Acts 16

Paul and Timothy

Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

behold, this word means pay attention, look upon...

Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Timothy would be the spiritual son of Paul. He wrote 2 Epistles to Timothy who was a young Pastor. He had a godly Jewish mother and grandmother.

2 Tim 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Acts 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

He had a good reputation with the brethren. Lystra was the place that Paul and Barnabas were thought to be gods, and the place where Paul was stoned.This the second missionary journey, took place approximately five years later.

Acts 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

“By Jewish law Timothy was a Jew, because he was the son of Jewish mother, but because he was uncircumcised he was technically an apostate Jew. If Paul wished to maintain his links with the synagogue, he could not be seen to countenance apostasy.” (Bruce)

Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

Paul was delivering the letter from the Jerusalem council, the letter stated that circumcision was not a requirement for salvation. Timothy was circumcised so as to be accepted in the synagogues and aong the Jewish people. He did it for love and respect for those who might otherwise be offended.

Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Paul wanted to see if the churches were thriving and he was fulfilling his purpose to strengthen them.

1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1 Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Th 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1 Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Interesting, they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach in Asia. Jesus had given them the great commission to go to all the world, yet the spirit said no to Asia at this time.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

We have the word of God and the witness of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Who knows how much trouble we would avoid if we listen to the spirit? Sometimes our well thought out plans are blocked, if it is the Holy Spirit we are in God's will to follow him. God always knows best. Listen to his voice and follow the spirit.

Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Sometimes we go by the truth we have, if God allows it, then it is his spirit, if we are blocked, we need to pray until we are sure. We should never act in our own strength and ideas. Be still and listen to God, his spirit will gently guide you. Will you follow God, even if it seems to be against your plans?

Praise God in the darkest hour

Acts 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Paul, as a true example, followed the lead of the Holy Spirit. He listened and knew by impression that he also was not to go to Bithynia. If we listen carefully to our hearts, w will do the right thing. Be cautious in your walk in the Spirit.

How do we know God's will? First by knowing the Bible. Second by prayer, God speaks to us in prayer, be still and listen. Thirdly we walk in the light of truth we have and he will open or close the way.

Acts 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Acts 16:10 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.

Paul was looking for openings, this was a vision. Normally we know if a vision comes from God if we hear three times from God an example of a vision is God speaking to Samuel. Samuel as a boy in the temple, heard God speak his voice three times, he responded:

1 Sam 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
1 Sam 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
1 Sam 3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
1 Sam 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

The priest who cared for Samuel, did not restrain his own sons and would be judged.

Acts 16:11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
Acts 16:12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

The women came to the River for prayer, perhaps it was their prayers who allowed the vision from God to come. Prayers are very important. When a need is brought to the Lord in humility and with diligence, he hears.

Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

There is a dye made from a sea mollusk that is this purple color, Lydian purple is a color known to many.

Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

In Acts, people are baptized following conversion, there is no delay. Not only was Lydia saved, but also her whole household. This is encouraging for those with unsaved loved ones. She asked Paul to come into her house. We ask Jesus to come into our house of God, our bodies which become the dwelling place of God's spirit.

Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

On the way to the river for prayer, they meet an occult seer. Divination, seers, guides, fortune tellers and psychics, even horoscopes, are of the darkness. I Christian has no business with these, we listen to God's spirit, not the spirit from satan. They serve satan and usually are seeking money in their evil words.

Acts 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.

It is no secret to the devil and his workers, who are of the Lord. Giving Paul recognition, maybe was a form of flattery. The devil appeals to our lusts, flattery and the pride of life may have been the evil motive.

Remember it was a demon in a man , the demoniac, that cut himself and ran around without clothing, who knew Jesus.

Mark 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
Mark 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

He came out in the same hour, not immediately. We are not to look for demons to cast out, they will find us when we are ministering. Casting a demon out is not always the best thing. The heart of the individual must be prepared to receive Jesus or more demons will return.

Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Mat 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Mat 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Acts 16:19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Acts 16:20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

They were angry because they lost their money maker. How many foolish people will pay to receive a word from satan, when God's word is ignored. Or the people will complain that the preachers are always asking for money. If those who are God's servants are only concerned for money, their hearts are in darkness too.

A false reason for accusing them was that they were Jews. Throughout history the Jews have been persecuted, this because they are God's chosen people.

Acts 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

If the gospel truth is unlawful, then the nation is evil. Our nation is almost there with it's separation of God and Christianity from the public life.

Acts 16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

All were as roaring lions. they would suffer at the hands of cruel men for Jesus.

Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Acts 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Cast in a filthy hole, they were bound by stocks, unable to walk about. That would cause a normal person to panic in despair.

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

How beautiful, in the darkest time, Paul and Silas sang praises unto God. You can destroy the body, but the soul belongs to God. And, the prisoners heard them. We are to show forth courage and praises when we face adversity, this way the world sees and hears that we have something desirable and they will seek to have this. More importantly, God hears and is with us.

Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

God heard their praises and unlocked ALL from their shackles. Jesus came to set the captives free by his Spirit.

Acts 16:27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
Acts 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Paul spoke grace to the jailer, for the penalty for an escaped prisoner was death.

Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Their testimony brought conviction to the jailers heart. These were indeed men of the most high God. He asked them the classic question: what must I do to be saved? You know, even some ministers do not have the answer to that question. They might say, do good works or be baptized in a certain way or you must speak in tongues. Pauls answer was simple, but true.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Only believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and your house.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Acts 16:32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

They spoke the word.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

They washed their whiplashing marks, and were baptized.

Jesus washed away our sins by his stripes.

1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Acts 16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Acts 16:35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
Acts 16:36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
Acts 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
Acts 16:38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
Acts 16:39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

Paul was a Roman citizen. They are protected with all the rights of citizenship. They hasty punishment without a trial, broke Roman law. Now they owed a debt to Paul. They were afraid that they would suffer under Roman law for their misdeeds.

Acts 16:40 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.

Returning to the hospitality of Lydia's home they were refreshed and once again they departed on foot to another ministry field. Paul truly must suffer many things for Christ's sake, yet we never heard him complain. There is joy in serving Jesus.

In love , Gary

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