Paul had been in Asia for two years in Acts 19:10. Now we hear that extraordinary miracles were happening in Acts 19:12 “so that even handkerchiefs or work aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to those who were sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them”. Then there is the account of these itinerant exorcists that had an encounter with an evil spirit that spoke to them recognizing Jesus and Paul, and then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, sending them running. Everyone in Ephesus heard about this encounter and believers, who had been practicing magic, began confessing and disclosing their practices, then gathered together to burn their books. Did you get this? There was an anointing for healing on Paul as a believer and it transferred to the things he touched. There was also bondage that transferred into people’s lives through these books and practices making it vital for them to separate themselves from these things. There was a long-standing spiritual stronghold in this city and one of the men, Demetrius, recognized that the spread of the gospel would bring it all down. What he couldn’t see was what the city could become.

Jesus I know, But Who Are You

Acts 19:11–16
Acts 19:11 begins with “God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,” Then Acts 19:12 “so that even handkerchiefs or work aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to those who were sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them”. And, at first, this seems unnecessary to say because wherever the word of God was preached, it was happening as the early church had prayed in Acts 4:29–30 (LEB) And now, Lord, concern yourself with their threats and grant your slaves to speak your message with all boldness, 30 as you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” and as they went this pattern followed Acts 14:3 (LEB) So they stayed there for a considerable time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be performed through their hands.

The record of events shifts in Acts 19:13-16 where “seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish chief priest” were attempting to exorcise an evil spirit. They are described as “itinerant Jewish exorcists” so they may have had some success with their approach, but not here. As they said “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches!” it says, “But the evil spirit answered and* said to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with, but who are you? And the man who had the evil spirit leaped on them”. This one man beat all seven and sent them running.

The Word of the Lord Was Growing

Acts 19:17–20
In Acts 19:17 “this became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was exalted” with the result that in Acts 19:18 “many of those who had believed came, confessing and disclosing their practices”. The people of the city began separating themselves from magic. Then in Acts 19:19 and many of those who practiced magic brought together their books and burned them up in the sight of everyone. And they counted up their value and found it was fifty thousand silver coins.

It says in Acts 19:20 (LEB) In this way the word of the Lord was growing in power and was prevailing. It is unusual to see this word “prevailing” because it implies winning a battle or fight against something else that must be overcome. And, it is the same word that had just been used in Acts 19:16. In that verse, the evil spirit overtook seven men. Here, in verse 20, “the word of the Lord … was prevailing”.

There was a stronghold in this city of demonic activity, magic, practices. And people “who had believed came, confessing and disclosing”. They were repenting, and separating themselves from anything that was tainted by this evil influence. Get this, the anointing for healing was on the clothes that Paul touched, and there was evil influence on these things the people burned. Sometimes we need to cleanse ourselves of ungodly influence and renounce it. What practices have we taken on that we need to confess and disclose to break their power over our lives. Are there any false beliefs that remain giving any opportunity for evil in our lives?

She is About to be Brought Down

Acts 19:21–29
Hold this thought, Paul, in Acts 19:21 purposes to go to Jerusalem and then to Rome. I believe he had this thought first when he met Aquila and Priscilla, but however it came to him, now it was a driving purpose and in vs. 22 he sends two ahead to Macedonia.

The great response against magic, and the burning of he books caused concern by the craftsmen of the city. In Acts 19:23-28 we find that this city is established on “the temple of the great goddess Artemis” and Demetrius is right as he says, “she is about to be brought down even from her grandeur, she whom the whole of Asia and the entire world worship!” and the result of that is “this line of business of ours (vs. 24 “silver replicas of the temple”) will come into disrepute”. Demetrius understood that it would all come down and be replaced but he didn’t go far enough to see what it would become. His fear of loss caused him to react to protect what was clearly wrong because this is what they had always believed. And, in Acts 19:28 all of the other craftsmen also understood and reacted and, in Acts 19:29 “rushed into the theater”.

It Will Be Settled In the Lawful Assembly

Acts 19:30–40
In Acts 19:30 “Paul wanted to enter” and it is our natural response to defend ourselves. Sometimes though, saying more only escalates the problem. Paul’s disciples “would not let him” and in Acts 19:31 “his friends … were urging him not to risk himself”. Then, in Acts 19:32 “the assembly was in confusion” and in Acts 19:33 “Alexander, motioning with his* hand, was wanting to defend himself to the popular assembly” but in Acts 19:34 “when they recognized he was a Jew” he was shouted down by the crowd. The crowd would not hear from Paul or any of those connected with him.

It then says in Acts 19:35 “And when* the city secretary had quieted the crowd”. There are times when we need to let the power of government work. Paul didn’t need to respond, in fact if he had, it would have stirred things up even more. There are times for us to be silent and let the Lord fight the battle for us. Here, the city secretary went on and said, in Acts 19:36 “it is necessary that you be quiet and do nothing rash” then in Acts 19:38-40 “the court days are observed and there are proconsuls—let them bring charges against one another! … it will be settled in the lawful assembly”. And “he dismissed the assembly” and they all left and the turmoil ceased.

