So know we know who Paul is...what did he do?
Once Paul was converted he went on a series of Missionary journeys, challenging people about their faith and strengthening churches. The letters that he wrote later on in the Bible were then addressed to these churches to support and enourage them (and sometimes tell them off for things they weren't doing right!) During his Second Missionary journey, Paul visited Philippi and he later wrote a letter to the church there, which we now know as the book called Philippians in the Bible. It is Philippians that we will be looking at in more detail over the next few months, but to get the proper context of the book, I thought we should look at what happened whilst Paul was in Philippi.
Paul's Second Missionary Journey
Paul travels to Macedonia - Philippi was a main transportation artery connecting the eastern provinces with Italy.
Read Acts 16 v 6 - 40
Paul and Silas faced a lot of major hurdles on their Missionary journey and also saw a lot of remarkable things happening because of their faith. How would you respond if you found yourself in their shoes?
I thought I could leave you with some challenges from the passage, please give your thoughts and response in the comments box below:
- Paul and Silas were called to travel certain places. What is God calling you to do for Him? (either at home or elsewhere)
- Are we quick to respond when we feel God asking us to do something for Him?
- How far would you be willing to go for God? Paul and Silas found themselves beaten and bound in chains on a prison floor.
- Do we still praise God in the bad times? Paul and Silas were at their lowest point, but through praising God through these times, not only were they brought through it, but also saw someone converted through their stuggles.
- Do you trust that God will be with you no matter what you go through?
- In the stories in this passage the families of the new believers soon followed after the first person in their family believed. What are you doing to help your family come to Jesus?
Verse by verse thoughts on what the passage is telling us:
Acts 16 v 1 : Timothy is the first second generation Christian mentioned in the New testament. His mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), had become believers and had faithfully influenced him for the Lord. Although Timothy's father was apparently not a Christian, the faithfulness of Timothy's mother and grandmother prevailed. Never underestimate the far - reaching consequences of raising one small child to love the Lord.
Acts 16 v 2, 3 : Timothy and his mother, Eunice, were from Lystra. Eunice had probably heard Paul's preaching when he was there during his first missionary journey (14: 6 - 18). Timothy was the Son of a Jewish mother and a greek father - to the Jews, a half breed like a Samaritan. So Paul asked Timothy to be circumsised to remove some of the stigma he may have had with Jewish believers. Timothy was not required to be circumsised (the Jerusalem council had decided that - chapter 15), but he voluntarily did this to overcome and barriers to his witness in Christ. Sometimes we need to go beyond the minimum requirements in order to help our audience receive our testimony.
Acts 16 v 7 - 9 : When Paul decided to go on his missionary journey, he had the door closed twice by the Holy Spirit, so Paul must have been wondering where to go. Then in a vision, Paul was given a definite direction and he and his companions obediently travelled into Macedonia. The Holy Spirit guides us to the right places, but he also guides us away from the wrong places. As we seek God's will, it is important to know what God wants us to do and where he wants us to go.
Acts 16 v 12 : Philippi was the key city in the region of Macedonia (northern greece today). Paul founded a church during his visit. Later Paul wrote a letter to he church. The book of Philippians, probably from a prison in Rome. The letter was personal and tender, showing Paul's deep love for and friendship with the believers there. In it he thanked them for a gift they had sent, alerted them to a coming visit by Timothy and Epaphroditus, urged the church to clear up any disunity, and encouraged the believers not to give in to persecution.
Acts 16 v 13 : Inscribed on the arches outside the city of Philippi was a prohibition against bringing an unrecognised religion into the city; therefore, this prayer meeting was held outside the city, beside the river.
Acts 16 v 13; 14 : After following the Holy Spirit's leading into Macedonia, Paul made his first evangelistic contact with a small group of women. Paul never allowed gender or cultural boundaries to keep him from preaching the gospel. He preached to these women, and Lydia, an influential merchant, believed. This opened the way for ministry in that region. God often worked in and through women in the early church.
Acts 16 v 14: Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth, so she was probably wealthy. Purple cloth was valuable and expensive. It was often worn as a sign of nobility or royalty.
Acts 16 v 14ff: Luke highlights the stories of three individuals who became believers through Paul's ministry in Philippi. Lydia; the influential businesswoman (16:14), the demon possessed slave girl (16; 16 - 18) and the jailer (16:27 - 30). The gospel was affecting all strata of society, just as it does today.
Acts 16 v 15 : Why was Lydia's household baptised after Lydia responded in faith to the gospel? Baptism was a public sign of identification with Christ and the Christian community. Although not all members of her household may have chosen to follow Christ (we don't know), it was now a Christian home.
Acts 16 v 16 : This girl's fortune telling ability came from evil spirits. Fortune telling was common practice in Greek and Roman culture. There were many superstitious methods by which people thought they could fortell future events. This young slave girl had an evil spirit, and she made her master rich by interpreting signs and telling people their fortunes. The master was exploiting her unfortunate condition for personal gain.
Acts 16 v 17, 18 : What the slave girl said was true, although the source of her knowledge was a demon. Why did a demon announce the truth about Paul, and why did this annoy Paul? If Paul accepted the demon's words, he would appear to be linking the gospel with demon related activities. This would damage his message about Christ. Truth and evil do not mix.
Acts 16 v 22 - 25 : Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten and placed in stocks in the inner cell. Despite this dismal situation, they praised God, praying and singing as the other prisoners listened. No matter what our circumstances, we should praise God. Others may come to Christ because of our example.
Acts 16 v 24 : Stocks were made of two boards joined with iron clamps, leaving holes just big enough for the ankles. The prisoner's legs were placed across the lower board, and then the upper board was closed over them. Sometimes both wrists and ankles were placed in stocks. Paul and Silas, who committed no crime and who were peaceful men, were put in stocks designed for holding the most dangerous prisoners in absolute security.
Acts 16 v 27 : The jailer drew his sword to kill himself because jailers were responsible for their prisoners and would be held accountable for their escape.
Acts 16 v 30, 31 : Paul and Silas' reputation in Philippi was well known. When the jailer realised his own true condition and need, he risked everything to find the answer. Your life can be filled with joy, just as the jailer's was. (16:34)
Acts 16 v 31 - 34 : Paul and Silas took the family unit seriously. So the offer of salvation was made to the jailer's entire hosuehold - family and servants. Yet it was not the jailer's faith that saved them; they all needed to come to Jesus in faith and believe in Him the same was the jailer had. Yet his entire family did believe and all were saved. Pray that God will use you to introduce Jesus to your family and that all will come to believe in him.
Acts 16 v 37 : Paul refused to take his freedom and run. He wanted to teach the rulers in Philippi a lesson and to protect the other believers from the treatment that he and Silas received. The word would spread that Paul and Silas had been found innocent and freed by the leaders, expressing the truth that believers should not be persecuted - especially if they were Roman citizens.
Acts 16 v 38 : Roman citizenship carried with it certain priviledges. These Philippian authorities were alarmed because it was illegal to whip a Roman citizen. In addition, every citizen had the right to a fair trial - which Paul and Silas had not been given.
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