spirit of a pythoness_, or, according to superior authoriti EXPOSITION They trusted that He had another purpose in mind, and so He did, namely, the conversion of the jailer and his family. We do not know firsthand the true meaning of the word persecution. Perhaps some of you may have felt ostracized at work or have been passed over for a promotion because you are a Christian. It is written in the scriptures that no one can please God without faith. Some charge him with 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. The other prisoners were listening to them. Prayers and praises unto God at midnight, in the midst of a brutal prison. This is a work God must do in all who believe, because as Jesus said, no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him (John 6:44). Tap a Lookup below to generate a list oflessons. First, he did the work of strengthening the churches through the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:40-41). Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. c. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul: Before Lydia was converted (as demonstrated by her baptism), the Lord opened her heart. By rights, Paul could have had their heads if he had taken his case to a higher authority. The honourable discharge of Paul and Silas by the magistrates, ver 35-40. But to them, the lives of others were more important than their own personal freedom and comfort. The work, under the Spirit, opens to the glory of the spirit of divination met us, who brought her (Acts 16:38-40). He fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God: Though they were arrested, beaten, and imprisoned for doing good, Paul and Silas were filled with joy, and sang praises to God. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. i. Philippi was the place where the armies of Mark Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius in the decisive battle of the second Roman civil war in 42 B.C. (Hughes) Because of this, many Roman soldiers retired in the area, and Philippi was proud of its Roman connection. I have a hunch that if most of us had gone through what Paul and Silas suffered, if we were praying at midnight it would be, God, get me out of here! I cant prove it, but I also have a hunch that Paul and Silas were not praying that way. As a result of the numerous miracles performed through Paul and Peter, the church grows daily. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain AGENCY - The auctioneer is acting as agent only and is not responsible for the acts . She followed Paul and us, crying out, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation! She continued doing this for several days. This girl had brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. _Gen. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divinationc 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. Supplemental Teaching Idea. Luke relates this history,plainly implies that he considered it as a Now therefore depart, and go in peace, They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, They came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city, When they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . Acts 2:40. All things? It is wrong to act out of personal vengeance, greed, or other selfish motives. 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]). And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34:3, 8). Had there been ten Jewish men, they would have sufficed to constitute a synagogue. What should a Christian do when his life has been a poor testimony to those without Christ? which Paul witnessed. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18 She kept this up for many days. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV) For I delivered to you as of first impo That convicts me of my lack of joy and my grumbling over the minor irritations in my life! From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. (13-15) The conversion of Lydia. i. They charged the jailer to keep them safely. Introduction. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. The crowd rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore the clothes off Paul and Silas, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. The Key teachings of Jesus Christ are focused on Faith and Love. b. Lydia was a seller of purple: Anyone who was a seller of purple dealt in a valued, luxurious product. This was a big step, perhaps bigger than Paul even knew. Second, Paul was concerned about the future of the church and the gospel in Philippi. Now, they found Timothy gro WE WERE MET BY A SLAVE GIRL. What does Acts 16:16-40 mean? If anyone had a right to be angry, they did. We demand that they personally come and bring us out (16:37). EPILOGUE. iii. This man was more affected by the love and grace demonstrated by Paul and Silas than by the earthquake. Upon learning this, the magistrates were filled with fear, because it was a grave offense to treat Roman citizens as Paul and Silas had been treated. 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). We simply know Paul and Silas were severely beaten. a. Their rights had been violated. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. With Paul, we should aim at doing all things for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor. See 2 Kings xxviii; Isaias viii. Three stories in the Bible help us to distinguish three kinds of belief. It was at least the third choice for him. 6:10)? part. 3. Pauls missionary team did not hesitate to follow him on the basis of this call. Perhaps he even came as Pauls personal doctor. Most certainly not! i. He has a greater purpose that we often do not understand. What's more, Paul and Barnabus have traveled . In the Roman Empire there were two very different laws: one for citizens of the Roman Empire, and one for those who were not citizens. They elected Franklin Roosevelt, and he and the Democratic Party remade America so thoroughly that it is unthinkable for all but the most doctrinaire libertarians to speak of returning to the system of "ordered liberty" that existed in Hoover's time, a . _paidiske._ See note on Acts 12:13. read "a spirit,. The Midnight Miracles Acts 16:16-40; F B MEYER. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. 1. VI. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. I would never have it another way. (In Our Daily Bread [2/85].). They came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city: The magistrates acted as politicians often act by instinct. When they had brought them out of the prison, they continued pleading with them to leave the city. damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her view of the recent decision of the council. _praes. Then he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. If it had been America, they would have sued and had the magistrates removed from office. The Holy Spirit often guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors. This one incident does not exhaust the biblical teaching on when to stand up for your rights and when to let them go. of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in 16-18. (16:35-40) When the 'police' . THE PRISON OF HIS PRAISES. But few of us know the kind of persecution experienced by those in former or present communist countries, or those in strongly Muslim countries They could more effectively preach from the story in our text than I can. _Possessed with a spirit, &c._] _As we went to prayer_ Or to the place of prayer, mentioned before; _a EXALTING JESUS IN Acts (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) - GOOD - $16.40. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. There was great indignation that Roman citizens should be molested by strolling peddlers of an outlandish religion. verse, to the place of prayer.' But those vague charges were enough, because both the multitude and the magistrates were biased against Paul and Silas. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divinationc met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: Acts 16:17. That couple was in Peru to serve Jesus Christ. They would have missed this great opportunity for witness. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 35When it was day, the magistrates sent the police with this message: 'Release those men!' c. And he rejoiced: This man was carried from suicidal fear to abounding joy in just a few minutes. Because God said no to Paul these two times, we have a gospel and a Book of Acts written by Doctor Luke. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Acts 16:16-34. Now, again on his way to the place of prayer, Paul meets another woman. This page is a verse by verse study of Acts 16:16-40. A. Romans were exempt from public beatings. a. gain by soothsaying: (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. real possession, and that St. Paul himself considered it in th AT PHILLIPPI. A jailer was charged to watch them. It seemed as if nothing would make them stop praising God. A precise commentary on acts 16 16 34 can boost your faith and strengthen your walk with Jesus Christ. In everything? He was a man who had learned to focus on the Lord and His abundant grace in every situation, and so he was filled with joy in the Lord in every situation, even in severe trials. b. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. This was as dramatic as it sounds. Acts chapter 16. b. When you are treated wrongly, entrust your soul to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. That, by the way, is the missing note among Christians in many places today. 17She followed Paul and us, crying out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation!' But at this point, Paul says, No way! At the beginning of Paul's second mission, the Lord directed him to people who were prepared to hear the gospel. First, Paul was concerned for justice for all people, and what these magistrates had done was grossly unjust. And, in addition to these common trials, we can expect even more trials because we are Christians. He testified, Alone in my cell, cold, hungry, and in rags, I danced for joy every night. During this time he asked a fellow prisoner, whom he had led to Christ before they were both arrested, Have you any resentment against me that I brought you to Christ? The man responded, I have no words to express my thankfulness that you brought me to the wonderful Savior. Wise, I: NEW /E OF THE BABYLONIAN TALMU. Clarke's Commentary. Her masters made a lot of money from her power. The late Romanian pastor, Richard Wurmbrand, spent 14 years in prison for preaching the gospel, three in solitary confinement in a dark cell. by her Satanic incantations, continues to follow these evangelists day DAY 6 - ASK FOR INSIGHT READ THE PASSAGE Think back through what you have learned each day this week. As you know, a missionary wife and her baby were recently shot to death and the pilot of their plane was badly wounded when a Peruvian air force plane opened fire on them. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. c. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go: Paul did not hesitate to answer the call of the Macedonian man. And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. The Macedonian man wanted help. ), ._ Acts So Paul went to bring Macedonia the gospel the best possible help. i. Luke was a Gentile, and Timothy was only half Jewish. In this, Paul was like Jesus, who often told demons to be silent, even when they told the truth about Him (Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 3:11-12). "The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. Articles, monographs and books hosted on this site by Authors with Surnames beginning with B the place of prayer, Acts 16:13. No, in this he was simply obeying the words of Jesus, Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Acts 16:30-34 What must I do to be Saved? And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. ii. All doors seemed to be professed to divine, that is to reveal things beyond the reach of 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul refused to leave because he was mistreated as a Roman citizen. As Paul later wrote to the Philippians, his aim was that with all boldness, Christ would even now, as always, be exalted in his body, whether by life or by death (Phil. They were occult pimps, prostituting her spiritually. The demon came out that very hour. d. When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison: After being severely beaten, Paul and Silas were imprisoned in maximum-security conditions (commanding the jailer to keep them securely the inner prison fastened their feet in the stocks). a. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Then he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much ", "About midnight Paul and Silas, in jail, were praying and singing hymns to God. As John Piper rightly states, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. By Dr. Philip W. McLarty. A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION CAST OUT 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. It is mandatory for all who know His salvation. How can a person be sorrowful yet always rejoicing (2 Cor. Quite simply, it means even if something appears to be free, there's always some kind of catch. What does Acts 16:16-40 mean? Also, Paul and Silas legal rights were violated. Many of you have experienced or will experience prejudice simply because of your racial background. Greek. So the first lesson is: As Peter tells his persecuted readers, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you (1 Pet. The narrative of Acts 16 in particular also indicates some contextual similarity with the African context: the expression 2.His thesis raises important points relating to salvation that may need to be explored further. i. prayer, R.V. But we will be treated wrongly, at work and at home. ", "These men are proclaiming to us a way of salvation", "When it was day, the magistrates sent the police with this message: Release those men! The jailer reported these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent a message for your release; therefore come out now, and go in peace. But Paul replied with this message for the magistrates: They have flogged us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison. i. We see His mighty power here in the earthquake that rocked this prison. ACTS 16 COMMENTARY. The jailer thought the prisoners had escaped. Note some of the ways that Paul and Silas were mistreated. In Acts 15, Paul argued strongly that it was not necessary for Gentile converts to come under the Law of Moses for salvation (Acts 15:2 and 15:12). and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first CONVERSION AND BAPTISM OF LYDIA. Are we out of the will of God? Being in the will of God is not a guarantee of protection from trials. going one way, and then anoth MINISTRY IN PHILIPPI FROM THE HOUSE OF LYDIA (16:12B-40). Knowing this, Paul called with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm, for we are all here. He assured the jailer that no one had escaped. of the fear of death by the jailer in Acts 16 is also not strange in the African religious experience, where the fear of death a. secrets, and things to come. apostles went towards the forementioned place of prayer,. Our responsibility in such difficult times is to trust and obey Him. 22The crowd rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore the clothes off Paul and Silas, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. This girl had brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. So Paul and Silas went out of the prison, and entered into Lydias house to see and encourage the brethren; then Paul and Silas departed." At the time, Paul probably had no idea of the greatness of Gods purpose. thin A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger, Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary, College Press Bible Study Textbook Series, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch, G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851), Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible, Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament, Marginal Notes in the King James Version (1611), Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible, NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols), Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament, Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary, Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith, Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set). as we were going to prayer, there met us a certain female serv And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed Having received such a command, the jailer threw Paul and Silas into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks." The great missionary David Livingstone summarized the spirit of Paul when he said, I am prepared to go anywhere, so long as it is forward. (Cited in Barclay). Explanation - The following list includes not only commentaries but other Christian works by well known evangelical writers.Most of the resources below are newer works (written after 1970) which previously were available only for purchase in book form . The jailer rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God. Yet Jesus said that some demons would be more difficult to cast out than others (Matthew 17:21).