He Had Gone Through Those Regions and Encouraged Them

Acts 20:1–6
In Acts 20:1 Paul “said farewell and departed to travel to Macedonia”. then in Acts 20:2 And after he* had gone through those regions and encouraged them at length, he came to Greece. Paul had just recently said , back to Jerusalem, but he was taking time. There was no specific vision or prophetic word, it seems just a general sense of where he was headed.

He Extended His Message Until Midnight

Acts 20:7–12
Acts 20:7 says “because he was going to leave on the next day, and he extended his message until midnight” which was beyond the normal schedule, and as we see in Acts 20:9 beyond the physical limits of some attending. They wanted to hear all they could from Paul before he went and Paul was full of insight in the scriptures. In Acts 20:10 Paul “threw himself on him” in vs. 11 “when he had eaten and talked for a long time, until dawn, then he departed”. And in vs. 12 “they led the youth away alive”. Notice that it doesn’t say the young man rose up immediately. In fact, it says Paul departed before it says anything about the young man. Some might say, doesn’t Paul care? Isn’t Paul worried about the outcome? Doesn’t Paul want to make sure the young man is OK? Well, Paul has faith in God. Paul prayed, and went on with the work. There is a level of emotional drama that isn’t helpful (see Mark 5:35-42).

Study Verses

• Acts 19:11–16
• Acts 19:17–20
• Acts 19:21–29

Today’s Reading

• Acts 19:11-40
• Acts 20:1-12

Paul moves on from Athens to Corinth and finds new friends, Aquila and Priscilla, Jews from Rome. He works and lives with them for a time and then gives himself fully to “testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus” in Acts 18:5. He has been opposed, and often violently, in every city and the Lord tells him in a vision that he is safe, to continue to speak and not keep silent. The opposition comes, but Gallio, the government official won’t hear the charges and Paul continues for another year and a half. Aquila and Priscilla meet Apollos who was “”vigorously refuting the Jews” but only knew the baptism of John. They instructed him and sent him on. Paul heads to Ephesus, into Asia finally, and they only know the baptism of John. Paul “4 Paul begins by “telling the people that they should believe in the one who was to come after him—that is, in Jesus.” and then lays hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. As resistance comes, Paul takes the disciples away from the synagogue to a lecture hall and spends two years in Asia.

Do Not Be Afraid, But Speak and Do Not Keep Silent

Acts 18:1–11
In Acts 18:1-3 Paul finds Aquila and his wife Priscilla and gets to know these new friends in Corinth. They work together as tent makers, which is one of the ways Paul funds his missionary work. But this also gives him an easy way to connect with people in the city.

There is though, one little phrase that signals the changing political climate toward the Jews in vs. 2 “Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome”. And this “occurred in AD 49, about two years before Paul arrived in Corinth”.¹

As one secular source records, “He banished from Rome all the Jews, who were continually making disturbances at the instigation of one Chrestus”.² (More trouble, including the destruction of the Temple came later 66–73 CE)

In Acts 18:4 Paul was “in the synagogue every Sabbath” and when Silas and Timothy arrive in Acts 18:5, Paul “began to be occupied with the message” his full attention shifted and he was now “solemnly testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus”. Continuing until in Acts 18:6 “they resisted and reviled him” so he “shook out his* clothes and* said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am guiltless! From now on I will go to the Gentiles!””. Paul was happy to continue talking until they rejected the message, but he went a step further than most of us would by telling them their blood was on their own heads. Have you ever finished a conversation that way?

As he went, in Acts 18:8-9 “many … believed and were baptized”. But Paul had been down this path in many different cities and when people start believing, opposition rises up and Paul was a man like we are. Reading Acts 18:10-11 you can see the Lord calming his mind, he didn’t need to be looking over his shoulder with his bags packed. So he stayed a year and a half.

This Man is Persuading People to Worship God

Acts 18:12–17
Paul had just had a vision and the Lord said in Acts 18:10 “no one will attack you to harm you” and here in Acts 18:11-12 “the Jews rose up with one purpose against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat”. This looks bad. During this time, “Judaism was a religio licita, an authorized religion. But Paul’s teaching was ‘something new and un-Jewish …; it was, they urged, a religio illicita, which accordingly ought to be banned by Roman law’”.³ Then, as Paul was just ready to defend himself, Gallio, the proconsul said in Acts 18:15 “if it is questions concerning a word and names and ⌊your own law, see to it yourselves!” and the case was dismissed.

Strengthening All the Disciples

Acts 18:18–23
It isn’t clear why, but there is a shift in direction for Paul. He is headed back to Antioch. He does quickly pass through many of the places he has been before as it says in Acts 18:23 “strengthening all the disciples”.

