was a female slave possessed A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION gain by soothsaying: and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first convert in Europe. Our trials do not mean that He does not exist or that He is not loving and good. The encounter with the spirit of divination: Coming to Derbe and Lystra, where he and Barnabas had been persecuted 17She followed Paul and us, crying out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation!' frequently, and the party comes to be known. certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her 1. May God enable us all, when we are mistreated, to imitate these men of God in entrusting our souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right! This girl had brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. Acts 15:36-18: . oracles met us. The walk to the place of prayer is made The jailer, roused out of sleep, saw the prison doors open. 1028-1061. When they had brought them out of the prison, they continued pleading with them to leave the city. But it had everything to do with the salvation of a certain prison guard and his household. And she prevailed upon us. The Preaching forbidden in Asia (Acts 16:6). He has a greater purpose that we often do not understand. The demon came out that very hour. We will protest, we may sue, well write to our congressman, take courses in assertiveness training, or whatever it takes to get our rights. _ (G1096) 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. Acts 16:35-40. With much fear he fell down before Paul and Silas and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The miraculous conversion of the jailer to the faith of Christ, ver 25-34. Their work was successful because their first interest was in strengthening the churches. Acts 16:16-40. Are we out of the will of God? Being in the will of God is not a guarantee of protection from trials. God knows what He is doing when he says, No.. The Holy Spirit used the courageous praise of Paul and Silas in their terrible adversity. Paul and Silas, their rights having been violated and their backs torn open, their feet in the stocks and locked in the dark inner prison, were praying and singing hymns of praise to God at midnight (16:25)! At the beginning of Paul's second mission, the Lord directed him to people who were prepared to hear the gospel. gave information to the slave girl so that she could tell people Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. All things? masters much gain by the giving of oracles.' This title, it is generally said, was given to Apollo, on account of his having destroyed a monstrous serpent that . The late Romanian pastor, Richard Wurmbrand, spent 14 years in prison for preaching the gospel, three in solitary confinement in a dark cell. His captors smashed four of his vertebrae and either cut or burned 18 holes in his body, but they could not defeat him. Was he a masochist, or what? 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. ii. ACTS 16:1 16 Paul[ a] came also to Derbe and to Lystra. You can download/save a pdf document with all the verse by verse lessons in ActsFacts PartFour, from the middle of chapter to the endofActs. 23When they had laid many blows on Paul and Silas, they threw them into prison. Her masters made a lot of money from her power. Cultivating joy in the Lord every day is not optional. She was possessed by a spirit of divination. 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. ANGER OF THOSE WHO MADE | List If Paul wished to maintain his links with the synagogue, he could not be seen to countenance apostasy. (Bruce). ; _to Lystra When you are wronged, entrust your soul to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. What's more, Paul and Barnabus have traveled . Focus on joy in the Lord and dont forget your witness. As Paul saw it, being a good Christian did not mean being a bad Jew. (Longenecker) The wording of Acts 16:3 implies that Paul himself performed the circumcision (he took him and circumcised him). After such a bad beating, they were put in uncomfortable conditions (fastened their feet in the stocks). 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. 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. The demon-possessed slave girl preached for Paul, giving a demonic testimony to their divine credentials and their message. 5:8). ind. b. a. 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. Tap the title next to the arrow to get thatdocument. The wisdom and greatness of Gods plan was beginning to unfold. Chapter 2Now when the day of Pentecost ( Acts 2:1 )This would be feast day following the Passover, of which Jesus was crucified. 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. So the correct text with accusative Click on the different category headings to find out more. c. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul: Before Lydia was converted (as demonstrated by her baptism), the Lord opened her heart. If they couldnt do it within three minutes, they werent fit for the chaplains service. So far, we've seen how the gospel has spread throughout Judea and Samaria, all the way up to modern-day Lebanon and Syria. Tell students that Acts 16-20 contains an account of Paul's second and third missions (the account of Paul's second mission actually begins in Acts 15:40). Ministry at Philippi (Acts 16:12-40) The conversion of Lydia (Acts 16:12-15) The demon possessed slave girl (Acts 16:16-18) The imprisonment of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:19-25) The release of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26-27) The conversion of the jailor (Acts 16:28-34) The departure from the city (Acts 16:35-40) The ministry in Thessalonica (Acts . First, he did the work of strengthening the churches through the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:40-41). This is good advice to anyone contemplating suicide. EXALTING JESUS IN Acts (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) - GOOD - $16.40. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. From the city of Derbe to Troas. i. Philippi was the place where the armies of Mark Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius in the decisive battle of the second Roman civil war in 42 B.C. (Hughes) Because of this, many Roman soldiers retired in the area, and Philippi was proud of its Roman connection. b. _paidiske._ See note on Acts 12:13. read "a spirit,. (p.40-42, 1998 edition, Lucis Trust) Suddenly there was a great earthquake which shook the prison to its foundations. We see His mighty power here in the earthquake that rocked this prison. Peter echoes this: But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation (1 Pet. i. 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). And he came out the same hour. CONTENTS: Paul finds Timothy. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him to . The authorities were full of fear when they learned that Paul was a Roman. THE PYTHONESS Its still possible for a type of Macedonian Man to give an unusual call to serve God in a distant place. This is how God wants our lives to be: Natural magnets drawing people to Him. Later, there was a church in Thyatira also, and it was one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation (Revelation 2:18-29). We are next introduced to an incident which led to a decided 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 . The Gospel in Europe EXORCISM OF A POSSESSED GIRL. See 2 Kings xxviii; Isaias viii. When we were on our way to the place of prayer.. it happened that a _Possessed with a spirit, &c._] _As we went to prayer_ Or to the place of prayer, mentioned before; _a But at this point, Paul says, No way! 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. They were all saved because they all trusted the word of God and the Jesus revealed to us through the word. The demon's shouting is . Yet the Spirit of God directed this work, and Paul wasnt the right person in the right place at the right time to begin bringing the gospel to the Roman Province of Asia Minor. Paul and Silas were not singing so that they could be good witnesses in this difficult situation. 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. The real issue, when youre treated wrongly, is, Do you trust in a sovereign, omnipotent God who could have prevented this situation if He had so willed? [1965-73], 2:149). It's one of those chapters that you always remember - just the record along of Lydia and her marvelous liberation. 33He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. A demonic spirit who And they went out, &c. The servants of Christ, being honourably cleared from every crime by this public release, left the prison quietly, and went to the house of Lydia With whom they had lodged before; and when they had seen the brethren The disciples whom they had made; they comforted them By rehearsing what God had done both for them and by them, in prison; and . He wrote, We exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Rom. Most certainly not! i. This he does not yet do, speaking racially. They always are, of course! Entered into the house of Lydia This was the place of their residence while at Philippi: see Acts 16:15.. When a Barnabas leaves (for whatever reason), God has a Timothy to go on with him. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. Mythology, by Apollo, who was hence called Pythius, and the priestess _as we went to prayer_ Better, AS WE WERE GOING TO THE PLACE OF The masters of the demon possessed girl cared nothing for the girl herself, only for their ability to exploit her demonic possession for money. While in this instance, His will was to send a powerful earthquake and free them, it doesnt always work out that way. The main application of this story for me is to work on having joy in the Lord in every situation. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. 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. 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. spirit of a pythoness_, or, according to superior authoriti EXPOSITION Their rights had been violated. This page is a verse by verse study of Acts 16:16-40. God still calls people to the mission field, and He may call through unusual ways. It is wrong to act out of personal vengeance, greed, or other selfish motives. There is perhaps no example of this more remarkable than that which They were whipped and put in the inner prison with chains on their feet. Commentary, explanation and study verse by verse. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 5:18). By making these officials realize that they had committed a serious offense against Roman citizens, Paul insured that they would not trouble the Christians in Philippi. The next time, they would follow the Roman law! d. She begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay. Immediately, Lydia set about doing good. b. nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. He 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. O, but he did! Some have worried that Pauls invitation to salvation here is too easy, and would promote a too-easy faith or a cheap grace. _praes. A. Her hospitality was touching and a wonderful example. 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. In line with that, Pauls action showed the entire city, which would have heard about this incident, the spirit of Jesus Christ. The decrees When you answered the call of God, you were excited and energized about the possibility of service. This was a promise made specifically to the keeper of the prison. Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: This is Paul's Second Missionary Journey (49-52 A.D.) as recorded in Acts 15:30 - 18:21. 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. Hand-drawn illustrations based on sermons by Kevin DeYoung guide you through the book of Acts helping to communicate truths in a unique, compelling way. And we were staying in that city for some days. i. Having received such a command, the jailer threw Paul and Silas into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. The keeper of the prisonwas about to kill himself: The jailer did this for a good reason. | Topics 1:4 ). a. Sirs, what must I do be saved? spirit, a Python. Acts 16:16-24. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. An earthquake opened the prison doors and caused all the shackles to fall off. of prayer._ (See Note on Acts 16:13.) Ephesus would come later, not now. 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. When that happens, its important to respond the way Paul and his team did. Paul was careful to speak to demons only in the authority of Jesus Christ, and he spoke beyond the afflicted girl to the demon itself with this authority of Jesus. Paul was anxious to see for himself how the work of the Lord continued among these churches he founded five years before. Paul was guided by hindrance. According to the legend, AS WE WENT TO PRAYER,. As Paul later wrote to the Philippians, his aim was that with all boldness, Christ would even now, as always, be exalted in his body, whether by life or by death (Phil. POSSESSED WITH A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION MET US, WHO BROUGHT HER MASTERS 1 Paul travelled to Derbe and then he arrived in Lystra. Have you ever had an experience where you knew God was calling you to do something, but it didn't come out the way you thought it would? His collection of works is called Thiruvachakam. Some wrongly teach that we should never defend ourselves, either legally or against aggressive attacks against our character or person. Scripture commands us, Delight yourself in the Lord (Ps. Some charge him with The only way that prison and mistreatment and a raw back do not matter is when the delight of God matters more. Paul and Silas beaten. The real reason for the anger of the slave girls owners was that they had just been deprived of their source of income (16:19). 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. ACTSNOTE ON ACTS 16:16 A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION. At Lystra he found 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)! pythonem. 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. She was possessed by a spirit of divination. Acts 16:14 Do they now release us secretly? Is depression a sin? 24Having received such a command, the jailer threw Paul and Silas into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. (Acts 16:20-24). FORTUNE-TELLING was forbidden in the OT _CRITICAL REMARKS_ AND IT CAME TO PASS, AND WE WENT TO PRA 40 Silas was almost necessary as a companion for Paul. Acts 16:1-15To Be Led by the Spirit. Lydias heart was gently opened; the guards heart was violently confronted. (apparition, a spirit, a python), not the genitive (). By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage.