I ended the last study with verse 35 in Chapter 15 because that was the end of that narrative. Verse 36 begins a new section of the book of Acts. I also wanted to write briefly on verse 34 in chapter 15. There are only a few translations that actually have this verse in them. It is in the KJV and the NASB translations but no others have it. Many believe it was not in the original text of Acts and therefore they omitted it. It reads, “But Silas decided to remain with them. Only Judas departed.” This was most likely placed there by a scribe who was looking to solve a problem of Silas being present in Antioch again verse 40. The reason it is left out in other translations is that it causes a more serious conflict in verse 33 which clearly states they both returned to Jerusalem. Verse 34 did not have to be written because there would be no problem with verse 40 anyway because it takes place some time later (verse 36) and this would allow plenty of time for Silas to return to Antioch from Jerusalem.
Starting in verse 36 we read of Paul’s witness to the Greek world. Paul saw himself above all as Christ’s apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 1:5; 15:18; Galatians 2:8). This calling is confirmed by the account of his missionary activity in Acts. In verses 36-41 we read of the split between Barnabas and Paul, and verse 36 tells us that it is “some time later.” We do not know how long that is but Paul wanted to go back and revisit all the towns where they established churches on their first mission. The time not given exactly is a way that Luke marked a new division in the narrative. This will in fact be a new division in the narrative and mark Paul’s second missionary journey. Barnabas again wanted to bring John-Mark along with them and Paul did not want to. He remembered John leaving them back in their first mission (13:13). So because Barnabas and John-Mark were cousins they left and went to Cyprus and Paul chose Silas and they left and went through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches. It may have seemed unfortunate that this disagreement happened, but as we know God always has a plan and this would prove to have a fortunate outcome. Now there are two missions instead of one.
Beginning now in chapter 16 Paul proceeded north on foot through the Cilcian gates to the cities that he and Barnabas had established churches on their first missionary journey. When they arrived in Lystra they met a disciple by the name of Timothy. Timothy’s conversion dated back to when Paul and Barnabas first witnessed in that city (14:20). Luke wrote that Timothy was well spoken of by the Christians in Lystra and Iconium. Luke also noted that Timothy’s mother was Jewish and his father was Greek. This is an essential thing to remember when understanding why Paul had Timothy circumcised (v. 3). Paul would have never had Timothy circumcised if he was a full Gentile, but since his mother was Jewish and the rabbinic law stated that a child born to a Jewish mother and a Greek father was considered Jewish. Timothy then was considered a Jew and being that his father was Greek he would not have had him circumcised. So the main reason why Timothy was circumcised was because if he was going to be going to Jewish synagogues with Paul it would not have been a good witness for them to have someone of Jewish lineage uncircumcised and it would have hampered his effectiveness among the Jews.
After completing their visits of churches established on Paul’s first mission, the three (Paul, Silas and Timothy) now headed north. It appears that during the travelling he was stopped by the Holy Spirit and there is no reason given, the important point here is that he was stopped. God had other plans for him. As they continued on they again were stopped by “the Spirit of Jesus.” This may have been a special vision of the risen Jesus but it is more than likely a variant expression of the Holy Spirit. I am sure they must have wondered why they kept being led away from where they were going, but they trusted in God and they knew wherever they were going they were being led by the Holy Spirit. We see God’s plan in verse 9. Paul was sent a vision in a dream in the middle of the night, a man of Macedonia appeared to him begging him to come and witness to the Macedonians. This was also the second of six visions received by the apostle. Now look closely at verse 10, you will see there is a change from the third person pronoun to the first person “we” which would indicate that Luke joined up with Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Paul realized that this vision was from God and was calling him to a mission in Macedonia and the others agreed.
The remaining verses in chapter 16 shows Paul’s work in Philippi and falls into four separate scenes. Verses 11-15 relate to their journey to Philippi and the conversion of a prominent woman named Lydia. Verses 16-24 deal with the healing of a possessed servant girl and its unfortunate result. Verses 25-34 tell of the conversion of the Philippian jailer and verses 35-40 treat the final encounter of Paul the Roman citizen with the city magistrates.
Verses 11-15 tells the story of Lydia. She is described as a dealer in goods dyed purple, which is an occupation that would be likely since Thyatira was the center of purple dye trade. Purple goods were expensive and was often associated with royalty so this would have been a very good business to be in. By Lydia inviting them to stay in her home it would mean that she had guest rooms and was able to accommodate them adequately. Lydia is receptive to the gospel, God works within her and opens her heart. She and “the members of her household” receive baptism and the missionaries are invited into her home. This is a common expression of faith that is seen throughout the New Testament.
During this trip they encounter a slave girl who was possessed and had a spirit within her which predicted the future, this made her owners very wealthy. The Greek literally speaks of “python spirit.” Like the demoniac during Jesus’ ministry the possessed girl could see into Paul’s true nature, his preaching and the reality of the God he proclaimed she followed them shouting that they were servants of “the Most High God” and proclaimers of “a way of salvation.” Paul being troubled by her exercised the evil spirit out of her. This did not set well with her owners because their “cash cow” was now gone. Paul and Silas were then seized and were brought before the city magistrates charged with “advocating customs unlawful to Romans.”
The townspeople realizing the money that will now be lost for them also joined in on the attack of Paul and Silas, they were then “stripped and beaten” and “thrown into prison” (v.23). Paul makes no appeal to his rights as a Roman citizen here like he does when he is beaten and imprisoned in Jerusalem (22:25). It seems he is willing to suffer because he senses that a greater good will come out of him being in prison.
I am going to stop here because this is getting to long, I will write on the end of this chapter and post it later today and we will see the reason why Paul suffered and was thrown in prison.
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