Paul's second missionary journey was a longer journey than the first, and it was during this time that the apostle Paul's faith was truly tested. The doctrine of the Kingdom of God and Jesus' spiritual message about the spiritual gift of eternal life left no one indifferent; the times of early Christianity did not allow for lukewarm people. Because, as taught in the New Testament, those who are friends of the world cannot also be friends of God. And so, just as the apostle Paul had to face real enemies, such as when he was arrested for freeing a girl possessed by a spirit of divination in Philippi, he also found real conversions moved by the spiritual gift of fear of God (constancy, firmness, devotion). And so, the spiritual conflict was inevitable.
And the Book of Acts recounts a very special moment at the beginning of the second missionary journey: Paul's arrival in the region of Macedonia with the founding of the Church of Philippi, with great certainty, the first church founded in Europe. And it is very likely that from the time Paul arrived in this city, the apostle found the need to write his famous letters, as he confronted his faith with the Greek world.
The Book of Acts recounts that despite the difficulties in Philippi, there were conversions guided by the Holy Spirit, and one of them was that of a woman named Lydia, an important businesswoman of the city, who, after being baptized, showed a great act of mercy (compassion, kindness, gentleness), as the Book of Acts recounts: "When Lydia and her family were baptized, she invited us to stay at her home. She said, 'If you're convinced that I believe in the Lord, then stay at my home.' She insisted." Acts 16:15.
Lydia, as the Book of Acts relates, became a great support to Paul and Silas, since after they left prison, they stayed at her house until their departure for Thessalonica. These small conversions, like the seed that is sown and grows until it bears fruit, were the beginning of the early Church and of a faith that developed to change the world.
For more information, check out my profile, follow the link, and download my ebook.