We completed Chap. 15 & now begin Chap.16. I wanted to provide deeper insight into Acts, with background info that also looks at the cities and culture Paul encountered throughout the regions traveled. Note: For those interest in going back to Chap. 1, click on the dates 03/21-03/28 in the “blog archive” in the upper right corner.
This is the style of architecture Paul saw when visiting most Greek cities, and the major cities in the Roman province of Asia, each abound with designated pagan temples. Maps will help put Paul's travels into perspective.
Pagan temples abounded, but the Gospel is what makes Christianity different than any other religion—then and now, including Islam while flourishes in much of that same region today, as the 2nd largest religion in the world.
Map shows an overview of Paul’s 2nd missionary Journey, which began in the closing verses of Chapter 15 and continues here in Chapter 16. If was much more extensive than his 1st journey. It began and ended in Antioch, Syria, as noted on the map. The region including the major cities noted on the slide.
V.1 begins with the first leg of Paul's 2nd missionary journey beginning at Derbe and then to Lystra; from Lystra to Iconium; about 3 days of travel not counting time spent in each. These were cities in the Roman Province of Galatia (shown on next slide). Paul addressed those churches in his letter to the Galatians, which was referred to as “the Magna Carta of Christian liberty,” the manifesto of justification by faith. 
The slide also shows the type of road Paul traveled between cities and beyond. The map highlights what was Galatia. Today, that entire region is modern-day Turkey, mostly Muslim, with just a hint of Christianity.
Lystra was the hometown of Timothy. The statue of Zeus was in the temple in Lystra. The worship of Zeus was popular in that region. Archeologists uncovered a statue of Zeus and of Hermes.
Map shows approximate mileage between cities. Antioch Syria to Derbe in Galatia (1st leg of the journey) is about 240 miles, approximately 12 days of travel. Typically a donkey was used to carry supplies. From Derbe to Lystra is about 30 miles and another 30 miles to Iconium. The type of roads traveled is shown in insert.
In v.3 Paul & Silas take Timothy along. Why did Paul have Timothy circumcised? Did he contradict his own teachings regarding grace v. obedience to the law? Paul visited the Jewish synagogues on his travels. If not circumcised, Timothy would not be allowed entry. So, no Paul wasn’t a hypocrite. In his letter to the Galatians he addresses circumcision (next slide).
In other words, those who try to appease God by circumcision have in fact, alienated themselves from Christ and salvation by grace alone. So, Paul’s circumcision of Timothy was for access to the synagogues not for compliance with the Law of Moses or salvation.
These verses note Paul’s travels with Timothy and Silas throughout the region. As noted in v.7 the Spirit of Jesus directed their travels away from Bithynia, down to Troas, as shown on next slide.
Scripture doesn’t tell us why Paul was not allowed to enter Bithynia or preach the word in Roman Asia (v.6). Shortly after Paul had a dream which may have been God’s immediately plan for sharing the Gospel. V.10 is written in the first person by Luke, which seems to indicate that he joined them at that time.
The last slide showed how spread out the cities Paul visited were across the region. Image illustrates what the city of Troas may have looked like.
The “we” in v.10 is believed to be Luke referring to himself in the first person, having just joined them. Macedonia was conquered by Alexander the Great ~334 BC. Macedonia was not Greek at the time—thought Greek was spoken there like most of the region during 1st century. Both Rome and Alexander the Great, as God decreed, provided the basis for spreading the Gospel throughout the region; with Roman roads interconnecting the cities and a common language of Greek spoken throughout the region.
Today many take the Gospel message for granted. But it was life changing for those Paul shared it with. Going forward, Paul travels to Macedonia. What is now modern Albania was then part of Macedonia as well as what is now part of No. Greece. Thrace is also divided today between Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey outlined in red in map on right.
The "we" in v.11 includes Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke. Philippi is in Macedonia—but the region is Greece. Without a synagogue, in accordance with Jewish law, a place of prayer could be established, preferably by water—in this case a river (v.13) where they would read & study the Scriptures.
