The Book of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 66 Faithfulness, Patience and Serving God

We now move into Acts sixteen. Luke tells us nothing else about Barnabas and John Mark's journey. This is because he concentrated on the events that happened with Paul and Silas. 

This chapter also marks another milestone, because the gospel is going to go to Europe for the first time, when they arrive at Philippi. 

Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey

A new journey begins

Acts 16:1,2  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. 

You may recall that Lystra was where Paul was stoned and left for dead. Yet, the apostle boldly returned to the city, trusting that Jesus would sustain and protect him. 

Luke introduced us to a young disciple named Timothy by using the words "a certain disciple." Throughout the book of Acts, Luke has used the word "certain" to alert us that something different is about to take place. 

Timothy was used of God and became a spiritual son to the apostle Paul. The apostle also wrote two pastoral letters to young Timothy, to exhort and encourage him. 

Timothy had a believing mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5) but his father was a Greek man. The text implies that since he was uncircumcised, Timothy's father was not a believer. 

Even though he was but a young man, Timothy's character was being shaped by the Spirit of God. He was held in high regard by the believers at Lystra and Iconium. 

Teach the Bible to your children early in life.

2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

Paul commented on the fact that Timothy's mother and grandmother taught him the scriptures as a little child. He is living proof of what Jesus meant when He spoke of child like faith. 

Child like faith and being born again.

Mark 10:15  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Matthew 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The expression of child like faith is connected to Jesus' teaching about the new birth (John 3). The idea is simply taking God at His word, trusting Him and obeying. 

Paul chose young Timothy to travel with them.

Acts 16:3  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. 

Paul desired that Timothy would travel with him to assist with gospel ministry. It may seem strange that Paul had Timothy circumcised when he had gone to Jerusalem to defend the Gentile believers from being circumcised. 

Any one could perform this rite. Paul  stoutly resisted circumcision in the case of Titus, because he was of pure Greek descent (See Galatians 2:3; 2:5), In the case of Titus, the whole principle of Gentile liberty was at stake. 

But Timothy was both Jew and Greek and he would continually offend the Jews with no advantage for the cause of Gentile freedom. 

For the sake of expediency, “because of the Jews”  Paul voluntarily removed this stumbling-block to the ministry of Timothy.  

Here it was a question of efficient service, not an essential of salvation. Timothy was circumcised because of Jewish unbelievers, not because of Jewish believers.

Otherwise Timothy could not have been allowed to preach in their synagogues.  

Confirming the churches as God saved more people. 

Acts 16:4-5  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. 5)  And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. 

Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled to the churches, seeking to assess their spiritual condition and to confirm them in the faith. In each city, they delivered a copy of the decree from the Jerusalem council, regarding Gentiles, circumcision and the law. 

The word "established" means to make strong, solid and firm in the Christians faith. The Greek word translated "established" is found in the word "stereo." 

The most common item connected to this word is a home sound system with stereophonic sound. The idea is that by using multiple speakers, the sounds achieve more clarity and volume without distortion. 

Paul, Timothy and Silas were all speaking the same gospel message in each church, which clarified their faith, reinforced the truth that they heard and resulted in spiritual progress. 

One more note is that these churches were growing. The number of new believers grew each day. The Word of God was being preached, the Lord Jesus Christ was elevated and the Spirit of God did mighty works in people's hearts. 

The Spirit of God guided where the gospel went. 

Acts 16:6-7  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7)  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 

Paul, Silas and Timothy broke new ground by taking the gospel into Phrygia and Galatia. Looking at the map above, you can see that Bithynia was farther north but the Spirit of God directed them to take a westerly course. 

In Roman times, however, when Paul journeyed there, the country was divided into two parts, one of which was known as Galatian Phrygia, and the other as Asian Phrygia, because it was a part of the Roman province of Asia. 

The Asian Phrygia was the larger of the two divisions, including the greater part of the older country. Galatian Phrygia was small, extending along the Pisidian Mountains, but among its important cities were Antioch, Iconium and Apollonia.

 Phrygia was an extensive district in Asia Minor which contributed portions to several Roman provinces, and varying portions at different times.  

Several bishops from Phrygia were present at the Councils of Nicea, A.D. 325, and of Constantinople, A.D. 381, showing the prevalence of Christianity at that time.

We must also take notice of the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the apostles. He restrained Paul, Silas and Timothy from traveling to a part of Asia known as "proconsular Asia." 

The seven churches of Revelation were located in that particular region. 

Instead the Spirit of God chose to send his servants to another place, where He saw that the word would be readily received.

The Spirit of God closed another door for the gospel.

Acts 16:7-8  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8)  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 

They passed through Phrygia into Mysia, which lay between Bithynia on the north, Phrygia on the east, Aeolia on the south, and the Mediterranean on the west.

Paul and his companions were once again stopped by the Spirit of God from going toward Bithynia. 

The Spirit of God knew that it was not the right time to preach the word at Bithynia. As this narrative unfolds we will see clearly why He directed the apostles to certain locations. 

He willed them to go immediately to Macedonia, the people there being ripe for the word of life. 

The Spirit of God opened a door to Europe.

Acts 16:9-10  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. 

Paul, Silas and Timothy waited at Troas for the Spirit of God to show them where He wanted them to travel. They were at the shores of the next great sea, the Aegean which separated the continents of Europe and Asia. 

They left the area of Paul’s first mission and started north, through central Turkey. Paul wanted to turn west into the province of Asia toward the coast where the populous city of Ephesus was located. 

The Spirit prevented this. So Paul continued north, headed for the province of Bithynia with it's towns along the coast of the Black Sea.  

God gave Paul a vision that night of a man from Macedonia pleading for help. As Paul looked across the Aegean Sea, he may have wondered if the Lord was leading him to Macedonia.   

This account is remarkably similar to Peter's vision concerning going to the home of Cornelius. It was a vision not a dream, which means Paul was awake just like Peter was in Acts 10. 

Europe was ripe for the labors of evangelization. We know by the end of the first century A.D. as recorded by the governor, Pliny, that Bithynia was filled with Christians.

Paul demonstrated immediate obedience to the vision from God. They prepared to find a ship to cross over the Aegean sea. Paul, Silas and Timothy were of one heart and one mind, in believing God opened this door for the gospel to be preached.

Jesus directs the Spirit to open or close doors for ministry. 

Revelation 3:7-8  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8)  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 

Jesus gave John letters for each of the seven churches in Asia Minor, the very area where Paul was not yet permitted to preach the gospel. The Lord of the Church guides where He wants the gospel to be taken. 

This text connects to Isaiah 22:22 and the work of Messiah, the King of kings. Jesus plainly said that He will open doors that no one can shut and He will shut doors that no one can open. 

This was certainly the experience of Paul, Silas and Timothy on this missionary journey. They too, had to learn to walk by faith not by sight, to obey and not to question, to be humble and wait, rather than pridefully charging ahead. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

In this narrative, we see the necessity for believers to be ready to go when God sends us out with the gospel. We need to be like Isaiah when he said "Here am I. Send me" (Isaiah 6:8).

We must wake up each day and prepare ourselves through prayer and meditation on His Word, to ask God how He wants us to serve Him this day. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, only this day, this moment. 

Are we redeeming this time wisely?

We also learned again, the importance of teaching our children the Bible at the earliest possible age. We want them to grow up having scripture woven into their being, as Timothy's mother and grandmother did. 

Are we teaching and pointing our children and grandchildren to the Bible?

Last, we learned that God is directing the growth of His church and that He will direct us if we slow down and listen to Him speak through His Word. We may have a burden to serve but we must wait on the Lord for direction, as Paul did.

Are we allowing the Lord to direct our steps?

These are some of the most practical applications of God's truth that will benefit us. I pray that the Spirit of God will help us seek His will for our lives. 

Bob