acts 16:16 40 commentaryBlog

acts 16:16 40 commentary

It was not a mere point of honour that the apostle . His mother was a Jew who had become a believer in Jesus. Mythology, by Apollo, who was hence called Pythius, and the priestess _as we went to prayer_ Better, AS WE WERE GOING TO THE PLACE OF If Paul wished to maintain his links with the synagogue, he could not be seen to countenance apostasy. (Bruce). Or, as James wrote, Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance (James 1:2-3). _AS WE WENT TO PRAYER_] , possessed with the devil, by whose inspiration she foretold future spirit of a pythoness_, or, according to superior authoriti EXPOSITION 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. i. A slave i. Jewish legal tradition gave a maximum number of blows that could be delivered when beating a person, but the Romans had no such limit. . Changes will take effect once you reload the page. iv. 2. The keeper of the prisonwas about to kill himself: The jailer did this for a good reason. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. i. Paul does with regard to Timothy. Either the quake or Gods miraculous power loosed all of the prisoners chains. But it had everything to do with the salvation of a certain prison guard and his household. ", "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. What should a Christian do when his life has been a poor testimony to those without Christ? Save yourselves, &c. That is, "See that you lay these things to heart; receiving them with such regard, as the importance of the case requires. As well, the multitude and the magistrates felt free to abuse Paul and Silas because they assumed they were not Roman citizens. He drew his sword and was about to kill himself, assuming that the prisoners had escaped. iv. 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). 9:23), because the prisoners will be listening. Do they now release us secretly? The other prisoners were listening to them. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who . He has a greater purpose that we often do not understand. He drew his sword and was about to kill himself, assuming that the prisoners had escaped. provided that they should be delivered by both Barnabas and Paul, i. Paul didnt set out to go to Troas. ", "About midnight Paul and Silas, in jail, were praying and singing hymns to God. 1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. These verses describe Paul's experiences and work with Silas in Philippi, including the conversion of the Philippianjailer. which Paul witnessed. . He drew his sword and was about to kill himself, assuming that the prisoners had escaped. Verse Acts 16:40. secrets about their lives. Luke notes that the prisoners were listening to them (16:25). The content of the joint AAR/SBL annual meetings, which attract upwards of 11,000 attendees, is very revealing. TO PRAYER; the place of prayer. The greatest help we can bring anyone is the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. a. i Paul and Silas Imprisoned The Waste Pro Southeast Florida Safety Trainer is responsible for ensuring all operational personnel are trained to company standards. Now we see another reason why they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 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). 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV) For I delivered to you as of first impo Home We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. She followed Paul and Silas saying, "These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation." 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. Timothy lived there. God knows what He is doing when he says, No.. V1 Paul went to Derbe and then he went to Lystra. The jailer thought the prisoners had escaped. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. So, they came down to Troas. _Gen. see critical note, a spirit, a Python, margin, _i.e._, a The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. The encounter with the spirit of divination: Coming to Derbe and Lystra, where he and Barnabas had been persecuted This girl had brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. 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. OF DIVINATION; or, of Python, the name of Apollo, from Their work was successful because their first interest was in strengthening the churches. Its not enough just to grit your teeth and endure trials; God wants us to rejoice in them! 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]). Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. And he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 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. 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 . b. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. 1. her supernatural abilities. b. Lydia was a seller of purple: Anyone who was a seller of purple dealt in a valued, luxurious product. The safety Trainer in partnership with management and Human . (16:35-40) When the 'police' . masters much gain by the giving of oracles.' 15. A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION CAST OUT Romans were exempt from public beatings. 34The jailer then brought Paul and Silas up into his house, and set food before them. They were physically attacked in an inhumane way. All of the ambiguity that this character radiates has an . In Pauls mind, he wanted to reach a few cities in his region. Three stories in the Bible help us to distinguish three kinds of belief. A man called Timothy lived in Lystra. Such people had to be taught to know their proper place and not trouble their betters. (Bruce). Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 2:40. I am using the wording of 1 Peter 4:19, which is one of two times in the New Testament God is called the Creator (Rom. That couple was in Peru to serve Jesus Christ. Entered into the house of Lydia This was the place of their residence while at Philippi: see Acts 16:15.. Maybe they thought that the beating and night in prison would send these guys packing, never to return. David Livingstone wanted to go to China, but God sent him to Africa. 