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Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Spurgeon has an interesting thought - Our dreams often follow the leading thoughts of the day; or, if not of the day, yet the chief thoughts that are upon the mind. Paul dreams about mission work, for his heart is in it. I should not wonder if some before me, who are deeply engaged in earnest Christian work, have often dreamt about their Sunday-school, or their mission-station. Where the mind goes when we are awake, it often goes when we are asleep. This vision that appeared to Paul was supernatural; and was an indication of what God wanted him to do. Robert
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Spurgeon - In the vision, the man prayed, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” The best help that Paul could render to the Macedonians was “to preach the gospel unto them.” The best help you can give men socially is to help them religiously; and the best religious help is to preach the gospel to them. Robert Morgan in his sermon "Six Ways to Know God's Will" (click for full sermon) references this event in Acts as an example of the "Trend of Circumstances Fifth, the trend of circumstances. God often reveals his will by providentially arranging the circumstances of life. When you study the book of Acts, we discover that God sometimes led Paul the apostle by means of open and closed doors. In Acts 16, for example, Paul wanted to go into Asia and evangelize the Orient, but the doors wouldn’t open for him. He couldn’t get through the borders. But the doors into Europe opened virtually by themselves, and Paul concluded that God wanted him to take the Gospel westward. Morgan in another sermon "Taking the Next Step" This is what Paul discovered when he came to a standstill in Acts 16. He had intended to devote his second missionary journey to Asia, but the doors kept closing on him. Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. When the doors kept closing, Paul just looked around for one that was open and took the next logical step by faith. Illustration: Did you know that the charter of Massachusetts that was granted by Charles I, contains an expression of hope that the settlers would impact their world. In the charter it is stated that the settlers “may win and incite the natives of the country to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Savior of mankind and the Christian faith, which is out royal intention, and the adventurer’s free profession, and the principal end of this plantation.” The first seal of Massachusetts represents an Indian giving utterance to the words, “Come over here and help us.” God often changes our plans, interrupts our schedules, interferes with our will to get His will done in and through our lives.(Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts) Did you know: David Livingstone planned to go to China—God led him to Africa Alexander Mackay prepared for work in Madagascar, the Lord directed him to Uganda to aid in founding one of the most remarkable missions in the world. William Carey proposed to go the South Sea, but God directed him to India, where he gave the Bible to the millions in their native tongue. (Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts) Acts 16:11 So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; KJV Acts 16:11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; NET Acts 16:11 We put out to sea from Troas and sailed a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, GNT Acts 16:11 Ἀναχθέντες δὲ ἀπὸ Τρῳάδος εὐθυδρομήσαμεν εἰς Σαμοθρᾴκην, τῇ δὲ ἐπιούσῃ εἰς Νέαν Πόλιν NLT Acts 16:11 We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. ESV Acts 16:11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, CSB Acts 16:11 Then, setting sail from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, NIV Acts 16:11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. NAB Acts 16:11 We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis, NKJ Acts 16:11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, NJB Acts 16:11 Sailing from Troas we made a straight run for Samothrace; the next day for Neapolis, GWN Acts 16:11 So we took a ship from Troas and sailed straight to the island of Samothrace. The next day we sailed to the city of Neapolis, NRS Acts 16:11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, YLT Acts 16:11 having set sail, therefore, from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, on the morrow also to Neapolis, Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries See Map of Second Missionary Journey Troas >Samothrace > Neapolis > Philippi THE GOSPEL TEAM SETS FOOT ON EUROPE! Just to keep an approximate time frame in mind, it is now about the year 50 AD (or a little later). So putting out to sea from Troas - The most efficient way to go the approximately 135 miles from Troas to Macedonia was via the sea. And so the missionaries leave the continent of Asia on their way to the continent of Europe. Wherever He Leads I Will God B. B. McKinney It may be through the shadows dim, or o’er the stormy sea, I take my cross and follow Him, wherever He leadeth me. My heart, my life, my all I bring to Christ who loves me so; He is my Master, Lord, and King, wherever He leads I’ll go. Wherever He leads I’ll go, wherever He leads I’ll go. I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, wherever He leads I’ll go. G Campbell
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Spurgeon say they were "Waiting to know what they were to do. In God’s work, we are not to go on in blundering haste. Sometimes, a little waiting may be good for us; and by waiting, we may find out the true path of success." Were staying (tarrying)(1304)(diatribo from dia = through or intensifier + tribo = to wear, to spend; English diatribe = an abusive speech) literally means to rub away, to rub through, to wear away, to consume by rubbing. In the NT spoken only of TIME meaning to spend or pass time in a place, to stay, remain, tarry (Jn 3:22 = Jesus "was spending time with" His disciples, Acts 15:35 = "Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch"). Two uses in the Septuagint - Lev. 14:8; Jer. 35:7. Most of the uses are by Luke - Jn. 3:22; Acts 12:19; Acts 14:3; Acts 14:28; Acts 15:35; Acts 16:12; Acts 20:6; Acts 25:6; Acts 25:14 Gilbrant - Septuagint Usage - The more common classical meaning is found in the Septuagint at Leviticus 14:8; the unclean individual must “spend” 7 days outside his or her own residence. Tobit, one of the apocryphal writings of the Septuagint, used diatribō in its rare sense of “rub” (Tobit 11:8,12). Sometimes diatribō is in reference to a locality rather than time. “Nicanor stayed on in Jerusalem” (2 Maccabees 14:23; cf. Judith 10:2; the RSV translates diatribō “lived”). Liddell-Scott - to rub between, rub hard, rub away, consume, waste, to perish utterly, Hdt. II. to spend time, to waste time, pass it away, make no more delay, to pass all one's time there, to go on talking, Id.:-hence, to employ oneself on or in a thing, to lose time, delay, Il., to lose time on the way, to put off by delay, to thwart, hinder a thing, put them off in the matter of her wedding, Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled. KJV Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. NET Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the side of the river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down and began to speak to the women who had assembled there. GNT Acts 16:13 τῇ τε ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων ἐξήλθομεν ἔξω τῆς πύλης παρὰ ποταμὸν οὗ ἐνομίζομεν προσευχὴν εἶναι, καὶ καθίσαντες ἐλαλοῦμεν ταῖς συνελθούσαις γυναιξίν. NLT Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. ESV Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. CSB Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there. NIV Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. on the Sabbath day Ac 13:14,42 17:2 18:4 20:7 where we were supposing: Lu 13:10 and we sat down : Ac 16:6 21:5 Mt 5:1,2 13:2 Lu 4:20,21 Joh 8:2 and began speaking to the women who had assembled: Mk 16:15 Ga 3:28 Col 1:23 Sir William Ramsay - Acts 16:13 (St Paul the Traveller and Roman Citizen) Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. SABBATH BUT NO SYNAGOGUE And on the Sabbath day - Sabbath (4521)(sabbaton from shabath - H7676 = to cease from work, intermission) Jewish Sabbath was the 7th day of week and was kept originally by a total cessation from all labor as even the kindling of a fire, but apparently without any public solemnities except an addition to the daily sacrifice in the tabernacle and the changing of the shewbread (Ex 20:8, 31:13; Lv 24:8; Nu 15:32, 28:9). The custom of reading the Scriptures in public assemblies and synagogues appears to have been introduced after the exile (cf. Neh 8; Lu 4:16). But it is clear that there is no synagogue or Paul would have made a beeline for it. We went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer - Paul normally went first to a local synagogue when he arrived in a new city, but apparently there was none in Philippi. Ten Jewish men who were heads of their household was required to constitute a synagogue, suggesting that Philippi must have had a relatively small Jewish population. This location would have been like an "informal synagogue." F F Bruce - Had there been ten Jewish men, they would have sufficed to constitute a synagogue. No number of women would compensate for the absence of even one man necessary to make up the quorum of ten. (NICNT-Acts) Spurgeon - Some quiet corner, where good people were wont to gather by the brook to pray. This was probably the first religious meeting of Christians that was ever held in Europe. It is remarkable that it was a prayer-meeting, a prayer-meeting attended by women, a prayer-meeting to which two ministers came, and preached the gospel to the women who resorted thither. To be able to be present at a prayer-meeting ought always to be reckoned a great privilege to all of us who are Christians. In this way the gospel first came to us; in this way the gospel will be best preserved to us; and in this way we may best obtain guidance from God as to how we may carry the gospel to others. Supposing (thinking) (3543)(nomizo from nomos = law, custom) means to think or believe something without being fully settled in mind or opinion. The idea is as we would say today "they made an educated guess." As Swindoll explains nomizo "basically means “to think,” “to believe,” or “to consider” and can be more or less definite, but it’s frequently used in the sense of “common knowledge.” For example, it’s common knowledge that movie theaters serve popcorn. It’s not a rule, but everyone knows. In the same way, everyone knew where Jews in Philippi gathered for prayer each Sabbath. Of course, “everyone” included Luke, who knew the city well." (Ibid) Vincent on a place of prayer - The number of Jews in Philippi was small, since it was a military and not a mercantile city; consequently there was no synagogue, but only a proseucha, or praying-place, a slight structure, and often open to the sky. It was outside the gate, for the sake of retirement, and near a stream, because of the ablutions connected with the worship. Prayer (4335)(proseuche from pros = toward or immediately before + euchomai = to pray or vow) is the more general word for prayer and is used only of prayer to God. The prefix pros would convey the sense of being immediately before Him and hence the ideas of adoration, devotion, and worship. The basic idea is to bring something, and in prayer this pertains to bringing up prayer requests. In early Greek culture an offering was brought with a prayer that it be accepted. Later the idea was changed slightly, so that the thing brought to God was a prayer. In later Greek, prayers appealed to God for His presence.
