acts 16:16 40 commentary

A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION CAST OUT BY ST PAUL. Paul refused to go because he knew his rights as a Roman citizen and knew that their treatment of him was unjust. When you are wronged, entrust your soul to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. | Next How can a person be sorrowful yet always rejoicing (2 Cor. This commentary on Acts 16 treats the missionary journey of Paul and SIlas through Asia Minor to Philippi, where they were imprisoned. When you answered the call of God, you were excited and energized about the possibility of service. as we were going to prayer, there met us a certain female serv And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed 2. 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. He did not give him a lecture on theology. i. So he stood on his rights in order to protect the church and the cause of Christ in that city. 25But as for the Gen-tiles who . PRAYER, see on Acts 16:13. By her soothsaying she provided much gain for her This man was more affected by the love and grace demonstrated by Paul and Silas than by the earthquake. Acts 16:12 A cheerful, joyous spirit does not depend on having wonderful, trouble-free circumstances. It is difficult to say exactly how the Holy Spirit said no; it may have been through a word of prophecy, or by an inward speaking of the Holy Spirit, or by circumstances. 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). Posted: February 16, 2023. The incident in Philippi took place probably in the fall of A.D. 50, and so anti-Jewish sentiment was running high. The jailer then saw that all the prisoners were still there. They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans: Because Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they had recognized civil rights, which were violated by the Philippian magistrates. (13-15) The conversion of Lydia. Paul would be qualified. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. But to them, the lives of others were more important than their own personal freedom and comfort. iii. 16 Paul[ a] came also to Derbe and to Lystra. Asia does not refer to the Far East as we know it today. | List 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who . Her masters made a lot of money from her power. _praes. As Paul saw it, being a good Christian did not mean being a bad Jew. (Longenecker) The wording of Acts 16:3 implies that Paul himself performed the circumcision (he took him and circumcised him). She followed Paul and us, crying out, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation! She continued doing this for several days. But that would depend on where in the city he was and what kind of worship he came to perform. Tap the title above, next to the arrow, to go to thatpage. Acts 16:16-24. 24Join these men, go through the rite of purication with them, and pay for the shaving of their heads. These verses describe Pauls experiences and work in Thessalonica and Berea during his second missionaryjourney. 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 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the . damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her FOR SALE! Paul and Silas show us four aspects of a right response to wrong treatment. THESE MEN ARE SERVANTS. The phrase, being Jews, was no doubt said with a slur. Hesychius defines it as (a spirit of It refers to the Roman Province of Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. As Roman citizens, Paul and Silas had a right to a trial before any punishment. But they can read and predict human behavior, and can attempt to steer events towards a previously predicted conclusion. i. But it had everything to do with the salvation of a certain prison guard and his household. Just because God is the omnipotent Creator does not mean that He will spare you from intense trials. I think that if they were offering any petitions mixed in with their praise, it would have been, Lord, use this situation for the greater furtherance of the gospel. Paul and Silas knew that God could have prevented them from being beaten and thrown in prison in the first place, but He did not do so. a. No, in this he was simply obeying the words of Jesus, Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. The late Romanian pastor, Richard Wurmbrand, spent 14 years in prison for preaching the gospel, three in solitary confinement in a dark cell. 1028-1061. a. As a result of the numerous miracles performed through Paul and Peter, the church grows daily. ii. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.. spirit of divination met us, who brought her So Paul took Timothy and . 34:3, 8). Paul and Silas would not be hurried out of town until they had brought their work there to a conclusion. Acts 16:11-15 Samothrace, Neapolis, Philippi. Four lessons from Acts 16: 1. [1965-73], 2:149). Lydias heart was gently opened; the guards heart was violently confronted. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. c. Exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe. spiritum THE MISSION TO EUROPE (16:6-19:20). Come on, Paul, get realistic! He must let go of his own separative tendencies and of his deep sense of persecution. I emphasize this first point because it is foundational to everything else. And these disciples expected God to do something! Acts 16:16-34 Commentary. 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." That, by the way, is the missing note among Christians in many places today. In light of the economic populism evident in the Progressive-era Social Gospel movement, one might expect religious studies scholars to exhibit some modestly reformist attitudes, but the field is pre-occupied with radical LGBTQ themes. Thus if we want to glorify God, which is the highest goal for the Christian, we must focus on finding joy in Him. 38The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 34The jailer then brought Paul and Silas up into his house, and set food before them. As we went to prayer , Into the proseucha: Acts 16:13, and Luke 6:12.The article, , is added here by ABCE, several others, Origen and Theophylact: thus makes the place more emphatic, and seems to determine the above meaning of to be right-not the act of prayer or praying to God, but the place, the . The Key teachings of Jesus Christ are focused on Faith and Love. 30Then he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' (dep.) certain damsel met us_ (that is, met Paul and his three companions) At the beginning of Paul's second mission, the Lord directed him to people who were prepared to hear the gospel. Now we see another reason why they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. Paul never specifically called the keeper of the prison to repent because he was already repenting. i. And the prisoners were listening to them: What a strange sound this was to the other prisoners! The conversion of the Jailer in Philippi Acts 16:16-40: At a place of prayer in Philippi Paul and Silas came across a girl that had a spirit of divination. c. You and your household: This seems to be a specific promise for that Philippian jailer. This shows Gods provision, because John Mark and Barnabas just left Paul (Acts 15:36-41). Acts 12:13. They tried to make their problem go away quietly by sweeping it under the rug. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. VII. And, they were then locked into the stocks, which was a painful torture in and of itself, let alone when your back was ripped open from a beating. www.simplybible.com Copyright Ron Graham 2012, "As we were going to prayer, it happened that a certain slave girl met us. Acts 16:40, ESV: So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia.And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. _._ Beyer, 45f. They encouraged them and departed: In Philippi, Paul and Silas left behind two notable converts: Lydia and the prison guard. Anyone can be happy in pleasant circumstances, but real joy comes only from within, and is a gift available to Christians at all times. Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. _Gen. Today, much of what fortune-tellers and psychics do is only a money making sham. If I radiate His joy because I have entrusted my soul to Him, the faithful Creator, then even when Im wrongly treated, He will be glorified and others will be drawn to the Savior. So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. Thats how it always should be. 24Having received such a command, the jailer threw Paul and Silas into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. (Acts 16:20-24). . And yet the two missionaries were falsely accused, beaten, and thrown into the inner prison, with their feet locked into the stocks, without any semblance of a trial. Read Acts 16 again and ask God to reveal and emphasize truths from this chapter that He wants you to see. _And he came also _for _then came he, _A.V._ _and T.R. going one way, and then anoth MINISTRY IN PHILIPPI FROM THE HOUSE OF LYDIA (16:12B-40). 6:10)? As well, the multitude and the magistrates felt free to abuse Paul and Silas because they assumed they were not Roman citizens. Timothy. Their rights had been violated. 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? usually made. Paul wanted to have him go on with him. ii. The man must not have lived in the same world I live in! gain by soothsaying: But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. His mother was a Jew who had become a believer in Jesus. (16) "_And it came to pass, When they had laid many blows on Paul and Silas, they threw them into prison. Articles, monographs and books hosted on this site by Authors with Surnames beginning with O, P and Q ii. The demonic spirit knows that the presence and power of God is with the missionaries. Commentary on the Book of Acts Paul and Silas: Acts 16. by Ed Rickard. They had a daily habit of mentally focusing on how great and wonderful God is, and on the many blessings that He daily heaps on His children. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. When they had brought them out of the prison, they continued pleading with them to leave the city. Pauls missionary team did not hesitate to follow him on the basis of this call. But he let their wrong go unpunished and by his actions showed that Christians are not out for personal vengeance. AND IT CAME TO PASS, AND WE WENT TO PRA 40 Silas was almost necessary as a companion for Paul. Our series on Acts and the early church continues with the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey. Summary. damsel O taste and see that the Lord is good (Ps. God guides us along the way, to just the right place. 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." _Into the_ _proseucha_: Acts 16:13, and Luke 6:12. 1:20). with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. At the time, Paul probably had no idea of the greatness of Gods purpose. i. The authorities sent word to let these men go. Because demons are created beings, not gods themselves, we suppose that they cannot read minds, nor actually foretell the future. That is, As the They came and took them from prison and begged them to leave town. It is used here because the python was associated with the god Apollonot far from Philippi, in this very area of Europe, there was a shrine to the Pythian Apollo. (Boice). Are we out of the will of God? Being in the will of God is not a guarantee of protection from trials. Tap the title next to the arrow to get thatdocument. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay. So she persuaded us. was no heralding of the gospel which was to transform Europe. (2 Corinthians 11:23), ii. Acts 16:16-18 Spirit of Divination. And fifty days after the Passover, the second major Jewish feast, the Feast of Pentecost, or the Feast of Ingathering. (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. i. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, A certain disciple was there, named Timothy, son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews in that region, as they went through the cities, the delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily, They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them, And a vision appeared to Paul in the night, 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, From there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, On the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made, The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul, She begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay., A certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination brought her masters much profit, This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation., I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her, Her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, Exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe, When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely the inner prison fastened their feet in the stocks, But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, all the doors were opened and everyones chains were loosed, The keeper of the prisonwas about to kill himself, Paul called with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm, for we are all here., Ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house, And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, And immediately he and all his family were baptized, The magistrates have sent to let you go.