He Knew Only the Baptism of John

Acts 18:24–28
In Acts 18:24-26 we find Apollos. He didn’t know everything, but he was going in the knowledge he had, and God connected him with someone, “Priscilla and Aquila”, that knew what he needed. And this man was powerful, “vigorously refuting the Jews”. We sometimes forget that it is God that prepares us for the work and it is Gods power working in us.

Did You Receive the Holy Spirit?

Acts 19:1–10
As Paul comes to Ephesus in Acts 19:1-7 he finds disciples that “have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit!” so in vs. 4 Paul is “telling the people that they should believe in the one who was to come after him—that is, in Jesus.” and they were baptized in vs 5 and in vs. 6 “when* Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak* in tongues and to prophesy”. Have you received this gift? Ask.

In Acts 19:8 Paul goes to the synagogue as was his custom “was speaking boldly for three months … concerning the kingdom of God” and in Acts 19:9 “some became hardened, reviling before the congregation” so Paul took the disciples and moved to a “the lecture hall of Tyrannus” who was “probably a converted teacher of rhetoric or philosophy”⁴ Paul took the disciples where they could be taught. Sometimes, we need to take the message to a place where people can receive. Maybe we can’t go to the local High School, and maybe there are regulations preventing us from meeting in the town square, but there will be a place.

When the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from going into Asia, it wasn’t that the gospel wasn’t to be preached there, it just wasn’t to be by Paul at that time. Now, in Acts 19:10 Paul spends two years in Asia.

Study Verses

• Acts 18:1–11
• Acts 18:24–28
• Acts 19:1–10

Today’s Reading

• Acts 18:1-24
• Acts 19:1-10

References

• 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ac 18:2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• 2. Tranquillus, C. S. (1889). Suetonius: The Lives of the Twelve Caesars; An English Translation, Augmented with the Biographies of Contemporary Statesmen, Orators, Poets, and Other Associates. (A. Thomson, Ed.). Medford, MA: Gebbie & Co.
• 3. Stott, J. R. W. (1994). The message of Acts: the Spirit, the church & the world (p. 299). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• 4. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 205). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy responded to a vision to go to Macedonia and have been proclaiming the gospel in Philippi. Eventually they meet with opposition so move on to Thessalonica (today Thessaloniki) in Acts 17:1. Here, they found a synagogue where, in Acts 17:2-3 Paul “discussed with them from the scriptures … saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”” with the result that in Acts 17:4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas.

Then in Acts 17:5 ”But the Jews were filled with jealousy” and “forming a mob, threw the city into an uproar”. These jealous people were shifting the focus from the work God was doing but, if you have ever seen a mob in action, you will know it is always better to be somewhere else as Paul and Silas and Timothy were. But if you can’t get away, then use your citizenship as Jason and the brothers with him did.

Later, Paul came to Athens, the fourth major city in Macedonia. Each of these cities had its own nature and this one may have been the least likely to be able to hear Paul because of their many philosophers. When Paul is taken to speak before the philosophers in Acts 17:22, he opens with “I see you are very religious” then he points out their own statue, one among many, “To an unknown God”. And follows with his three part approach for delivering the gospel to the Gentiles.

Come Out Now and Go In Peace

Acts 16:35–40
The chief magistrate sends an order for Paul ans Silas to be released in Acts 16:35-36 “so come out now and go in peace”. But Paul was not satisfied with them simply being released, he responds throwing the full weight of his Roman citizenship against them in Acts 16:37 “they beat us in public without due process … let them come and bring us out”. And the magistrate came in Acts 16:38-39 “and apologized” asking them to leave the city. But, Paul went first to Lydia and in Acts 16:40 “encouraged the brothers and departed”. It is interesting to note that there was very little said about who was added to the new church here other than Lidia’s household and the jailers household, but Paul and Silas were there for some time. Now as they are leaving we see them encouraging the brothers so there were more added to the church.

We are citizen’s of God’s Kingdom and that is were our future and hope and treasure is, yet, there are times when we also must use our natural citizenship for the advantage it can bring us. Paul used his citizenship as a Roman and “requests a public display of his innocence. This would provide official affirmation that the Church had done nothing illegal and would further strengthen the Church and the position of the new believers in the community”¹ 

And Some of Them Were Persuaded

Acts 17:1–9
Paul and company come to the next major city Thessalonica in Acts 17:1 and join themselves to the synagogue there. For three Sabbaths, in Acts 17:2-3 Paul “discussed with them from the scriptures … and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”” Then we see the result, in Acts 17:4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, and also a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few of the prominent women.

As people are responding and believing, again, we see in Acts 17:5 ”But the Jews were filled with jealousy” and they began inciting others, bringing false claims, exaggerating through emotional drama to get what they wanted., “forming a mob, threw the city into an uproar”. But the uproar wasn’t what they wanted so, “attacking Jason’s house, they were looking for them to bring them* out to the popular assembly”. They wanted them to face the mob. Paul had seen these things before and was not to be found. so, in Acts 17:6 And when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world have come here also. It is through these broad general statements that the crowd is incited and Jason’s name is tainted because he in Acts 17:7 “entertained them as guests” and in Acts 17:8 “they threw the crowd into confusion”.

These jealous people had shifted the focus from the work God was doing Acts 17:4 “some of them were persuaded”. And when these things happen, it is always better to be somewhere else as Paul and Silas and Timothy were. But if you can’t be somewhere else, then use your citizenship as Jason and the brothers with him did. There is a natural government and a legal system and it may be used for our protection. Jason paid the bail, and was released.

They Accepted the Message With All Eagerness

Acts 17:10–15
The Bereans were different. As it says in Acts 17:11 “these were more open-minded” but not just willing to hear, they also were, “examining the scriptures every day to see if these things were so”. And when they saw it in the scriptures, in Acts 17:12 “many of them believed”.

Then came, in Acts 17:13 “the Jews from Thessalonica … inciting and stirring up the crowds”. But, again, Paul was on his way somewhere else. From the beginning when they lowered him over the city wall to leave Damascus, he has mostly been a step ahead, and I say mostly because there was that one time in Lystra, Acts 14:19-20 when “Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium” and they stoned him and left him for dead.

May We Learn What Is This New Teaching

Acts 17:16–21
In Acts 17:15 “those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens” but Silas and Timothy had been left behind in Berea. We don’t really know what Paul was thinking but JFB says “Connecting this with the apostle’s leaving Timothy and Luke at Philippi on his own departure (see on Ac 16:40), we may conclude that this was his fixed plan for cherishing the first beginning of the Gospel”² and it is very likely that this was Paul’s intent, for them to stay and strengthen the new believers in their faith. But when he arrives in Athens he sends immediately for Silas and Timothy and we then read in Acts 17:16 “his spirit was provoked in him when he observed the city was full of idols”.

Paul had come to Athens, the fourth city, each with its own nature and this one maybe the least likely to be able to hear because of their many philosophers. Acts 17:17 Paul “was discussing in the synagogue … and in the marketplace”. Then Acts 17:18-20 names the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers and their response to “the good news about Jesus and his resurrection”. Paul’s message was new to them so they “brought him to the Areopagus” saying “you are bringing some astonishing things to our ears”. This was the heart of their culture as it says in Acts 17:21 “Now all … used to spend their time in nothing else than telling something or listening to something new”. For them, it was about learning, analyzing, philosophizing.

This I Proclaim

Acts 17:22–34
Here is Paul’s chance to proclaim the gospel before the great minds of this city. He had now been there a while and new a little about them and we see the approach that Paul has used with other Gentiles. But here, he fine tunes. In Acts 17:22 he opens with “I see you are very religious” then he points out their own statue, one among many, “To an unknown God”.

People can be very religious and not really know God. But God is there. And people do know that somewhere, somehow, there is a God. As Paul says in Acts 17:27 “if they might feel around for him and find him”. Or, as it says in Romans 1:19-32 “from the creation of the world, his invisible attributes, both his eternal power and deity, are discerned clearly, being understood in the things created”.

Paul’s approach to the Gentiles

1. God’s eternal power as creator and benefactor to all. Acts 17:24-29
2. God has overlooked the times of ignorance. Acts 17:30
3. God is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man who he has appointed (Jesus Christ), having provided proof to everyone by* raising him from the dead”. Acts 17:31

The answer Paul proclaims is Jesus Christ who said in Matthew 11:28–30 (LEB) Come to me, all of you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to carry and my burden is light.”

Study Verses

• Acts 17:1–9
• Acts 17:16–21
• Acts 17:22–34

Today’s Reading

• Acts 16:35-40
• Acts 17:1-34

References

• 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ac 16:37). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• 2. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 201). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Paul and Barnabas head back to Antioch from the assembly of apostles and elders that had been held in Jerusalem. The church receives the apostolic letter and is strengthened. They also find prophets Judas and Silas and continues together teaching with many others. Then they agree to revisit the churches they had planted, but can’t agree on who should go with them and go their separate ways. Paul takes Silas as his new companion and they find a young disciple, Timothy who joins them. The Holy Spirit directs them as they go, preventing them from going into Asia, but requesting them, in a vision, to go to Macedonia. They get to Philippi, and find Lydia who is saved with her household and they stay many days. And, then, opposition rises up.

They Rejoiced at the Encouragement

Acts 15:30–35
Paul and Barnabas are back in Antioch, but with the letter in Acts 15:30-31. Judas and Silas are mentioned as prophets here in Acts 15:32 who “encouraged and strengthened the brothers by a long message” and we get a little glimpse of the ministry of the prophet in the new testament church as they then, in Acts 15:33 “were sent away in peace from the brothers to those who had sent them”.

Here, vs. 34 is missing in newer translations “The authorities against the insertion of this verse are strong. It may have been afterwards added to explain Ac 15:40”.¹

We do know that , in Acts 15:35 Paul and Barnabas continued teaching in Antioch “with many others also”.

