Acts 16
-Paul and Silas come back to Derbe and to Lystra on this
second missionary journey of Paul. Lystra is where Paul picks up his son in the
faith, Timothy, who is circumcised by him since his father was Greek. Timothy
had a Godly heritage from his mom and grandmother and proved to be
indispensable in partnership with the Apostle Paul (Acts 16:1-3, 2 Timothy
1:5). *Application* This narrative proves that Paul was a man of custom who did
not desire to cause any offense to the gospel. He knew that the first
individuals in the cities they would go to would be the Jews in the synagogues.
If Timothy was to be effective and accepted by the Jews, he would need to be
circumcised to prevent any kind of offense towards the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This willingness to be “all things to all men” was a hallmark of Paul and
Timothy’s ministry (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). In our lives, it is good to know our
audience when relating the gospel, and remember to do all we can to prevent any
distractions from telling the good news of Jesus Christ.
-The purpose for this second missionary journey is described
for us in verse four. They were basically relaying the information discerned
and approved of by the Jerusalem Council (see Acts 15) for the Gentile
believers in these areas they had previously evangelized in Asia Minor. Verse
five says that they continued to strengthen all the churches in the faith and
the church kept increasing in numbers daily. *Application* How awesome to see
the early church’s methodology of doing something every single day to affect
life change in people. This is something that we’ve gotten away from in our
modern culture. Does your church have activity which could daily change lives,
or is it primarily a once or twice a week show for the saints? Compare the
Scriptural difference we see here and ask, “What can I do to make a difference
every single day?” or “What can our church do to make it more effective in the
society we live in?”
-The leading of the Holy Spirit is again paramount as these
missionaries desire to go one direction, but the Lord directs them another.
Paul’s Macedonian vision is an important development as the team goes into
Europe for the first time with the gospel. Notice that the action was immediate
when the word of the Lord came. They got the call and responded without
question and/or rationalization. God had great things in store for them as they
went forward in obedience (Acts 16:6-10). *Application* When God reveals His
will to us it is important to obey. This will not always be easy as we see here
in the Scriptures (Paul and Silas were beaten and incarcerated for their
faith), but the blessings and the power of God was on their lives through this
obedience to God’s revealed plan. When we turn away from what you know the Lord
wants us to do, we rob ourselves of blessing, honor, and power in the spiritual
realm. We must always act out our faith, never compromising and never giving up.
-Philippi is where a majority of the action takes place as
the missionaries invade Europe. Lydia is converted with her household and the
disciples find a place to stay there with her. A spiritist girl is radically
transformed angering her masters and upsetting the city. This leads to the
beating and imprisonment, illegally, of Paul and Silas. This sets up the
earthquake and dramatic conversion of the jailer and his household. What an
array of diverse church members the Philippian church had! The point is that
God was at work, and He was calling all people to Himself for salvation using a
variety of methods and encounters (Acts 16:11-40). *Application* God is at work
in our lives too! We should allow Him to direct us through each day observing
where He is at work reconciling the world to Himself using us as an instrument
for His glory. We are no different than Paul and Silas. Get to work! The simple
message we proclaim is this, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be
saved…(Acts 16:31).”
Verse to Memorize:
Acts 16:10
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