His Word Today

^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. 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.” (Acts 16:13–15)

Luke records that upon hearing the Gospel, the Lord opened up Lydia’s heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. The word heart, in this context, refers to man’s soul. It is the ability to think, the ability to feel, and the ability to render a decision or to make a choice. 

It must be noted that Lydia’s ability to believe the Gospel did not come from the Apostle Paul, or even herself. Rather, that ability to trust in, commit to, depend upon and worship the Lord Jesus came from God alone. God Himself opened Lydia’s heart. God Himself opens human hearts today. This is an evidence of the sovereignty of God in salvation (Acts 13:48; Ephesians 2:8-10). 

Not only did Lydia believe the Gospel, but so did her entire household. This would naturally include her immediate family along with her household servants. As an evidence of their conversion, they followed the Lord in believer’s baptism. 

Further evidence of Lydia’s conversion was that she compelled the four missionaries to start at her home. It became an offer the missionaries could not, and did not, refuse. The fruit of hospitality is clearly seen by Lydia’s actions. 

As it was then, so it is today. All those who God the Father sovereignly gives to Jesus, will indeed come to Jesus by faith (John 6:37). No one can come to Jesus in faith unless God the Father compels them by an irresistible force (John 6:44). The drawing is selective, effective and gracious. It is sourced in God’s sovereign grace from eternity past (Ephesians 1:3-11). 

Each believer is a sovereign gift from God to the Son. This is true for every believer. You are not converted by signing a card, praying a prayer or walking an aisle to the front of the church sanctuary. Conversion comes when God opens your mind, emotions and will to the truth of the Gospel, when you repented of your sin and when you placed the God-given faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. The corresponding evidence supporting this conversion is a changed life of obedience unto God (Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:14-26). 

If you are a converted Christian, take the time today to thank God for opening your heart to the truth of the Gospel. Give Him all the glory for your salvation. 

Soli deo Gloria! 

^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. 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.” (Acts 16:13–15)

Having settled in the City of Philippi, Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke prepared to observe the weekly Sabbath. They went outside of the city gate and went to the riverside. The reason for this was because they reasoned there would be a place for prayer by the water since there was no synagogue in Philippi.

Dr. R.C. Sproul explains that, “According to Jewish practice, at least ten men were required to from a synagogue. Failing that, a place of prayer could be established outdoors, preferably near water. Although various local and indoor pagan religions flourished in Philippi, the city likely had no Jewish synagogue for instruction in Israel’s Scriptures and prayer to the true and living God.”

When the four men arrived at the riverside, they happened upon several women who had gathered to worship the LORD. Luke records that one of the women who heard them sharing the Gospel was Lydia. She was from the City of Thyatira, was a seller of purple goods, and was also a worshipper of the One, True God.

Thyatira was located across the Aegean Sea from Athens. Purple cloth was extremely expensive. Therefore, it is likely that Lydia was a successful businesswoman. It is also likely that she owned a large house. The reason for this conjecture will be seen later.  There is a very good indication that the Gentile Lydia had already embraced Israel’s monotheistic faith along with the morality of the Mosaic Law.

What happened to Lydia was nothing less than the God ordained miracle of conversion. We will examine her conversion when next we meet. Lydia’s story may well provide you a biblical insight into your own conversion to Christ.

Until next time, Soli deo Gloria!

²¹ Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” ²² And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.” (Acts 19:21–22)

Have you ever made up your mind? What does this idiom or phrase mean? To make up one’s mind means to decide to do something, or not, and/or to make a decision.

The Apostle Paul personally resolved to once again journey through the region of Macedonia and Achaia and then eventually to Jerusalem. He resolved to do this Luke says, “In the Spirit.” The text does not say “my spirit” or “his spirit” but rather “the Spirit.” This is a clear reference to the prompting by the Holy Spirit God.

This sovereign resolution from the LORD is supported by Paul’s own words when he said, ““After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” The word “must” is a present active imperative verb. It means that the goal or plan is absolutely necessary, inevitable, and in the sovereign plan of God (Acts 19:36; John 12:34; Luke 24:26). There can be no deviation or turning back from God’s direction.

Paul’s intention is to revisit the churches which the LORD established during the apostle’s second missionary journey. Following this, he intended to circle back to Jerusalem and then visit the existing church in the city of Rome. To prepare for this journey, Paul sent Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia while he remained in Asia.

