VIII. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. When you are wronged, entrust your soul to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. THE HEALING OF THE GIRL POSSESSED WITH THE PYTHON SPIRIT (16:16-18). So the magistrates came begging to Paul and Silas. 16-30, Ezekiel 37:21-28). A jailer was charged to watch them. So far, we've seen how the gospel has spread throughout Judea and Samaria, all the way up to modern-day Lebanon and Syria. Save yourselves, &c. That is, "See that you lay these things to heart; receiving them with such regard, as the importance of the case requires. The Preaching forbidden in Asia (Acts 16:6). . But we will be treated wrongly, at work and at home. These stocks had more than two holes for legs, which could thus be forced apart in a such a way as to cause the utmost discomfort and cramping pain. (Bruce), iii. There was an old chaplain general of the British Army Bishop John Taylor Smith who used a unique test on candidates for the chaplaincy. Acts 16:40 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ] Acts 16:40, NIV: After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them.Then they left. It is false teaching that Christians are exempt from the common trials that come upon the entire human race: sickness, poverty, tragedies, and death. He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. The narrative of Acts 16 in particular also indicates some contextual similarity with the African context: the expression 2.His thesis raises important points relating to salvation that may need to be explored further. Paul and Silas would not have been rejoicing in the Lord in the dungeon at midnight under these awful circumstances if it had not been a regular part of their everyday lives. But they didnt mention that when they dragged Paul and Silas before the authorities. Posted: February 16, 2023. The work, under the Spirit, opens to the glory of the Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. By rights, Paul could have had their heads if he had taken his case to a higher authority. : in R.V., accusative, secrets about their lives. They were singing because their hearts were full of praise toward God and the joy of His salvation. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. In times of trial, Satan tempts us to think things like, If God exists and if He is good, why didnt He protect you from this extreme situation? As Peter goes on to show, and as Paul and Silas here exemplify, the solution is to resist the devil by being firm in our faith in the Almighty God. Presumably this was because demons gave her supernatural insight into the lives of others. We do not know firsthand the true meaning of the word persecution. Perhaps some of you may have felt ostracized at work or have been passed over for a promotion because you are a Christian. I wish that Paul had said, Rejoice in the Lord as a general rule. But, always? So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. TIPPER CAPACITY, 34" X 40" MAX DIE / MOLD AREA **Loading Fee Due the "ERRA" CARY SPECIALIZED SERVICES, INC. $200.00, prices valid until MARCH 16, 2023 SEE PRICING SPECIFICS** Auction Details BCS AIS - POSTPONED . Strong churches will naturally increase in number daily, without relying on man-centered and manipulative methods. Verses 1-5 illustrates the successful ministry there by a threefold description (Witham) --- A divining spirit, which pretended to foretell things to A fortune-telling female slave, who brought much money to her owners And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? i. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews in that region: Paul had Timothy circumcised, not for the sake of his salvation (Paul would never do so) but so there would be less to hinder ministry among the Jews. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition The Lockman Foundation, Related Topics: Character of God, Faith, Suffering, Trials, Persecution, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. Greek. The fact is, most of us as Americans have never experienced any serious violation of our religious rights. You can check these in your browser security settings. iii. 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. Due to the sweetness and greatness of this work, there is a proverb in Tamil which says, "Thiruvasagathukku . Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. Pauls action helped hold these men accountable to carry out justice for others who would be accused of some crime. (dep.) Increasingly, our religious rights are being violated in the interest of so-called neutrality. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that nude dancing was entitled to considerable legal protection as expressive behavior, but they struck down student elections permitting speech that might be used for prayer prior to high school football games. Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! The demon came out that very hour. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 2:14). As G. Campbell Morgan observes, He did not sing because he was to be let out of prison. As we went to prayer , Into the proseucha: Acts 16:13, and Luke 6:12.The article, , is added here by ABCE, several others, Origen and Theophylact: thus makes the place more emphatic, and seems to determine the above meaning of to be right-not the act of prayer or praying to God, but the place, the . By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Acts 16:16. There was great indignation that Roman citizens should be molested by strolling peddlers of an outlandish religion. According to the estimate of William Barclay, the first missionary journey finished about five years before the events of this chapter. a. The demon came out that very hour. The safety Trainer in partnership with management and Human . New International Version. b. _Vulg_. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 18She continued doing this for several days. Acts 16 Commentary; Acts 16; J VERNON MCGEE. Acts 16:30-34 What must I do to be Saved? And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. The conversion of the Jailer in Philippi Acts 16:16-40: At a place of prayer in Philippi Paul and Silas came across a girl that had a spirit of divination. 16:7. At some time you will be falsely accused. An earthquake opened the prison doors and caused all the shackles to fall off. And, in addition to these common trials, we can expect even more trials because we are Christians. They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them: After the attempt to go to Asia, Paul sought to go north into Bithynia, but was again prevented by the Holy Spirit. Most certainly not! He uses circumcision in all liberty Most certainly not! certain damsel met us_ (that is, met Paul and his three companions) _ (G1096) Acts 16:1 - Timotheus; Acts 16:10 - we Lord had . The authorities sent word to let these men go. Some have worried that Pauls invitation to salvation here is too easy, and would promote a too-easy faith or a cheap grace. The accusing and abusing of Paul and Silas for it, their imprisonment, and the indignities done them, ver 19-24. 326 1837 vg arm), which has been replaced in some manuscripts (45 C3 The Extension of the Church to Juda and Samaria (Acts 8:4 to Acts 11:18)The Christians, scattered by persecution, preach everywhere through Judaea and Samaria. a. Sirs, what must I do be saved? masters much gain by soothsaying"Going to the place of prayer" Ac 16-24 Satan, though the father of lies, will declare the most For all they knew, they would be executed the next day, or left to die a slow death in prison. The incident in Philippi took place probably in the fall of A.D. 50, and so anti-Jewish sentiment was running high. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. As a result of the numerous miracles performed through Paul and Peter, the church grows daily. As Roman citizens, Paul and Silas had a right to a trial before any punishment. TIMOTHY WORKS WITH PAUL AND SILAS, 16:1-5 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great (Matt. It is possible that they didnt have the opportunity, but it is more likely that the Holy Spirit directed them to not reveal it until a certain time. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, Let those men go. So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Acts 16:16-34. This shows how repentant he was and how he followed the example of love shown by Paul and Silas. certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her However, the jailers household was not saved merely because he was; Paul came and spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. "The jailer called for lights and rushed in to the prison. Now therefore depart, and go in peace: If Paul and Silas were released the day after their beating, arrest, and imprisonment, why did God send the earthquake? So Paul and Silas went out of the prison, and entered into Lydias house to see and encourage the brethren; then Paul and Silas departed." Those prison walls had probably never heard such a sound. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. This is salvation by grace alone, received by faith alone. i. of P And it came about that, as we were going to the place of prayer, a masters much gain by soothsaying: Wise, I: NEW /E OF THE BABYLONIAN TALMU. apostle Paul. WENT TO PRAYER; went towards the place where their public prayers were Paul, beautifully responsive to the Holy Spirit, was willing to lay down his will and his plans for the direction that the Holy Spirit brings. i. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. As you know, when he later wrote to this Philippian church from a prison cell in Rome, the major theme of that letter was joy in the Lord in spite of our circumstances. Commentary on the Book of Acts Paul and Silas: Acts 16. by Ed Rickard. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Holy S Acts 16:1. Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!' , . One way or another, Paul and his company got the message. So Paul went to bring Macedonia the gospel the best possible help. 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. The late Romanian pastor, Richard Wurmbrand, spent 14 years in prison for preaching the gospel, three in solitary confinement in a dark cell. The Holy Spirit often guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors. The other prisoners were listening to them. As WE went to prayer - This i "And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that. Her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone: This explains why Paul and Silas were treated so badly. 4:4). her son, had embraced the faith. Now, they found Timothy gro WE WERE MET BY A SLAVE GIRL. Today, much of what fortune-tellers and psychics do is only a money making sham. That couple was in Peru to serve Jesus Christ. For though the Greek noun here is without i Paul and Silas Imprisoned That convicts me of my lack of joy and my grumbling over the minor irritations in my life! Scripture commands us, Delight yourself in the Lord (Ps. Many of Gods faithful saints have died for their faith, but like John Hus, who was betrayed and burned at the stake, they die singing. view of the recent decision of the council. 5:3-5). ( Acts 16:1-2) Paul meets Timothy in Lystra. with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much Journey into Europe, Philippi. damsel It was a strange and wonderful church they left behind in Philippi: Lydia, perhaps the slave girl, the jailer and his household, and others. 