On the river bank they met with some women. Paul took every opportunity to share the Gospel.
Thyatira (located in Asia) mentioned in v.14, was known for wool & dying. Purple was an expensive dye. Most likely Lydia believed in God in the Jewish tradition, and was baptized in the adjacent river by Paul, after professing Christ. Most likely she was fairly wealthy and also had a home in Philippi as well as a home and business in Thyatira.
These verses tell us how a demon possessed slave girl followed Paul, with predictions of the future. Scripture is silent on those predictions. Demon possession was common at that time, as we saw in the Gospels. What about today? Are demons still active but more subtle in their actions now then they were then?
We can only wonder why Paul waited before commanding the spirit to leave the slave girl. We can be certain it had to do with God’s timing, and only after several days, was it the most opportune time to do so.
The owners were outraged at her change. She was no longer a source of revenue for them. This charge to the magistrates wasn’t her being cured but that Paul was causing an uproar in advocating unlawful practices—which are not defined. We see similar accusations in the political world today, where evil is called good and good called evil.
The accusations against Paul and Silas were not true. But, the slave girl’s owners wanted them punished for taking away their source of income.
They flogged Paul and Silas and then put them in a prison cell. Little did the magistrates know they were Roman citizens. We can only wonder why Paul and Silas didn’t disclose their Roman citizenship when first brought to the magistrates. Nevertheless, we can be certain that every decision by Paul was for God’s glory.
As noted, an earthquake shook things up enough to open the prison doors and free them of their chains. The following verses tell the full story.
The jailer knew he would be held accountable, and preferred death to the punishment that would be in store for him—most likely flogging and even prison, perhaps to serve their term.
The jailer knew this was the work of Paul’s God and sought Paul’s council in regard to salvation. It was the Holy Spirit that brought the circumstances, including an earthquake, and opened his heart to recognize Paul’s God and Savior, Jesus Christ. If Paul had professed Roman citizenship before the magistrates, he would not have gone to jail, and the guard and his family would not have heard the Gospel of saving grace. Again, God works in mysterious ways.
The jailor’s whole family came to faith and were baptized. Did each family member accept Christ as Lord & Savior? I would say yes because the Holy Spirit led them to the truth.
Being a Roman citizen carried a lot of weight. A Roman citizen could not be punished without first standing trial. Yet, Paul and Silas’ flogging and imprisonment created the circumstances that led the jailor and his family to faith in Jesus Christ, just as God had foreordained.
As we have seen, the magistrate meted out punishment, believing they were Jews but not realizing they were also Roman citizens. Again, a Roman citizen could not be punished without first standing trial. Why did Paul want to be escorted out by the Roman magistrates?
It concerned the magistrate that Paul and Silas were treated contrary to Roman law. And there were consequences for him for having done so. We can be certain, he was relieved that they left without further delay. But what did Paul gain by being escorted out by the magistrate? Recognition and respect as a Roman citizen .
to continue sharing the Gospel without interference.
Paul and Silas did not forget Lydia and her family. And met with them to give them encouraging words in their new faith. Also being recognized as Roman citizens, he did not put Lydia and her family in danger for associating with him. End of Chap. 16
It’s interesting that Timothy wasn’t mentioned again after v.6. Only Paul & Silas were arrested being Jews, whereas Timothy was part Greek, nor was Luke a Jew. Timothy isn’t mentioned again until Chap.17:15. One thing we saw, man meant Paul’s imprisonment for evil, but God used it for good—to bring others to Christ.
How important is prayer? Paul prayed and great things happened. Anyone paying attention to the news soon recognizes the need for prayer for the United States of America. Pray that our people will recognize that when God was removed from the public square and schools it led to the moral decline of the USA. Pray that the Holy Spirit may convict our national and state leaders that they have put America on a dark path to decline and peril. Pray for our pastor, his family and our church that it may grow strong in the Lord bringing glory to the Father in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
End of
The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 16