Let Us Return and Visit the Brothers

Acts 15:36–41
Sometimes we just need to continue doing what God has told us to do so, even though the Holy Spirit doesn’t tell them to, in Acts 15:36 And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Come then, let us return and* visit the brothers in every town in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” And they both agreed on the purpose, but couldn’t agree on who to take with them in Acts 15:38-39 and “a sharp disagreement took place”. vs. 39 goes on to say that Barnabas took Mark and sailed away. Then Acts 15:40-41 Paul chose Silas and departed. The difference is that Paul was “commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers”. Barnabas isn’t mentioned again in Acts.

They Passed On To Them To Observe The Rules

Acts 16:1–5
Paul is traveling with Silas now and in Acts 16:1 finds Timothy, the son of a mixed marriage. I write it this way intentionally because, not only was it a marriage between a Jewish woman and a Greek man, but more importantly, it was a marriage between a believing mother and an unsaved father. Even so, Timothy was, in vs. 2 “well spoken of” not just in his own home town, but also in the nearby city of Iconium.

Acts 16:3 is troubling at first look because Paul circumcises Timothy, but they were there circulating the letter, that Paul had been part of writing, that said circumcision was not required. Paul was simply being sensitive to what people believed, and did not want to stir up any distension. As Paul later explains himself in 1 Corinthians 9:19–21 (LEB) For although I am free from all people, I have enslaved myself to all, in order that I may gain more. 20 I have become like a Jew to the Jews, in order that I may gain the Jews. To those under the law I became as under the law (although I myself am not under the law) in order that I may gain those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as outside the law (although I am not outside the law of God, but subject to the law of Christ) in order that I may gain those outside the law.

Paul continues, with Timothy, in Acts 16:4-5 to deliver the letter, one of many to come, “to observe the rules that had been decided by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem”. This structure, with leadership from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, brought clarification and settled the churches and strengthened them and they continued growing. And, though there are challenges today with denominations, it is good when we can agree together.

However, we always face the problem of the traditions of men taking the place of God as Hodge describes “Making tradition a part of the rule of faith subverts the authority of the Scriptures … Instead, therefore, of our faith resting on the testimony of God as recorded in his Word, it rests on what poor, fallible, often fanciful, prejudiced, benighted men, tell us is the meaning of that word. Man and his authority take the place of God”²

Or, as Jesus said in Matthew 15:1-9 (LEB) 3 So he answered and said to them, “Why do you also break the commandment of God because of your tradition?

Come Over to Macedonia and Help Us

Acts 16:6–10
In Acts 16:6 Paul was moving forward “having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia”. Then again as they were going, in Acts 16:7 “the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them”. So, altering direction, in Acts 16:8 “they went down to Troas. It then says in Acts 16:9-10 (LEB) And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: a certain Macedonian man was standing there and imploring him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and* help us!” 10 And when he had seen the vision, we wanted at once to go away to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. They had started this journey because it seemed right to revisit the churches they had been to before, and now along the way, the Holy Spirit is leading them step by step.

There Was a Place of Prayer

Acts 16:11–15
In Acts 16:11-12 Paul, Silas, and Timothy (who are not named here, but are mentioned together in earlier verses and again in the next few chapters) make their way through a few cities and come “to Philippi, … a leading city, … a Roman colony. And we were staying in this city for some days”.

Even though they had been led to Macedonia by the Holy Spirit through a vision, there wasn’t anyone waiting to receive them. They were finding their way around. And as they got to know the city, in Acts 16:13 there was this place “where we thought there was a place of prayer” so they went there “and we sat down and spoke to the women assembled there”. Here, they found an attentive audiences and in Acts 16:14-15 Lydia not only heard, but “she was baptized, and her household” and then “urged us, saying, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come to my house and stay.” and this became their base.

And it was in this place that they found “This woman had been named after the area from which she came. It was famous for its purple dye and textiles, and Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth. Purple clothes were for the wealthy (Lk. 16:19) and the royal.³

These Men Are Servants of the Most High God

Acts 16:16–24
Paul and Silas and Timothy, were going daily to the place of prayer in Acts 16:16-18 but they were followed by a woman “crying out, saying, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”. It seems this didn’t disturb them at first, and “Most of the girl’s contemporaries would have considered this spirit beneficial or neutral, but Luke (the writer of Acts) indicates its evil nature”.⁴

Finally, Paul commanded the spirit to come out of her in vs. 18 and it came out. Two important points here, the spirit in her knew who Paul and Silas were and spoke out to the people around them that they were servants of God. And if you read the gospels, you will find that demonic spirits were often the first to speak when Jesus came on the scene. The second point is that people didn’t her fortunetelling was bad, they paid to hear what she had to say, but there wasn’t anything good coming from her.

