What is the Macedonian Call?

Answer

The term “Macedonian Call” refers to a vision from God that guided Paul’s route on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:39—18:22). Paul initially planned to visit and strengthen the churches he had established in the Asian province of Galatia during his first journey. Subsequently, he intended to spread the gospel to areas without churches. However, Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, was prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching in the province of Asia (Acts 16:6-8).

The reason for Paul and his team changing their plans is unclear, but the Spirit clearly indicated to them not to travel to the southwest of Asia Minor. They then attempted to go north to Bithynia, situated along the southern coast of the Black Sea, yet once more, “the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them” (Acts 16:6-7). Consequently, the missionaries bypassed Mysia and arrived at the port city of Troas.

It is evident that these early missionaries were attentive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Their journey depended significantly on the Spirit’s direction and prayer. By following their original plans, their ministry would have been limited to Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). As doors closed under the Spirit’s guidance, the missionaries continued to seek direction for their journey.

After being redirected twice, Paul found himself in Troas, on the eastern coast of the Aegean Sea. It was there that Paul received the Macedonian Call: “During the night Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia standing and pleading with him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us’” «And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of MacedonIn Acts 16:9, it says, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” (Acts 16:9). This vision provided clear direction. “After Paul had seen the vision, we prepared to leave for Macedonia, believing that God had called us to preach the gospel to them” «And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. », (Acts 16:10).

An interesting shift occurs between Acts 16:8 and Acts 16:10. In verse 8, the narrative is in the third person (“they”). However, in verse 10, the first person (“we”) is used—indicating the narrator’s inclusion in the action. It is evident that Luke, the author of Acts, met Paul in Troas and joined the missionary group. Some suggest that Luke was the “man of Macedonia” Paul had seen in his dream, and upon meeting him, Paul knew he was to accompany Luke on a western journey.

Paul followed the vision. If the Macedonians required assistance, then they would head to Macedonia (the northern and central regions of modern-day Greece). The Macedonian Call led Paul and his companions to sail from Troas to Neapolis, with a stopover on the island of Samothrace. From Neapolis, they journeyed to Philippi, a Roman colony and the principal city of that Macedonian region (Acts 16:11-12). This area is still recognized as the gateway to Europe. Until then, the gospel had been confined to Asia, and many historians attribute the spread of Christianity into Europe and the Western world to Paul’s response to the Macedonian Call.

Significant events unfolded in Macedonia, including Lydia’s conversion (Acts 16:16-18), Paul and Silas’ imprisonment in Philippi (Acts 16:16-28), the conversion of the jailer and his household (Acts 16:29-34), and Paul’s preaching in the Areopagus in Athens (Acts 17:16-34) are some of the highlights of the second missionary journey.

Paul planted several churches in response to the Macedonian Call. Local bodies of believers were established in Philippi «And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.», (Acts 16:40) and Thessalonica «And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. », (Acts 17:4) in Macedonia, and in Corinth in nearby Achaia (Acts 18:1-11). These churches were important in the growth of the early church and enjoyed a long-term relationship with the apostles. Five of the New Testament Epistles were written to these three churches.

The history of the church— and of the world— forever changed because of the God-given dream known as the Macedonian Call.