Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We write to you with hearts full of love and gratitude, reflecting on the journey we have undertaken to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our mission to share the good news with all nations has brought us immense joy, as well as significant challenges. Yet, through it all, the grace of God has sustained us and led us to witness the growth of His Church.
After the Council at Jerusalem, we felt a deep responsibility to ensure that the Gentile converts were firmly rooted in their faith and free from the burden of following the laws of Moses. The letter from the council, which affirmed that salvation is through grace and not by works of the law, was a pivotal message we were eager to share with all the churches we had previously visited.
As we prepared for this journey, a disagreement arose between us over whether John Mark should join us again. Paul felt strongly that John Mark should not accompany us, recalling how he had abandoned the mission during our first journey. Barnabas, ever the encourager, saw potential in John Mark and wanted to give him another chance. This difference in perspective led to our decision to part ways, but it did not diminish our shared commitment to the Gospel. Paul took Silas and set out to strengthen the churches, while Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus to continue their ministry.
Our separation, though painful, was used by God to double our efforts in spreading the Gospel. Barnabas and John Mark went on to Cyprus, where they were able to encourage and build up the believers there. Paul's choice to take Silas proved to be divinely inspired, as Silas has been a steadfast companion and co-worker in Christ. Together, we have traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches and encouraging the believers.
One of the significant moments of our journey was meeting Timothy, a young disciple from Lystra. His sincere faith and good reputation among the believers made him an ideal companion. We circumcised him to avoid any unnecessary barriers with the Jews we were ministering to, and he has since been a valuable part of our team.
As we traveled, we continually shared the decisions from the Jerusalem Council, which brought great encouragement and clarity to the Gentile believers. The churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. We also had the privilege of being guided by the Holy Spirit, who directed us away from certain regions and toward others, ensuring that we were always in the right place at the right time.
In Troas, we had a vision of a man from Macedonia begging us to come and help them. Recognizing this as God's call, we immediately set out for Macedonia. There, we met Lydia, a worshiper of God whose heart the Lord opened to respond to Paul's message. Her hospitality and support were crucial as we began to establish the church in Philippi.
Throughout our journey, we faced numerous challenges, including imprisonment in Philippi. But even in chains, we saw God's hand at work, as the jailer and his entire household came to faith. Each trial we faced only served to strengthen our resolve and deepen our trust in God's providence.
As we write to you now, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the partnership we share in the Gospel. We are continually encouraged by your faith and commitment to the Lord. Remember that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Continue to stand firm, let nothing move you, and always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. We look forward to the day when we can rejoice together in His presence, celebrating the fruits of our labor for His kingdom.
In His service,
Paul, Barnabas, and Silas
Strengthened in Faith and United in Purpose