Acts 16:1-3 "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."

A. "Then came he to Derbe and Lystra"

1. Paul and Silas had chosen the land route for their travel. In essence they were beginning at their farthest point in the first missionary journey.

2. Something like between two and four years had passed since Paul had been there before.

B. "a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus..."

1. Commentators believe that Timothy was a resident of Lystra.

2. His mother and grandmother were both godly women, raising Timothy up to be true to God.

3. Both mother (Eunice, 2 Timothy 1:5) and son were converts to Christianity.

4. He had a Gentile father, who was surely not a proslyte to Judaism. Perhaps it show the lack of interest in spiritual things for Timothy to have never been circumcised.

C. Why did Paul circumcise Timothy and fight so hard to keep Titus from being circumcised?

1. The leter that Paul was carrying stated that Gentiles were not bound by circumcision. In other words, circumcision was a matter of indifference (Galatians 5:6).

2. It would be necessary for Timothy to be circumcised in order for him to work with Paul in their contact with other Jews who were not yet believers. The text makes plain that others knew that his father was a Greek.

3. Titus, however, was different. He was completely Gentile. Any circumcising of him would cause some to claim that all Gentiles should be circumcised.

A. "And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep..."

1. They delivered copies of letters written from the apostles and the elders of the Jerusalem church concerning circumcision.

2. Notice a couple of points.

a. Their decisions were not the decision of men who had put their heads together, they were the will of God, through the Holy Spirit.

b. Notice early how the brethren appealed to the written Word as final authority in religious matters.

B. "And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily."

1. With peace among the brethren the church were able to expend all their energies to reaching out to the lost, instead of dividing time between evangelism and division within the body of Christ.

2. It is quite likely that there had been a period of stagnation in the growth of the congregations which Paul and Barnabas had worked. It is also possible that they had bee afflicted with the same problem that Antioch had suffered, Judaising teachers.

A. "...Were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia"

1. Phrygia and Galatia were in the central part of Asia Minor.

2. They had desired to travel into thewestern part of Asia Minor (Asia) to evangelize the larger cities, such as Ephesus, Smyrna, and Sardis.

3. How did the Holy Spirit communicate this to them? Three possibilities.

a. Providentially - Door were closed for them where they could not naturally travel there.

b. Perhaps it was a stirring or urging within Paul.

c. Likely the Spirit expressly communicated to Paul. He did during the age of miracles.

B. Paul's work in Galatia.

1. Some of his best evangelistic work was done in Galatia.

2. Some connect Galatians 4:13 to this period and surmise that Paul had contracted some illness and stayed here for some period of time.

C. "After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia..."

1. How did the Holy Spirit communicate with Paul and Silas?

a. We are not told.

b. We know one things for certain. They had no doubt as to what was his will. This would seem to eliminate this "better felt than told" nonsense that many will think are messanges from the Holy Spirit today.

c. From the fact that the Holy Spirit communicated to Christians through inspired prophets on several occasions (Acts 11:27ff) and from Luke explanation (Acts 20:23 and 21:10ff) it would seem likely that it was delivered through prophets.

2. This shows that God's wisdom is often greater and at odds with man's wisdom.

a. It was only logical to Paul and Silas to go into the uncharted regions of Asia Minor, with it's teaming populations, to evangelize.

b. But God had a different idea. He wanted Paul and Silas to go to a far greater work. He wanted them to take the Gospel into Greece, which would open the way to Rome itself.

D. "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia..."

1. The message communicating God's desire to go to Macedonia was given in the form of a vision in the night.

2. This was the method of communication that God chose to relate that the Gentile should be part of His kingdom (see chapter 10).

3. Paul and his brethren understood without any doubt that God wanted them to go to Macedonia.

4. Notice that the pronoun changes to "we" here. It is almost certain that this shows that Luke joined Paul and Silas here. Perhaps Troas was the hometown of Luke. We do not know for certainty.

5. Troas [TROH-az] Originally Alexandria Troas, founded on the coast of Mysia about 300 B.C., following Alexander's conquest of Asia Minor. It became a leading seaport, by NT times known simply as Troas, a name derived from its proximity to the ruins of ancient Troy, about 10 miles (16 km) to the SW. The apostle Paul visited this important city on several occasions. In Troas, he had the vision of "a man of Macedonia," calling him to preach in Europe. Here also Paul raised Eutychus, who was killed in a fall from a window. Acts 16:8-12; Acts 20:5-6; 2 Cor 2:12

A. "Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis"

1. SAMOTHRACE (sam oh thrayke') Place name perhaps meaning, "height of Thrace." Mountainous island in northern Aegean Sea thirty-eight miles south of coast of Thrace with peaks rising 5,000 feet above sea level. Paul spent a night there on his second missionary journey as he headed to Philippi (Acts 16:11). A famous mystery cult was practiced there.

2. NEAPOLIS (Nih ap' uh lihs) Name meaning, "new city," of the seaport of Philippi (Acts 16:11). Neapolis (modern Kavala) is located about ten miles from Philippi in northeastern Macedonia. The city sits on a neck of land between two bays, each of which serve as harbors. It is the beginning point for the Egnation Way, the Roman military road that Aegean to the Adriatic Sea. It was 490 miles long and was the route that was taken by travelers from the east who desire to travel overland to Roman.

