of ActsSýnishorn

The Growth of the Kingdom in Asia, Macedonia and Achaia: Acts 15:36–21:16

The fifth major section of Acts runs from chapter 15:36-21:16, where the gospel witness was extended to the Roman provinces of Asia, Macedonia and Achaia. 

This portion of Acts focuses on Paul’s second and third missionary journeys, during which time Paul traveled through eastern Asia Minor, as he had before, but then pressed on to the province of Asia in western Asia Minor, and across the Aegean Sea to many cities in Macedonia and Achaia in modern-day Greece.

Paul’s second missionary journey is recorded in Acts 15:36-18:22, and his third missionary journey in chapter 18:23-21:16. 

In the pattern that should be quite familiar by now, these chapters emphasize the relationship between internal growth and tension. We find many examples of internal growth here, such as:

• The instruction of Apollos by Aquila and Priscilla in Acts chapter 18; and
• Paul’s extended teaching in the synagogues of Ephesus and the lecture hall of Tyrannus in Acts chapter 19.

And of course, much tension accompanied this internal growth. For instance:

• Paul and Barnabas argued over Mark and parted company in Acts chapter 15; and
• Paul warned the church to guard against church leaders who have evil motives in Acts chapter 20.

We also read of external growth and opposition. For example, we see external growth in the many converts Paul gained and in the churches he planted during his second and third missionary journeys in Acts chapters 15 through 21. 

But we also see opposition, such as:

• The angry mobs that tried to kill Paul; and
• The Jewish zealots who pursued Paul from city to city, in Acts chapters 17 and 20.

Once again, Luke showed that the gospel spread effectively throughout the world. Internal tensions and external opposition were constant difficulties, but they could not stop the progress of the gospel witness empowered by the Holy Spirit.