Acts 16
BSB1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father. 2 The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace, and the following day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14 Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. 16 One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!" 18 She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment. 19 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. 20 They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil 21 by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice." 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. 24 On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, presuming that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!" 29 Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. 33 At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized. 34 Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them. So he and all his household rejoiced that they had come to believe in God. 35 When daylight came, the magistrates sent their officers with the order: “Release those men." 36 The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace." 37 But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!" 38 So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.
Study Notes — Acts 16
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Acts 16
- Themes from Acts 16
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Acts 16
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Acts chapter 16 begins with Paul and Silas traveling to Derbe and Lystra, where they meet Timothy, a young disciple who joins their ministry team. They then journey to Troas, where Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia, leading them to cross into Europe and preach the gospel. In Philippi, they encounter a slave girl with a spirit of divination, whom Paul delivers, and subsequently face opposition from her owners, resulting in their imprisonment. However, through prayer and a miraculous earthquake, they are freed, leading to the conversion of their jailer and his family. The chapter concludes with Paul and Silas continuing their ministry in Philippi, despite being asked to leave, and then traveling to Thessalonica.
Context for the Chapter
Acts chapter 16 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Acts, which describes the early Christian church and the spread of the gospel. This chapter fits into the second missionary journey of Paul, which is a significant part of the book. The events of this chapter also have connections to the Old Testament, particularly in the way that God is sovereignly guiding the spread of the gospel and using persecution to advance His kingdom.
Heart Application
The chapter challenges us to trust in the sovereignty of God, even in the face of persecution and adversity. It also encourages us to be faithful in preaching and living out the gospel, knowing that it has the power to transform lives and communities. As we face our own challenges and difficulties, we can draw strength and comfort from the example of Paul, Silas, and the other believers in this chapter.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter is about the spread of the gospel through the missionary journeys of Paul and Silas. They face persecution and imprisonment but are freed through a miraculous earthquake. The gospel is preached, and people are saved, including a jailer and his family. The chapter shows that the gospel is powerful and can change lives, and that God is sovereign over all things.
Voices from the Church
“The gospel is not a mere moral improvement, but a supernatural transformation, which can only be wrought by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The preaching of the gospel is not just a human endeavor, but a divine work, which is guided and empowered by the sovereign God.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction to the Second Missionary Journey (Acts 16:1-5) — Paul and Silas travel to Derbe and Lystra, where they meet Timothy, who joins their ministry team.
- The Vision and Call to Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10) — Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia, leading them to cross into Europe and preach the gospel.
- The Conversion of the Slave Girl and the Opposition in Philippi (Acts 16:11-24) — Paul and Silas encounter a slave girl with a spirit of divination, whom Paul delivers, and subsequently face opposition from her owners.
- The Imprisonment and Deliverance of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25-34) — Paul and Silas are imprisoned but are freed through a miraculous earthquake, leading to the conversion of their jailer and his family.
- The Aftermath and Continued Ministry in Philippi (Acts 16:35-40) — Paul and Silas continue their ministry in Philippi, despite being asked to leave, and then travel to Thessalonica.
Core Doctrines
- The Sovereignty of God
- The chapter demonstrates the sovereignty of God, who is guiding the missionary journeys of Paul and Silas, and using their experiences to advance the gospel and build His church.
- The Power of the Gospel
- The gospel is shown to be a powerful and transformative message, which can change lives and communities.
- The Importance of Faith
- The chapter highlights the importance of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, as seen in the key verse (Acts 16:31).
- The Role of Prayer
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of prayer in the lives of believers, as seen in the prayer meeting in Philippi (Acts 16:13) and the singing and prayer of Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25).
Lessons from Acts 16
- The Importance of Faithfulness in Ministry — The chapter teaches us the importance of faithfulness in ministry, even in the face of opposition and adversity.
- The Power of the Gospel to Transform Lives — The gospel is shown to be a powerful and transformative message, which can change lives and communities.
- The Role of Prayer in Ministry — The chapter emphasizes the importance of prayer in the lives of believers, as seen in the prayer meeting in Philippi (Acts 16:13) and the singing and prayer of Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25).
- The Sovereignty of God in Guiding the Spread of the Gospel — The chapter demonstrates the sovereignty of God, who is guiding the missionary journeys of Paul and Silas, and using their experiences to advance the gospel and build His church.
- The Importance of Household Conversion — The chapter highlights the importance of household conversion, as seen in the conversion of the jailer and his family (Acts 16:31-34).
Themes from Acts 16
- The Advance of the Gospel — The chapter describes the continued spread of the gospel through the missionary journeys of Paul and Silas.
- The Power of Prayer — The chapter emphasizes the importance of prayer in the lives of believers, as seen in the prayer meeting in Philippi (Acts 16:13) and the singing and prayer of Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25).
- The Sovereignty of God — The chapter demonstrates the sovereignty of God, who is guiding the missionary journeys of Paul and Silas, and using their experiences to advance the gospel and build His church.
- The Importance of Faith — The chapter highlights the importance of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, as seen in the key verse (Acts 16:31).
- The Transformative Power of the Gospel — The gospel is shown to be a powerful and transformative message, which can change lives and communities.
Questions for Meditation
- What can we learn from the example of Paul and Silas in the face of persecution and imprisonment?
- How does the gospel message impact individuals and communities, as seen in this chapter?
- What role does prayer play in the lives of believers, according to this chapter?
- How does the chapter demonstrate the sovereignty of God in guiding the spread of the gospel?
