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. b. They were whipped and put in the inner prison with chains on their feet. 34The jailer then brought Paul and Silas up into his house, and set food before them. Acts 16 Commentary; Acts 16; J VERNON MCGEE. Under inspiration by the Holy Spirit, Paul told the keeper of the prison that his household would trust Jesus just as he did. i. Jewish legal tradition gave a maximum number of blows that could be delivered when beating a person, but the Romans had no such limit. 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. She was possessed by a spirit of divination. i. a. Sirs, what must I do be saved? These were convenient in sizeTo claim Roman citizenship falsely was punishable by death. (Williams). At the beginning of Paul's second mission, the Lord directed him to people who were prepared to hear the gospel. There was an old chaplain general of the British Army Bishop John Taylor Smith who used a unique test on candidates for the chaplaincy. Site Location117 Pembroke Pines-PEM. Summarize Acts 16:35-40 by explaining that the magistrates sent word to the prison guard to let Paul and Silas go. without expecting opposition. c. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go: Paul did not hesitate to answer the call of the Macedonian man. a. 27The jailer, roused out of sleep, saw the prison doors open. closing to him as in one way or another he was first hindered from Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. At the time Paul met Timothy, he was delivering the news of this decree that came out of the Acts 15 council (as they went through the cities, the delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem). . Dont be surprised! So the first lesson is: As Peter tells his persecuted readers, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you (1 Pet. Entered into the house of Lydia This was the place of their residence while at Philippi: see Acts 16:15.. 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). But Timothy's father was a Gentile who came from Greece. Our responsibility in such difficult times is to trust and obey Him. And yet the same mighty power that sent the quake could have prevented the beating and imprisonment in the first place, but did not. certain damsel met us_ (that is, met Paul and his three companions) ow DAMSEL. Strong churches will naturally increase in number daily, without relying on man-centered and manipulative methods. a. The magistrates sent the officers: Paul and Silas left the prison (in the protective custody of the jailer) to minister to the jailers household. "The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. iii. (p.40-42, 1998 edition, Lucis Trust) A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. 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. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2001, All Rights Reserved. the servants of the Most High God, (10) And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with the devil, by whose inspiration she foretold future Paul refused to go because he knew his rights as a Roman citizen and knew that their treatment of him was unjust. And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city. Whether this was on the same day 1. For Christians, the Old Testament statements are enhanced by multiple verses such as Matthew 10:8, Luke 10:9 and 9:2, and Acts 5:16 that say "heal the sick". Paul and Silas beaten. 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. He has a greater purpose that we often do not understand. There were at least two reasons. For the Philippian jailer, Paul did not direct him to counseling. 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.". masters much gai AS WE WENT TO PRAYER, Or, _To the oratory._ The manner in which St. 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. pp. It actually says, She had a spirit of Pythona. That does not mean much to most of us, which is why it is not translated literally. So Paul took Timothy and . This is how God wants our lives to be: Natural magnets drawing people to Him. Spirit of divination [ ]. They encouraged them and departed: In Philippi, Paul and Silas left behind two notable converts: Lydia and the prison guard. It depends on daily cultivating joy in the Lord. His mother was Jewish and a believer. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you . Whereas Lydia, while not necessarily wealthy, was at least a woman of some independence (as the head of her household), this second woman is doubly bound, a . Greek. ii. No single worker in Gods kingdom is irreplaceable. 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.. She followed Paul and Silas saying, "These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation." A description of Philippi. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 3 Paul wanted Timothy as a companion on his journey. Timothy's father, however, was a Greek. | List David Guzik commentary on Acts 1 describes the ascension of Jesus into heaven and the appointing of Matthias as a replacement for Judas. Yet they returned to the prison willingly to spare the jailer certain death. ii. Journey into Europe, Philippi. Exalting Jesus in Acts (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) - GOOD Product Id:1433647095 Condition:USEDGOOD 255947117284 He devised the plan of salvation and sovereignly chose certain individuals to salvation before the foundation of the world ( Eph. and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. O, but he did! med. See on ch. ii. (temp. They have violated our rights as Roman citizens. Demons cast out of a damsel. a. i. Luke was a Gentile, and Timothy was only half Jewish. Instead of cursing men, they blessed God. (Stott). In a vision, Paul was invited to the region of Macedonia, westward across the Agean Sea. He was a believer. While in this country at this time, such physical torture from government authorities is rare, you may face times when your legal rights are violated. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: In Troas, God made Pauls direction clear. Authors Vern and Bonnie Bullough write in The care of the sick: the emergence of modern nursing, that this is seen as an aspect of following Jesus' example, since so much of his public . We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. As George Muller put it, the chief business of every day is first of all to seek to be truly at rest and happy in God (A. T. Pierson, George Muller of Bristol [Revell], p. 257). Maybe youre wondering, Does trusting God mean that we should never stand up for our rights? ANGER OF THOSE WHO MADE between Paul and Barnabas who had been close companions on the first . 3. THE MISSION TO EUROPE (16:6-19:20). But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). "The jailer called for lights and rushed in to the prison. Upon learning this, the magistrates were filled with fear, because it was a grave offense to treat Roman citizens as Paul and Silas had been treated. apostles went towards the forementioned place of prayer,. Acts 16:40. whom Paul had baptized, ( Acts 16:14 Acts 16:15 ) . in which the conversion of Lydia occurred, or at another time, is no CHAPTER 16 It is good for us to bring other help along with the gospel, but without the gospel, little real help is given. Immediately all the doors were opened, and everyones bonds were loosed. ind. Ephesus would come later, not now. ii. Most certainly not! Lord. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. of prayer._ (See Note on Acts 16:13.) God knows what He is doing when he says, No.. Shiva Puranam By Saint Manikka vasagar Translated by P.R.Ramachander (Manikka Vasagar was one of the four great Nayanmars (saivite saints ) of Tamil Nadu , who was a great poet as well as great contributor to the SAivite philosophy. Commentary on Acts 16:16-34. SEPARATOR CAPACITY, 5,000 LB. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. The Macedonian man wanted help. V1 Paul went to Derbe and then he went to Lystra. It is written in the scriptures that no one can please God without faith. Now, again on his way to the place of prayer, Paul meets another woman. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Don't harm yourself: we are all here!", "The jailer called for lights and rushed in to the prison. Her hospitality was touching and a wonderful example. I'll try to post some notes on that . SPIRIT OF DIVINATION; an evil spirit, under the influence of which she This girl had brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. ( ). That is, As the 4:13). This Week: John 17:20-26. Paul asks Timothy to come with him on their journey, preaching the gospel in Asia Minor. Then he came to Derbe and Lystra: Paul (and Silas) arrived in Derbe, where he had great success on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:20-21), and in Lystra, where a crowd tried to honor Paul and Barnabas as pagan gods on the first missionary journey (Acts 14:8-20). Do they now release us secretly? give it, a Python spirit. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. Acts 16:12. He knew that by making them come and personally apologize and escort them out of prison, word would spread through the community of what had happened. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. In Pauls mind, he wanted to reach a few cities in his region. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. iii. gave information to the slave girl so that she could tell people When they had brought them out of the prison, they continued pleading with them to leave the city. . Prayers and praises unto God at midnight, in the midst of a brutal prison. When you answered the call of God, you were excited and energized about the possibility of service. Immediately all the doors were opened, and everyones bonds were loosed. 16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. Peter warns those going through suffering to be on the alert, since the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us in such times (1 Pet. (Acts 16:6) they received a GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE 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. _Gen. ACTSNOTE ON ACTS 16:16 A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION. Her masters made a lot of money from her power. This shows Gods provision, because John Mark and Barnabas just left Paul (Acts 15:36-41). So many professing Christians are grumbling, discontented people. 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 jailer, roused out of sleep, saw the prison doors open. Do we just lay down as doormats and take whatever happens passively? That leads to the last point: We dont know why, but for some reason the next morning the magistrates sent to the jailer and told him to release Paul and Silas. LIGHTNING SOURCE INC Our series on Acts and the early church continues with the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey. This led Theodore Olson, a leading critic of the Supreme Court, to suggest that the students should dance nude before their football games, since the court prefers naked dancing to prayer as a form of expression (Kathleen Parker, The Washington Times [9/11/00], p. A12)! , . After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. Th WELCOMED; ATTESTED; IMPRISONED We dont do well when we are wronged. But the overflow of their worship was witness. 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. He must let go of his own separative tendencies and of his deep sense of persecution. This should be rendered as in above 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. 2:20). " 20 When the slave girl's masters had brought Paul and Silas to the magistrates, they said, 'These men, who are Jews, are confusing . But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. 32They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. The walk to the place of prayer is made The Waste Pro Southeast Florida Safety Trainer is responsible for ensuring all operational personnel are trained to company standards. Acts 16 Commentary; G CAMPBELL MORGAN. She was possessed by a spirit of divination. Python, in the Greek mythology, was the serpent When they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them: Only after this did they agree to go. The demon knew who But it had everything to do with the salvation of a certain prison guard and his household. 16As we were going to prayer, it happened that a certain slave girl met us. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. Luke notes that the prisoners were listening to them (16:25). 