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:
Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
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.
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.
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
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,
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
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.
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.
Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
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.
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,
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
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.
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.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
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.
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.
And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
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 marks a pivotal moment in the early church's history. It showcases the expansion of the Gospel from Asia Minor into Europe, highlighting the Holy Spirit's guidance, the power of prayer and praise amid persecution, and the transformative message of salvation for all. This chapter is a powerful illustration of how God orchestrates events, uses ordinary people, and overcomes obstacles to advance His Kingdom.
Timothy Joins Paul's Team (Acts 16:1-5)
Paul's journey takes him to Lystra, where he meets Timothy, a young disciple whose mother was a Jewish believer and father was Greek. Timothy's upbringing had instilled in him a deep understanding of the Scriptures from a young age (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14-15). Recognizing Timothy's potential and the high regard others held for him (Acts 16:2), Paul invites him to join his missionary team.
Here's where it gets interesting. Paul, who had vehemently defended the freedom of Gentile believers from the requirement of circumcision (Acts 15), circumcises Timothy (Acts 16:3). Why? This wasn't about salvation; it was about removing a potential barrier to ministry among the Jews. Because Timothy's mother was Jewish, he was considered Jewish. Paul's action demonstrates a willingness to be flexible on non-essential issues for the sake of the Gospel. He wanted to avoid unnecessary distractions and ensure that the message of Christ was clearly heard. As Paul himself said, "I have become all things to all people so that I may by every possible means save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22). This highlights the importance of removing roadblocks that might hinder others from coming to Jesus.
As they traveled, Paul faithfully delivered the decrees from the Jerusalem Council (Acts 16:4; see Acts 15:23-29), leading to the strengthening and growth of the churches both numerically and spiritually (Acts 16:5).
The Holy Spirit's Guidance (Acts 16:6-10)
The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the Holy Spirit prevents Paul and his companions from preaching in Asia and Bithynia (Acts 16:6-7). This divine redirection underscores the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the mission of the early church. It also provides an implicit affirmation of the Trinity, as the Holy Spirit is referred to as the "Spirit of Jesus."
Why would God prevent them from preaching in these areas? Perhaps He had other plans, a different harvest field in mind. This passage encourages us to be open to the Holy Spirit's leading in our own lives. The Spirit guides us through illumination, enabling us to understand and apply biblical truth. He also stirs up inner convictions and provides confirmation through multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1).
In Troas, Paul receives a vision of a Macedonian man pleading for help (Acts 16:9). Recognizing this as God's call, Paul and his team immediately set sail for Macedonia (Acts 16:10), marking the beginning of the Gospel's spread into Europe. Notably, this is where Luke joins Paul's team, as evidenced by the shift in the narrative to "we."
Lydia's Conversion in Philippi (Acts 16:11-15)
Arriving in Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city in Macedonia (Acts 16:11-12), Paul and his companions seek out a place of prayer by the river on the Sabbath (Acts 16:13). There, they encounter Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth and a God-fearer (a Gentile who worshipped God but had not fully converted to Judaism). As Lydia listens to Paul, the Lord opens her heart, and she and her entire household believe and are baptized (Acts 16:14-15). Lydia's conversion and subsequent hospitality demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel and the importance of welcoming believers into our homes.
Confrontation and Deliverance (Acts 16:16-24)
As Paul and his team continue their ministry, they encounter a slave girl possessed by a spirit that enabled her to predict the future (Acts 16:16). For days, she follows them, proclaiming that they are servants of the Most High God who are proclaiming the way of salvation (Acts 16:17). Annoyed by this demonic endorsement, Paul commands the spirit to come out of her (Acts 16:18).
While the girl is freed, her owners are enraged, realizing that their source of income is gone. They seize Paul and Silas and drag them before the authorities, falsely accusing them of disturbing the peace and advocating unlawful customs (Acts 16:19-21). The magistrates, without a proper trial, have Paul and Silas stripped, beaten, and imprisoned (Acts 16:22-24). They were treated outrageously in Philippi (1 Thessalonians 2:2).
Prayer, Praise, and an Earthquake (Acts 16:25-34)
Imprisoned and in pain, Paul and Silas offer a powerful example of faith in the face of adversity. Around midnight, they are praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners are listening (Acts 16:25). Their external circumstances did not dictate their internal disposition. Their unwavering praise demonstrates that King Jesus wasn't just ruling their message; he was also ruling their lives.
Suddenly, a violent earthquake shakes the prison, opening the doors and freeing the prisoners from their chains (Acts 16:26). The jailer, fearing the consequences of allowing prisoners to escape, prepares to kill himself (Acts 16:27). But Paul cries out, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" (Acts 16:28).
This moment becomes an incredible opportunity for evangelism. The jailer, trembling with fear and awe, asks, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Paul and Silas respond, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household" (Acts 16:31). The jailer and his entire family believe and are baptized (Acts 16:33). The jailer, his heart transformed, washes Paul and Silas' wounds and serves them a meal in his home (Acts 16:33-34).
Insisting on Justice (Acts 16:35-40)
The next morning, the magistrates order Paul and Silas to be released (Acts 16:35-36). However, Paul refuses to leave quietly. As Roman citizens, they had been unjustly beaten and imprisoned without a trial. Paul insists that the magistrates come and publicly escort them out of the prison, demonstrating their innocence (Acts 16:37). This illustrates the legitimacy of righteous social protest against injustice.
The magistrates, realizing their mistake and fearing the consequences of their actions, comply with Paul's demands (Acts 16:38-39). After encouraging the believers in Philippi, Paul and Silas depart (Acts 16:40), leaving Luke behind, and continuing their mission, having established a new church and vindicated the reputation of Christianity.
Acts 16 is a testament to the power of the Gospel to transform lives, overcome obstacles, and spread throughout the world. It reminds us that the Holy Spirit guides us, prayer sustains us, and even in the midst of suffering, God can bring about salvation and advance His Kingdom.
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:
Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
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.
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.
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
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,
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
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.
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.
Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
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.
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,
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
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.
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.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
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.
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.
And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
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 marks a pivotal moment in the early church's history. It showcases the expansion of the Gospel from Asia Minor into Europe, highlighting the Holy Spirit's guidance, the power of prayer and praise amid persecution, and the transformative message of salvation for all. This chapter is a powerful illustration of how God orchestrates events, uses ordinary people, and overcomes obstacles to advance His Kingdom.
Timothy Joins Paul's Team (Acts 16:1-5)
Paul's journey takes him to Lystra, where he meets Timothy, a young disciple whose mother was a Jewish believer and father was Greek. Timothy's upbringing had instilled in him a deep understanding of the Scriptures from a young age (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14-15). Recognizing Timothy's potential and the high regard others held for him (Acts 16:2), Paul invites him to join his missionary team.
Here's where it gets interesting. Paul, who had vehemently defended the freedom of Gentile believers from the requirement of circumcision (Acts 15), circumcises Timothy (Acts 16:3). Why? This wasn't about salvation; it was about removing a potential barrier to ministry among the Jews. Because Timothy's mother was Jewish, he was considered Jewish. Paul's action demonstrates a willingness to be flexible on non-essential issues for the sake of the Gospel. He wanted to avoid unnecessary distractions and ensure that the message of Christ was clearly heard. As Paul himself said, "I have become all things to all people so that I may by every possible means save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22). This highlights the importance of removing roadblocks that might hinder others from coming to Jesus.
As they traveled, Paul faithfully delivered the decrees from the Jerusalem Council (Acts 16:4; see Acts 15:23-29), leading to the strengthening and growth of the churches both numerically and spiritually (Acts 16:5).
The Holy Spirit's Guidance (Acts 16:6-10)
The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the Holy Spirit prevents Paul and his companions from preaching in Asia and Bithynia (Acts 16:6-7). This divine redirection underscores the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the mission of the early church. It also provides an implicit affirmation of the Trinity, as the Holy Spirit is referred to as the "Spirit of Jesus."