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. New International Version. Now th ST. PAUL IN EUROPE Whatever form it takes, you should not be surprised when you are treated wrongly. As this story continues through the end of chapter 16, the . iii. When you answered the call of God, you were excited and energized about the possibility of service. Acts chapter 16. On the morning after "a great earthquake" (v. 26) strikes a city, there is much turmoil, as people assess . Now 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. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. The greatest blessing is His gift of salvation by His free grace. 25About midnight Paul and Silas, in jail, were praying and singing hymns to God. i. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Although I have not verified it, I have heard that the most frequent command in the entire Bible is, Sing! And you cant rightly obey the command to praise God and sing for joy unless your heart is full of joy in Him. c. Exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe. That his mother was a Jewess originally, but believed in Christ; her name was Eunice, his grandmother's name was Lois. In Derbe and Lystra again. No single worker in Gods kingdom is irreplaceable. We see the humble repentance of the jailer in that he fell down trembling, in the full idea of the word believe (pistis, which means to trust in, rely on, and cling to), and in the command to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ). important truths, when he can thereby serve his purposes. A disciple, whose mother was a Jewish Christian and father was Greek 3. But Timothy's father was a Gentile who came from Greece. The book of Acts emphasizes the power and abilities of the leaders of the Jesus movement. They charged the jailer to keep them safely. Psalm 97 . Acts 16:16-26. There was an old chaplain general of the British Army Bishop John Taylor Smith who used a unique test on candidates for the chaplaincy. He pointed this obviously repentant man to faith in Jesus Christ. Were out of here! And they would have run for their lives. We need to keep in mind that Paul and Silas did not know the end of this story when they began singing at midnight in the dungeon. But to them, the lives of others were more important than their own personal freedom and comfort. Compare Mark 3:12; Luke 4:34-35. We see that the earthquake had absolutely nothing to do with freeing Paul and Silas from prison. What does Acts 16:16-40 mean? (10) Satan transforms himself in A pythonical spirit. . One way or another, Paul and his company got the message. Paul and Silas travel to Derbe and Lystra, where they meet Timothy 2. 2:20). Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. When they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them: Only after this did they agree to go. VIII. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. They were assumed guilty without a hearing or trial. 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. possessed with a spirit of (f) divination met us, which brought her But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? And he came out the same hour. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Doug Bratt. Acts 16:16. THESE MEN ARE SERVANTS. The authorities sent word to let these men go. The jailer rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God." At the time, Paul probably had no idea of the greatness of Gods purpose. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyones chains were loosed. 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. At Lystra he found So the correct text with accusative . Pauls action helped hold these men accountable to carry out justice for others who would be accused of some crime. 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. 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 PRISON OF HIS PRAISES. A precise commentary on acts 16 16 34 can boost your faith and strengthen your walk with Jesus Christ. All things? But because Barnabas was i 1 Chronicles 10:13; 1 Samuel 28:7; 1 Timothy 6:10; 2 Peter 2:3; Damsel. He also wrote to the Philippians, Do all things without grumbling or disputing (Phil. By making these officials realize that they had committed a serious offense against Roman citizens, Paul insured that they would not trouble the Christians in Philippi. A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION CAST OUT BY ST PAUL. Asia does not refer to the Far East as we know it today. Better, perhaps, _to the oratory,_ or _place The guard had a remarkable sign an earthquake, but all Lydia had was the move of the Holy Spirit in her heart. change in the fortunes of Paul and Silas. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. But they can read and predict human behavior, and can attempt to steer events towards a previously predicted conclusion. Site Location117 Pembroke Pines-PEM. 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 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. ACTS 16:35-40. WENT TO PRAYER; went towards the place where their public prayers were By rights, Paul could have had their heads if he had taken his case to a higher authority. Acts 16:16-40. Our series on Acts and the early church continues with the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. What are some practical steps toward deepening our daily joy in the Lord. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Maybe God didnt mean for us to come to Macedonia. EPILOGUE. Acts 16:14 Later, there was a church in Thyatira also, and it was one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation (Revelation 2:18-29). It is very doubtful whether, ac AND IT CAME TO PASS AS WE WENT TO PRAYER,. That is, to the house of 3:1). by day, incessantly crying after them, _These men are serva And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed But those vague charges were enough, because both the multitude and the magistrates were biased against Paul and Silas. Acts 16:12 CHARACTERS: Jesus, Holy S Acts 16:1. Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! The demon came out that very hour. They tried to make their problem go away quietly by sweeping it under the rug. When they had brought them out of the prison, they continued pleading with them to leave the city. ANGER OF THOSE WHO MADE Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2001, All Rights Reserved. Let those men go: In societies that recognize few rights for their citizens it is common for one to be arrested, beaten, imprisoned and then quickly and unexpectedly released. Immediately all the doors were opened, and everyones bonds were loosed. Suddenly there was a great earthquake which shook the prison to its foundations. Some have worried that Pauls invitation to salvation here is too easy, and would promote a too-easy faith or a cheap grace. We will protest, we may sue, well write to our congressman, take courses in assertiveness training, or whatever it takes to get our rights. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. The demon's shouting is . First, he did the work of strengthening the churches through the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:40-41). of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in 16-18. It is written in the scriptures that no one can please God without faith. If it had been America, they would have sued and had the magistrates removed from office. So perfect were the winds that they sailed 156 miles in just two days, whereas returning the other way at a later time (Acts 20:6) it took five days. (Hughes). This is good advice to anyone contemplating suicide. Four lessons from Acts 16: 1. VI. The late Romanian pastor, Richard Wurmbrand, spent 14 years in prison for preaching the gospel, three in solitary confinement in a dark cell. Biblical Books: Acts 16. He has a greater purpose that we often do not understand. She was possessed by a demon, who gave Paul is accompanied by Silas (15:37-38), and they are later joined by young Mark (16:1). Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. But, you cannot believe without hearing so they spoke unto him and to those in his house the word of the Lord. A CERTAIN DAMSEL POSSESSED WITH A SPIRIT OF But Paul said to them, They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. gave information to the slave girl so that she could tell people professed to divine, that is to reveal things beyond the reach of had evidently been converted through Paul on his first visit NOW IT HAPPENED, AS WE WENT TO PRAYER, THAT A CERTAIN SLAVE GIRL 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 . He did not talk about sacraments or even churches. c. The magistrates have sent to let you go. Paul and Silas beaten. b. 35When it was day, the magistrates sent the police with this message: 'Release those men!' The other prisoners were listening to them. EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: This is Paul's Second Missionary Journey (49-52 A.D.) as recorded in Acts 15:30 - 18:21. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 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. But it was the Holy Spirits plan to lead him there. Also, if he wanted to come back again, he knew that they would not prevent him. I wish that Paul had said, Rejoice in the Lord as a general rule. But, always? 16. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. So Paul took Timothy and . Demons cast out of a damsel. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? AND IT CAME TO PASS, AND WE WENT TO PRA 40 Silas was almost necessary as a companion for Paul. 26Suddenly there was a great earthquake which shook the prison to its foundations. And yet the same mighty power that sent the quake could have prevented the beating and imprisonment in the first place, but did not. her son, had embraced the faith. i. 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.". apostles went towards the forementioned place of prayer,. . A. For all they knew, they would be executed the next day, or left to die a slow death in prison. 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. ow DAMSEL. 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission. 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). Since they assumed Paul and Silas were not Roman citizens, they were offended that these obviously Jewish men harassed Roman citizens with their strange religion of a crucified Savior. (Witham) --- A divining spirit, which pretended to foretell things to A fortune-telling female slave, who brought much money to her owners Thus if we want to glorify God, which is the highest goal for the Christian, we must focus on finding joy in Him. Ver. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Timothy's father, however, was a Greek. VII. The Python was. The magistrates were sufficiently humbled, and the public at large, hearing of this circumstance, must be satisfied of the innocency of the apostles. He fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. This commentary on Acts 16 treats the missionary journey of Paul and SIlas through Asia Minor to Philippi, where they were imprisoned. _ (G1096) Yet Jesus said that some demons would be more difficult to cast out than others (Matthew 17:21). Lydia was prospering in business; the guard was about to kill himself. The demon-possessed girl keeps bothering Paul and his group "for many days" (16:18). But Paul, greatly annoyed: Paul was greatly annoyed, and he did not appreciate the free advertising from the demon. Also, Paul and Silas legal rights were violated. Paul and Silas went to the house of Lydia, saw the brethren, comforted them, and departed. Pauls courage and wisdom in the face of these obstacles built a great legacy in people like Timothy. PRAYER, see on Acts 16:13. Their rights had been violated. The main application of this story for me is to work on having joy in the Lord in every situation. He uses circumcision in all liberty 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. Do they now release us secretly? Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. Read Acts 16 again and ask God to reveal and emphasize truths from this chapter that He wants you to see. 29The jailer called for lights and rushed in to the prison. 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. Paul and Silas show us four aspects of a right response to wrong treatment. PAUL AND SILAS ARE SEIZED, BROUGHT BEFORE THE This was a promise made specifically to the keeper of the prison. spiritum Acts 16:19-29 Paul and Silas. a. His mother was Jewish and a believer. The Python was the s ACTSNOTE ON ACTS 16:11 Philippi was the first Macedonian city in I'll try to post some notes on that .

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