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Spurgeon - Morning and Evening - In Lydia’s conversion there are many points of interest. It was brought about by providential circumstances. She was a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, but just at the right time for hearing Paul we find her at Philippi; providence, which is the handmaid of grace, led her to the right spot. Again, grace was preparing her soul for the blessing—grace preparing for grace. She did not know the Saviour, but as a Jewess (Ed note: most commentators feel she was not Jewish but was a Gentile seeker of God), she knew many truths which were excellent stepping-stones to a knowledge of Jesus. Her conversion took place in the use of the means. On the Sabbath she went when prayer was wont to be made, and there prayer was heard. Never neglect the means of grace; God may bless us when we are not in his house, but we have the greater reason to hope that he will when we are in communion with his saints. Observe the words, “Whose heart the Lord opened.” She did not open her own heart. Her prayers did not do it; Paul did not do it. The Lord himself must open the heart, to receive the things which make for our peace. He alone can put the key into the hole of the door and open it, and get admittance for himself. He is the heart’s master as he is the heart’s maker. The first outward evidence of the opened heart was obedience. As soon as Lydia had believed in Jesus, she was baptized. It is a sweet sign of a humble and broken heart, when the child of God is willing to obey a command which is not essential to his salvation, which is not forced upon him by a selfish fear of condemnation, but is a simple act of obedience and of communion with his Master. The next evidence was love, manifesting itself in acts of grateful kindness to the apostles. Love to the saints has ever been a mark of the true convert. Those who do nothing for Christ or his church, give but sorry evidence of an “opened” heart. Lord, evermore give me an opened heart. (Morning and Evening - Evening Devotional, December 10) Richard Hawker - Whose heart the Lord opened.—Acts 16:14. It is always blessed to trace mercies to their source! And blessed when, through grace, we are enabled to give God his glory, and not put down to man’s merit what wholly originates in God’s grace. The opening of the heart can only be the province of him that made it. Renewing work, as well as creating work, is his. He that hath the key of David, is he alone “that openeth, and none shutteth; and shutteth, and none openeth.” What a beautiful illustration the Holy Ghost gives the Church of this precious truth, in the instance of this woman, whose heart the Lord opened! We are told in her history, that she was of the city of Thyatira, a place remote from Philippi, where this sovereign act of mercy was shown her. How long she had remained in a state of unrenewed nature, or what predisposing providence it was that brought her to Philippi, with other circumstances which we might have thought interesting to inquire after, we are not informed; the grand feature in her character is summed up in this short, but blessed account, “whose heart the Lord opened.” The Holy Ghost hath indeed recorded her name and occupation, by way of making this testimony concerning her: “A certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple.” Behold, my soul! what blessed instruction ariseth out of it, for thy evening’s meditation. What honourable mention is made of her, from this one blessed act, which the Lord wrought upon her! Poor and inconsiderable as she was in herself, small and of no reputation, yet her name is in the book of life! Pause, and contemplate the rich mercy which the Lord hath also accomplished in thee. Hath not he that opened Lydia’s heart opened thine? And is it not his province also that first opened it by his grace, to keep it open by the daily influences of his Holy Spirit? Is it not his to renew, to refresh, to comfort, to strengthen, and to confirm unto the end? And wilt thou not, my soul, with the close of day, and the opening of the morning, look up for these precious manifestations? Lord! do thou open mine eyes, mine heart, my whole soul, to the enjoyment of these gracious renewed visits of thy love: and let no night or morning pass, without receiving fresh and increasing evidences from my Lord, that Christ hath both opened my heart, and is “formed in my heart the hope of glory!” F B
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Spurgeon - Lydia was evidently a woman of some property. The purple which she sold was an expensive article. She seems to have been engaged in business on her own account; and when Paul met with her, she was far off from her workshop and her home. She had a house, therefore, in the place to which she had come to sell her purple; and she “constrained” the men of God to make use of her house, and to tarry there. Thus was Christianity brought into Europe, for which we praise the name of the Lord.' EVIDENCE OF GENUINE CONVERSION The Lord had opened her heart and now Lydia opens her home! She urged (parakaleo) us, saying, “If you have judged (krino) me to be faithful to the Lord - Her immediate hospitality reminds me of James' illustration of genuine saving faith regarding Rahab the harlot (James 2:25+) "In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by (in this context the word means shown to be righteous by her) works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?" Lydia's offer of hospitality was a reflection of the truth of Ephesians 2:10+ that we are "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." In short, note the two evidences of her conversion - She boldly identified herself with Christ by being baptized, and she insisted that the missionaries stay at her house. Clearly Lydia was not saved by her good works, but she was saved for good works (Eph 2:10+). If you have judged (krino) me to be faithful to the Lord - This "If statement" is a first class conditional and assumes she is faithful (a believer, a follower of Christ). NET Bible translates it "After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, "If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house." And she persuaded us." Faithful (4103)(pistos from peitho = to persuade - induce one by words to believe, have confidence) is something or someone who is worthy of faith or keeps promises and is applied to God, humans, His Word, etc Pistos means dependable (worthy of reliance or trust), trustworthy, steadfast, unswerving. NET Note - Or “faithful to the Lord.” BDAG 821 s.v. pistos 2 states concerning this verse, “Of one who confesses the Christian faith believing or a believer in the Lord, in Christ, in God Ac 16:15.” L&N has “one who is included among the faithful followers of Christ—‘believer, Christian, follower.’ ” MacArthur on come into my house and stay (meno in the present imperative) - Hospitality is required of all Christians (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9), especially women (1 Tim. 5:10) and church leaders (Titus 1:8). It was critical in the ancient world, where inns were often unsuitable for Christians to stay in. They were filthy, dangerous, expensive, and often little more than brothels. To make a home where travelers could be exposed to Christian love, family life, and fellowship was a high priority for Christian women (cf. 1 Tim. 5:9-10). Lydia's hospitality gave proof that she was a truly liberated woman (cf. John 13:35)." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) Related Resource: What does the Bible say about hospitality? Who was Lydia in the Bible? She prevailed (she persuaded)(3849)(parabiazomai from para - beside, unto, implying movement toward a point + biazo = to force, impel) literally means to use force against, to press and figuratively to urge strongly, to constrain one by entreaties, to compel, to coerce, to persuade, "to speak in such a way as to encourage a particular type of behavior or action." (L-N) Parabiazomai is the same verb used in Luke 24:29+ (only other NT use) to describe the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who "urged (parabiazomai) Him (Jesus) saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them." NET Note - Although BDAG 759 s.v. parabiazomai has “urge strongly, prevail upon,” in contemporary English “persuade” is a more frequently used synonym for “prevail upon.”