Why would God prevent them from preaching in these areas? Perhaps He had other plans, a different harvest field in mind. This passage encourages us to be open to the Holy Spirit's leading in our own lives. The Spirit guides us through illumination, enabling us to understand and apply biblical truth. He also stirs up inner convictions and provides confirmation through multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1).
In Troas, Paul receives a vision of a Macedonian man pleading for help (Acts 16:9). Recognizing this as God's call, Paul and his team immediately set sail for Macedonia (Acts 16:10), marking the beginning of the Gospel's spread into Europe. Notably, this is where Luke joins Paul's team, as evidenced by the shift in the narrative to "we."
Lydia's Conversion in Philippi (Acts 16:11-15)
Arriving in Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city in Macedonia (Acts 16:11-12), Paul and his companions seek out a place of prayer by the river on the Sabbath (Acts 16:13). There, they encounter Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth and a God-fearer (a Gentile who worshipped God but had not fully converted to Judaism). As Lydia listens to Paul, the Lord opens her heart, and she and her entire household believe and are baptized (Acts 16:14-15). Lydia's conversion and subsequent hospitality demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel and the importance of welcoming believers into our homes.
Confrontation and Deliverance (Acts 16:16-24)
As Paul and his team continue their ministry, they encounter a slave girl possessed by a spirit that enabled her to predict the future (Acts 16:16). For days, she follows them, proclaiming that they are servants of the Most High God who are proclaiming the way of salvation (Acts 16:17). Annoyed by this demonic endorsement, Paul commands the spirit to come out of her (Acts 16:18).
While the girl is freed, her owners are enraged, realizing that their source of income is gone. They seize Paul and Silas and drag them before the authorities, falsely accusing them of disturbing the peace and advocating unlawful customs (Acts 16:19-21). The magistrates, without a proper trial, have Paul and Silas stripped, beaten, and imprisoned (Acts 16:22-24). They were treated outrageously in Philippi (1 Thessalonians 2:2).
Prayer, Praise, and an Earthquake (Acts 16:25-34)
Imprisoned and in pain, Paul and Silas offer a powerful example of faith in the face of adversity. Around midnight, they are praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners are listening (Acts 16:25). Their external circumstances did not dictate their internal disposition. Their unwavering praise demonstrates that King Jesus wasn't just ruling their message; he was also ruling their lives.
Suddenly, a violent earthquake shakes the prison, opening the doors and freeing the prisoners from their chains (Acts 16:26). The jailer, fearing the consequences of allowing prisoners to escape, prepares to kill himself (Acts 16:27). But Paul cries out, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" (Acts 16:28).
This moment becomes an incredible opportunity for evangelism. The jailer, trembling with fear and awe, asks, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Paul and Silas respond, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household" (Acts 16:31). The jailer and his entire family believe and are baptized (Acts 16:33). The jailer, his heart transformed, washes Paul and Silas' wounds and serves them a meal in his home (Acts 16:33-34).
Insisting on Justice (Acts 16:35-40)
The next morning, the magistrates order Paul and Silas to be released (Acts 16:35-36). However, Paul refuses to leave quietly. As Roman citizens, they had been unjustly beaten and imprisoned without a trial. Paul insists that the magistrates come and publicly escort them out of the prison, demonstrating their innocence (Acts 16:37). This illustrates the legitimacy of righteous social protest against injustice.
The magistrates, realizing their mistake and fearing the consequences of their actions, comply with Paul's demands (Acts 16:38-39). After encouraging the believers in Philippi, Paul and Silas depart (Acts 16:40), leaving Luke behind, and continuing their mission, having established a new church and vindicated the reputation of Christianity.
Acts 16 is a testament to the power of the Gospel to transform lives, overcome obstacles, and spread throughout the world. It reminds us that the Holy Spirit guides us, prayer sustains us, and even in the midst of suffering, God can bring about salvation and advance His Kingdom.