ACTS 16 COMMENTARY. b. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. But to them, the lives of others were more important than their own personal freedom and comfort. gain by soothsaying: (17) The same followed Paul and us, and cr We now enter on the missionary journeys, as they are called, of the And he came out the same hour. They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia: After strengthening the churches in the region, Paul sought to go next to the south-west, towards the important city of Ephesus. They were whipped and put in the inner prison with chains on their feet. So far, we've seen how the gospel has spread throughout Judea and Samaria, all the way up to modern-day Lebanon and Syria. 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. 5:11-12). (Acts 16:20-24). At the beginning of Paul's second mission, the Lord directed him to people who were prepared to hear the gospel. At some time you will be falsely accused. Posted: February 16, 2023. human knowledge. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. If our rights are violated, we dont take it sitting down. If Paul wished to maintain his links with the synagogue, he could not be seen to countenance apostasy. (Bruce). Had there been ten Jewish men, they would have sufficed to constitute a synagogue. As we come to the 16 th chapter of Acts we are coming, really, to a chapter that is going to, I think, leave an impression on all of us. Today, much of what fortune-tellers and psychics do is only a money making sham. God wanted to give him a continent for Jesus, to give him a personal doctor, and to give all of us the man whom God would use to write more of the New Testament than anyone else did. God knows what He is doing when he says, No.. Some wrongly teach that we should never defend ourselves, either legally or against aggressive attacks against our character or person. She was possessed by a spirit of divination. Maybe God didnt mean for us to come to Macedonia. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.. (temp. Note some of the ways that Paul and Silas were mistreated. certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her Doug Bratt. Paul and Silas show us four aspects of a right response to wrong treatment. Paul and Silas show us four aspects of a right response to wrong treatment. Paul and Silas, their rights having been violated and their backs torn open, their feet in the stocks and locked in the dark inner prison, were praying and singing hymns of praise to God at midnight (16:25)! It is mandatory for all who know His salvation. GAIN THEREBY. As we went to prayer , Into the proseucha: Acts 16:13, and Luke 6:12.The article, , is added here by ABCE, several others, Origen and Theophylact: thus makes the place more emphatic, and seems to determine the above meaning of to be right-not the act of prayer or praying to God, but the place, the . These stocks had more than two holes for legs, which could thus be forced apart in a such a way as to cause the utmost discomfort and cramping pain. (Bruce), iii. 1. And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. pp. The Python was. Whether this was on the same day So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. of prayer._ (See Note on Acts 16:13.) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 1. When you answered the call of God, you were excited and energized about the possibility of service. Paul and Silas were not singing so that they could be good witnesses in this difficult situation. Timothy's father, however, was a Greek. It is difficult to say exactly how the Holy Spirit said no; it may have been through a word of prophecy, or by an inward speaking of the Holy Spirit, or by circumstances. SPIRIT OF DIVINATION; an evil spirit, under the influence of which she 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV) For I delivered to you as of first impo We simply know Paul and Silas were severely beaten. Our responsibility in such difficult times is to trust and obey Him. And yet the two missionaries were falsely accused, beaten, and thrown into the inner prison, with their feet locked into the stocks, without any semblance of a trial. the servants of the Most High God, (10) And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel It was actually reasonable for them to wonder when the rest of the New Covenant would be fulfilled. Paul's Macedonian vision. Thats how it always should be. V. The casing of an evil spirit out of a damsel, ver 16-18. Its still possible for a type of Macedonian Man to give an unusual call to serve God in a distant place. Commentary on the Book of Acts Paul and Silas: Acts 16. by Ed Rickard. Peter echoes this: But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation (1 Pet. 3. At Lystra he found He comments: The words had scarcely left his lips when she was released from its power.. Studying Acts 16 11-15, 40. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. med. 16 Paul[ a] came also to Derbe and to Lystra. See on ch. The honourable discharge of Paul and Silas by the magistrates, ver 35-40. 