On this occasion, which is quite unique, the division between two leaders resulted in the doubling of the work, and not the hindering and hampering of any progress.

At the end of Acts Chapter 15 in the New Testament, we read of rift between Paul and Barnabas, but the resulting outcome was two missionary teams instead of one! Now, I am not saying the rift was good, but we do see that God used it for good. Is there anything which separates Christians worth holding on to? Is there anything worth dividing over?

This rift arose and Paul and Silas move off to Syria and Cilicia. They go, confirming the churches, strengthening every fellowship, reassuring them, grounding them in the faith, and encouraging each group. This is such an important activity, and it is often overlooked.

When they come to Derbe and Lystra, in modern Turkey, Paul meets a young man who had been converted under his ministry on that first missionary journey - Timothy.

Timothy comes from a divided home. His mother and grandmother were Jewish and had come to faith in Jesus Christ. His father was a Greek and not in the fellowship. Timothy was well spoken of by the believers in his home town, and also by those who lived in the neighbourhood. "Isn't it lovely to see how he is growing?"

Paul wanted him on their missionary team, and he took Timothy and had him circumcised - not to save Timothy - but so that Timothy could be used by Jesus Christ to save others - so that Timothy would be acceptable to the Jews.

Now he could go into the Jewish culture - into the synagogues, that otherwise would have been closed to him. It was done for social cultural reasons, not spiritual reasons. There is an amazing lesson from that incident.

Paul and Silas and Timothy went off together in the name of Jesus Christ - two mature men and one apprentice. That was the pattern of New Testament ministry, and later Timothy becomes a Pastor - converted under Paul - trained by Paul - discipled by Paul - and having learned from Paul by observing the variety of experiences which he would have witnessed.

Barnabas and John Mark have gone off elsewhere, and God provides Silas and Timothy to be alongside Paul, in what is to become quite a remarkable mission - and Luke, the writer of Acts concentrates on the travels and ministry of Paul and Silas.

In Acts Chapter 16 at verse 6, we are read of Paul and Silas setting out on what has become known as The Second Missionary Journey. They visit Christian Fellowships - strengthening the believers - reassuring and confirming the disciples - giving encouragement to each individual believer in Jesus.

We can never over-emphasise this aspect of mission. We need to be strengthened continually - in the service of Jesus Christ - and for the service of Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God.

Over the years I have met very few confident, strong, reassured, disciples of Jesus.

We saw how young Timothy was recruited. He was going to be trained under Paul's leadership to be a soldier of Jesus Christ, and some years later he graduated as a Pastor.

Off they go, in verse 6, in the Name of Jesus, and another crisis arises. This is another aspect of reality. Paul wanted to go north and preach the Gospel there, but the Holy Spirit prevented them from going north. The Holy Spirit would not allow them to go just where they wanted to go.

God wanted to keep Paul and Silas and young Timothy in His Holy and Perfect Will, and walking in His Ways, where God wanted them to walk, and not where they might choose to serve. What a lesson!

Even with spiritual leaders of the calibre of Paul, there can be a difference between where Paul wants to go and where God wanted him to go. Isn't this the case with us sometimes? We want to do something, and God has to make it very clear - "NO". Or, we don't want to do something, or go somewhere, and God somehow has to make us obedient to His Word, and bring us into line, and that can be sore at times.

These can be unwanted and unwelcome lessons, but they are essential for effective mission.

Sandy Shaw