ACTS 16
Act 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple
was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and
believed; but his father was a Greek:
Act 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and
Iconium.
Act 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.
The fact that they were willing to have this done in order to keep the peace of
God with the Jews is a sign of being perfect in love. Paul was not saying that
he secretly believed one had to be circumcised to be saved but he was trying to
keep the unity of spirit in the bond of peace. We can compromise in non
essentials but not on sound doctrine where the gospel could be harmed if one
compromises. The letter to the Galatians written by Paul to preach against
Jews spying out the liberty of Gentile Christians and compelling them to add to
their salvation by being circumcised, is a good one to read on the what really
is the way to one's salvation. Paul says that in Christ it doesn't really
matter because we are saved by grace and not by outward works or religious
rituals. True salvation will bring forth a life of holiness in the believer but
one is not saved by just deciding to live holy in their own strength without
receiving Jesus as savior. Living holy doesn't make one more saved but it does
reflect what has taken place in the heart when one is saved. Circumcision though
has nothing to do with our salvation one way or another. It is good only
for health reasons. It was given as a sign of the covenant between Israel
and God but through Christ is a new covenant with them. The new covenant
replaces the old one.
Act 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.
Act 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in
number daily.
This is exciting to hear. Churches were established in the faith and increased
in number daily. They must have had church every day. If we hear of large
numbers coming to Christ and it isn't our particular group, we should rejoice
with them and pray that it spread to other churches. Notice that these people
became Christians by the spirit of God. They were what is called being "born
again" by God's spirit. This was not a forced conversion to the religion of
Christianity that we read of in the Middle ages. If we use force the person
being made a Christian has not truly been saved or born again. He or she is
merely making an outward confession that has no effect on the soul. Any religion
that uses force cannot save the soul from hell or change anyone's life. If we
have to use force, the conversion is a sham. It is not real.
Act 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,
We do not know for sure what the gospel was at first forbidden to them but the
words below may have something to do with it. I'm sure it doesn't mean
that they never would
be able to have the gospel or it would be in opposition to what Jesus said when
He told the disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel
Act 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia:
but the Spirit suffered them not.
Actually if we get to the place where we can walk in the spirit, we would have
more success. There seems to be a right time and a wrong time for going certain
places.
Act 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
Act 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.
Act 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into
Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the
gospel unto them.
Here we can see that perhaps there may be a simple reason why they were
forbidden to go to Asia. The timing was wrong because Macedonia was the place
the Holy Spirit desired to send them next.
Act 16:11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to
Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
Act 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.
Act 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.
Act 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.
Act 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.
This lady had the gift of hospitality and helps. She desired to give the
preachers of the gospel a place to dwell. Her reward most probably will be the
same as those that were preaching.
Mat 10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall
receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of
a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup
of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in
no wise lose his reward.
Act 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:
Act 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.
This testimony was true but it was from Satan in a mocking way which would turn
people away from the message of the truth rather than attract people to the
gospel.
Act 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.
Act 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,
Act 16:20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do
exceedingly trouble our city,
I wish all of us who truly believed would indeed trouble our cities with the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
Notice that these were using the fact that they were Jews to further accuse
them. Their motive though was that when that girl was healed they finances were
in danger of drying up People that use other people for gain do not care for the
soul of the person they are using.
Act 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither
to observe, being Romans.
They probably wouldn't have cared whether or not this was true if their pocket
books had not been hurt.
Act 16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the
magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
Usually when a mob is stirred up about a matter, it is usually the mob that is
in the wrong. Mob violence is never right no matter what the protest is over.
Act 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into
prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely:
Act 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison,
and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and
the prisoners heard them.
Think for a minute here. They had just been stripped of clothing and beaten
severely. I'm sure they were hurting. Not only that. Their feet were in stocks
so that they could not move about. They couldn't go to the bathroom. Here these
men are, not demanding their rights, neither were they murmuring or complaining
and they had a lot to complain about. They were praying. That much is
understandable but they were not praying for deliverance. They were actually
singing praises to God.
Act 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.
He inhabits our praises. being thankful and praising God really seems to open
doors literally.
Act 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.
If prisoners escape they would be executed anyway so he planned to kill himself
instead.
Act 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for
we are all here.
Since Paul used to work for the other side, he knew what would have happened to
those guards if he would have escaped. Here God made a way for him to escape but
he preferred to save the life and the soul of this guard. That is what I call a
Christian in deed and in truth. He cared more for his fellowman than for
himself. Now we may wonder why we do not see signs and wonders like the apostles
did. It is not because the gifts have ceased and God quit healing, it is because
we don't have this same love and dedication that they had to the spread of the
gospel.
Act 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and
fell down before Paul and Silas,
Act 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
This is the greatest question that any person could ever ask.
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house.
Here is the simple gospel in a nut shell. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and
you shall be saved. To believe means to believe in, to partake of and to accept
the word of the person you believe in. If I say I believe in President Bush and
I have never listened to a word he ever says or desire to hear a word he says
then I may believe that he exists as a person but I don't really believe in him.
To believe in something means to give yourself to that something.
Paul could see by the sprit that if this man would simply believe, he not only
would be saved himself but his whole household would come to this great
salvation. Christ would make such a change in this one's life that his family
and friends will not be able to resist the new spirit which would fill him. He
would be different.
Act 16:32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were
in his house.
We can't just tell people about Jesus and not disciple them or expound the word.
A true convert will want to hear all we have to say about the Lord that saved
them from sin.
Act 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their
stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
The guard took them home, tended their wounds, then the man was baptized and his
household was also baptized.
Act 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.
There is joy in finding Jesus Christ and forsaking all things to believe in Him.
Act 16:35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying,
Let those men go.
Act 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.
I believe God worked this out. Paul and Silas could have left when the
earthquake opened the jail for them but they didn't. After the conversion of the
guard, they still could have left. I'm sure the guard would not have insisted
they return to the jail with him. Paul knew though that he could not just leave
or the guard would be accountable for their absence. Now we see another side of
Paul. He was stubborn indeed. He still wouldn't just go.
Act 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.
Another thought also is that Paul wanted to make sure that the higher
authorities were consenting to their release so that the jailer would not be
liable if this release was not official.
Act 16:38 And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they
feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
If they were Jews only, they had nothing to fear from the Roman authorities but
if they were Roman citizens, they might be in big trouble.
Act 16:39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired
them to depart out of the city.
They wanted them out or their jurisdiction and to wash their hands of the whole
affair.
Act 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.
We see again this woman providing comfort and relief to those who had suffered
for the cause of the gospel.
This is how the body of Christ should work. Each one doing his or her part to
further the cause of the gospel. One may be a help, one may be one that gives
and another may preach the gospel.
Acts 17