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Spurgeon - She professed to tell fortunes, and to speak under inspiration. She was really “possessed” by an evil spirit. Divination (4436)(puthon/python) in Greek mythology was the serpent that guarded the oracle of Delphi, lived at the foot of Mt. Parnassus, and was slain by Apollo. Later puthon/python came to designate a spirit of divination, then also of ventriloquists, who were believed to have such a spirit dwelling in their belly. About A.D. 50-100, Plutarch maintained that the term puthognes applied to ventriloquists, and earlier in the LXX those having demonic spirits were called ventriloquists (Lev. 19:31; 20:6, 27; including the witch of En Dor in 1 Sa 28:7). Only use of this word in the Bible. TDNT - Python/puthon is the name of the snake that guards the Delphic oracle, and it is also used from the early imperial period for a ventriloquist, through whom, as many think, a god is supposed to speak, and who is thus regarded as a soothsayer. How python comes to be equated with engastrimythos, the ventriloquist, is not certain. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) NET Note - Or “who had a spirit of divination”; Grk “who had a spirit of Python (Wikipedia).” According to BDAG 896–97 s.v. puthon, originally Puthōn was the name of the serpent or dragon that guarded the Delphic oracle. (Picture) According to Greek mythology, it lived at the foot of Mount Parnassus and was killed by Apollo. From this, the word came to designate a person who was thought to have a spirit of divination. Pagan generals, for example, might consult someone like this. So her presence here suggests a supernatural encounter involving Paul and her “spirit.” W. Foerster, TDNT 6:920, connects the term with ventriloquism but states: “We must assume, however, that for this girl, as for those mentioned by Origen …, the art of ventriloquism was inseparably connected with a (supposed or authentic) gift of soothsaying.” It should also be noted that if the girl in question here were only a ventriloquist, the exorcism performed by Paul in Acts 16:18 would not have been effective.
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Spurgeon - Here was an evil spirit bearing witness to the truth of God, and it grieved Paul. When you hear a bad man ridiculing religion, do not be surprised; what else could you expect from him? But if you heard the devil recommending Christ, then you ought to be grieved, for the Lord Jesus does not want patronage or praise from Satan. Men would begin to suspect that Christ was in league with Satan, if Satan began to speak well of Christ. Dread to be spoken well of by ungodly men; for there is great danger in such praise. There may be a motive at the bottom of the flattery, which may be full of mischief. Paul, being grieved, silenced the demon, and cast him out of the damsel. Like his Lord, he would not allow the devil to testify concerning himself and his mission. The Rescuers By Dave Branon These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation. —Acts 16:17 Some people do not like to hear That Jesus is the only way, But we must still proclaim that truth So they will follow and obey. —Sper Those who are lost need someone to show them the way. Acts 16:18 She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment. KJV 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. NET Acts 16:18 She continued to do this for many days. But Paul became greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out of her at once. GNT Acts 16:18 τοῦτο δὲ ἐποίει ἐπὶ πολλὰς ἡμέρας. διαπονηθεὶς δὲ Παῦλος καὶ ἐπιστρέψας τῷ πνεύματι εἶπεν, Παραγγέλλω σοι ἐν ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐξελθεῖν ἀπ᾽ αὐτῆς· καὶ ἐξῆλθεν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ. NLT Acts 16:18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And instantly it left her. ESV Acts 16:18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. CSB Acts 16:18 And she did this for many days. But Paul was greatly aggravated and turning to the spirit, said, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out right away. NIV Acts 16:18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. Paul was greatly annoyed: Ac 14:13-15 Mk 1:25,26,34 I command : Ac 3:6 9:34 19:12-17 Mk 9:25,26 16:17 Lu 9:1 10:17-19 Col 2:15 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GREAT ANNOYANCE LEADS TO DEMONIC DELIVERANCE She continued doing this for many days - Continued doing is the imperfect tense indicating she cried out over and over, again and again. Paul must have been a Spirit filled man to manifest such persistent patience! John G. Butler wrote, “The adversary is persistent. He will not hinder us just once or twice then quit. He will disturb time and time again. He intends to hinder our work until he can stop it. Would that we were as persistent and dedicated in doing the work of God. It is so hard to get church members to take on a job that requires an indefinite commitment. They will help for a few times; but when you ask them if they would do a certain task every week or until the task is finished, they nearly have a stroke. They feel to be asked to serve that persistently is much too demanding. They can, of course, commit themselves to the things of the world with great dedication. But when it comes to the things of the Lord, they have very little commitment at all.” John
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Spurgeon - They dragged them into the Forum, the place where the courts usually sat, and brought them before the magistrates, “saying “-what? “These men have cured a demoniac, they have performed a miracle, and cast a devil out of a young woman”? Oh! no; there would have been no wrong in that, so they must invent a charge. What do they say? Authorities (758)(archon from present participle of archo = to rule) describes one who has eminence in a ruling capacity or administrative authority. As the next verse adds, they were the chief magistrates. Every Roman colony (like Philippi) was governed by two magistrates. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household. - Acts 16:31 TODAY IN THE WORD A person’s last words are often worth remembering. So are some of the things people say in the moment of extreme testing and hardships. One example from American history is a seven-word sentence that is written in gold in the chapel of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. This statement marks the grave of the War of 1812 naval hero John Paul Jones, who said “I have not yet begun to fight” as his ship was burning beneath him. The apostle Paul made many memorable statements, preserved for us in the Word of God. Take today’s verse, for example. It was uttered during a trial of persecution as Paul encountered a suicidal, trembling man in the middle of the night. Maybe that’s why the apostle’s words to Philippian jailer reveal the gospel’s simplicity. We read yesterday that Paul healed a demon-possessed slave girl in the Roman colony of Philippi. Today let’s look at the rest of the story. The girl’s owners were incensed at Paul and Silas because their “profit center” was now gone. So they gathered a mob and dragged the missionaries before the city magistrates on trumped-up charges. Since Philippi was governed by the Romans, Paul as a Roman citizen was entitled to a fair trial according to Roman law. But apparently the officials gave in to the crowd’s frenzy. Paul and Silas were subjected to a severe flogging without any legal grounds. But even that wasn’t enough, because afterwards the two were imprisoned. They were kept in prison with their feet in wooden stocks. We don’t know why God ordained this set of painful circumstances that brought Paul in contact with the jailer. It’s obvious Paul was thankful for the opportunity, and he didn’t question God’s wisdom. He and Silas were singing God’s praises in a difficult situation and afterwards they saw the conversion of the jailer and his family. An entire household was saved because Paul and Silas were faithful and obedient in the heat of battle. Let’s pray that likewise, we would be faithful and obedient under any circumstances. APPLY THE WORD Most of us would agree the suffering Paul and Silas endured in Philippi was a big obstacle. But in the power of God, they cleared it and hit the ground running on the other side. What’s the biggest obstacle you face in being faithful to God this week? You could pull up short and turn back. Instead, why not ask God for the strength to overcome your obstacle, for His glory? Acts 16:20 and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, KJV Acts 