Acts Chapter Sixteen

 Act 16:1  And he arrived in Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a certain believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. 

Act 16:2  This one was being testified of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. 

Act 16:3  Paul desired this one to go forth with him, and taking him he circumcised him, because of the Jews being in those places. For they all knew his father, that he was a Greek. 

Act 16:4  And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the need to keep the decrees that had been determined by the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem. 

Act 16:5  Then indeed the assemblies were being made stronger in the faith, and increased in number day by day. 

Act 16:6  And passing through the Phrygian and the Galatian country, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the Word in Asia, 

Act 16:7  coming against Mysia, they attempted to go along Bithynia, and the Spirit did not allow them. 

Act 16:8  And passing by Mysia, they came down into Troas. 

Act 16:9  And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: a certain man of Macedonia was standing, entreating him and saying, Passing over into Macedonia, help us! 

Act 16:10  And when he saw the vision, we immediately sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to announce the gospel to them. 

Act 16:11  Then having set sail from Troas, we ran a straight course into Samothrace, and on the morrow into Neapolis, 

Act 16:12  and from there into Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were in this city, staying some days. 

Act 16:13  And on the day of the sabbaths, we went outside the city beside a river, where it was customary for prayer to be made. And sitting down, we spoke to the women who came together there. 

Act 16:14  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one reverencing God, listened, whose heart the Lord opened thoroughly to pay attention to the things being spoken by Paul. 

Act 16:15  And as she and her household were baptized, she entreated Paul, saying, If you have judged me to be believing in the Lord, entering into my house, remain. And she strongly urged us. 

Act 16:16  And it happened, as we went into a place of prayer, a certain girl slave having a Pythonic spirit met us, whose divining brought much gain to her lords. 

Act 16:17  Following after Paul and us, she cried out, saying, These men are slaves of the Most High God, who are announcing to us a way of salvation! 

Act 16:18  And she did this over many days. But becoming distressed, and turning to the demonic spirit, Paul said, In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out from her! And it came out in that same hour. 

Act 16:19  And seeing that the hope of their gain went out, having seized Paul and Silas, her lords dragged them to the market before the rulers. 

Act 16:20  And bringing them near to the magistrates, they said, These men are very much troubling our city, being Jews, 

Act 16:21  and announce customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, nor to do, being Romans. 

Act 16:22  And the crowd rose up against them. And tearing off their clothes, the magistrates ordered men to flog them. 

Act 16:23  And laying on them many stripes, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them securely, 

Act 16:24  who, receiving such a charge, threw them into the inner prison, and locked their feet in the stocks. 

Act 16:25  And having prayed, toward midnight Paul and Silas praised God in a hymn. And the prisoners listened to them. 

Act 16:26  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the jail were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and all of the bonds were loosened. 

Act 16:27  And having been awakened, and seeing that the doors of the prison had been opened, having drawn a sword, the jailer was about to do away with himself, supposing the prisoners to have escaped. 

Act 16:28  But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do no harm to yourself! For we are all here. 

Act 16:29  And asking for lights, he rushed in. And becoming trembly, he fell before Paul and Silas. 

Act 16:30  And leading them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved? 

Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. 

Act 16:32  And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, and to all those in his house. 

Act 16:33  And taking them in that hour of the night, he washed from their stripes. And he and all those belonging to him were baptized at once. 

Act 16:34  And bringing them up to the house, he set a table before them, and exulted whole-housely, believing God. 

Act 16:35  And day having come, the magistrates sent the floggers, saying, let those men go. 

Act 16:36  And the jailer announced these words to Paul, The magistrates have sent that you be let go. Now, then, going out, proceed in peace. 

Act 16:37  But Paul said to them, Having beaten us publicly, being Romans and uncondemned men, they threw us into prison. And now do they throw us out secretly? No, indeed! But coming themselves, let them bring us out. 

Act 16:38  And the floggers reported these words to the magistrates. And hearing that they were Romans, they were afraid. 

Act 16:39  And coming, they begged them. And bringing them out, they asked them to go out of the city. 

