Acts 16 – Pau’s 2nd Missionary Journey Begins
Missionaries on the Journey
- Paul – splits with Barnabas over contention concerning John Mark
- Silas
- Replaces Barnabas as Paul’s primary companion.
- A prophet from Jerusalem sent to Antioch by Apostles and elders of Jerusalem to bear witness of the letter concerning the essentials all disciples should keep (abstain from: (1) things contaminated by idols, (2) what is strangled and blood, and (3) fornication)
- Luke – A physician (Col 4:14) and the author of Acts
- Timothy
- Son of a Hebrew mother, who was a believer, and a Greek father. (v. 1)
- A well-spoken of disciple. (v. 2)
- Becomes a young preacher in Ephesus ( 1 Timothy 1:3, 1 Timothy 4:12)
Expedient acts versus those of command/Law of Christ
- Why circumcise Timothy, when the circumcision of Titus was refused? (Gal 2: 3-5)
- False teachers (Pharisees who had become Christians) demanded that Titus be circumcised to keep the Law of Moses.
- For these false teachers, Jesus was not enough.
- They demanded that the Law of Moses be adhered to.
- No man, but Jesus alone, could keep the Law perfectly.
- For these false teachers, Jesus was not enough.
- False teachers (Pharisees who had become Christians) demanded that Titus be circumcised to keep the Law of Moses.
- False teachers should know better.
- They had accepted the grace and mercy of Jesus (Titus 3:1-10, Colossians 2:8-14).
- To, with the conscience, keep the law is to condemn oneself to condemnation.
- Nonbelieving Jews would find an uncircumcised teacher to be a stumbling block.
- How could someone who doesn’t even abide in the covenant of Abraham teach about God?
- Timothy was known by the Jews in the area, Lystra and Iconium, to have a Greek father.
- We are to be all things to all men in order to save them (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
God’s providence.
- To save souls in Europe, God closed doors to Paul.
- Holy Spirit forbids them to speak the word in Asia (v. 6).
- Spirit of Jesus prevents them to go to Bithynia (v. 7).
- Paul receives the vision of a Macedonian man who says, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (v. 9)
- Similar to the vision Peter received to begin preaching the word to Gentiles (Acts 10:9-16)
- God uses an earthquake, prison doors opening, and loosened chains to wake up the Philippian jailer both literally (awoke from sleep) and figuratively (heart). (vs. 25-30)
- Note: Though signs and miracles are no longer needed or used to verify God’s word (1 Cor 13: 8-13), He continues to work in our lives through providence.
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
What must I do to be saved?
- Lydia and her household
- The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul (v. 14).
- This response was baptism (v. 15).
- Philippian jailer
- Told to believe in the Lord Jesus. (v. 31)
- To accomplish this:
- Paul spoke the word of the Lord (v. 32).
- The jailer and his household were immediately baptized (v. 33).
- NOTE – The jailer rejoiced greatly having believed in God. This saving belief was not accomplished prior to baptism (v. 34).
- Salvation does not occur prior to baptism.
- 1 Peter 3:21 – “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – to the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (Romans 6)
- Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
- James 2:19 – “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”
Hospitality
- Lydia prevailed upon Paul and his companions to stay in her house. (v. 15)
- The Philippian jailer takes Paul and Silas to his home and sets food before them. (v. 34)
- Hospitality is expected and commanded of Christians time and again.
- Acts 2:44-46 – After Pentecost, new converts were always together, breaking bread from house to house.
- Romans 12:13 – “contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”
- Titus 1:8, 1 Timothy 3:2 and 5:10 – Qualifications for elders and widows in deed.
- 1 Peter 4:9, “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”
- Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
- Hospitality is expected and commanded of Christians time and again.
Christians are not a threat to government and may appeal to civil rights.
- Paul refuses to leave prison unless magistrates release them personally, thereby admitting that they were wrong. (vs. 37-39)
- Paul demands proper treatment as a citizen of Rome on other occasions
- To not be scourged (Romans 22:25)
- To be tried as a Roman and not as a Jew (Romans 25:10-11)
- We should assume that governments can be reasonable and give them a chance to correct a wrong. (v. 39)
- We are never to give legitimate reasons to the government for punishment. (1 Peter 4:15-16)
- Paul demands proper treatment as a citizen of Rome on other occasions