Acts 16

1 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.

Timothy did this to please his mother's side of the family. He didn't have to do it because that has nothing to do with salvation, he did it for his mother.

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

As Paul and Timothy move through these cities, they carry The Truth of God with them. They bring what was agreed on with others of same mind, Gods Word

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

This is what happens when Truth is taught. It's not about the numbers, it's about establishing ones faith in God.  So many of today's churches put on a show to gain numbers while the people leave without being strong in their faith. A lot of sugar and no salt will causes a cancer of deception.

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia,

This is because they're not ready for it. You know as well as I, there are some who are ready to hear and then those that will reject it.  One example would be those that hate it. Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Again The Holy Spirit stops them from feeding The Word. When The LORD leads, you 'll know it, if you're listening.

8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

They're on their way to spread The Gospel.

11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

12 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.

They stayed there a few days.

13 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.

God didn't lead them to the church on this sabbath, but to a river where a certain woman was.

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Lydia was a dealer of "purple" cloth. Greek 4211= Porphuropolis, a female trader in purple cloth. You may read of the church of Thyatira in Revelation 2:18 and this church just doesn't have time for God's Word. Lydia loves The Lord and goes to teach it, but they refuse to grow in it. This in Revelation is speaking of what it is today.

15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

She is asking them if they find her and her family to be a Christian, would they come to her house. They couldn't reject her request, so Paul, Timothy and Luke went.

16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

"divination"= "Puthon"= "Python" = a snake that can charm. She thinks she is a servant of God, but is of satan. This type is called a "medium" today. She thinks she can tell you your future.

17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

She may be saying this, but she doesn't follow The Word in Truth. Many come claiming to be Christians but are not. Acts 20:29
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock."

18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

God doesn't like repetition. When we speak it should be from the heart, not a chant. She was chanting and Paul had enough of it. With God's Word growing in you, you'll be able to see clearly what is of God and what's of satan.

19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

They're mad because the evil she did brought money into their hands. Paul command the evil out of her in Christ Jesus name and it's gone.

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

Paul, Timothy and Luke came from Jerusalem so they are calling them "Jews". Paul was of course from Tarsus. Kenites hard at it as always going against The Word of God. Truth will cause trouble to those that hate it.

21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

These kenites refuse Christ so they're going to do their best to start trouble.

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

It doesn't take much to stir people up against Christians. Those that want to refuse Christ will look for any reason to fight Him. REAL Christians know beyond any doubt, they already have victory

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Something close to this very thing is about to take place to those who hold to The Truth. Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit.

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

Nothing new, satan trying to control Christians. What an idiot! Light always overcomes the dark, even when you try to cover your eyes.

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

No matter what a Christian is going through, we know our Father is with us. Because they sing at Midnight, spiritually speaking is the wedding feast = Christ return, 7th trump.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

God is in control. Don't ever forget it, even when you are in the chains of life. Do your best and He will see you through the rest. Our Father ALWAYS provides a way.

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

He knows because they're all gone, the rulers will murder him.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Paul stuck around and stops the person from committing suicide.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

They had seen the power of God and the faith Paul and Silas had shown as they sang praises unto God. They wanted that kind of peace Christ and His Words is The ONLY place you're going to ever be able to find it.

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Did they say, "take a bath" why no they didn't because it is the blood of Christ, His sacrifice for those that accept Him are the ones that will have life, now and to come.

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

When ears are open and hungry we should never turn away from what God has given as the opportunity to feed His Truth. We are placed there for that reason at that time.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

After they had accepted Christ and were saved, they wanted to be baptized immediately. Christians follow Christ. He was baptized and so shall we. If you don't understand about being baptized, I'll give you a free CD study on the subject if you would like one. E-mail us your address and I will send it out asap. Or you can go to "Topic Studies" on here and open up "Baptism and Blood". 

34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

His whole family left that old world behind and are made new in The Lord, feeling blessed and rejoicing in God.

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

"serjeants" = officers enforcing laws. The judges told these serjeants to go to the jail, let Paul and Silas go.

36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

Hold on! Paul has something to say about what they have done.

37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

These kenites had condemned them without due process of the law. Paul is saying, let them come, I want to see them face to face.

38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

The rights of a citizen of Rome have been violated. Paul being the only Roman caused fear for the serjeants and magistrates.

39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

The magistrates didn't want the truth coming out that they had convicted Paul and Silas without an order coming from Caesar.

40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

They went back to Lydia, the woman that traded in the purple cloth. Paul and the others are no push overs. They are strong in The Word and will fight the good fight EVERYDAY.