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Acts 16

40 verses

TL;DR

Paul and Silas travel through the Roman provinces, encounter a spirit of divination, are persecuted, but an earthquake releases them and they convert the jailer and his household.

Summary

Paul and Silas set out from Derbe and Lystra with Timothy, circumcising him to please local Jews. They travel through Phrygia, Galatia, and Asia but are halted by the Holy Spirit and then move into Mysia, Bithynia, and Troas. In a vision, a Macedonian begs them to go to Macedonia, prompting a swift departure. In Philippi, they encounter Lydia, a purple‑dye merchant, who converts with her household. While praying and singing, they are seized by a slave woman possessed by a divining spirit; Paul commands it to depart, and the woman is freed. The Roman magistrates and the crowd beat and imprison them, but a sudden earthquake opens the prison. The jailer, fearing death, brings them to the magistrates, who release them after realizing they are Romans. Paul and Silas then preach to the jailer and his household, who are baptized, and the jailer hosts them at Lydia’s house. The episode ends with the magistrates allowing Paul and Silas to depart peacefully.

Outline
  1. Paul’s journey with Timothy and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to Macedonia
  2. Encounter with Lydia and the possession of the divining woman in Philippi
  3. Persecution, miraculous release, and conversion of the jailer’s household
Themes
Divine direction in missionary workCultural and religious diversity within the early churchPersecution leading to miraculous deliverance and conversion
Keywords
GospelfaithpersecutionRomanGreekJewishsalvationevangelismmiracledivine guidance
People
PaulSilasLydiaTimothySpirit of divinationJailerMagistratesSlave masters
Places
DerbeLystraIconiumPhrygiaGalatiaAsiaMysiaBithyniaTroasMacedoniaSamothraciaNeapolisPhilippiThyatiraLydia’s house
Things
TimothycircumcisiondecreeschurchHoly Spiritvisionpurple dyespirit of divinationprayersongearthquakestockslightmeat
Key Verses
  • Acts 16:18: Paul commands the spirit to depart, demonstrating authority and faith.
  • Acts 16:25: Prayer and singing amid persecution highlight dependence on God.
  • Acts 16:30: The jailer’s conversion and baptism mark the climax of the missionary encounter.
  • Acts 16:34: The house of Lydia becomes the first Christian household in Philippi.
Questions
  • How does the vision at Troas shape Paul’s missionary strategy?
  • In what ways does the Holy Spirit guide the journey of Paul and Silas?
  • What does the diversity of cultures in Philippi reveal about early Christianity?
  • How do Paul and Silas maintain their faith during intense persecution?
  • What is the significance of Lydia’s household being the first Christian community in Philippi?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains both suffering and miraculous deliverance, leading to a balanced tone.