B. "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."

1. Philippi was the most important city in Macedonia, which was just north of Greece. It sat close to Byzantium, the traditional starting point for Europe.

2. It was named for Philip II, the father of Alexander. It was the site of a battle between the forces of Octavius (later the Emperor Augustos) and Mark Anthony over the forces of Brutus and Cassius (the assassins of Julius Caesar).

a. A Roman colony of retired soldiers there. It was given many privileges, including Roman citizenship.

C. "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."

1. It is likely that since Philippi was a Roman colony that there were few Jews there. That is why women were gathered at the river for prayer on the Sabbath. It took ten Jewish males in a city to organize a synagogue.

2. It is likely that Paul and his company had made inquiry concerning if there were Jews worshipping anywhere in Philippi on the Sabbath. He was probably told that there weren't many but if there were they would be worshipping down by the river outside of town.

3. There would be fewer Jews in Philippi since, being an Imperial city, they would have likely honored an earlier edict by the emperor Cladius expelling all the Jews from Rome.

A. "And a certain woman named Lydia..."

1. Lydia was a business woman who sold an expensive dye made of murex shells. It was used to dye clothes purple and was very expensive. It was the color of emperors and the very wealthy.

2. She was visiting Philippi, likely on business and sought to worship God on the Sabbath.

3. From the phrase "which worshipped God" it is likely that she was a Gentile who believed in Jehovah but who had not been a full proselyte to Judaism.

B. "whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul."

1. There is no doubt that the Lord opened her heart. It is, however, unnecessary to believe that some miraculous means was used. In fact, in every case of conversion recorded preaching ws the means that God used to reach the lost.

2. The heart is affected by the preaching of the Word. See Romans 10:9-10, 17; Acts 2:37

C. "And when she was baptized, and her household..."

1. In every case in the book of Acts those who wanted to be come Christians were always baptized immediately.

2. This passage is used by those who practice infant sprinkling to "prove" that infants were baptized. Ths is arguing from the silence of the scriptures wrongly.

a. In order to argue from the silence of the scriptures we must do it in a way that would not read something into them. There is simply nothing here that would demand that infants be involved.

b. In fact, since the opening of the heart is involved, it would rule against infants being included here, since infants cannot reason.

c. Verse 13 states that Paul and his company spake to the women as the basis of baptism. This would surely mean that Lydia's household were included among them.

d. It is not necessary to include infants here. It would be more natural to include Lydia's travelling "family" i.e. her servants. 

A. "And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination..."

1. It is true that demons possessed certain people in the first century. A clear case can be made that this was for the purpose of confirming God's actions and truth when the were cast out.

2. One of the gifts of the Spirit given to the apostles was the casting out of Spirits. See Mark 16:17-20.

3. Literally, this slave girl had a "Python spirit." This was connected with the fortune telling at Delphi where the ancient would travel to have their futures told.

B. "The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying..."

1. The motive for here saying what she did can be seen in the preceeding passage. She brought huge profits to her masters.

2. She likely sought to cash in on identifying Paul and his company as true servants of God.

3. It is likely that the this demon gave her the information, hoping to wreak havoc on the apostle's work.

C. "And this did she many days..."

1. This went on for some time. Probably Paul tolerated her for some time, since she did tell the truth about the. Finally, Paul tired of her continued badgering, cast out the demon. He had no desire to let other cash in financially on the truth of the Gospel.

2. The same hour is synonomous with instantaneous.

A. "And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone..."

1. With their ability to make money taken away from them, the girl's masters had Paul and Silas taken before an imperial magestrate.

B. "And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city..."

1. This shows a racial hatred toward Jews here.

2. The accusation was completely false. They could not, however, tell the magestrate that it was that Paul and Silas was only guilty of taking away of their money making ability.

A. "And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them..."

1. Racial hatred is usually an effective tool in stirring up a mob. The crowd gathered grew restless, wanting Paul and Silas punished severely.

2. The Imperial magistrates, abandoning their legal responsibility, were carried away with the mob. Without trial, or even hearing, Paul and Silas were beaten.

3. They were probably beaten with rods that were used as symbols of office of Imperial officers. DeWelt says that it was a rod similar to the old fashioned carpet beater. Whatever the tool, it must have been a severe beating.

4. Paul said that he suffered such beatings three times (2 Corinthians 11:25).

B. "Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks."

1. The typical Roman prison would have two sections. The first was above ground and for those prisoner who were guilty of lesser crimes. It would be somewhat like our jails today. The second was well below ground, receive no light, and have stocks to hold their feet securely.

2. The stocks would cause a person to not be able to get into a comfortable position because they could not either sit of lay down.

3. They must have had excruciating pain in these stocks, since it would stretch they beaten backs.

A. "But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."

1. Instead of complaining, or thinking that God had abandoned them, Paul and Silas were in communion with the Lord by means of prayer and singing.

2. This should be a model to us. When we are in pain and hurt we should draw closer to the Lord, instead of blaming Him for our troubles and drifting away from Him.

