Day 1180: Led by the Spirit - Acts 16 vs 1 - 12

1-3 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4-5 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

6-8 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11-12 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. Acts 16:1-12 English Standard Version

Having just received the decision of the church at Jerusalem, that gentile converts didn't need to be circumcised for salvation, it might seem strange that Paul applied that rite to the young man named Timothy. But it shows how far Paul was willing to go to keep the peace. In 1 Corinthians 8:9 he said: “Be careful that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak . . . if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.” (1 Corinthians 8:9 &13) Timothy did not need the rite for his own salvation, but rather so that his 'un-circumcision' would not be a stumbling block among the Jews.

Gordon Keddie mentions in his commentary on Acts that Churches often impose unbiblical requirements on believers. Things such as abstinence from alcohol and tobacco, and going to films or dances. While we do need wisdom and discernment for these, we should avoid the trap of legalism which builds high hedges of man-made laws around God's revealed word.

What are your thoughts on vs 6-8?

We are not told how, but we are told that Paul was led by the Spirit in where the gospel should be preached. It wasn't that Asia was in any less need of the gospel, but God would most likely have other workers go there. And then the Spirit granted him a vision of a call to Europe. It's encouraging to keep in mind that mission and evangelism are in God's hands. He is still in charge of the Church. A 'closed' door can be as much God's will as an open one.

In this chapter we were introduced to Timothy, who would be of such great value to Paul over the rest of his life. He would be the recipient of two of Paul's letter concerning the care of the Church, and the need to reject foolish speculations. But we also get the hint of another man who would be instrumental in the gospel. Does vs 10 hint at who that might be?

The writer of Acts changes from the third person to the first person, and says “we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” It seems that Luke joined them at Troas. What a role he would have in compiling the gospel, and the book of Acts. And so, being led by the Spirit, Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke arrived in Philippi, a leading city of Macedonia (Greece) and a Roman colony. “Thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession, and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)