Acts Chapter 16.

Acts Chapter 16.

Paul and Silas visit the cities of Galatia such as Derbe and Lystra.  At Lystra they recruit Timothy. B-D. 1279.  He was reported favourably by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium.  This is a very necessary thing.  Paul circumcised Timothy, for Paul was conciliatory to Jewish feeling, since Timothy's mother was a Jewess.  16:3.

           

The Decree delivered.  16:4.  The work at Galatia is confirmed and linked up with the church at Jerusalem.

           

Asia.  B-D. 98.   The missionaries were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the Gospel in the Roman Province of Asia.  The time had come for a spearhead to be made into Europe.  The Spirit of Jesus was directing them towards Rome.  16:7

           

Paul's Vision at Troas.   16:8-9.  B-D. 1300.   Human need and its cry for help, constitutes its right to our help.

           

Luke's travel diary.  The first of the celebrated we passages is found here in 16:10.  B-D. 756. 

Samothrace.  16:11.   A mountainous island and noted landmark.

Neapolis.       16:11.  B-D. 872.

Philippi.         16:12.  B-D. 985.  

Cities are frequently mentioned in Acts and they mark the stages of Paul's journeys.  Sometimes the book of Acts records the length of time they remain in a particular city.  They form the important stages along the way of the apostolic extension of  the Gospel from Jerusalem to Rome.

           

Evangelism.

           

*   Riverside evangelism.  16:13.   The apostles did not hesitate to use existing religious institutions to promote evangelism.  Here the Sabbath provided the likely opportunity to win converts to Christ.  Should we use the Christian year?  A prayer meeting is a fruitful place to begin evangelism.  The evangelists sought out people with spiritual interests.  Sometimes a prayer meeting needs to be evangelized.  Lots of them do!

           

Paul recognized the important role of women in evangelism.  The Macedonians appear to have given women more freedom than some nations at that time.  It was no scandal for them to fulfill a public role.  Certainly at Phillippi women had a favourable role in public life.  See Phil. 4:2-3.

           

*   Prison evangelism.  16:23-31.   A prison (B-D. 1035) becomes a birthplace of souls.  The owners of the slave-girl stirred up a false charge against Paul and Silas.  They were beaten with rods and cast into prison.  It was not lawful to do this to Roman citizens.  Clearly both men were Roman citizens. B-D. 1100.

           

Paul and Silas suffered much, but they were stirred to sing.  They regarded it a great thrill to suffer for the Gospel.  People who sing are not downhearted nor defeated.  The Church of the New Testament sang its way through trials.  Revivals are always marked by much singing.  Prison evangelism was attended by much success, the gaoler was gloriously saved. 

           

We note :-

a.  His fears.      

Fear of responsibilty.                                        16:24.                           

Fear of disgrace.                                               16:27.                           

Fear of being lost.                                              16:30.

           

b.  His faith.     

The decision of faith.     - "Set your faith upon." 16:31.              

The object of faith.        - "The Lord Jesus Christ."                                 

The promise of faith.     - "Thou shalt be saved."

The availability of faith.  - "And thy house."

           

*   The amenities of  evangelism.   The evangelists made use of every existing amenity, such as the Synagogue, the Jewish practice of keeping the Sabbath, and of her festivals, the translation of the Old Testament in Greek known as the Septuagint, (LXX).  The wide-spread use of  the Greek language must have assisted them greatly.  That with the Empire's measure of protection and political stability, along with the excellent means for travel provided by the Romans.  Paul and Silas valued and made use of their Roman citizenship.

*   Evangelism amongst women. 

a.  Lydia.  Paul's convert in Europe was a woman.  Though a woman of some wealth, she chose to gather with other devout and humble folk at prayer.  She was a seeker for better things.  People interested enough to pray, deserve to be evangelized.  God opened the door of her heart to receive the things Paul spoke.  Every conversion depends upon Divine initiative and activity.  Lydia expressed her appreciation by hospitality to the servants of the Lord.  Hospitality is an excellent activity for which women show excellent talent.

           

b.  The Damsel.  A poor slave of wicked men.  They enslaved her for selfish gain.  She was possibly a ventriloquist, having the spirit of Python.  B-D. 1067.  The power of evil oversteps itself.  She testified that these men were the servants of the Most High God, and that they proclaimed salvation.  But Paul had no desire that the Gospel be confused with the Mystery-Religions and their offerred salvation.  See Tenney's "New Testament Survey." pg.68.

           

Paul could not accept the testimony of evil spirits.  She could in no way help herself and the apostle command the spirit to leave her.  The apostles made use of many amenities of the time, but would not use the testimony of evil spirits.