The real trouble here was with the woman’s owners who were using her for their own profit in Acts 16:19. They brought accusations against Paul and Silas, not about them freeing the woman, but that they were Jews in Vs. 20 and in acts 16:21 “proclaiming customs that are not permitted for us …because we are Romans”. In Acts 16:22-24 “the crowd joined in … the chief magistrates … gave orders to beat them, … (and) put them in the inner prison …”

Praying and Singing Hymns to God

Acts 16:25–34
Then it says in Acts 16:25 (LEB) Now about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and* singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. This is about the last thing you would expect them to do, but here they are, praising! When, in Acts 16:26 “there was a great earthquake … And immediately all the doors were opened and all the bonds were unfastened”. It is easy to imagine an earthquake happening. And with an earthquake, maybe the doors would open, but all of the bonds unfastened?

Ac 16:25–34 Praying and Singing Hymns to God
Then it says in Acts 16:25 (LEB) Now about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and* singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. This is about the last thing you would expect them to do, but here they are, praising! When, in Acts 16:26 “there was a great earthquake … And immediately all the doors were opened and all the bondsi were unfastened”. It is easy to imagine an earthquake happening. And with an earthquake, maybe the doors would open, but all of the bonds unfastened?

When the jailer saw it, in Acts 16:27-28 he was “about to kill himself, because he* thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out … we are all here”. The jailer found that they were there and in Acts 16:29-30 “what can I do so that I can be saved”. Then, in Acts 16:31-34 the jailer and all of his house are saved and they prepare a meal and rejoiced.

Study Verses

• Acts 15:36–41
• Acts 16:6–10
• Acts 16:11–15

Today’s Reading

• Acts 15:30-41
• Acts 16:1-34

References

• 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 195). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 2. Hodge, C. (1997). Systematic theology (Vol. 1, p. 128). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 3. Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 460). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
• 4. Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 463). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Paul and Barnabas continue on their mission to the gentiles and are received by many, but also face harsh opposition from those that rejected the message. But they continue from city to city then retrace their route, even going back through Iconium where Paul had been stoned and left for dead in Acts 14:19-20. As they returned, they strengthened the churches and when they ended their journey back in Antioch in Acts 14:26-27 they reported that “he (God) had opened a great door of faith for the Gentiles”. But in Antioch they found another threat to the church, not the external threat from the unbelieving, but an internal threat from the religious. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem debate and agree in Acts 15 and Peter reminds them how God had poured out his spirit on the Gentiles and in Acts 15:9 “and he made no distinction between us and them” then concludes with Acts 15:11 But we believe we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way those also are.”

Speaking Boldly For the Lord

Acts 14:1–7
Paul and Barnabas follow the custom of the day and in Acts 14:1 Now it happened that in Iconium they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke in such a way that a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed. And this is the same message Paul brought previously in Psidia Antioch in Acts 13:16-41. I suppose it isn’t any surprise in Acts 14:2 But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up and ⌊poisoned the minds⌋b of the Gentiles against the brothers. But here, their lives were not being threatened and in vs. 3 So they stayed there* for a considerable time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be performed through their hands. Miracles were happening.

It then says in Acts 14:4 But the population of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews ⌊and some⌋d with the apostles. But this wasn’t a problem because God was working in many peoples lives until in Acts 14:5 So when an inclination took place on the part of both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their rulers, to mistreat them* and to stone them, it was then, that Paul and Barnabas moved on in Acts 14:6-7.

It is the trouble makers that are the trouble.

He Leaped Up and Began Walking

Acts 14:8–13
As Paul and Barnabas continue their mission and God is doing signs and wonders in Acts 14:8-10 And in Lystra a certain man was sitting powerless in his feet, lame from ⌊birth⌋,e who had never walked. 9 This man listened while* Paul was speaking. ⌊Paul⌋,f looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” And he leaped up and began walking. For Paul and Barnabas, God was doing miracles as he had before, but these people had never seen this kind of creative power. For them, the gods are all powerful but no one knows when or how they will show up and when they do, you can’t know their disposition. For them, the Gods were fickle and could just as easily destroy you as bless you. So in Acts 14:11-12 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices in the Lycaonian language, saying, “The gods have become like men and* have come down to us!” 12 And they began calling Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes, because he was the ⌊principal speaker. And as the cheers of the crowd increased, in Acts 14:13 And the priest of the temple* of Zeus that was just outside the city brought bulls and garlands to the gates and* was wanting to offer sacrifice, along with the crowds. If the gods were visiting the city, the temple priest didn’t want to offend them. They were all reacting with a mix of fear of the gods an confusion about what happened.

The Living God

Acts 14:14–20
When Paul and Barnabas heard, they spoke to calm the crowd in Acts 14:15-18 and the message they would have been speaking is the same about a Savior and King Jesus Christ, but Paul adds two important comments for these pagan Gentiles and these two points are still true today and are useful for our witness to the world:

1. You were allowed to go in your own way: In Acts 14:16 (God) who in generations that are past permitted all the nations to go their own ways”.
2. God gave a witness by doing good for you: In Acts 14:17 (LEB) And yet he did not leave himself without witness by doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and your hearts with gladness.”

