Bible Studies
Acts 16 opens by mentioning a disciple "named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek." Paul wanted to take him along on a missionary journey because "...he was well spoken of by the brethren..." (verses 1-2).
Paul and those with him were visiting cities and churches, but were "forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia." Then they were stopped from entering Bithynia because " the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them." Twice we see in verses 6-7 that the men were prohibited by the Holy Spirit from taking the course they had planned. The queestion is how and why? The context does not tell us, yet. It is revealed later in the chapter.
Paul had a vision about going to Macedonia anbd considered it to be an open door. In what was going to be a time of prayer down by a riverside turned out to be a witnessing opportunity. Women were gathered there. Paul began speaking. A woman named Lydia was listening, and "the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul" (14). Paul recognized an opportunity as a result of his course being changed. A new convert was added to the Church. Do you see the big picture here? At the same time that God changed the course of the disciples and led them to a new location, he provided a witnessing opportunity and prepared the heart of one to receive the message of the gospel.
Verse 16 once again mentions going to a "place of prayer." This time the disciples met a girl with a "spirit of divination," who was bringing much profit through fortunetelling. Paul recognized that she had a demon and performed an excorcism. He commanded the demon to come out "in the name of Jesus Christ." Remember, whenever someone is exorcised or healed, it must be done in the name of Jesus. There is no power in anyone else.
Paul's change of course by the Holy Spirit was confirmed by these two ways: the opportunity to share the gospel, and the casting out of a demon. When God changes our course it will always be to his glory and to reveal his power.
What had happened and had been spoken caused quite a stir, however, among the people and government officials. The crowd rose up against them. They were beaten. Paul and Silas were thrown in prison just because the people didn't like what they had heard. But God was once again going to reveal his power.
Verse 25 opens a new section of the chapter. Paul and Silas are praying and singing praises to God. The prisoners were listening. Then God supernaturally intervened and opened the gates of the prison through a great earthquake. The jailer shuddered with fear and was about to kill himself when Paul cried out to him. It prompted the jailer to ask, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas said, "Believe in the name of the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household." Talk about an opportunity to share the gospel looking at you square in the face! That jailer had quite a story to tell when he got home that day. Also, once again we see the emphasis on the houselhold. The entire family was saved and baptized.
The chapter closes with the fear of the government leaders after learning that they had imprisoned people who were Romans. They were then asked to leave the city. They ended up staying in the home of Lydia, the new convert, and encouraged the other Christians, until they departed.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever been forced to change your plans only to see God at work? How did you see God at work?
2. Has God ever provided you with an unmistakable opportunity to share the gospel?
3. Now that we are over half-way through the Book of Acts, what parallels do you see between this book and what is going on in the world today, particularly as it concerns Christians?
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