16:20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, NET Acts 16:20 When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are throwing our city into confusion. They are Jews GNT Acts 16:20 καὶ προσαγαγόντες αὐτοὺς τοῖς στρατηγοῖς εἶπαν, Οὗτοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἐκταράσσουσιν ἡμῶν τὴν πόλιν, Ἰουδαῖοι ὑπάρχοντες, NLT Acts 16:20 "The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!" they shouted to the city officials. ESV Acts 16:20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. CSB Acts 16:20 Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, "These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews NIV Acts 16:20 They brought them before th e magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar being Jews Ac 18:2 19:34 Ezr 4:12-15 Es 3:8,9 These men are throwing our city into confusion: Ac 17:6-8 28:22 1Ki 18:17,18 Mt 2:3 Joh 15:18-20 Ro 12:2 Jas 4:4 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TURNING UPSIDE DOWN RIGHTSIDE UP! No they weren't throwing the city into confusion but into certainty. The Gospel is the only Word of certainty for mankind who is confused about their eternality! Yes indeed Paul and Silas were turning the upside down worldview of the pagans rightside up! The Gospel clarifies everything! These men were only proving the truth of 1 Cor 2:14 that a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. And when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said - Interesting that it does not say "they brought us" so not Luke (or Timothy) but only Paul and Silas. Why did they not bring Luke and Timothy? Luke is silent, so we can only speculate. Luke was a Gentile and Timothy half Gentile, so possibly there is an element of anti-Semitism toward Paul and Silas. Magistrates (praetors)(4755)(strategos from stratós = an army + ágō = to lead) literally referred to the leader of an army the chief legal official of a city. Vine says strategos "came to denote a civil commander, a governor (Latin, duumvir), the highest magistrate, or any civil officer in chief command, Acts 16:20, 22, 35, 36, 38; also the chief captain of the Temple, himself a Levite, having command of the Levites who kept guard in and around the Temple, Luke 22:4, 52; Acts 4:1; 5:24, 26. Cp. Jer. 20:1. BDAG - 1. the highest official in a Gr-Rom. city, praetor, chief magistrate pl. of the highest officials of the Roman colony of Philippi. This title was not quite officially correct, since these men were properly termed ‘duoviri’, but it occurs several times in ins as a popular designation for them 2. commander responsible for the temple in Jerusalem, captain of the temple Ac 4:1; 5:24.
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Spurgeon - Another prayer-meeting, and a praise-meeting, too. There were only two persons at it; but they “prayed, and sang praises unto God.” THOUGHT - You do not have to be in church with the worship team singing and the drums beating out a catchy rhythm in order to have a praise and worship service! Try your car the next time you feel "imprisoned" by the non-moving traffic! You always have a choice -- you could murmur or you could praise, and oh the difference of the effect between the two on the state of your heart and soul! At the very least, if you don't have the Christian music turned on, it is time to turn it on and do a little "holy karaoke" to Jesus! (Heb 13:15) Amen? Amen! And then just sit back and watch the Spirit set you free from the "prison" of frustration, etc, over the traffic jam, as He transforms your spiritual sight (2 Cor 5:7) from horizontally focused to vertically focused (of course keep your literal sight on the car in front of you)! In sum, praising God does not depend on circumstance, but it can certainly change our reaction to our circumstances! (See Php 4:4, 1 Th 5:18 both of which are commands in the present imperative [continuously rejoice and thank] indicating our need to continually rely on the Spirit to give us the power to praise and thank. This is why it is good to be sure you are filled with the Spirit before you get on the freeway! ). G Campbell
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Spurgeon note) testifies that… The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime and His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life. (Ps 42:8 - Spurgeon note). George Müller once said that "Trials are food for faith to feed on." Spurgeon quipped "Any fool can sing in the day. It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but the skillful singer is he who can sing when there is not a ray of light to read by… Songs in the night come only from God; they are not in the power of men." (Amen!) G Campbell
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Spurgeon - This was no common earthquake. An ordinary earthquake might have brought the prison down about their ears; but it would not have loosed the bands of the prisoners. So that (term of purpose or result) the foundations of the prison house were shaken - I would call this "selective shaking" orchestrated by the omnipotent, omniscient God Who shook the prison enough to get everyone's attention, open jail cells and unshackle manacles, but not too much so that walls came tumbling down crushing everyone! Foundations (2310)(themelios from théma = that which is laid down in turn from títhemi = to place [see study of related word themelioo]) means something laid or put down, that on which a structure is built or a stone used in the construction of a foundation. It was used literally of buildings foundation (foundation stone Rev 21:14). Were shaken (4531)(saleuo from salos = wave) means to cause to move to and fro, cause to waver or totter, make to rock. In Acts 4:31+ the prayer meeting was literally shaken by the power of God! Here the prison was shaken by the power of God, again associated with prayer (and praise)! THOUGHT - While God is unlikely to shaken the room or send an earthquake when we pray (notice both Acts 4:31+ and here in Acts 16:26 there were 2 or more gathered together which is intriguing considering how prayer gatherings have fallen on hard times in most evangelical churches), He is still just a likely to "shake things up," in one way or another in answer to the prayers of His children. This begs the question - Do we (I) really believe that God is still in the "shaking business?" O that the Spirit would sweep like a mighty rushing wind through evangelical churches all across America and birth a spirit of prayer such that saints are constrained, compelled, impelled (supernaturally) to gather togetehr to pray for revival of His great Name and His glory in Christ! Let it be so Lord God. Amen. Illustration - One Easter morning a Pastor in Chicago was preaching and he dramatically called out, “And the last enemy to be conquered is death!” Just at that time a huge slab of ice came loose and fell from the steeple and crashed into the roof of the church, shaking the whole building. The pastor said, “Thank You, Lord, for the sound effects!” This was not sound effects in the Philippian jail! The very foundations were really shaken by a God sent earthquake! (Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts) UNSHACKLED There was a famous radio program that was called Unshackled, to depict what happened to people in extreme situations (drugs, etc) when Christ set them free delivering them from bondage to Satan and sin and this godless world. Paul Apple - What a demonstration of the Power of God – He specializes in delivering people from all types of chains of bondage – - Think of the chains of death that could not hold His Son captive – Jesus triumphed over death so that all who trust in Him could live forever - The chains of this jail in Philippi that had been secured by Satan were no challenge to the power of God And immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened - So not just the doors of the cell that held Paul and Silas but ALL the doors. One has to wonder how many of the inmates we will see in heaven! Talk about a Gospel proclamation! The irony is that Paul and Silas were set free (physically) so that another man might set free (spiritually)! Opened (455)(anoigo from ana = again + oigo = to open) means to open, to open up, to give access to. Used literally here as in Acts 5:19 in an earlier "prison break." Used figuratively to describe salvation in Acts 26:18+ "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God...." The derivative verb dianoigo is used to describe the Spirit opening Lydia's heart in Acts 16:14. All Luke's uses of anoigo in Acts - Acts 5:19; Acts 5:23; Acts 8:32; Acts 8:35; Acts 9:8; Acts 9:40; Acts 10:11; Acts 10:34; Acts 12:10; Acts 12:14; Acts 12:16; Acts 14:27; Acts 16:26; Acts 16:27; Acts 18:14; Acts 26:18 Immediately (at once) (3916)(parachrema from pará = at, and chrḗma = something useful or needed) means suddenly, immediately, at the very moment, on the spot, forthwith, directly after something else has taken place. It sometimes has the implication of unexpectedness. Uses of parachrema - most by Luke - Matt. 21:19; Matt. 21:20; Lk. 1:64; Lk. 4:39; Lk. 8:44; Lk. 8:47; Lk. 8:55; Lk. 13:13; Lk. 18:43; Lk. 19:11; Lk. 22:60; Acts 3:7; Acts 5:10; Acts 12:23; Acts 13:11; Acts 16:26; Acts 16:33 Matthew records a similar even more magnificent opening caused by an earthquake - And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his garment as white as snow; 4 and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.7 "And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you." (Mt 28:2-7) John records another notable earthquake (yet future) which marks the midpoint of Daniel's Seventieth Week of Seven Years and the inception of the horrible time for earth called the Great Tribulation… And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly. 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there arose loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." (see notes Revelation 11:13; 11:14; 11:15) Everyone's chains were unfastened - compare to similar supernatural releases from jail in Acts… But an angel of the Lord during the night opened the gates of the prison, and taking them (Peter and the other apostles) out… (Acts 5:19+) And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and roused him, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands. (Acts 12:7+) Comment - While he used an angel in Acts 12, God used an earthquake in Acts 16, but in effect they are both "supernatural" (even though the earthquake was "natural.") Chains (1199) (desmos) literally refers to a bond or fetter and by metonymy signifies imprisonment or prison. Figuratively desmos refers to an impediment which causes a physical disability ("the impediment of his tongue" Mk 7:35) or a crippled condition (Lk 13:16). Desmos is usually plural in the NT, only twice Gilbrant - Classical Greek from Homer (ca. 800-700 B.C.) to Roman times treats desmos as “bond” or “fetter.” In the singular form it generally describes an impediment or infirmity which afflicts a person. The more common plural form desma usually applies to a person’s captivity or bondage, as in a prison or to a binding power. The primary usage in the New Testament is the plural form desma, and in each instance it suggests incarceration or confinement as a prisoner. The frequency of desma in the Pauline letters (eight times) shows the apostle’s “imprisonment for the gospel” (Philippians 1:13; Philemon 13) which affected his self-understanding in relation to Christ. Paul reckoned himself a prisoner of the Lord (2 Timothy 1:8) as well as “a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher” (2 Timothy 1:11). His entire future was offered up to the Lord in sacrifice like a prisoner of love. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) Desmos 18x in 18v - bond(1), bonds(3), chains(3), impediment(1), imprisonment(10). Mk. 7:35; Lk. 8:29; Lk. 13:16; Acts 16:26; Acts 20:23; Acts 23:29; Acts 26:29; Acts 26:31; Phil. 1:7; Phil. 1:13; Phil. 1:14; Phil. 1:17; Col. 4:18; 2 Tim. 2:9; Philemon 1:10; 1:13; Heb. 11:36; Jude 1:6 Desmos in Septuagint - Gen. 42:27; Gen. 42:35; Lev. 26:13; Num. 19:15; Num. 30:13; Jdg. 15:13; Jdg. 15:14; Jdg. 16:11; 1 Sam. 25:29; 2 Chr. 33:11; Ezr. 7:26; Job 38:31; Job 39:5; Ps. 2:3; Ps. 107:14; Ps 116:16 = "You have loosed my bonds"; Prov. 7:22; Eccl. 7:26; Isa. 28:22; Isa. 42:7; Isa. 49:9; Isa. 52:2; Jer. 2:20; Jer. 5:5; Jer. 27:2; Jer. 30:8; Ezek. 3:25; Ezek. 4:8; Dan. 4:15; Dan. 4:23; Hos. 11:4; Nah. 1:13; Hab. 3:13; Hag. 1:6; Mal. 4:2; Unfastened (loosened) (447)(aniemi from ana = back + hiemi = send) means to send back, to relax with the basic idea of “relaxation of tension.” To release, loosen or slacken (chains or ropes - Acts 27:40 = And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders, and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach). It means to abandon a person (Heb 13:5-note) or to cease from, let alone, forbear an activity (Eph 6:9). The IVP New Testament Commentary - The Lord "made his praise glorious" when suddenly (compare Acts 2:2) "the rocks cried out" as the foundations of the prison were shaken by a powerful earthquake, a phenomenon common in that region. The prison doors flew open (Acts 12:10) and the chains came loose, literally "came unfastened." Paul Apple - If you are a believer in Jesus Christ and still living in bondage to sin, you need to open your eyes and see that the chains have fallen off. God delights to use simple object lessons and we have one of those clear pictures in our passage today. This passage is about the divine deliverance of Paul and Silas from the chains of prison in Philippi. But it is also about much more than that. For you see that the cry of the Philippian jailor is “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The issues run much deeper. As you recall your own salvation, what type of chains fell off your life? Maybe there were chains of anger or fear. Certainly there were chains of selfishness and pride that prevented you from relating to God and to others around you in the type of love Christ came to demonstrate to us. But even though we have been delivered once for all in a positional sense from sin and from Satan and from the value system of the world around us we still struggle with fully experiencing that deliverance. This passage reminds us of the power of God and should encourage us to go out from the prison of sin rejoicing in the sufficiency of our salvation. That should be the testimony of all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Maybe you are struggling with some particular sin and are having difficulty sensing any deliverance or victory. Hopefully this passage will encourage you to rejoice in the simplicity and completeness of your deliverance. Maybe you still wrestle with the issue of salvation itself and cry out with the Philippian jailor for God to open up your spiritual eyes to understand what it means to place your confidence in Jesus Christ alone. Acts 16:27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. the jailer: Acts 16:23,24 he drew : Judges 9:54 1 Sa 31:4,5 2Sa 17:23 1 Ki 16:18 Mt 27:5 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JAILER AT DEATH'S DOOR When the jailer awoke - Not sure he had heard God's men praying and singing (but subsequent question indicates he knew something about the gospel mission of these two men) but God's shaking of the earth would arouse anyone! Doors open - Perfect tense pictures them as standing open, still open. The jailer was about to kill himself - Instant death would be better to him than the torture that the authorities would inflict before they killed him. "He was on the point of committing suicide as Brutus had done near here. Stoicism had made suicide popular as the escape from trouble like the Japanese harikari." (Robertson) Roman law stated that if a guard lost a prisoner, he was given the same punishment the prisoner would have received. It follows that the jailer knew that there were some men in the prison who had committed capital crimes and were being held for execution. The jailer would rather commit suicide than face shame and execution. NET Note adds - The jailer’s penalty for failing to guard the prisoners would have been death, so he contemplated saving the leaders the trouble (see Acts 12:19; 27:42). Spurgeon - For the law was that, if a jailer lost a prisoner, he was to suffer whatever penalty the prisoner would have suffered. He therefore knew that, in all probability, his own life would be taken; and, strange to say, to save his life he would kill himself. Suicide is ever absurd and unreasonable. The worst that could happen to him would be to die by the sword of justice; and to escape from that, he tries to die by the sword of a suicide. Luke records a similar fate to the guards who had "allowed" Peter to go free from jail… And when Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution (these words are added by the translators but the context justifies this interpretation). And he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there. (Acts 12:19) Escaped (1628)(ekpheugo from ek = out of, from + pheugo = move quickly from a point; flee; run) means to flee out of a place, flee from, run away or escape. The idea is to seek safety in flight or to become free from danger by avoiding some peril.
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Spurgeon - Every prisoner was loosed from his bands, but not one had escaped; nor had any even attempted to escape, which was another miracle; for men who see their bands broken, and the prison doors open, are pretty sure to run away. These men did not, for a heavenly charm was upon them. They kept in their cells, so that Paul could cry out to the jailor, ‘-Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.” Matt Chandler - In Rome during this period of time, if a prisoner escaped or was lost, whoever was responsible for that prisoner would pay the price with his life. Like a lot of blue-collar Joes of today, this jailer has come to identify his life with his job. There are people today who cannot think of themselves except by what they do, and perhaps this man is no different. So when he sees that he might be about to lose a lot of what has been entrusted to him, it’s an automatic leap for him to think of taking his own life. He immediately yanks out his sword and gets ready to kill himself. But Paul shows him a better identity, a more fulfilling reality, and a greater duty that transcends everything this guy has previously known. He shows the jailer this reality first by example. After being tortured, the missionaries sing and pray. After becoming free from their bonds, even though the opportunity for escape and revenge is before them, the missionaries stay to share the gospel. When they have the chance to run away, they stay. And the jailer is blown away. While Paul engaged Lydia through her intellect and the slave girl through spiritual power, he engages the jailer through a living witness to a miracle. This is how the Philippian church begins—with a Jewish fashionista businesswoman, a demon-possessed slave girl, and a blue-collar ex-GI duty bound to the Roman Empire. Probably not exactly your dream church-planting team, but the Spirit works in strange ways to utterly redeem the unlikeliest and most diverse people. We see in the backstory of Acts 16 the beautiful reconciliation that the gospel achieves, not just of unholy individuals to a holy God but superficially incompatible people to each other! Jesus takes strangers and makes them a family. (Ibid) Acts 16:29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and came : Ac 9:5,6 24:25 Ps 99:1 119:120 Isa 66:2,5 Jer 5:22 10:10 Da 6:26 and fell : Isa 60:14 Rev 3:9 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE JAILER'S GREAT FEAR And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, He - The jailer Spurgeon - Conscious of the supernatural, compelled to feel the hand which he had never perceived before, he hastened into the inner prison, where he had thrust the servants of Christ; Called for lights - "The jailor was at the outer door and he wanted lights to see what was inside in the inner prison." (Robertson) Jack Arnold - The jailer was trembling for a number of reasons: (1) he feared the earthquake; (2) he was amazed that the prisoners were still there; (3) he was confounded at the calmness of Paul and Silas; and (4) he was overwhelmed with the presence of God. Just a few moments before, this jailer looked down the edge of his sword and was about to pass into eternity, and he had no answer for life after death. At this point, he came under great conviction of his sins. He was an awakened sinner but he was not yet saved. He was trembling with fear because God was convicting and drawing him to Christ. (sermon) Trembling with fear (entromos from en = in + tromos = tremor or terror) means to be terrified, quaking or trembling with extreme fear. It pictures a person in a quivering condition because of exposure to an overwhelming or threatening circumstance. Fell down before (prostrated himself)(propipto from pros = preposition expressing motion or direction as toward + pipto = to fall) means literally to fall towards or upon something and as here when referring to people means to fall down to or before someone (cf the healed woman in Luke 8:47, the demons before Jesus in Mk 3:11, Luke 8:28) NET Note - The earthquake and the freeing of the prisoners showed that God’s power was present. Such power could only be recognized. The open doors opened the jailer’s heart. Acts 16:30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” brought : Ac 16:24 Job 34:32 Isa 1:16,17 58:6,9 Mt 3:8 5:7 Jas 2:13 Sirs : Ac 14:15 what : Ac 16:17 2:37 9:6 22:10 Job 25:4 Lu 3:10 Joh 6:27-29 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE GREATEST QUESTION OF ALL MANKIND "What must I do to be saved" is the greatest question any man or woman can ask. What about the second most important question, "What must I do to be lost?" and the answer is just one word - nothing! Jesus said “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (Jn 3:18) and after he brought them out - Robertson on brought them out - He left the other prisoners inside, feeling that he had to deal with these men whom he had evidently heard preach or had heard of their message as servants of the Most High God as the slave girl called them. There may have been superstition behind his fear, but there was evident sincerity. Spurgeon on sirs - What a word to address to those who were still in his charge as prisoners! He said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” - This is an amazing statement, for no man seeks after God. So clearly God's Spirit had done a work in his heart. And he is not speaking of physical deliverance because all the prisoners were still there and his physical life was not in danger. But his eternal life was in grave danger and his eyes were opened to see his desperate situation! Jack Arnold - He was asking about spiritual deliverance from the bondage of sin and death. Where did the jailer get enough information to ask this intelligent question? He may have heard the testimony of the slave girl but shrugged it off. He surely knew why Paul and Silas were thrown in jail. Surely he heard Paul and Silas singing and praying in prison. Perhaps Paul and Silas had an opportunity to witness to him. Whatever, he was asking how to be saved from sin, guilt, habits and hell. For a person to be truly saved, he must experience the convicting and drawing work of God whereby a person sees his or her sinfulness before a holy God, realizes that his soul is lost and condemned to a Christless eternity. But that saves no one. One cannot be saved without this, but that is not salvation. Many folks have experienced the convicting work of the Spirit of God and never been saved. (Ed: And they will tragically have eternity to ponder their rejection of this convicting work!)(sermon) What prompted this cry for salvation? It began with singing by Paul and Silas. As far as we know they did not preach a sermon, although in fact their hymns turned out to be a "sermon" testifying to their supernatural ability to suffer with joy (filled with the Spirit - 1 Th 1:6). There was a supernatural sign with the release from the cell. Does my life preach the Gospel in a ("supernatural") way so that it causes others to cry out for salvation? Ruth Graham once defined a saint as "a person who makes it easy to believe in Jesus!" Steven
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Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook - What of My House? - “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”—Acts 16:31 THIS gospel for a man with a sword at his throat is the gospel for me. This would suit me if I were dying, and it is all that I need while I am living. I look away from self and sin and all idea of personal merit, and I trust the Lord Jesus as the Saviour whom God has given. I believe in Him; I rest on Him; I accept Him to be my all in all. Lord I am saved, and I shall be saved to all eternity, for I believe in Jesus. Blessed be thy name for this. May I daily prove by my life that I am saved from selfishness and worldliness and every form of evil. But those last words about my “house.” Lord, I would not run away with half a promise when thou dost give a whole one. I beseech thee, save all my family. Save the nearest and dearest. Convert the children, and the grandchildren, if I have any. Be gracious to my servants and all who dwell under my roof or work for me. Thou makest this promise to me personally if I believe in the Lord Jesus; I beseech thee to do as thou hast said. I would go over in my prayer every day the names of all my brothers and sisters, parents, children, friends, relatives, and servants and give thee no rest till that word is fulfilled: “and thy house.” Acts 16:31 - Rescued By C. P. Hia 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 20-25 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. —Acts 16:31 Manuel Gonzalez was the first rescue worker to reach the 33 miners trapped for 69 days in a Chilean mine explosion in 2010. At great risk to his own life, he went underground more than 2,000 feet to bring the trapped men back to the surface. The world watched in amazement as one by one each miner was rescued and transported to freedom. The Bible tells us of an even more amazing rescue. Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, all of mankind is trapped in sin (Gen. 2:17; 3:6,19; Rom. 5:12). Unable to break free, everyone faces certain death—physically and eternally. But God has provided a Rescuer—Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Everyone who accepts the free gift of salvation offered through His death and resurrection is freed from sin’s grip and its resulting death penalty (Rom. 5:8-11; 10:9-11; Eph. 2:1-10). Jesus Christ is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20). He was the first to be raised from the dead, never to die again. Likewise, all will be given life who put their faith in Christ (Rom. 8:11). Thinking It Over What keeps you from calling out to God for spiritual rescue? Do you fear that you are too bad for God’s grace? Read and think about Romans 3:23-26. Through His cross, Jesus rescues and redeems. Jesus, Lord, Christ - Robert Neighbour "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). 1. The name "Jesus" takes us to the Cross. "Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." The name "Jesus" carries with it, "God manifest in the flesh." It is the name that leads us from the manger and to Calvary's Cross, where the atonement was made. It is no marvel that saints delight to sing about "Jesus," but saints should remember that "Jesus" means far more than Mary's son, and the "Son of Man." Jesus was begotten of the Holy Ghost; He was that Holy One, the sinless One, the One Who knew no sin, Who did no sin, and in Whom is no sin. The name "Jesus," links us to the earth-life of our Lord, and to the sufferings of His Cross. It is the name of Calvary and of Golgotha. 2. We have the name "Lord." This name is particularly used in reference to Christ, ascended and seated at the Father's right hand. It is the name that suggests "authority" and "power," Christ as Lord, sits far above all principality and powers, and far above the world rulers of this darkness. No man can call Jesus, "Lord," but by the Holy Ghost. After Jesus had suffered and died; after He had been raised from the dead; after He had ascended up on high; after He had been seated at the right hand of power — there was given Him the name, "Lord." God proclaimed Him, both Lord and Christ. Those of us, who are saved, should delight in speaking of Him as Lord. 3. Christ. This is His Messianic name. He is Christ because He is the anointed. He is Christ because He is to come again. No wonder then that Paul told the jailer to believe on Him as Jesus and as Lord and as Christ. This we all should do. It is not enough to see Him crucified and risen — we must see Him the Anointed of God. Acts 16:31 THE ONE YOU CAN TRUST Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:31 While driving along the highway, I found myself behind a car bearing a bumper sticker which said, "Vote for Robert Chase—THE MAN You CAN TRUST." In this day of "gaps," and especially the "credibility gap," I can see why this politician chose that particular slogan. His hope was that the voters in his district would think of him as a man they could believe, one who would make good on every promise he gave. I know nothing about this Mr. Chase, but I am acquainted with Someone who can be trusted — a Man with a perfect record and who has the praise and endorsement of God Himself — One who keeps His Word. It is the Lord Jesus Christ. After examining the Savior, Pilate declared, "I find no fault in him." And Judas, following his dastardly deed, cried out in remorse, "I have betrayed innocent blood." God the Father expressed His approval of Him, for at His baptism a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Trusting as the moments fly, Trusting as the days go by; Trusting Him whate'er befall, Trusting Jesus, that is all! —Page He pleases God best who trusts Christ most! Acts 16:31 - Getting To Heaven By Dave Branon Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. —Acts 16:31 While working with third- and fourth-graders at our church’s Vacation Bible School, I decided to give all 25 of the children a gift on the last day. But I told them that in order to receive it, they would each have to tell me how a person can get to heaven. It was interesting to hear what these 9- and 10-year-olds said. Many were clear that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, but some were not yet equipped to explain the gospel. “You have to be good and go to Sunday school,” said one. Another asked tentatively, “You have to pray to God?” Still another: “If you are nice to your friends and obey your mom and dad.” As I gently tried to direct the thinking of each child to the central element of salvation—faith in Jesus who died to pay for our sins and then rose again—I thought that these kids represented so many others in our world who don’t yet understand the gospel. A Matter Of Faith Jesus paid the penalty for your sins by His death. When you admit you are a sinner and place your faith in Him alone for forgiveness, you will be reconciled to God. Believing Christ died—that’s history; believing Christ died for me—that’s salvation. Faith in Christ - Robert Neighbour "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). Faith is an evident token of salvation. Frequently we hear the expression: "Is it possible that nothing but simple faith can save us?" Others say: "That's altogether too easy." "Am I simply to believe in Christ?" "Must I not add works and a faithful Christian life, and noble deeds before I can know that I am saved?" Illustration: A miner was preparing to take a preacher through the mines. As they were walking, the minister was pressing upon the miner his eternal salvation. Something like the following conversation took place. The minister said: "You must receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Simply accept Him, trust Him, believe Him and the work is done." The miner replied; "Preacher, that is too dead easy. I want to do something. You can't make me think that the salvation of my soul can be made secure by my simply trusting Christ." At this juncture they came to the shaft and stood waiting for the elevator. When the elevator was ready and the door opened, the miner, touching the minister's elbow, said: "Step aboard, preacher, and we'll go down into the bowels of the earth." The minister stood back, and, looking the miner full in the face, he said, "Do you mean to tell me that all I've got to do is to step aboard, — that's too dead easy." The miner replied: "It is not so dead easy as you think, it cost the company thousands of dollars to sink this shaft, and a number of lives were lost before it was completed. Your stepping into the cage, is not all there is to it. The rest is already accomplished, and therefore, there is nothing else left for you. "And salvation was not so dead easy," said the preacher. "It cost God the gift of His Son, and it cost Jesus Christ His own precious Blood; but the work is all done; the door is open wide, and all the poor sinner needs to do is to step aboard." When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; when we have received Him as our Saviour, we know we have eternal life. God has promised in many Scriptures to save the believer, and when God stretches forth His hand, who can draw it back? When God has spoken, who can disannul it? If believing in Christ is an evident token of salvation, unbelief is an evident token of condemnation. One does not need to be an immoral wretch in order to be lost: Unbelief is sufficient. "He that believeth not is condemned already" (John 3:18). "And all unbelievers * * shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 21:8) Acts 16:31 Fantastic Offers By Dave Branon [God’s] abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. —1 Peter 1:3 I am amazed at the unbelievable offers that flood my e-mail box every day. Recently, I added up the offers of free money that came to me in a week, and my “take” totaled $26 million. But each of those offers was a fraud. Every one—from a $1 million prize to a $7 million offer—was nothing but a lie sent by unscrupulous people to squeeze money from me. We’re all vulnerable to fantastic offers—to scams that in reality pay off with nothing but trouble. We are offered false hope that ends in dashed dreams. There is one offer, however, that is genuine, though fantastic beyond belief. It’s the offer God makes to us—salvation through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). It is an offer that cost Him greatly—and we get the benefits. The book of Romans tells us, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (4:25 niv). Our salvation was infinitely costly to God, but it is absolutely free to us. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.- Luke 19:10 If a man unable to swim fell into deep water and was crying out for help, what would you do? Throw him a book on Five Easy Swimming Lessons? Shout encouragement? How about jumping into the water and crying out, "Just look at me, brother! Follow my example! I'll teach you how to swim and save your-self!" You would do no such thing! This drowning man doesn't need swimming lessons. It's too late for that! What he needs is a savior, one who will come to him in his desperate state, reach down, lift him up, and deliver him from the clutches of death. I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me — now safe am I. —Rowe The God who was wise enough to make a perfect man is loving enough to rescue a fallen one Liking and Accepting - Puritan Daily Readings And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31 There is a liking and an accepting of Christ. First, the liking of Christ for His excellency, grace, and suitableness, which is far above all other beloveds whatever, thus preferring Him in the judgment and mind above them all. No other beloveds are to be compared to Him. It views also legal righteousness, blamelessness before men, uprightness of conversation, duties upon conviction, and concludes of all as Paul does, “Doubtless, I count all these things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:8). So, also, the church rejects all appearing assistances whatever (Hosea 14:3), as goodly as Asshur, as promising as idols, that God alone may be preferred. And this is the soul’s entrance into conjugal communion with Jesus Christ as to personal grace, the constant preferring Him above all pretenders to its affections, counting all loss and dung in comparison of Him…Second, there is the accepting of Christ by the will, as its only husband, Lord, and Savior. This is called “receiving” of Christ (John 1:12); and is not intended only for that solemn act whereby at first entrance we close with Him, but also for the constant frame of the soul in abiding with Him and owning of Him as such. It is when the soul consents to take Christ on His own terms, to save him in His own way, and says, “Lord, I would have had thee and salvation in my way, that it might have been partly of mine endeavors, and as it were by the works of the law; I am now willing to receive thee and to be saved in thy way, merely by grace: and though I would have walked according to my own mind, yet now I wholly give up myself to be ruled by thy Spirit.” Adrian Rogers - Acts 16:31 Sometimes, a person will say, "Yes, I am saved. I remember walking down the aisle when I was nine years old, greeting the pastor, and giving my heart to Jesus. I may not be living for God right now, but…" Many people want to go back to an event from the past. Some even say, "If you cannot show me the place and tell me the moment when you received Jesus, then you are not saved." But this is not biblical and is not so. The Bible never says that you will know you are saved by something you recall in the past. If you are believing now, then you did believe. (What Every Christian Ought to Know) Dying Witness - Occasionally God calls one of His children to give his or her life as an act of sacrifice and witness for Him. One such believer was John Harper, a Scotsman who was traveling on the Titantic en route to Chicago. Harper was scheduled to become pastor of the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, but he never made it. However, another Scotsman who survived the disaster later told how Harper, clinging to a piece of debris, called out to his fellow countryman, “Are ye saved, mon? He then quoted Acts 16:31 just before he drowned. The young man was not saved physically, but he took Harper’s invitation to heart and put his faith in Christ. Today in the Word, Cruel King -The following story was often told by Charles Haddon Spurgeon: “A cruel king called one of his subjects into his presence and asked him his occupation. The man responded, I’m a blacksmith.’ The ruler then ordered him to go and make a chain of a certain length.“The man obeyed, returning after several months to show it to the monarch. Instead of receiving praise for what he had done, however, he was instructed to make the chain twice as long.“When that assignment was completed, the blacksmith presented his work to the king, but again was commanded, ‘Go back and double its length!’ This procedure was repeated several times. At last the wicked tyrant directed the man to be bound in the chains of his own making and cast into a fiery furnace.” Like that cruel king, sin exacts from its servants a dreadful price: “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). But the good news is the last part of that verse: “The gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” If you are not a Christian, consider the consequence of your sin. Then “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). - R W De Haan Acts 16:31 Saving Faith Allen Ross As Paul and Silas were singing and praying in the prison, the Lord caused a great earthquake to shake the prison open and loosen all the prisoners from their chains. The jailor was in a panic, thinking that he had lost the prisoners--he was going to take his life rather than face the wrath of his superiors. But Paul called out to him that they were all still there. Obviously confronted with a mighty work of God on behalf of these servants of God, the jailor then asked what he needed to do to be saved. The answer is the simple sounding “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). But it is far from simple, easy “believism.” What exactly is saving faith? If we analyze this line for a few minutes we will be able to unerstand what is implied by the words. We must look at the meaning of “believe in” and then the meaning of “the Lord Jesus.” There are a number of levels to belief, but not all of them are saving faith. The reformers had to clarify what saving faith was in view of the tremendous changes that were taking place. If salvation was by faith alone, what would that faith look like? Their analysis of saving faith has stood the test of time. There are three parts. First is the intellectual reception of wheat is to be believed. You have to understand the message, the gospel. This does not mean the understanding has to be at a theologically profound level. But it does mean you have to apprehend what the message is. We will come back to this. Second, there is the assent, the agreement with the message. You have to think that the facts of the gospel are true. And third, there must be commitment. Knowing what the message is, and agreeing that it is true, are good, but there is one essential part to add for saving faith. You have to commit your life to it. Jesus made this clear when he called for people to take his yoke upon them (Matt. 11:29). He was asking people to exchange yokes, to follow him and his teachings instead of the current religious leaders, for he could give them salvation. This brings us back to the content of the faith. What is the message to be believed? Here it was summed up as “the Lord Jesus.” These two words give us the double emphasis of the gospel message, that he is the Lord and that he is the Savior. Or, to put it in another way, you have to believe in the person and works of Jesus. The works can be summed up in the gospel: that Jesus died according to the Scripture, that he was buried, and that he rose again according to the Scripture. In other words, you have to believe in the death, burial and resurrection, the facts, as they are explained by the Bible. The death was the sacrifice for our sins, the burial was proof that he died and took so paid for our sins, and the resurrection declares that he is who he said he was, the Son of God, and that his death did what it was intended to do, pay for our sins. The works, then, reveal the person. Jesus was not simply a good man, a prophet, an excellent teacher. He was God in the flesh. Or as Paul says, he is the Lord. By this word Paul does not simply mean that he is master, but that he is the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. If Jesus is not the Son of God, then his death could not save anyone, and it would certainly be wrong to worship him. But if indeed he is the “Lord Jesus,” then he is to be worshiped and praised throughout all eternity. To believe in the Lord Jesus means to commit your life to the one whom you believe is your Savior and your God, trusting that he has forgiven your sins and will receive you in glory. (Christian Leadership Center) Acts 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. they : Ac 10:33-43 Mk 16:15 Eph 3:8 Col 1:27,28 1Th 2:8 1Ti 1:13-16 all : Ro 1:14,16 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THEY SPOKE THE GOSPEL They spoke the Word of the Lord - This is why the jailer's household was saved. Sinners must be presented with the Gospel of God in order to respond and believe and be saved. It is not our articulate, eloquent, flawless presentation that saves anyone! And that is GREAT NEWS, because most of us are not oratorically gifted! Praise God that He takes the pressure off, so to speak. Listen to Paul's description... For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power (dunamis) of God for salvation to everyone who believes (pisteuo), to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Ro 1:16+) Do you see why this statement about the "Good News" is such great news for those of us (most of us) who are shy and may feel we cannot make a perfect "polished" presentation? Notice the key phrase "IT IS THE POWER OF GOD," not the power of your presentation. God's power is His dunamis which means His inherent ability to accomplish supernaturally that which cannot be accomplished naturally! There it is -- the pressure is off. It is God's power which is present in the Gospel. Now, not that you get a complete pass, because you still must speak (and hopefully the way you have lived opens the door to speak) the simple story of the good news, that we are all sinners, all falling short of God's perfect standard, but Jesus took care of that by dying on the Cross, being buried in a grave and being resurrected from death, and He did this for all sinners who will believe in Him. There it is in a nutshell. So your part is to "set the table" and not try to convince or convict them (that's the Spirit's business - Jn 16:8). They will either chose to pull up a chair, sit down and "eat" the Gospel plate you have set before them or they will refuse. That is on them, not on you. Just set the table with the simple, yet profound Good News and invite them to "eat." As stated earlier no one becomes a saint (a believer) by proxy, by water baptism, by membership in a specific church or by virtue of their parent's belief in Christ. Each person must personally believe in Christ and His good news of salvation by grace through faith. Brian Bell - A heart must be penetrated by God! A heart may be as thin as an egg shell, like the Philippian business woman Lydia; A heart may have a black veil over it, like the Philippian slave girl; A heart may be thick & needs an great earthquake to crack it, like the Philippian prison guard; But a heart must be penetrated by God! George