1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father [was] a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 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.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next [day] to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, [and] a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted [thither].
14 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.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us], saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew [them] into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them].
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast [them] into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed [their] stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast [us] into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought [them] out, and desired [them] to depart out of the city.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into [the house of] Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
Overview of Acts Chapter 16
Acts Chapter 16 is a pivotal chapter in the New Testament that highlights the missionary journeys of Paul and his companions. It showcases the expansion of the early Christian church into new territories, the challenges faced by the apostles, and the transformative power of faith. The chapter can be divided into several key sections that illustrate the growth of the church and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Key Sections of Acts Chapter 16
1. The Call to Macedonia (Verses 6-10)
In this section, Paul and his companions are guided by the Holy Spirit to travel to Macedonia. This marks a significant moment in the spread of Christianity as it moves from Asia to Europe.
- Divine Guidance: Paul receives a vision of a man from Macedonia urging him to come and help them.
- Response to the Call: Paul and his companions immediately set sail, demonstrating their commitment to following God’s direction.
2. The Conversion of Lydia (Verses 11-15)
Upon arriving in Philippi, Paul and his team encounter Lydia, a wealthy woman who becomes the first recorded convert in Europe.
- Meeting by the River: Paul and his companions go to a place of prayer by the river where they meet Lydia.
- Open Heart: Lydia’s heart is opened by the Lord, leading her to accept the message of Paul.
- Baptism: Lydia and her household are baptized, and she offers hospitality to Paul and his companions.
3. The Slave Girl with a Spirit of Divination (Verses 16-18)
This section describes an encounter with a slave girl who has a spirit of divination, which she uses to earn money for her masters.
- Persistent Proclamation: The girl follows Paul and his companions, proclaiming them as servants of the Most High God.
- Paul’s Response: After many days, Paul, annoyed, commands the spirit to leave her, demonstrating authority over evil spirits.
- Consequences: The girl’s healing leads to economic repercussions for her masters, who then seize Paul and Silas.
4. Paul and Silas Imprisoned (Verses 19-24)
Following their arrest, Paul and Silas are beaten and thrown into prison, showcasing the persecution faced by early Christians.
- Public Outcry: The masters of the slave girl bring Paul and Silas before the authorities, accusing them of disturbing the city.
- Harsh Punishment: They are severely beaten and imprisoned, highlighting the risks of their ministry.
5. The Midnight Prayer and Earthquake (Verses 25-34)
In prison, Paul and Silas engage in prayer and singing, leading to a miraculous event.
- Faith in Adversity: Despite their circumstances, Paul and Silas worship God, demonstrating unwavering faith.
- Divine Intervention: An earthquake shakes the prison, opening doors and loosening chains, symbolizing God’s power.
- Jailer’s Conversion: The jailer, fearing for his life, asks how to be saved, leading to his and his household’s conversion and baptism.
6. Release and Departure (Verses 35-40)
After their imprisonment, Paul and Silas are released, and they continue to strengthen the church in Philippi.
- Official Release: The magistrates send officers to release them, but Paul asserts their Roman citizenship, highlighting the injustice of their treatment.
- Encouragement of Believers: Before leaving, they visit Lydia and the believers, encouraging them in their faith.
Thematic Analysis
Acts Chapter 16 encompasses several important themes relevant to the early church and contemporary Christianity:
- Divine Guidance: The chapter emphasizes the importance of following the Holy Spirit’s leading in ministry.
- Faith and Perseverance: The unwavering faith of Paul and Silas in the face of persecution serves as a powerful example for believers.
- Transformation and Salvation: The conversions of Lydia and the jailer illustrate the transformative power of the Gospel.
- Community and Hospitality: The support and fellowship among believers are highlighted, showcasing the importance of community in the Christian faith.
Conclusion
Acts Chapter 16 is a significant chapter that not only narrates the missionary efforts of Paul and his companions but also illustrates the workings of the Holy Spirit in the early church. The chapter serves as an encouragement for believers to remain steadfast in faith, to seek divine guidance, and to embrace the transformative power of the Gospel.