Then the instigators, the trouble makers, the disputers, showed up and in Acts 14:19–20 (LEB) 19 But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and when they* had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him* outside the city, thinking he was dead. They still think they can stop the gospel by killing the messenger then in Acts 14:20 But after* the disciples surrounded him, he got up and* went into the city. And on the next day he departed with Barnabas for Derbe. Paul got up, went right back into the city, and the next day went on his way!

They Entrusted Them to the Lord

Acts 14:21–28
Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the good news in Derbe and in Acts 14:21 “made many disciples” and then “returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch”. They had been sent from Antioch so returning there makes good sense, but they had real opposition in Lystra and Iconium, why go back there? People saw what had been done to them and they went back to, in Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them* to continue in the faith and saying,* “Through many persecutions it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God.” Paul needed these new disciple to know that God was for them and they should “continue in the faith”. Then in Acts 14:23–24 (LEB) And when they* had appointed elders for them in every church, after* praying with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed. They left the church with structure and stability through leaders who God was raising up.

Continuing on their course, they make a few more stops in Acts 14:24-25 And they passed through Pisidia and* came to Pamphylia. 25 And after* they proclaimed the message in Perga, they went down to Attalia, where they are “proclaiming the message”. And then on to Antioch.

One last thing, “they reported all that God had done” in Acts 14:26-27. But their report isn’t what you might think. It isn’t recorded that they were run out of towns or that Paul was stoned to death. Their message was in Acts 14:27 “he (God) had opened a great door of faith for the Gentiles”. Many souls were added, churches were started, the gospel was planted all across these regions. 

There Was No Little Strife and Debate

This is a turning point as Church leaders draft a doctrinal letter to all of the Churches.

Acts 15:1–9
In Acts 15:1 (LEB) And some men came down from Judea and* began teaching* the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” But this wasn’t what had been happening as Paul and Barnabas were going from city to city. And this wasn’t what had happened when Paul went to Cornelius, in fact, God had told Peter “don’t call what I have cleansed unclean”.So, in Acts 15:2-3 there was much debate and an agreement to take these questions “to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem”.

In Acts 15:4–5 (LEB) 4-5 And when they* arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of those who had believed from the party of the Pharisees stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them* to observe the law of Moses!” and the debate was on. Then in Acts 15:6-9 Peter is listening and finally stands up to tell everyone again how God had poured out his spirit on the Gentiles vs. 9 “and he made no distinction between us and them”.

Today, we have so many denominations, so many doctrines, what are we wanting to add to the gospel? It is God that draws people. And it is by his Holy Spirit that he confirms his acceptance of them. Let God confirmed who he will.

This Thing You Are Asking Isn’t Good

Acts 15:10–21
In Acts 15:10 Peter continues and asks “why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? In other words, this thing you are asking isn’t good. Then he makes a clear doctrinal statement in Acts 15: 11 But we believe we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in ⌊the same⌋b way those also are.” This is the gospel we preach and they all responded in silence vs. 12 as they accepted the wisdom of these words. And in vs. 12, everyone “listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them”.

James steps up and in Acts 15:13-21 declares what God is doing right in front of them in vs. 14 “to take from among the Gentiles a people for his name” and in vs. 16 how he will restore the “tent of David that has fallen” and he proposes in vs. 20 a letter to the churches and it is letters like these that we today read as our New Testament.

Some From Among Us Have Thrown You Into Confusion

Acts 15:22–29
These verses from Acts 15:22-29 give the content of the letter that was to be distributed. It is simple, but establishes the leadership of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem and clarifies what is required for disciples. This was an important point in the development of the church and brought clarity.

Study Verses

• Acts 14:14–20
• Acts 14:21–28
• Acts 15:10–21

Today’s Reading

• Acts 14:1-28
• Acts 15:1-29

Paul and Barnabas are on their mission as sent by the Holy Spirit in Acts 13:1-2. As was their custom, the went to the synagogue on the Sabbath. And, as was the custom, these visitors were invited to say a few words. Paul, not being a timid man, gave them the prophecy of a King and Savior, his rejection and Crucifixion, and his resurrection as God promised. They were invited back the following week and in Acts 13:44 “nearly the whole city came together to hear”. But the Jews were jealous because of the crowds and stirred up trouble but Paul responds with his mission (our great commission), Acts 13:47 (LEB) 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have appointed you ⌊to be⌋ a light for the Gentiles, ⌊that you would bring⌋ salvation to the end of the earth.’

If There Is Any Message of Exhortation, Say It

Acts 13:13–20
We find Paul and companions (with Barnabas) still on their Holy Spirit commissioned journey in Acts 13:13 and in vs 14 they … arrived at Pisidian Antioch. And they entered into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbath and* sat down. It seems the custom of the day was to recognize visitors and give them a moment to speak as they were invited to do in vs 15. Not being a timid man, and being the leader of the group, in Acts 13:16 So Paul stood up,* and motioning with his* hand, he said, “Israelite men, and those who fear God, listen! And as a good speaker, begins with their common history illustrating the power of God on their behalf saying in Acts 13:17-20 “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers”, “exalted the people”, “with uplifted arm he led them out”, “after destroying seven nations … gave their land to his people”, “he gave them judges”.

A Man in Accordance With My Heart

Acts 13:21–29
Paul begins by presenting the prophecy that a King, a Savior would come. He shows then how the sons of Israel in Acts 13:21 (LEB) And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. Then came in Acts 13:22 And after* removing him (Saul), he raised up David for their king, about whom he also said, testifying, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man in accordance with my heart, who will carry out all my will. And, this was the place God chose to, in Acts 13:23 From the descendants of this man (David), according to his promise, God brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus.

Then Paul moves to their recent history and John the baptist in Acts 13:24–25 (LEB) Before ⌊his coming⌋ John had publicly proclaimed* a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 But while John was completing his* mission, he said, ‘What do you suppose me to be? I am not he! But behold, one is coming after me of whom I am not worthy to untie the sandals of his* feet!’. This makes it perfectly clear that the one who came before, John, would be followed by the King and Savior.

And Paul pauses to command their attention and present the reason he is there, to give them the message of salvation. In Acts 13:26 (LEB) “Men and brothers, sons of the family of Abraham and those among you who fear God—to us the message of this salvation has been sent!.

But, first, he needs to explain the death of Jesus, and he says in Acts 13:27–29 (LEB) “because they* did not recognize this one” they didn’t see Jesus for who he was, and “the voices of the prophets that are read on every Sabbath, fulfilled them* by* condemning him” they were fulfilling the very prophecies that they read every week “when they had carried out all the things that were written about him” and they crucified him.

God Raised Him From the Dead

Acts 13:30–41
Paul move a little forward in their recent history to the witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, in Acts 13:30–31 (LEB) But God raised him from the dead, 31 who appeared for many days to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem—who are now his witnesses to the people. And, now Paul says, in Acts 13:32–35 (LEB) “we proclaim the good news to you: that the promise that was made to the fathers, 33 this promise God has fulfilled to our children by* raising Jesus” and proves these statements by quoting Psalm 2:7 and here it is good to read all of Psalm 2:6-12. Then Paul quotes Psalm 16:10, also see the context by reading Psalm 16:5–11.

Paul gives them an invitation, in Acts 13:38–39 (LEB) “Therefore let it be known to you, men and brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and from all the things from which you were not able to be justified by the law of Moses, 39 by this one everyone who believes is justified! And, we might stop with forgiveness and salvation, but Paul go on to tell them in Acts 13:40-41 “Watch out” and quotes the prophecy from Habbakuk 1:5, a warning that God will raise up judgement.

Judgement will come when Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice does not go forth perpetually.a For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted. Which is also the message in Isaiah 59:14–15 (LEB) 14 And justice is pushed back, and righteousness stands afar; for truth stumbles in the public square, and straightforwardness is unable to enter, 15 and truth is missing, and he who turns aside from evil is plundered. And Yahweh saw, and it was displeasing in his eyes that there was no justice

Nearly the Whole City Came Together to Hear

Acts 13:42–46
The people responded to the message and in Acts 13:42-43 “many of the Jews and the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas”. And in vs 44 “nearly the whole city came”. Then we see Acts 13:45 But when* the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting what was being said by Paul by* reviling him.* And Paul rebukes them in vs 46 “since you reject it”, “we are turning to the gentiles”. Later, Paul says in Acts 28:28 (LEB) Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!”.

What would happen today if you gave a short message in your church and the whole city showed up! Would we accept them and present Jesus Christ to them as Paul was trying to do? Here is the basis for Paul’s response to the jealous, and contradicting, and reviling in Isaiah 6:8–10 (LEB)  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “I am here! Send me!” 9 And he said, “Go and say to this people, ‘Keep on listening and do not comprehend! And keep on looking and do not understand!’ 10 Make the heart of this people insensitive, and make its ears unresponsive, and shut its eyes so that it may not look with its eyes and listen with its ears and comprehend with its mind and turn back, and it may be healed for him.”

A Light For The Gentiles

Acts 13:47–52
The commandment of the Lord is in Acts 13:47 (LEB) For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have appointed you ⌊to be⌋ a light for the Gentiles, ⌊that you would bring⌋ salvation to the end of the earth.’ And, the response was in Acts 13:48–49 (LEB) And when* the Gentiles heard this,* they began to rejoice* and to glorify the word of the Lord. And all those who were designated for eternal life believed. 49 So the word of the Lord was carried through the whole region. Everyone that believed was blessed and the word spread.

But the Jews … in Acts 13:50 they are inciting, stirring up, and threw Paul and Barnabas out.

There is only one thing to do when you face this kind of persecution, well, first finish the message, but then, Acts 13:51 “shaking of the dust … they went”. And in Acts 13:52 “were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit”.

Study Verses

• Acts 13:13–20
• Acts 13:42–46
• Acts 13:47–52

Today’s Reading

• Acts 13:13-52