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. Timothy had a believing mother with a Jewish background (son of a certain Jewish woman who believed), and a (presumably) unbelieving Greek father. The demon inside the girl kept shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved" (16:17). It was actually reasonable for them to wonder when the rest of the New Covenant would be fulfilled. In light of the economic populism evident in the Progressive-era Social Gospel movement, one might expect religious studies scholars to exhibit some modestly reformist attitudes, but the field is pre-occupied with radical LGBTQ themes. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved: Pauls answer to the keeper of the prison is a classic statement of the essence of the gospel. ii. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. First, there were the false accusations. Acts 16:16-40. POSSESSED WITH A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION MET US, WHO BROUGHT HER MASTERS The accusing and abusing of Paul and Silas for it, their imprisonment, and the indignities done them (v. 19-24). This was a big step, perhaps bigger than Paul even knew. _._ Beyer, 45f. Is depression a sin? 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV) For I delivered to you as of first impo Acts 16:6-10 Phrygia, Bithynia, Mysia. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Maybe youre wondering, Does trusting God mean that we should never stand up for our rights? This is how God wants our lives to be: Natural magnets drawing people to Him. The Python was the s ACTSNOTE ON ACTS 16:11 Philippi was the first Macedonian city in As well, the multitude and the magistrates felt free to abuse Paul and Silas because they assumed they were not Roman citizens. O, but he did! Demons cast out of a damsel. But that would depend on where in the city he was and what kind of worship he came to perform. We have four men who are under a vow. How could Paul and Silas prove their Roman citizenship? Luke notes that the prisoners were listening to them (16:25). And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. As John Piper rightly states, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. How can we know when it is right to defend ourselves and when we should simply yield our rights? Under Roman law and custom, guards who allowed their prisoners to escape received the penalty of their escaped prisoners. We see that the earthquake had absolutely nothing to do with freeing Paul and Silas from prison. This should be rendered as in above been forbidden of the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia.' And this she did for many days. He was a believer. The crowd rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore the clothes off Paul and Silas, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. Such people had to be taught to know their proper place and not trouble their betters. (Bruce). They may each have carried a copy of his professio or registration of birth, in which his Roman status would have been recorded. Like the children of Israel in the wilderness, they think that they would be happier back in slavery in Egypt than to be with God and His provision in the wilderness. David Livingstone wanted to go to China, but God sent him to Africa. Acts 16:35-40. But Paul could not land in Europe in the power of the Holy Spirit iii. Tap a Lookup below to generate a list oflessons. thin A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger, Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary, College Press Bible Study Textbook Series, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch, G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851), Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible, Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament, Marginal Notes in the King James Version (1611), Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible, NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols), Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament, Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary, Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith, Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set). masters much gain by the giving of oracles.' Paul and Silas in Prison. Let those men go: In societies that recognize few rights for their citizens it is common for one to be arrested, beaten, imprisoned and then quickly and unexpectedly released. Acts 16:16-18 Spirit of Divination. There was certainly nothing wrong with Pauls desire to preach the word in Asia; but it wasnt Gods timing, so this was forbidden by the Holy Spirit. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, 'Don't harm yourself: we are all here!' ii. This man was more affected by the love and grace demonstrated by Paul and Silas than by the earthquake. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. Pioneer preacher J. W. McGarvey (1829-1911), commenting in his famous "Commentary on Acts" on the apostle Paul's vision of the invitation to go into Macedonia (see Acts 16), made some . certain maid having. This was as dramatic as it sounds. Because of Deuteronomy 23:1 (see also Leviticus 21:16-23) some assume that the eunuch would have been forbidden from doing in Jerusalem what Acts says he came to do: worship. So Paul and Silas went out of the prison, and entered into Lydias house to see and encourage the brethren; then Paul and Silas departed.". The Roman emperor Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome in A.D. 49. In the Roman Empire there were two very different laws: one for citizens of the Roman Empire, and one for those who were not citizens. c. Exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. (Acts 16:25-28). a. But the overflow of their worship was witness. FORTUNE-TELLING was forbidden in the OT _CRITICAL REMARKS_ He asked them to say how they would speak to a man injured in battle, who had three minutes to live, how to be saved and come to peace with God.