3. James 5:13- "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms."

4. The other prisoners could hear the hymns of Paul and Silas. What greater introduction to Christianity could these prisoners have received from Paul and Silas than what they heard on that late night in a dark prison. How many were converted as a result of Paul and Silas's example and the Jailor's teaching. Only eternity will tell.

B. "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed."

1. God, as earlier toward the other apostles (Acts 5:19; 12:10), provided a means of release for Paul and Silas. But it was a means of release for the purpose of preaching the Gospel, not to run into the night and hide.

2. Not only was Paul and Silas' chains loosed, but all in the inner regions of the jail.

C. "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."

1. The Jailor lived under a strict code. He was a military man, and as such, knew that he would have to pay for his "breech of duty" with his own life. He felt that death at his own hands was preferable to execution. It was considered the honorable thing.

a. "Suicide to a Roman of that day was very much a matter of indifference. Brutus and Cassius, models of Roman virtue, had committed it at or near Philippi...Christianity first taught men to estimate life and death rightly." (Cook's Bible Commentary)

2. He drew out his Roman short sword and prepared to plunge it into his chest.

D. "But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." 29) Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas."

1. Paul, being a Roman citizen, was familar with what the Jailor would do. He cried out for him to not go through with the suicide. There was no need, every man was secure.

2. The Jailor in some way must have known that Paul and Silas was responsible for the earthquake. He immediately asked for a light and came in fearful before Paul and Silas.

3. His falling down at their feet was a sign of reverence and respect.

E. "And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

1. It is likely that he was concerned with his spiritual well being.

2. He probably had seen and heard the young woman crying about Paul and Silas having the power of God.

3. Adding that with the fact of the earthquake together he must have believed that Paul and Silas had great spiritual powers.

F. "So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

1. Why did Paul and Silas give him this answer to his question.

2. The same basic question is asked two other times.

a. Acts 2:37 - "What shall we do?" The answer is in verse 38.

b. Acts 22:10 - "What shall I do, Lord?" The answer is in verse 16.

3. The three different answers are given because the ones asking the question are in different spiritual conditions.

a. Those on Pentecost had faith. They were Jews who had already heard the truth. They were commanded to repent and be baptized.

b. Saul of Tarsus already believed and had repented. He was commanded to arise and be baptized.

c. The Philippian Jailor understood very little about Jesus. It was necessary that he first have faith in Jesus Christ. After he was taught he was also taught to be baptized.

G. "Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ..."

1. They were all taught the gospel, then they were baptized. They were baptized the same hour of the night.

2. He shows his repentant attitude by taking Paul and Silas and washing their stripes.

3. In every case in the book of Acts baptism came immediately following a contact with the gospel.

4. Verse 34 gives the conclusion. Both the Jailer and his whole family had believed. 

A. "And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go."

1. It is interesting to speculate as to why there was this change of heart concerning Paul and Silas' imprisonment. After all, they were placed in the "maximum security" part of the prison.

2. Perhaps their sentence was for just a night in jail. This seems highly unlikely. The tenor of the magistrates' statement to the jailers seems to suggest that their being there was a mistake.

3. Maybe the magistrates intended to give Paul and Silas a beating and a night in jail and then release them after the mob had calmed down and dispersed.

4. Most likely, the magistrates began to have doubts about the proceedings of the previous day and decided that they need to reverse their decision.

B. "So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace."

1. This was equivilent to saying, "get out of town."

2. This is an indication that the magistrates thought that they had been hasty in their judgment and hoped to get Paul and Silas out of town before anyone heard.

C. "But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out."

1. Paul had a bombshell to drop on his keepers! He and Silas were Roman citizens. This made the entire proceedings of the previous day illegal and placed the magistrates on shakey ground.

2. Roman law made it a crime to beat any Roman citizen without due process. Also, every Roman citizen had the option to directly "appeal to Caesar." This would require his case to be heard by one of the emperor's legal advisors in Rome and a decision by the emperor himself. It also outlawed crucifixion for Roman citizens. Beheading would be the mode of execution for all capitol offenses.

3. Paul was not so willing to go quietly and let the magistrates off so quickly. He demanded that they come to him and Silas personally and give a public apology. He had no intention of slipping out of town and going meekly. He would be vindicated and thus strengthen the smal church that had begun.

D. "And the officers told these words to the magistrates..."

1. Paul's declaration had it's desired effect. It was the magistrates' turn to feel discomfort.

2. Their positions, and possibly their lives, were now in jeopardy. If Paul and Silas pressed charges these men would be in deep legal trouble.

3. This time, the magistrates did not rudely command them to leave, they begged them to. It is likely that Paul and Silas would have left soon for another city and field of work. Paul did not want to depart leaving the impression that they were being "run out of town." This would have likely killed the church in Philippi.

E. "So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed."

1. Paul and Silas left the prison and went to the house of Lydia, the first convert in Philippi.

2. Notice that Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown in the deep dungeon in Philippi, yet were intent on encouraging the young brethren there.

3. Paul and Silas left Philippi left as they had come, free servants of the Lord.