9:23), because the prisoners will be listening. The Roman emperor Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome in A.D. 49. He did not talk about sacraments or even churches. ii. a. The response of Jesus in the following verses also indicates that He did not . Lydias heart was gently opened; the guards heart was violently confronted. Then he came to Derbe and Lystra: Paul (and Silas) arrived in Derbe, where he had great success on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:20-21), and in Lystra, where a crowd tried to honor Paul and Barnabas as pagan gods on the first missionary journey (Acts 14:8-20). God does not give Christians an exemption, even when they are in the middle of doing His will and pursuing His kingdom and righteousness. This woman was the first convert in Europe, and one might say that the Macedonian man turned out to be a woman. Paul, beautifully responsive to the Holy Spirit, was willing to lay down his will and his plans for the direction that the Holy Spirit brings. Acts 16:13). Acts 1:8 Commentary; Acts 20:17-27 Commentary; Acts 20:28-38 Commentary; COMMENTARIES AND OTHER RESOURCES THAT CAN BE BORROWED FROM ARCHIVE.ORG. Thus if we want to glorify God, which is the highest goal for the Christian, we must focus on finding joy in Him. certain damsel met us_ (that is, met Paul and his three companions) 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. TANSTAAFL is an acronym for the old adage, "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch," reportedly coined by Robert Heinlein. He knew that by making them come and personally apologize and escort them out of prison, word would spread through the community of what had happened. This is good advice to anyone contemplating suicide. Roman citizens had specific, zealously guarded civil rights. As you know, when he later wrote to this Philippian church from a prison cell in Rome, the major theme of that letter was joy in the Lord in spite of our circumstances. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy. They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans: Because Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they had recognized civil rights, which were violated by the Philippian magistrates. Three stories in the Bible help us to distinguish three kinds of belief. This was a big step, perhaps bigger than Paul even knew. The last time Paul was in Lystra, they first worshipped him as a god and then tried to kill him by stoning (Acts 14:11-20). 2:20). possessed with the devil, by whose inspiration she foretold future and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first 18She continued doing this for several days. The accusing and abusing of Paul and Silas for it, their imprisonment, and the indignities done them, ver 19-24. As George Muller put it, the chief business of every day is first of all to seek to be truly at rest and happy in God (A. T. Pierson, George Muller of Bristol [Revell], p. 257). Introduction. The content of the joint AAR/SBL annual meetings, which attract upwards of 11,000 attendees, is very revealing. Because of Deuteronomy 23:1 (see also Leviticus 21:16-23) some assume that the eunuch would have been forbidden from doing in Jerusalem what Acts says he came to do: worship. Acts 16:40. Articles, monographs and books hosted on this site by Authors with Surnames beginning with B Just because God is the omnipotent Creator does not mean that He will spare you from intense trials. closing to him as in one way or another he was first hindered from V1 Paul went to Derbe and then he went to Lystra. Pioneer preacher J. W. McGarvey (1829-1911), commenting in his famous "Commentary on Acts" on the apostle Paul's vision of the invitation to go into Macedonia (see Acts 16), made some . Do they now release us secretly? Now, they found Timothy gro WE WERE MET BY A SLAVE GIRL. _paidiske._ See note on Acts 12:13. read "a spirit,. i. Let them come themselves and release us. ", "The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. The incident in Philippi took place probably in the fall of A.D. 50, and so anti-Jewish sentiment was running high. His mother was a Jew who had become a believer in Jesus. I would never have it another way. (In Our Daily Bread [2/85].). Acts 16:35-40. If I radiate His joy because I have entrusted my soul to Him, the faithful Creator, then even when Im wrongly treated, He will be glorified and others will be drawn to the Savior. Timothy had a believing mother with a Jewish background (son of a certain Jewish woman who believed), and a (presumably) unbelieving Greek father. "When the slave girls masters had brought Paul and Silas to the magistrates, they said, These men, who are Jews, are confusing our city, proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or to observe. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. An earthquake opened the prison doors and caused all the shackles to fall off. She was possessed by a demon, who gave Now therefore depart, and go in peace.. The world should see (or hear) our joy in the Lord from the dungeon and ask, Whats with these people, anyway? Then we tell them. Sermon #7 . And immediately he and all his family were baptized: The jailer and his family saw no reason to delay baptism; they were baptized that very night, and all this began around midnight (Acts 16:25). We see that the earthquake had absolutely nothing to do with freeing Paul and Silas from prison. That couple was in Peru to serve Jesus Christ. 27The jailer, roused out of sleep, saw the prison doors open. May God enable us all, when we are mistreated, to imitate these men of God in entrusting our souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right! God wanted Paul and his team to go to Troas and pick up a doctor named Luke. b. Lydia was a seller of purple: Anyone who was a seller of purple dealt in a valued, luxurious product. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. The demon's shouting is . At Lystra But Paul said to them, They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. Why did Paul do that? Sailing from Troas: Paul and his missionary team (now including Luke) had to sail across the Agean Sea, from the continent of Asia to the continent of Europe. Their pure, upright life, deep faith and devotion to God, their gentleness and their wonderful manliness, became a shining example of life for thousands (in Christianity Today [6/21/74]). A description of Philippi. It is possible that they didnt have the opportunity, but it is more likely that the Holy Spirit directed them to not reveal it until a certain time. When they had brought them out of the prison, they continued pleading with them to leave the city. Paul later wrote of his life: In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. Acts 15:36-18: . while Judas and Silas were to confirm them by word of mouth. Scripture commands us, Delight yourself in the Lord (Ps. Better, perhaps, _to the oratory,_ or _place Commentary on Acts 16:35-40 (Read Acts 16:35-40) Paul, though willing to suffer for the cause of Christ, and without any desire to avenge himself, did not choose to depart under the charge of having deserved wrongful punishment, and therefore required to be dismissed in an honourable manner. The Prison Experiences Of The Bible. The arrival in Europe was clearly seen by Luke as very important. For the Philippian jailer, Paul did not direct him to counseling. They charged the jailer to keep them safely. d. She begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay. Immediately, Lydia set about doing good. This led Theodore Olson, a leading critic of the Supreme Court, to suggest that the students should dance nude before their football games, since the court prefers naked dancing to prayer as a form of expression (Kathleen Parker, The Washington Times [9/11/00], p. A12)! : in R.V., accusative, The jailer, roused out of sleep, saw the prison doors open. It is used here because the python was associated with the god Apollonot far from Philippi, in this very area of Europe, there was a shrine to the Pythian Apollo. (Boice). Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Instead of cursing men, they blessed God. (Stott). Having received such a command, the jailer threw Paul and Silas into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks." It is good for us to bring other help along with the gospel, but without the gospel, little real help is given. apostles went towards the forementioned place of prayer,. He sang because prison did not matter (The Westminster Pulpit [Baker], 9:314-315). the article it is clearly to be rendered as in the previous verse. PREACHING ON THE SABBATH AT PHILIPPI. ii. The guard had a remarkable sign an earthquake, but all Lydia had was the move of the Holy Spirit in her heart. In line with that, Pauls action showed the entire city, which would have heard about this incident, the spirit of Jesus Christ. Acts 16:1-18 Saving, Guiding, Empowering. Tap the title above, next to the arrow, to go to thatlesson with a link back to thispage. 25But as for the Gen-tiles who . At the time Paul met Timothy, he was delivering the news of this decree that came out of the Acts 15 council (as they went through the cities, the delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem). CONVERSION AND BAPTISM OF LYDIA. . 1:20). ; _to Lystra EXALTING JESUS IN Acts (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) - GOOD - $16.40. He knew that it was easier for the gospel to spread from these cities than to these cities. ii. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition The Lockman Foundation, Related Topics: Character of God, Faith, Suffering, Trials, Persecution, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. Paul and Silas in Prison. Because demons are created beings, not gods themselves, we suppose that they cannot read minds, nor actually foretell the future. THE HEALING OF THE GIRL POSSESSED WITH THE PYTHON SPIRIT (16:16-18). And these disciples expected God to do something! damsel Paul refused to go because he knew his rights as a Roman citizen and knew that their treatment of him was unjust. (Acts 16:29-34). b. Are we out of the will of God? Being in the will of God is not a guarantee of protection from trials. i. The magistrates sent the officers: Paul and Silas left the prison (in the protective custody of the jailer) to minister to the jailers household. But they didnt mention that when they dragged Paul and Silas before the authorities. A certain disciple was there, named Timothy: In the time since Paul had been to Lystra, a young man named Timothy had been serving the Lord (He was well spoken of by the brethren). part. Verse Acts 16:16. John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:4-18. a. Their work was successful because their first interest was in strengthening the churches. Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. " 20 When the slave girl's masters had brought Paul and Silas to the magistrates, they said, 'These men, who are Jews, are confusing . He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. i Paul and Silas Imprisoned Studying the book of Acts 16; shows a significant summary of the history, time and relevant details according to the bible's acts based onBenson Joseph - Bible Commentary and reading parallely the bible's version Legacy Standard Bible. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. This commentary on Acts 16 treats the missionary journey of Paul and SIlas through Asia Minor to Philippi, where they were imprisoned. Acts 16:1 - Timotheus; Acts 16:10 - we Lord had . Why didnt Paul and Silas reveal their Roman citizenship earlier? The jailer rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God. But we will be treated wrongly, at work and at home. nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. i. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Don't harm yourself: we are all here!" (Acts 16:25-28). i. 3 Paul wanted Timothy as a companion on his journey. A spirit pretending to divination, to tell But God wanted to give Paul a continent to win for Jesus Christ. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. 1:25 is the other). 19Now when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them to the marketplace to face the rulers. (Acts 16:16-19). " 1 Paul came to Derbe and Lystra. i. 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. give it, a Python spirit. He was told, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you . LIGHTNING SOURCE INC And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. He started to kill himself. He wrote, We exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Rom. The jailer rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God. (Acts 16:29-34). 20When the slave girls masters had brought Paul and Silas to the magistrates, they said, 'These men, who are Jews, are confusing our city, 21proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or to observe'. iii. King Charles's reign 'won't be long' as Crown 'may be passed onto William' psychic claims This was not only because of its timing and location, but also in the way that all the doors were opened and everyones chains were loosed. Paul was guided by hindrance. Having received such a command, the jailer threw Paul and Silas into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. iv. a. i. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. There was certainly nothing wrong with Pauls desire to preach the word in Asia; but it wasnt Gods timing, so this was forbidden by the Holy Spirit. Ephesus would come later, not now. ANGER OF THOSE WHO MADE The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 326 1837 vg arm), which has been replaced in some manuscripts (45 C3 "The jailer called for lights and rushed in to the prison. Acts 16:11-15 Samothrace, Neapolis, Philippi. Acts 16:16. Most certainly not! a. 2 All the believers in Lystra and Iconium said good things about Timothy. c. And he rejoiced: This man was carried from suicidal fear to abounding joy in just a few minutes. _Gen. Preacher: Joel Fair _Scripture: Mark 16:1-8 _ Luke 24:5b (ESV) "Why do you seek the living among the dead? If anyone had a right to be angry, they did. Acts 16:16. What does Acts 16:16-40 mean? He must let go of his own separative tendencies and of his deep sense of persecution. Acts 16 Bible Study Questions (Handout) ACTS 16:1 1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. Pauls courage and wisdom in the face of these obstacles built a great legacy in people like Timothy. a. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. CONTENTS: Paul finds Timothy. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. The Macedonian man wanted help. How to Turn Persecution into Production. Lydia was prospering in business; the guard was about to kill himself. Home But Paul could not land in Europe in the power of the Holy Spirit He drew his sword and was about to kill himself, assuming that the prisoners had escaped.