_Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and behold a certain disciple was
there, named Timotheus._
TIMOTHEUS
1. The first of Paul’s missionary journeys reached its furthest
limit at Lystra--the most uncivilised place he ever visited. Even
here, however, he left a Church which he now found standing stea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him would Paul have to go forth with him._
USING NEW CONVERTS
It is good for young converts to be set at work; it is good for them.
It is good for every Church to set its young converts at work; it is
good for the Church. “All at it, and always at it,” was the old
Wesleyan cry. And it was in that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia._
PAUL’S FIRST VISIT TO GALATIA, A.D. 51 OR 52
The form of the Greek expression implies that Phrygia and Galatia are
not to be regarded as separate districts--but the land originally
inhabited by Phrygians, but subsequently occupi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas and a vision appeared to
Paul in the night._
PAUL’S VISION AT TROAS
I. Its benevolence. What is the gospel? Help for man. It helps man--
1. To know God.
2. To preach Christ.
3. To promote civilisation.
II. Its influence. It recognises--
1. The ind... [ Continue Reading ]
_And from thence to Philippi._
PHILIPPI
The apostle had not paused at Samothrace--an island celebrated for its
sanctity and its amulets, its gods and orgies, its Cybele and
Cobira--a scene where the mysteries of Eastern and Western
superstition seem to have met and blended. Nor did he stop at
Neapo... [ Continue Reading ]
_And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side where
prayer was wont to be made._
THE DUTY OF CHRIST’S SERVANTS WHEN FROM HOME
This may be gathered from what the apostles did not do, and what they
did when they reached Philippi.
I. Negatively. They did not--
1. Give up going to pray... [ Continue Reading ]
_She was baptized and her household._
INFANT BAPTISM
I. Although from the earliest days infant baptism has been practised,
there are some who deny its scriptural authority.
1. At first sight their position seems to be a strong one, when they
say, “Where is there any command for it?” In reply to t... [ Continue Reading ]
_A certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination._
THE PYTHONESS
The words, literally, are as in the margin, a spirit of Python, or, as
some MSS. give it, a Python spirit. The Python was the serpent
worshipped at Delphi, as the symbol of wisdom, from which the Pythian
priestesses and Apollo,... [ Continue Reading ]
_These men are servants of the Most High God and show to us the way of
salvation._
THE CONFESSION OF THE GIRL
What a strange thing have we here! the devil preaching the gospel; at
least confirming the word of those who preached it. How was it that
the prince of darkness could thus support the men w... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone._
APOSTOLIC DUTY AND VICISSITUDES
I. Christ’s servants will use whatever power they possess to set the
slaves of Satan free. Paul did not act from mere impulse, but upon the
principle of compassion with which all true Christians are a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And suddenly there was a great earthquake._
THE EARTHQUAKE AT PHILIPPI
A miraculous act of the breaker of all bonds.
I. He breaks the bonds of tribulation, when His elect call to Him day
and night (Paul and Silas).
II. He tears asunder the fetters of sin, when bound souls sigh after
Him (the ja... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the keeper of the prison … would have killed himself._
SUICIDE
Suicide is not to fear death, but yet to be afraid of life. It is a
brave act of valour to contemn death; but where life is more terrible
than death, it is then the truest valour to dare to live; and herein
religion has taught us... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling._
THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER
I. The state of his mind before conversion.
1. He was a careless sinner. This appears not so much from his
official acts; for the guilt of persecution rested on the people and
magistrates: but from his conduct a... [ Continue Reading ]
_What must I do to be saved?_
…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
THE GREAT QUESTION AND THE PLAIN ANSWER
The keeper of a Macedonian gaol was not likely to be a very nervous or
susceptible person. And so the extraordinary state of agitation and
panic into which this rough j... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in
his house._
HOUSEHOLD SALVATION
It sometimes happens that a good man has to go alone to heaven:
God’s election has separated him from the midst of an ungodly
family. But though grace does not run in the blood, yet it frequently... [ Continue Reading ]