ACTS LESSON 36
We will continue on with Paul's ministry here in Macedonia in this
lesson Acts 16:16 "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:"
Soothsayers pretend to be able to tell the future. Their power
that they do have is from Satan and not God. This girl could be
compared to palm readers in our day. Certain people (away from God)
make a living doing this. They prey on the people who are uncertain
about their lives and their relationship with God. The whole thing is
demonic.
Acts 16:17 "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."
Paul does not need a demon possessed woman following around after
him, proclaiming him to know the way to salvation. Her message is
true, but coming from an unclean vessel. Paul does not want to
indicate that she is with his group.
Acts 16:18 "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."
Her continued crying out finally began to disturb Paul, and he
commanded the evil spirit to come out of her in the name of Jesus
Christ, and it did.
Acts 16:19 "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,"
These rulers were probably city judges, since they were holding
court in the market place. Those who took Paul and Silas to be tried
were the men making a living from this girl.
Acts 16:20 "And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These
men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,"
These magistrates were not Jewish, because the people who brought
Paul and Silas accused them of being Jews (as if there were something
wrong with that). The one they were troubling was them, keeping them
from making a living from this girl.
Acts 16:21 "And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to
receive, neither to observe, being Romans."
Rome ruled here in Philippi at this time and everything was based
on the Roman law, not on a moral code of Christianity or Judaism. The
Romans, at this time, were not Christian or Jews, but heathen.
Acts 16:22 "And the multitude rose up together against them: and
the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them]."
They incited a mob against Paul and Silas. Actually this was
without cause. Paul and Silas had not attacked Rome. These
magistrates forcibly tore off Paul and Silas' clothes and commanded
them to be beaten.
Acts 16:23 "And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they
cast [them] into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:"
This punishment was a public whipping and then they were thrown
into jail. As much as for the pain inflicted, the public whipping was
to embarrass the one receiving the whipping. The jailer was
specifically instructed to keep them from getting away.
Acts 16:24 "Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into
the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks."
It was not enough to have them in the inner prison. The jailer
put them in stocks, as well. There should be no possible way for them
to get out, but they had not taken into consideration their God.
Acts 16:25 "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang
praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."
We read in I Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." It is always
the correct time to praise God. Of course, the other prisoners could
hear their prayers and praise. They are right there with them.
Acts 16:26 "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."
We know that all who will live Godly lives will suffer
persecution. Tribulation comes to all. Our attitude about the
problem is what can free us from bonds. We must know that victory is
only in Jesus Christ. We see the divine power of God in action here.
Earthquakes are God dealing with man. In this case, all the doors
flew open. The bands breaking off was even more unusual.
Acts 16:27 "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."
This keeper of the prison was going to kill himself to keep from
being tortured for letting the prisoners go.
Acts 16:28 "But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself
no harm: for we are all here."
This was, perhaps, the greatest surprise this keeper of the prison
had ever had. He could not believe they were all still here. They
could have gotten away so easily.
Acts 16:29 "Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came
trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,"
He literally jumped in when he got a light. He was afraid of the
ruler from Rome before and now he is afraid of God. He has forgotten
about Rome's ruler here. He, too, was aware that Paul and Silas had
prayed and praised and caused this to happen. He ran to them and fell
down before them for help.
Acts 16:30 "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do
to be saved?"
This miracle of the earthquake and the bands falling off has
convinced this jailer that Paul and Silas have the truth. Now, he
asks what must I do to be saved? This should be the question of all
people.
Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
This is a wonderful promise that all believers can stand on. Not
only will we be saved, but our family as well.
Acts 16:32 "And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to
all that were in his house." Acts 16:33 "And he took them the same
hour of the night, and washed [their] stripes; and was baptized, he
and all his, straightway."
It seems that Paul and Silas went to the jailer's home and
preached to him and his family. The jailer and his family doctored
Paul and Silas, and Paul and Silas baptized the jailer and his family.
Acts 16:34 "And when he had brought them into his house, he set
meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house."
This jailer was truly excited and happy over his salvation and the
salvation of his family. He prepared a meal and invited Paul and
Silas to eat with them.
Acts 16:35 "And when it was day, the magistrates sent the
serjeants, saying, Let those men go." Acts 16:36 "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."
Those above the jailer had been sent to tell Paul and Silas they
could go. It seems the magistrate did not know about the happening of
the earthquake.
Acts 16:37 "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."
Paul is not going to let them ease out of this. He reminds them
that he is a Roman citizen. It is illegal to punish a citizen of Rome
without a free trial. Paul lets them know they will have to come
themselves in the way of an apology before they will leave.
Acts 16:38 "And the serjeants told these words unto the
magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans."
Acts 16:39 "And they came and besought them, and brought [them] out,
and desired [them] to depart out of the city."
This could have gotten them in a whole lot of trouble. Romans
were not to be punished or imprisoned without a trial. If their
carelessness were known in Rome, they might lose their positions.
They wanted Paul and Silas to leave town before word got back of what
they had done.
Acts 16:40 "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."
The believers were gathered at Lydia's house. Paul and Silas went
by to report what had happened to the brethren. This was undoubtedly
a home church. Paul comforted the others, and then they left.
Notes
Acts 36 Questions
1. What type of spirit possessed this woman following Paul?
2. How had she brought her masters much gain?
3. What is a soothsayer compared to in our day?
4. What was she saying about Paul and Silas?
5. After many days, Paul said what to the spirit in the woman who
followed him?
6. What happened when Paul said this?
7. What did her masters do when they realized the hope of gain from
her was gone?
8. Who did they take Paul and Silas to?
9. Who did they accuse them of being?
10. In verse 21, the masters claim to be whom?
11. Who tore off their clothes?
12. What did they command be done to Paul and Silas?
13. Who was in charge of them?
14. What did he do with them?
15. What time was it when Paul and Silas prayed in prison?
16. What did they do besides pray?
17. What Scripture tells us "In every thing give thanks..."?
18. What happened when they prayed?
19. When the jailer saw the doors open, what did he start to do?
20. Why did he not go ahead and do it?
21. When he got a light, what did the jailer do?
22. What question did the jailer ask Paul and Silas?
23. What did they answer him?
24. Who did Paul tell him would be saved besides him?
25. What did the jailer and his family do for Paul?
26. What did Paul do for the jailer and his family?
27. After Paul baptized them, what did the jailer do for Paul and
Silas?
28. When it was day, who sent to the jailer to release them?
29. What did Paul answer the magistrate?
30. Who did Paul tell them he was?
31. Did they come and let Paul out?
32. Where did Paul go when he got out of jail?
Notes
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