Welcome and thank you for taking a bible break to test your knowledge of God's word.
This week's question:

When Saul brought great persecution upon the church, they scattered throughout the region, except the apostles. "Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word." (Acts 8:1-4). Some of those who were scattered went to Antioch, and after Saul's conversion, he began his work as an apostle also. "So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." (Acts 11:19-26).

That brings us to our question, "Who was Paul's second traveling companion?". After their stay in Antioch, Barnabus and Saul began their first missionary journey as they were called by the Holy Spirit. "Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus." (Acts 13:1-4). During this journey, John Mark deserted them and when they decided to travel on their second journey great debate was stirred between Paul and Barnabas.

So then, for the answer to our question we turn and read, "After some days Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.' Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." (Acts 15:36-41).

So there we have the answer to our question, as it is none other than Silas who is Paul's second traveling companion as the dispute over taking John Mark separated Barnabas and Paul's traveling together on this second journey!

Interestingly enough, although Paul was adamant about not taking John Mark on that second journey, he later had this to say when he was in prison and felt his time may be short upon this earth. "Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service." (2 Timothy 4:9-11).

May we remember that no matter how we once acted-no matter how humiliating we may have been-there is time for redemption as we still have breath! Make the most of your time and set the good example like John Mark for life!