Act 16:40  And going out from the prison, they went into the house of Lydia. And seeing the brothers, they exhorted them, and went out. 

TIMOTHY, LYDIA, PHILIPPIAN JAILER

Verses 1-5: Paul arrives in Derbe/Lystra and seeks out Timothy as an aide. He circumcises Timothy so the Jews would not object to him since his father is a Gentile. They deliver the decisions made in Jerusalem and further strengthen the church.

1. What purpose did the circumcision of Timothy serve? He would likely receive less push-back if he were to go into synagogues.

Additional: What was one of the purposes for this trip according to verse four? The council's decisions at Jerusalem were to not worry about the Mosaical law, abstain from idol's foods/blood and fornication.

Verses 6-10: As they travel, the Holy Spirit tells Paul cities he is to stay away from. Paul sees a vision of a Macedonian asking for help. They head that direction.

2. Describe how the Holy Spirit guides Paul. Speaking directly to him and a vision.

  a. How does he guide us today? We have seen that all the Holy Spirit was to do was inform the new Christian as to what the meaning of Jesus' life means to us. Understanding that is the HS job. That understanding brings comfort, remembrance, and an emboldened faith.

3. Compare the personal pronouns in verses 8 and 10. Who has joined the journey? Luke.

Verses 11-15: Conversions in Philippi -While in the region they meet Lydia and baptize her and her household.

4. Describe Lydia.

   a. Occupation - Seller of purple

   b. Religious? - She has reverence for God

   c. How did the Lord “open” her heart? - She listened to the gospel

   d. Whose household did she belong to? It reads like she was head of the house

   e. Could she be persistent? - She insists the apostles stay with her.

5. Why did Lydia insist on the brothers staying at her house? She already has a great reverence for Jehovah. Now she has been given the Gospel and her life is now changed forever.
She is grateful

   a. What lesson(s) of hospitality can we learn from this? The "insisting" means to "constrain." She was not going to let these men leave without receiving her hospitality. Hospitality is the most intimate thank you we can give to anyone.

Verses 16-18: A demon possessed woman keeps harassing the group. The demon gave her divining powers that brought much gain to those who controlled her. Eventually, Paul gets annoyed to the point that he casts out the demon.

6. Why was Paul annoyed? She kept saying "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who are announcing to us a way of salvation! " Which is correct. But she would not stop and it was likely interrupting Paul's teaching. 

Verses 19-24: The owners of the possessed woman, now losing their source of income have Paul and Silas flogged and thrown in prison.

7. List the events in order:

   a. The source of anger. Losing wages from the demon possessed woman.

   b The immediate reaction. Complain to the magistrate, whip up the crowd.

   c. The immediate sentence. Flogging

   d. The sentence carried out. Flogging and imprisonment

Verses 25-34: The Philippian Jailer - Paul and Silas are in jail, praying and singing. An earthquake happens and opens all the doors. The jailer sees the doors are all open and starts to kill himself. Paul stops him. The jailer asks how he can be saved. He is taught, believes and is baptized.

8. Describe Paul and Silas in verse 25. They are singing and praying.

   a. Why would they do this? We have seen this to be a natural response by the new Christians during oppressive assaults. They pray. Now they also sing praises to God.

   b. What should this teach us? Do not despair. Count it a blessing to be disrespected for the cause of Christ. What I find even more interesting is "the prisoners listened to them." 

9. Why would the jailer commit suicide? To avoid execution.

10. What things did the jailer need to know to realize he needed salvation? He is taught the gospel from the Old Testament scriptures. 

Verses 35-40: The magistrates want to release Paul and Silas. Paul refuses and tell the floggers to get the magistrates to release them. He mentions their Roman citizenship. 

11. Paul’s Roman citizenship gave him certain rights. List the rights you think were violated in this incident.
No trial. Punishment without trial. Jailing without trial.

a. Why would this make the magistrates afraid? (38) This could have been petitioned by Paul to punish the magistrates for a flagrant violation of law.