Acts 16
Bible Passage: Acts 16
The preacher in our Students’ Theological Course once asked us to use drawings to describe what we felt about Acts 16. If you haven’t read through the chapter, perhaps you’d like to read it carefully first and then come up with a mental picture of what you would draw. I remember vaguely (for it was some time ago!) some people drawing a rainbow above the jail cell Paul and Silas were thrown in, others drew a calm sea with boats bobbing peacefully by, and yet others who drew an abstract splash of anygry black and red all around a little peaceful spot where they draw themselves lying back relaxing in the middle of the page. What did you draw?
The Apostles were Receptive to God’s Instructions
What happens when we let God lead the way forwards? Let us refer to the examples in this chapter.
When the apostles were about to travel to the Roman province of Asia, the Holy Spirit forbade them to preach there (Acts 16:6). And then again in Bithynia (Acts 16:7). Paul was led by a vision into Macedonia. On the Sabbath they were in Macedonia, they spoke with a woman worshipper they met – Lydia, and God opened her heart to believe (Acts 16:14).
Thank God!
Later, they were followed by a girl who shouted her praises for them as God’s workers for days on end but Paul knew it was the demon’s working and cast out the evil spirit in the girl (Acts 16:18).
So far so good.
But wait. Some people were not happy with Paul and Silas’ work! The girl’s ‘gaurdians’ who were making a profit out of her ‘abilities’ caught Paul and Silas and dragged them to the law enforcers where they were humiliated (they had their clothes torn off in public Acts 16:22) severely beaten and thrown into prison (Acts 16:22-23).
Paul and Silas ended up in a prison cell!
In prison, they didn’t sit at a corner blaming God, complain or feel sorry for themselves but they prayed and sang hymns! What was quite amazing was that the prisoners actually listened! (Acts 16:25) Then in another turn of events, an earthquake struck the earth where the prison was situated and all the locks came loose! The chains became loose and the cell doors opened! (Acts 16:26)
Then the keeper of the prison panicked for if the prisoners escaped as he assumed they did, he would be hanged! Paul cried out to him just as he was about to commit suicide, for Paul knew that God made not even one prisoner to escape! If you are wondering about the number of exclaimation marks I am using, it is because I am amazed by God’s awesome workings. Aren’t you? J
Most importantly, when the keeper of the prison fell down trembling before Paul and Silas and asked them what he must do to save himself from them (for they were now perceived by all the prisoners as having extraordinary powers), Paul and Silas directed his attention to God, the sole source of their ‘powers’.
Not the Smooth Way, not the Rugged Way, but His Way
Whew! What a roller-coaster turn of events! Yet, some of us have also had similar experiences like that in our own modern day context. We do things with the best intentions, with God in mind, but somehow things don’t turn out the way we expect them to. Do we give up? Some bulldoze their way through with bursting faith, some take a step back and reflect in prayer, whatever it is, God sees our hearts. Let’s put our trust in God to guide us in His path – not the smooth path, not the rugged path, but His path.
If we examine the above events closely, we realise that God cherishes our spiritual lives. Sufferrings from ill-treatment or sicknesses today allows us to realise the fragility of our physical form, and spurs us on to accomplish only the things that truly matter in life, to store up for ourselves treasures in an everlasting heavenly kingdom.
2 Comments
PS
Why did Paul circumcise Timothy?
Paul and Silas were going through the cities to deliver to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem in Acts 15:24-29 which said gentile needed not be circumcised, isn’t it?
May be bec Timothy’s mother was a Jewish woman and Timonthy was not a “gentile” by definition, thus not considered as under Acts 15:22-29.
Acts 16:32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
Paul, Silas and the prison keeper were still in the prison. ALL who were in the keeper’s house heard the word of Paul.
Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
If Acts 16:32 and Acts 16:33 are taken literally, the prison keeper and all his family were in the prsion. May be his family were very small and were all working at the same place, ie prison, and on the same shift, together at the same place at the same time.
Acts 16:34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set good before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
Acts 16:17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying,”These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaimed to us the way of salvation.”
Paul stopped her in Acts 16:18.
Why did Paul stop her? Isn’t those not opposing us for us? Wasn’t she broadcasting an “useful and correct” message which could help Paul and his company?
God is holy. Those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. When we preach the gospel of life, the salvation grace of Lord Jesus, we must use ways of God and from God.
When our service is acceptable to God, Lord Jesus will surely bless the church to strengthen in the faith, and increase in number daily.
Pray and work. This is the left and right feet to tread the service path of God.
HL
What strikes me the most is also that the slave girl who had the spirit followed them n seemingly was saying praises n “helping” in the work of their preaching. This shows two things. First, a level of spiritual discernment, second, that this is how the devil works to deceive! Most of us may not see why would we need to put a stop to such things that seem to be helping us! But is it really helping? Is it truly edifying? Can a mouth that preaches deceptions also be used to praise the name of God or His holy servants? We truly need to tune up our spiritual sensitivity against such works that are very prevalent these days.