_THE CALL OF TIMOTHY_ ‘Then came he to Derbe and Lystra; and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus … Him would Paul have to go forth with him.’ Acts 16:1 We now enter upon what is called St. Paul’s ‘Second Missionary Journey.’ Leaving Antioch, in company with Silas, ‘recommended b... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE VISION AT TROAS_ ‘And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.’ Acts 16:9 The three earliest missionaries of the Cross are standing on the western shores of Asia Minor. The setting sun was touching... [ Continue Reading ]
_LYDIA_ ‘And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.’ Acts 16:14 It is at a prayer-meeting that we first make acquaintance with Lydia. An ope... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE RELIGION OF THE HEART_ ‘Whose heart the Lord opened.’ Acts 16:14 These words have not been selected with a view to dwell upon the incident with which they stand connected, full though it be of tender interest and manifold instruction, We take the words as setting forth the indispensable impo... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER_ ‘What must I do to be saved?’ Acts 16:30 The work at Philippi went on successfully. It commenced at a prayer-meeting. It went on quietly. It seemed as if nothing could be better. The first convert was Lydia, a woman of wealth and position; the possessed slave-girl was the... [ Continue Reading ]
_PAUL’S ADVICE TO THE JAILER_ ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt he saved, and thy house.’ Acts 16:31 Some assert that this heathen jailer could know nothing about salvation through Jesus Christ, and that therefore the question he uttered must have referred to bodily safety. But he... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE JAILER’S CONVERSION_ ‘And when he had brought them into his house he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.’ Acts 16:34 The jailer was brought near to the unseen world by the danger he had escaped: and as the light shone around he saw his past life, and the... [ Continue Reading ]