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." i. From the city of Thyatira: Thyatira was well known as a center for this purple dye and fabric made from it. : in R.V., accusative, And he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. Acts of the Apostles - 423 pages Pdf (includes the following notes) Acts Commentary 15:36-16:10; Acts Commentary 16:11-24; Acts Commentary 16:25-40; HENRY MORRIS. , _as we were going to the place of prayer_ (see on At Lystra he found certain maid having. And fifty days after the Passover, the second major Jewish feast, the Feast of Pentecost, or the Feast of Ingathering. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divinationc met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: Acts 16:17. convert in Europe. When you are wronged, entrust your soul to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. But those vague charges were enough, because both the multitude and the magistrates were biased against Paul and Silas. Compare Mark 3:12; Luke 4:34-35. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the . The wisdom and greatness of Gods plan was beginning to unfold. been forbidden of the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia.' missionary venture of the church. In this, Paul was like Jesus, who often told demons to be silent, even when they told the truth about Him (Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 3:11-12). certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her The work, under the Spirit, opens to the glory of the Articles, monographs and books hosted on this site by Authors with Surnames beginning with B These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. her supernatural abilities. 34:3, 8). On the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made: The fact that the Jews of Philippi had no synagogue and met by the river means that there were not many Jewish men in Philippi. i. i. Paul knew that a man will be identified by both his friends and his enemies, and could do without a demonic letter of reference. They always are, of course! 25About midnight Paul and Silas, in jail, were praying and singing hymns to God. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 19Now when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them to the marketplace to face the rulers. (Acts 16:16-19). A certain disciple was there, named Timothy: In the time since Paul had been to Lystra, a young man named Timothy had been serving the Lord (He was well spoken of by the brethren). He has a greater purpose that we often do not understand. i. They comforted them, and departed. Paul and Silas were not singing so that they could be good witnesses in this difficult situation. A slave The size of this file is 8.8 megabytes. while Judas and Silas were to confirm them by word of mouth. Paul and Silas would not be hurried out of town until they had brought their work there to a conclusion. Bibliografische Daten. ", "These men are proclaiming to us a way of salvation", "When it was day, the magistrates sent the police with this message: Release those men! The jailer reported these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent a message for your release; therefore come out now, and go in peace. But Paul replied with this message for the magistrates: They have flogged us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. Acts 21:23-26 23So do what we tell you. The demon came out that very hour. 16-30, Ezekiel 37:21-28). And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 6. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. The decrees ), ._ Acts 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. i. Acts 16:11-15 Samothrace, Neapolis, Philippi. When they had laid many blows on Paul and Silas, they threw them into prison. God guides us along the way, to just the right place. the article it is clearly to be rendered as in the previous verse. PREACHING ON THE SABBATH AT PHILIPPI. He testified, Alone in my cell, cold, hungry, and in rags, I danced for joy every night. During this time he asked a fellow prisoner, whom he had led to Christ before they were both arrested, Have you any resentment against me that I brought you to Christ? The man responded, I have no words to express my thankfulness that you brought me to the wonderful Savior. a. The solution will come, as I said, when the races regard the Jewish problem as a humanitarian problem but also when the Jew does his share of understanding, love and right action. As I mentioned last week, any time that your rights have been violated and you have been mistreated, you are probably looking at a wonderful opportunity for bearing witness of Christ. i. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, A certain disciple was there, named Timothy, son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews in that region, as they went through the cities, the delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily, They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them, 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., Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go, From there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, On the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made, The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul, She begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay., A certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination brought her masters much profit, 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., I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her, Her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, Exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe, When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely the inner prison fastened their feet in the stocks, But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, all the doors were opened and everyones chains were loosed, The keeper of the prisonwas about to kill himself, Paul called with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm, for we are all here., Ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house, And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, And immediately he and all his family were baptized, The magistrates have sent to let you go.