- What challenges and encouragements can we take from this chapter in our own lives and ministries?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction to the Second Missionary Journey (Acts 16:1-5)
| 16:1 | Paul and Silas travel to Derbe and Lystra, where they meet Timothy, who joins their ministry team. |
| 16:2 | The believers in Lystra and Iconium speak well of Timothy, and Paul wants him to join them on their journey. |
2. The Vision and Call to Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10)
| 16:6 | Paul and his companions are kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching in Asia, and they travel to Mysia and then to Troas. |
| 16:9 | Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia, leading them to cross into Europe and preach the gospel. |
3. The Conversion of the Slave Girl and the Opposition in Philippi (Acts 16:11-24)
| 16:11 | Paul and his companions sail to Samothrace and then to Neapolis, and then they travel to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. |
| 16:16 | Paul and Silas encounter a slave girl with a spirit of divination, whom Paul delivers, and subsequently face opposition from her owners. |
4. The Imprisonment and Deliverance of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25-34)
| 16:25 | Paul and Silas are imprisoned but are freed through a miraculous earthquake, which opens the prison doors and loosens their chains. |
| 16:31 | The jailer asks what he must do to be saved, and Paul replies, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.' |
5. The Aftermath and Continued Ministry in Philippi (Acts 16:35-40)
| 16:35 | The magistrates send word to release Paul and Silas, but they refuse to leave until they are publicly apologized to. |
| 16:40 | Paul and Silas leave the prison and go to Lydia's house, where they meet with the believers and encourage them before leaving the city. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the vision of the man from Macedonia?
The vision is a call from God for Paul and his companions to preach the gospel in Macedonia, marking the beginning of the spread of Christianity into Europe (Acts 16:9-10).
Why did Paul and Silas face opposition in Philippi?
Paul and Silas faced opposition from the owners of the slave girl with a spirit of divination, who were upset about the loss of their income from her fortune-telling (Acts 16:16-24).
What can we learn from the example of the jailer and his family?
The jailer and his family demonstrate the importance of household conversion and the power of the gospel to transform lives, as they all come to faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31-34).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 16:9 → John 1:1 | The vision of the man from Macedonia is a call from God, similar to the call of Jesus to His disciples (John 1:1). |
| 2 | Acts 16:16 → Deuteronomy 18:10-12 | The slave girl with a spirit of divination is an example of the kind of occult practices that are forbidden in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). |
| 3 | Acts 16:25 → Psalm 119:62 | Paul and Silas singing and praying in prison is an example of the kind of trust and worship that is encouraged in the Psalms (Psalm 119:62). |
| 4 | Acts 16:31 → Romans 10:9 | The statement 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household' is a summary of the gospel message, similar to the statement in Romans 10:9. |
| 5 | Acts 16:35 → Matthew 5:10-12 | The magistrates' attempt to release Paul and Silas is an example of the kind of persecution that Jesus warned His disciples to expect (Matthew 5:10-12). |
| 6 | Acts 16:40 → | The encouragement of the believers in Philippi is an example of the kind of community and support that is encouraged in the New Testament (Hebrews 10:24-25). |
| 7 | Acts 16:1-5 → Genesis 12:1-3 | The call of Paul and his companions to preach the gospel is similar to the call of Abraham to leave his family and country and go to a new land (Genesis 12:1-3). |
| 8 | Acts 16:6-10 → Isaiah 49:6 | The spread of the gospel to Macedonia is an example of the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 49:6, which says that the servant of the Lord will be a light to the nations. |
Sermons on Acts 16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Receiving the Holy Spirit by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker, Pastor Dave, shares a story about a farmer who toiled his whole life on a rocky piece of land, only to die in poverty and discouragement. However, afte |
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Brother Yun - Heavenly Man by Brother Yun | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of losing his first love for God while being caught up in the busyness of ministry. He emphasizes that past obedience is |
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Testimony - Part 1 by Gladys Aylward | In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares their experience of being the only missionary in a heathen government and their journey of spreading the Gospel in South Shansey. Desp |
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Witchcraft - Public Enemy #1 - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Paul and Silas encountering a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. The preacher emphasizes that Satan often uses occu |
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Available to God by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a boy named Abraham who had no home, friends, family, money, or food. The preacher gave Abraham a German Testament and explained t |
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Assurance of Salvation by Oswald J. Smith | In this sermon, the minister discusses the importance of trust and commitment in relationships, using the example of a marriage ceremony. He emphasizes the significance of a young |
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Revival Series 3 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that there is no reason to be intimidated by the darkness and chaos of the world. He refers to a verse in the Bible that talks about a messen |
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What Does It Mean to Accept Christ - Part 1 by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher tells the story of the prodigal son from the Bible. He emphasizes the humbling experience of the son feeding swine, which was considered shameful for a |
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Meet Your Psychiatrist: He Makes the Future Bright by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher begins by referencing John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" and the story of Christian and Hopeful being imprisoned in Doubting Castle. He emphasizes the |
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Saving Faith by Oswald J. Smith | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of human life and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limited time we have on Earth. The speaker expresses grat |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts 16
The chapter describes the continued spread of the gospel through the missionary journeys of Paul and Silas. Despite facing persecution and imprisonment, they remain faithful and trust in the sovereignty of God. The gospel is preached, and people are saved, including a jailer and his family. The chapter teaches us the importance of faithfulness in ministry, the power of the gospel to transform lives, and the role of prayer in the lives of believers. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The gospel is not a mere moral improvement, but a supernatural transformation, which can only be wrought by the power of the Holy Spirit.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Power of Prayer
The chapter highlights the importance of prayer in the lives of believers, as seen in the prayer meeting in Philippi (Acts 16:13) and the singing and prayer of Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25).
The Impact of the Gospel
The gospel is having a significant impact on individuals and communities, as seen in the conversion of the slave girl, the jailer, and his family. The gospel is not just a message but a transformative power that changes lives.
The Sovereignty of God
The chapter demonstrates the sovereignty of God, who is guiding the missionary journeys of Paul and Silas, and using their experiences to advance the gospel and build His church.