THEN HE CAME TO DERBE AND LYSTRA. AND BEHOLD, A CERTAIN DISCIPLE WAS THERE, NAMED TIMOTHY, _THE_ SON OF A CERTAIN JEWISH WOMAN WHO BELIEVED, BUT HIS FATHER _WAS_ GREEK. 1. We are now introduced to Timothy. 1. Paul wrote two letters to him - 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. 2. His mother, Eunice, was a Je... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS WELL SPOKEN OF BY THE BRETHREN WHO WERE AT LYSTRA AND ICONIUM. 1. Timothy was quickly rising in the faith. He was highly recommended by the churches in this area. 2. Here Lystra and Iconium are mentioned as places that know of, and recommend, Timothy. Some believe this shows his home town w... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL WANTED TO HAVE HIM GO ON WITH HIM. 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. 1. Paul wanted to have Timothy travel with him as he continued his missionary journey. 2. It was Paul's "modus operandi" to enter... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS THEY WENT THROUGH THE CITIES, THEY DELIVERED TO THEM THE DECREES TO KEEP, WHICH WERE DETERMINED BY THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS AT JERUSALEM. 1. As Paul, Silas and Timothy begin to travel - they deliver the letter from Jerusalem in each church. Even if this was not a problem - it would prevent it... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE CHURCHES WERE STRENGTHENED IN THE FAITH, AND INCREASED IN NUMBER DAILY. 1. When a problem is resolved - the church grows. The church grew: 1. After the problem of feeding widows in Acts 6:1-15. 2. After the persecution stopped with the conversion of Saul in Acts 9:1-43. 3. After the Jerus... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THEY HAD GONE THROUGH PHRYGIA AND THE REGION OF GALATIA, THEY WERE FORBIDDEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PREACH THE WORD IN ASIA. 1. They are now leaving the region where Paul preached on his first mission trip. He is now heading into new territory. 2. The region of Galatia, would later receive... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THEY HAD COME TO MYSIA, THEY TRIED TO GO INTO BITHYNIA, BUT THE SPIRIT DID NOT PERMIT THEM. 1. Here is barrier number two. They are not allowed to go into Bithynia. 2. We are not told how they were prevented from going into Bithynia. 1. It could be in some direct way - God speaking to Paul,... [ Continue Reading ]
SO PASSING BY MYSIA, THEY CAME DOWN TO TROAS. 1. Prevented from heading north, they headed west. They came to the seacoast town of Troas. 2. Troas is the city (and region) of the Greek Trojans. 3. Troas will be the place that we will learn about later as Paul travels there in Acts 20:1-38.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. While we are not told how the Spirit forbid them in going to Asia and Bithynia, we are told here that the direction and leading came in the form of a vision... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AFTER HE HAD SEEN THE VISION, IMMEDIATELY WE SOUGHT TO GO TO MACEDONIA, CONCLUDING THAT THE LORD HAD CALLED US TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THEM. 1. There is no hesitation. Paul was prevented from going other directions. Now there is a new direction to go. 2. "When God closes a door, He opens a win... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, SAILING FROM TROAS, WE RAN A STRAIGHT COURSE TO SAMOTHRACE, AND THE NEXT _DAY_ CAME TO NEAPOLIS, 1. They sailed from Troas and made a straight course to Samothrace. 2. This means, this was not a tour trip with stops and the many islands along the way. This was not an excursion, it was a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FROM THERE TO PHILIPPI, WHICH IS THE FOREMOST CITY OF THAT PART OF MACEDONIA, A COLONY. AND WE WERE STAYING IN THAT CITY FOR SOME DAYS. 1. This city was rebuilt and repaired by the father of Alexander the Great, Philip. 2. It was the larger and better city in the region of Macedonia. 3. It wa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ON THE SABBATH DAY WE WENT OUT OF THE CITY TO THE RIVERSIDE, WHERE PRAYER WAS CUSTOMARILY MADE; AND WE SAT DOWN AND SPOKE TO THE WOMEN WHO MET _THERE._ 1. As Paul usually did, when the Sabbath day arrived, he would seek where Jews gathered. It appears that in Philippi there was no official syna... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW A CERTAIN WOMAN NAMED LYDIA HEARD _US._ SHE WAS A SELLER OF PURPLE FROM THE CITY OF THYATIRA, WHO WORSHIPED GOD. THE LORD OPENED HER HEART TO HEED THE THINGS SPOKEN BY PAUL. 1. So far the specific examples of conversion have been groups (Pentecost, Samaria) or men (Saul, Cornelius, Ethiopian).... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. We are not given the details of the message. It was the gospel. 2. She was ready to accept. She was ready to obey. She was... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. As WE went to prayer - This is the first of the "WE" passages. When Luke, the author is along with Paul, he includes himself with... [ Continue Reading ]
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. " 1. She followed Paul - and us (showing Luke was present). 2. She was declaring that these men are the servants of God. 1. Sometimes we are honored b... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS SHE DID FOR MANY DAYS. BUT PAUL, GREATLY ANNOYED, TURNED AND SAID TO THE SPIRIT, " I COMMAND YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST TO COME OUT OF HER. " AND HE CAME OUT THAT VERY HOUR. 1. If this were an isolated event - Paul could just ignore it. 2. But this went on for several days. 3. Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN HER MASTERS SAW THAT THEIR HOPE OF PROFIT WAS GONE, THEY SEIZED PAUL AND SILAS AND DRAGGED _THEM_ INTO THE MARKETPLACE TO THE AUTHORITIES. 1. The owners of this slave girl saw their gravy train coming to a halt. Their profit was gone. They would make no more money from this girl. 2. They... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY BROUGHT THEM TO THE MAGISTRATES, AND SAID, " THESE MEN, BEING JEWS, EXCEEDINGLY TROUBLE OUR CITY; 1. Paul and Silas are now before these rulers. 2. The charge - 1. These men are Jews. 2. They trouble our city. 3. The "trouble" is any problem, agitation, or disturbance.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY TEACH CUSTOMS WHICH ARE NOT LAWFUL FOR US, BEING ROMANS, TO RECEIVE OR OBSERVE. " 1. They are teaching customs that are not lawful for us. 2. John Gill writes, "it was not lawful to receive, observe, and worship, a new or strange deity, without the decree of the senate.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE MULTITUDE ROSE UP TOGETHER AGAINST THEM; AND THE MAGISTRATES TORE OFF THEIR CLOTHES AND COMMANDED _THEM_ TO BE BEATEN WITH RODS. 1. Now the rest of the population become involved. 2. The magistrates tear their clothes, a sign of grief, anger or distress. 3. Paul and Silas are beaten with... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY HAD LAID MANY STRIPES ON THEM, THEY THREW _THEM_ INTO PRISON, COMMANDING THE JAILER TO KEEP THEM SECURELY. 1. Many stripes - The Jews were limited to 40 stripes and usually gave 39 so they would be sure not to go over the limit. (Deuteronomy 25:3) The Romans had no such restrictions.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING RECEIVED SUCH A CHARGE, HE PUT THEM INTO THE INNER PRISON AND FASTENED THEIR FEET IN THE STOCKS. 1. The inner prison means that there were multiple walls, doors, gates that had to be overcome to escape. Even if one were to free themselves from the stocks, they still had to get out of several... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AT MIDNIGHT PAUL AND SILAS WERE PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD, AND THE PRISONERS WERE LISTENING TO THEM. 1. Prisons were dark, damp dungeons. But in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were singing and praying. Not just in their thoughts. They were singing out loud. They were praying so... [ Continue Reading ]
SUDDENLY THERE WAS A GREAT EARTHQUAKE, SO THAT THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE PRISON WERE SHAKEN; AND IMMEDIATELY ALL THE DOORS WERE OPENED AND EVERYONE ' S CHAINS WERE LOOSED. 1. Earthquake - Earthquakes were (and still are) common in this region. The fact that there was an earthquake seems to be taken in... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KEEPER OF THE PRISON, AWAKING FROM SLEEP AND SEEING THE PRISON DOORS OPEN, SUPPOSING THE PRISONERS HAD FLED, DREW HIS SWORD AND WAS ABOUT TO KILL HIMSELF. 1. The jailer wakes up from his sleep. With the prisoners secured, the doors locked, and all the other guards in place, he was comfortab... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PAUL CALLED WITH A LOUD VOICE, SAYING, " DO YOURSELF NO HARM, FOR WE ARE ALL HERE. " 1. Paul intervenes. There is no need for the jailer to kill himself. ALL the prisoners have remained. None have escaped. 2. How is is possible that all the chains are off, all the doors are open? Yet not one p... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE CALLED FOR A LIGHT, RAN IN, AND FELL DOWN TREMBLING BEFORE PAUL AND SILAS. 1. The jailer calls for a light. He wanted to see that all are still in place. 2. He also wanted to see Paul and Silas. Somehow he knew that they were, in some way, responsible for all the prisoners remaining. 3. T... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE BROUGHT THEM OUT AND SAID, " SIRS, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? " 1. "What must I do to be saved?" - The question is vital for all men. 2. Notice what Paul and Silas did NOT say: 1. They did not say - here is a long list of all the candles to light, prayers to repeat, incense to burn, passa... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEY SAID, " BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND YOU WILL BE SAVED, YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD. " 1. They told the jailer to BELIEVE. 2. Some have suggested that baptism is not important because it is not commanded here. 3. Here is my response: 1. A family leaves from Michigan to go to Disney W... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY SPOKE THE WORD OF THE LORD TO HIM AND TO ALL WHO WERE IN HIS HOUSE. 1. Following this command to believe, Paul begins to teach him about Jesus. He spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all in his household. 2. Again, some have tried to include infants here. Not true. Those in the hous... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE TOOK THEM THE SAME HOUR OF THE NIGHT AND WASHED _THEIR_ STRIPES. AND IMMEDIATELY HE AND ALL HIS FAMILY WERE BAPTIZED. 1. Same hour of the night - I have baptized people at 7 in the morning, at midnight, at all hours of the day and night. 2. Salvation is at stake. Why wait? 3. This family w... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN HE HAD BROUGHT THEM INTO HIS HOUSE, HE SET FOOD BEFORE THEM; AND HE REJOICED, HAVING BELIEVED IN GOD WITH ALL HIS HOUSEHOLD. 1. This verse proves that the household of the jailer did not include infants. "Having believed in God with all his household." All in his house were able to believe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN IT WAS DAY, THE MAGISTRATES SENT THE OFFICERS, SAYING, " LET THOSE MEN GO. " 1. Some time later, the sun begins to rise on a new day. 2. The city rulers have decided to release Paul and Silas. 3. It would appear that after the teaching, the baptism and the meal, Paul and Silas returned t... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE KEEPER OF THE PRISON REPORTED THESE WORDS TO PAUL, SAYING, " THE MAGISTRATES HAVE SENT TO LET YOU GO. NOW THEREFORE DEPART, AND GO IN PEACE. " 1. The warden comes in to give the news to Paul. 2. As far as the keeper of the prison knows, Paul has been in prison all night. 3. Depart and go i... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PAUL SAID TO THEM, " THEY HAVE BEATEN US OPENLY, UNCONDEMNED ROMANS, _AND_ HAVE THROWN _US_ INTO PRISON. AND NOW DO THEY PUT US OUT SECRETLY? NO INDEED! LET THEM COME THEMSELVES AND GET US OUT. " 1. Now Paul makes a legal point. 1. Paul lets these men know that he is a Roman citizen. 2. Roman... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE OFFICERS TOLD THESE WORDS TO THE MAGISTRATES, AND THEY WERE AFRAID WHEN THEY HEARD THAT THEY WERE ROMANS. 1. Learning that Paul was a Roman citizen was a shock. 2. They were afraid of the repercussions. If word gets out, these magistrates could be in serious trouble.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY CAME AND PLEADED WITH THEM AND BROUGHT _THEM_ OUT, AND ASKED _THEM_ TO DEPART FROM THE CITY. 1. Now they come, not as high and mighty rulers, but humble, begging Paul not to sue them or pursue it to higher courts. 2. They escorted them out of the prison and to the edge of town.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. They left the prison and went to see Lydia, the first convert in Philippi. 2. They encouraged all the brethren. We do not know how many converts there have be... [ Continue Reading ]