DAY #206: Acts 16:1-24

If anyone ever doubted Paul’s courage or tenacity, this passage ought to change that opinion! So concerned was Paul for the believers in these cities that he risked his life to make sure they were growing in the faith.

In Lystra lived a young disciple named Timothy. He probably had become a Christian after Paul’s first visit to Lystra. Timothy had already had solid Jewish training in the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother. When Paul arrived on this second journey, Timothy had grown into a respected disciple of Jesus.

Timothy’s excellent reputation in the church and, evidently, Paul’s need for an assistant compelled Paul to invite Timothy to join them on their journey. Apparently, Timothy wanted to go, for he submitted to being circumcised before they left—clearly a mark of his commitment.

Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go into the provinces of Asia and Bithynia, Paul and his companions were directed instead past Mysia to the city of Troas. There Paul had a divine vision instructing him to go to Macedonia. These supernatural events served to underline the sovereign guidance of God in Paul’s evangelistic efforts. Sometime during the events described in this passage, Luke became part of Paul’s entourage.

The regions of Phrygia and Galatia included much of modern-day Turkey, yet God, for reasons known only to him, did not allow the missionaries to go into the province of Asia at that time. “Asia” referred not to the continent but rather to the Roman province that was the western part of what is today called Asia Minor. Ephesus probably would have been the leading city in this region.

The travelers moved on to the border of Mysia and headed for the province of Bithynia, a province just to the northeast of Asia, but again they were prohibited by God himself. The Spirit of Jesus is another name for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had closed the door twice for Paul, so Paul must have wondered which geographical direction God wanted him to take in spreading the gospel. Paul and Silas went on through Mysia to the city of Troas. There, at last, God opened the door.

Finally God spoke. During the night, Paul had a vision in which he saw a man from Macedonia who was pleading, “Come over here and help us.” Macedonia had been a Roman province since 146 b.c. and was located in what is today northern Greece.

The group decided to leave right away, knowing that God was calling them. In the first of many sections where this occurs, Luke unobtrusively introduced his presence on this part of the journey by the simple use of the plural pronouns we and us. The traveling group consisted at least of Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke. Clearly, Luke had experienced what he wrote.

In response to the Macedonian call, Paul and his associates immediately boarded a ship at Troas and sailed across the Aegean Sea, landing at Neapolis, the port city for Philippi (in what is now northern Greece). Acts 16 highlights the stories of three individuals who became believers through Paul’s ministry in Philippi: Lydia, the influential businesswoman, the demon-possessed slave girl and the jailer. The gospel was affecting all strata of society, just as it does today.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

One of the basic life principles of the Christian life is to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

You see this principle played out in spades in this passage. What is the take away? The Holy Spirit is like an inner compass in our lives - always pointing us towards what Jesus would be, what Jesus would say or what Jesus would do in any given moment.

We need this kind of leading and prompting to be sure. But, what we need even more is the discipline to obey those promptings. The leaders of the early church relied on the Holy Spirit to give them specific, personal guidance and we are to do likewise.

"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Romans 8:13-14 (NIV)

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law." Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV)

We must say YES to the Spirit when He prompts/leads us to take certain actions or to speak truth to others. When the holy Spirit is directing us away from something harmful, we must obey.

"Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production." 1 Samuel 15:22 (MSG)

Lord, give us a heart to obey Your word and Your promptings today. Give us a heart that hears that still small voice and a desire to do whatever You ask. Give us a heart like David when he said in Psalm 119:33 (LB) -

"Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey."