Acts 16:6-34

A Changed Family

Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey

January 7, 2018

First Baptist Church

Jackson, Mississippi

USA

What’s the number one thing?

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The Glory of God!

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1 Corinthians 10:31 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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January Memory Verse:

Philippians 3:14 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ

Jesus.

References:

• Stott, John R. W., The Message of Acts (Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity

Press, USA, 1994).

• ESV (English Standard Version) Study Bible (Wheaton, IL, 2008)

• Unless otherwise stated, scriptures are quoted from the ESV.

• Maier, Paul L., EUSEBIUS: The Church History (Kregel Publications, Grand

Rapid, MI, 2007).

• MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Study Bible (Word Publishing, Nashville,

TN, 1997).

Introduction to The Book of Acts:

• Luke is considered the author of The Book of Acts.

• Luke was writing as an historian and not a theologian.

• He records the points of the sermons of Peter and Paul, but provides no

deep theological discussions.

• Paul provides the theology of the events and sermons in his letters and

epistles.

• Lesson today is during Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey.

Introduction to Acts 16:

• The format of the 2nd journey is to present a letter with recommendations

from the Jerusalem Council.

• The letter addresses the Judaizers teaching that Gentiles had to be

circumcised in order to be saved.

• Basically, Judaizers were teaching that you had to become Jewish and

follow the Mosaic Law in order to become a Christian.

The Four Recommendations:

• Acts 15:29 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood,

and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you

keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

• All abstentions related to ceremonial laws in Leviticus 17 & 18

(circumcision is not mentioned).

• The dietary restrictions would inhibit Jewish-Gentile common meals.

The Importance of the Jerusalem Council’s Decision and Letter:

1. A Victory of Truth – confirming the gospel of grace that faith in Jesus was

enough for salvation.

2. A Victory of Love – preserved the fellowship of Christians who were Jews,

and of Christians who were Gentiles by sensitive respect to Jewish

customs.

Essentials vs. Nonessentials of Salvation:

• Essential of Salvation = Faith in Jesus only (sola fide).

• Nonessentials of Salvation = circumcision, dietary laws, good deeds,

tithing, baptism … actually; anything!

What is “sola fide”?

• Salvation (forgiveness of your sins and being righteous before God) is

based on placing your “faith” in Christ.

• The good works you do for God or others contributes nothing to your

salvation.

• Following the Jewish laws contributes nothing to your salvation.

• Christ’s life, death and resurrection is totally adequate to cover your sins

before God.

Acts 16:6-10 Summary:

• Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke are journeying west from Derbe and Lystra.

• They wanted to go into Asia (modern Turkey) but the Holy Spirit directed

them to continue westward.

• Paul had a vision of a man from the region of Macedonia (Greece)

saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Location of Acts 16 – Philippi in Macedonia:

Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey:

Ruins of Philippi in Macedonia:

Philippi in Macedonia:

• Named for Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great).

• Known for gold mines and nearby springs.

• Became a “Roman Colony” in 42 BC when Mark Anthony and Octavian

defeated Brutus and Cassius in the Battle of Philippi.

• Adopted Roman customs and Roman law.

Today’s Lesson – 3 Examples of Saving Faith in Acts 16:

1. Lydia – a wealthy Jewish dealer of fabrics/purple dyes.

2. Demon possessed young girl (slave).

3. Roman jailer.

Acts 16:13-14 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. 14 One who heard us was a woman named

Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of

God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

Notes on Acts 16:13-14

• There was no Jewish Synagogue in Philippi because you had to have 10

Jewish men to establish one.

• No explanation of why few Jewish men here.

• The women met outside the city walls for prayer to honor the Jewish

Sabbath.

• Paul followed his pattern of meeting with the Jewish people first.

Acts 16:15 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying,

"If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay."

And she prevailed upon us.

• Note: The church in Philippi was established in Lydia’s home and was the

1st church established in Europe.

Acts 16:16-17 16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had

a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She

followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God,

who proclaim to you the way of salvation."

• 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of

righteousness.

Notes on Acts 16:16-17

• Spirit of divination = “a python spirit” in Greek mythology that guarded the

oracle at Delphi.

• A spiritual medium in contact with demons who could supposedly predict

the future.

• Servants of the Most High God = a term for the Supreme Being that was

applied by Jews to Yahweh and by Greeks to Zeus.

• She made money for the owners.

Acts 16:18 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.

• Note: The ability to cast out demons was a special ability of Christ’s

apostles.

• Note: It is believed that she became a Christian and a member of the

Philippian Church.

Acts 16:19-21 19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul

and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when

they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men are Jews, and

they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us

as Romans to accept or practice."

Notes on Acts 16:19-21

• Anti-Semitism was growing during this time.

• Emperor Claudius had just expelled Jews from Rome.

• Paul & Silas were full-blooded Jews, but Timothy was ½ Jewish and Luke

was a Gentile.

• Roman citizens were not to engage in any religion that was not

sanctioned by the state.

• Creating chaos was a false charge.

Acts 16: 22-24 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off

them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted

many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep

them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and

fastened their feet in the stocks.

Acts 16:25-34 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and

the prisoners were listening to them, 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 everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the

jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was

about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried

with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." 29 And the jailer

called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul

and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be

saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you

and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all

who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and

washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then

he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced

along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

Notes on Acts 16:27-34

• The Holy Spirit had been working on the jailer’s heart.

• The jailer thought death was imminent.

• The jailer knew the question to ask – maybe he had heard the slave girl’s

comments or Paul’s preaching from the cell.

Different interpretations of Acts 16:15, 33 on baptism of infants and children:

• Acts 16:15 15 And when she (Lydia) and her household were baptized,

• Acts 16:33 33 And immediately he (jailer) and all his family were baptized.

• Baptist beliefs:

1) Baptism is by immersion only.

2) Baptism is for believers only.

3) Baptism should happen after you come to a stage (age) of

accountability and make a commitment to Christ.

Basis for support of other interpretations on infant baptism:

• The OT Abrahamic covenant for inclusion was circumcision of the infant.

• The NT covenant for the Church is baptism.

• God commands believers to follow His command and mark their children

with the token of the covenant which has changed from circumcision to

baptism.

Peter’s sermon implies infant baptism???

• Acts 2:38-39 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized

in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive

the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children,

and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

What does infant baptism mean?

• Presbyterians:

• The child of believing parents is receiving the sign of the covenant

promise of God (grace) and is admitted into the visible church.

• The purpose of baptism is not to effect union with Christ but rather to

confirm and testify such.

• Order of process: baptism, effectual calling response, and efficacy

(intended result) of baptism.

• Catholic:

• The Catholic Church has always understood baptism differently,

teaching that it is a sacrament which accomplishes several things,

the first of which is the remission of sin, both original sin and actual

sin—only original sin in the case of infants and young children, since

they are incapable of actual sin; and both original and actual sin in

the case of older persons.

Remember – Essentials and Nonessentials of Salvation:

• Essential of Salvation = Faith in Jesus only (sola fide).

• Nonessentials of Salvation = circumcision, dietary laws, good deeds,

tithing, baptism … actually; anything!

Paul’s answer to “What must I do to be saved?” … “Believe in the Lord Jesus.”

• Romans 1:16-17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for

salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is

written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

What is Salvation?

What are we saved from?

• Believers are saved from the ultimate penalty for their sins, which is eternal

separation from God and eternal punishment.

• The scripture also states we are saved from lostness, from the wrath of

God, from spiritual ignorance, from evil self-indulgence, and the darkness

from a false religion.

• Summary: we are saved from the penalty, practice and pain of sin (guilt).

What does it mean “to believe?”

• Believe = to trust or to rely on, to have faith in.

• When used of salvation, to believe occurs in the present tense (“is

believing”) which indicates it is an ongoing process and not a onetime

event.

• John 3:16-17 NKJV 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that

whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the

world through Him might be saved.

What is “Saving Faith”?

• Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of

yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

• Hebrews 11: NIV 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what

we do not see.

• Hebrews 11:1 ESV 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things

not seen.

Saving Faith Consists of 3 Elements.

1. Mental – the mind understands the Gospel and the truth about Christ.

Romans 10:17 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

2. Emotional – one embraces the truthfulness of those facts with sorrow over

sin and joy over God’s mercy and grace.

Romans 15:13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that

by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

3. Volitional – (the power of using one’s will) the sinner submits his will to

Christ and trusts in Him alone as the only hope of salvation.

Romans 10:9-10 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in

your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For

with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one

confesses and is saved.

The Unifying Power of the Gospel in Acts 16:

1. Each had different national origins.

• Lydia was from Asia Minor, an immigrant to Philippi.

• The slave girl was a possibly an imported foreign slave.

• Jailer was a Roman army veteran.

• Each had been brought up in a different culture but were now unified in

Christ.

2. Each had different social backgrounds.

• Lydia was wealthy and had a large house.

• Slave girl owned nothing and had no rights.

• Jailer was middle class with job as a subordinate government official.

• Galatians 3:28 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is

no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

3. Each had different personal needs.

• Lydia had an intellectual need and was not fulfilled by Judaism.

• Slave girl had a psychological need after removal of demon

possession.

• Jailer had a moral need and wanted to be saved.

Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi pleading for unity of believers.

• The Gospel is a unifying power for those who believe.

• Likewise, it divides a community of those who reject it.

• Philippians 1:27 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that

whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are

standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of

the gospel,

Closing Scripture:

• Jesus Prays for Unity of All Believers.

• John 17:20-21 20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me

through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in

me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may

believe that you have sent me.

The Plan of Hope & Salvation:

John 3:16 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes

in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to

the Father except through me.”

Romans 3:23 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23a 23a For the wages of sin is death,

• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.

• Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the

penalty for our sin.

• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in

Revelation 21:8.

Revelation 21:8 8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the

sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the

lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Romans 5:8 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for

us.

Romans 6:23b 23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 21:7 7 "The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will

be my son.”

• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquerors.

Romans 10:9-10 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your

heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart

one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:13 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Have questions or would like to know more?

Please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or

http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/