Articles
The Macedonian Call
They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10)
In this passage, Paul and Silas are travelling on what is commonly known as their “second missionary journey.” The journey was originally planned by Paul and Barnabas as an effort to visit previously established congregations (Acts 15:36), but disagreements between the two men about John Mark (Acts 15:37-38) led to them dividing the trip up, with Barnabas going to Cyprus with Mark (Acts 15:39) and Paul going to Asia Minor with Silas (Acts 15:40-41). Timothy also joined Paul and Silas at Lystra (Acts 16:1-3), and the subtle switch from “they” to “we” in this passage indicates that Luke also joined the party of travelers (Acts 16:10).
Paul, Silas, and Timothy were moving through Asia Minor (in the modern day, this is known as Turkey). Their original plan of checking on the churches in Phrygia and Galatia was largely completed by Acts 16:5. So what was the next logical step? Since they were moving west, the next province was the province of “Asia” (not to be confused with the continent of Asia!) The Asia province was home to the city of Ephesus, one of the largest and most important cities in the Roman Empire. Ephesus was an obvious choice for a place to establish a congregation. But Paul winds up bypassing Ephesus on this journey! He doesn’t reach Ephesus until much later (Acts 18:19-21), and only for a brief initial visit. It isn’t until Acts 19 and the so-called “third missionary journey” that Paul spent serious time in Ephesus. So why bypass the city here? Simple. They has “been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia!”
Paul, Silas, and Timothy diverted northward to Mysia, towards the northwest part of Asia Minor. They probably weren’t certain where to go next. The Spirit had diverted them from Asia. Perhaps he wanted them to go to Bithynia? Turns out that was wrong too! “They were trying to go to Bythinia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.”
This incident in Acts is truly amazing. The Spirit actually forbids Paul and Silas from preaching in certain areas while directing them to preach in others! Isn’t the gospel for all? Don’t all deserve to hear the message of the truth? Why is God so interested in sending Paul across the sea to Macedonia? The “Macedonian call” receives great attention as a call to evangelize, but many do not realize that it was preceded by the “Asian and Bythinian prohibition”!
Why pass up opportunities to preach? Paul and Silas didn’t find out why until they reached Troas, and Paul had his night vision of the Macedonian man calling him to come and help. The reason that God forbid them from preaching those places was not because God had a problem with more Bithynians or Asians or Ephesians hearing the truth. Rather, it was because God, in his wisdom, knew that there was a greater need in Macedonia at that moment. Paul eventually would spend over two years in Ephesus (Acts 19:10). He might have been there longer had it not been for a riot.
What if Paul had gone to Ephesus right away? He might have stayed there much longer. Careful readers of Acts will note a chain of events (mostly from Acts 16-18) that would disappear from such a hypothetical timeline. Lydia and the Philippian jailer might not have been converted. The church in Thessalonica might not have gotten started. The noble-minded Bereans might not have heard the gospel that fulfilled their beloved Scriptures. The Athenians would not have heard that marvelous sermon on Mars Hill. The eighteen months that Paul spent in Corinth would not have happened. Futher, five books of the New Testament may not have actually been written, because they were letters to those particular congregations.
Paul’s work in Macedonia and eventually Achaia (that is, Greece), was crucial on so many levels to the furtherance of Gentile inclusion in the people of God. But Paul could not have seen that at the time the Spirit forbid him from entering Asia and Bythinia and called him to go to Macedonia. It was not necessary for Paul to understand all of the events that would unfold from that call. It was only necessary for him to obey it. The Lord knows what is best for his kingdom, far better than we do.
Let us seek the Lord’s wisdom as we strive to proclaim his gospel!