Dr. John Walvoord writes that, “This verse (Acts 9:21) sets the tone for the remainder of the book (Acts). Paul’s sights were now set on Rome (via Jerusalem) with the ultimate goal of reaching Spain (Rom. 1:15; 15:22–24). Luke made no reference to Spain because one of his purposes in writing Acts was to trace the spread of the gospel up to Paul’s being in Rome, center of the Roman world. Several have observed how Luke’s Gospel focuses in on Jerusalem, whereas Acts emphasizes the message going out from Jerusalem to Rome. These two cities seem to be the focal points of Luke-Acts.”

Today’s text illustrates how the LORD’s leading within our soul leads to outward changes of behavior and practice. What is the LORD prompting you to do, or to refrain from doing? Is your mind made up?

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9:15)

The LORD would fulfill His prophecy concerning Saul of Tarsus, as recorded in Acts 9:15. Saul of Tarsus would become the Apostle Paul: apostle, evangelist, pastor and teacher, and author of 13 New Testament Epistles.

Acts 16:11-12 says, “¹¹ So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, ¹² and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.”  

Luke recorded that Paul, Silas, Timothy and he himself set sail from the city of Troas across the Aegean Sea to the Island of Samothrace, and then to the cities of Neapolis, and then Philippi. Luke mentioned that Philippi was a leading city in the district of Macedonia. It was also a Roman colony. He recorded that the team remained in Philippi for some days.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes that, “Phillip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, had established a large Greek colony here and named it Philippi. This status (being a Roman colony) bestowed on Philippi by Octavian (who became Caesar Augustus) and Marc Antony meant that Philippi’s citizens had Roman citizenship and its privileges, including due process in Roman courts and exemption from taxation.”    

Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner writes, “It is crucial to see that Paul’s role as a missionary to the nations fulfills Old Testament prophecy. In “the fullness of time” God sent forth His Son, Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:4). Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection fulfilled the salvation predicted in the Old Testament. It was never God’s intention, however, that the saving message would be restricted to Israel. When God chose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He emphasized that all nations would be blessed through them (Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 26:4; 28:14). This promised universal blessing did not become a reality during Old Testament times. Indeed, the Lord did not intend for the nations to be saved on a large scale until the coming of the Christ, for the glory of Jesus is maximized when the peoples of the world are saved by calling on His name and knowing the great salvation He accomplished.”

This is the Gospel message that the LORD has also entrusted to our stewardship. May He also find us faithful as He did the Apostle Paul.

Soli deo Gloria!

^“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

The following is an excerpt from an article which originally appeared in the July, 2006 issue of Tabletalk Magazine. It is entitled A Man in Christ. Its author is Burk Parsons, Pastor of St. Andrews Chapel, Sanford, Florida.

The apostle Paul was indeed a man of strength, bravery, boldness, and confidence, and he was a man who cared deeply about the world, about others, and about all things religious. He was a man who very much concerned himself with servant-hood, humility, prayer, faith, and love. He was a man of such spiritual fortitude that he understood that he was strongest in Christ when he was weakest in himself (2 Cor. 12:10).

He was a man who knew that his only confidence was in Christ, not in his own natural abilities (Phil. 3:3). He was a man who cared so much for the people of God that he was willing to suffer the persecutions of men rather than be at home with Christ (Phil. 1:21).

He was a man who didn’t feel the need to pound his chest and defend himself as the great apostle Paul; rather, he buffeted his body to gain an invisible crown so that he could present it to the Lord (1 Cor. 9:26). He was a man willing to be considered a fool for Christ (1 Cor. 1:27), and he was a man who wanted to be identified, first and foremost, as one graciously called to be an apostle who was a bondservant of Christ.

Just as he boldly proclaimed the doctrine of justification by faith alone because of the imputed righteousness of Christ alone, so he lived and breathed the simple phrase that he wrote on nearly every page of every epistle: “in Christ.” Paul was a real man, and one of the greatest men of all time, not because he lived for his own greatness and glory but because he lived humbly before the face of God, coram Deo, for the glory of God.

May this be said of us.

Soli deo Gloria!

^6 “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. ⁷ And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. ⁸ So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:6–10 (ESV)

Who exactly was this man of Macedonia? Today’s text provides us with some information.

First, he appeared in Paul’s vision in the night. Second, he stood before the apostle and continuously urged, pleaded and earnestly encouraged Paul and his companions to come to Macedonia. Third, the reason given for this earnest plea was for the apostle and his men to come to the aid of those living in Macedonia. The aid spoken of would most likely have been the spiritual help only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can provide (Acts 16:10).

However, back to our original question. Who was this man of Macedonia? He most likely is a visual representation of a Macedonian who needed to hear the Gospel. God used this visionary picture to reveal His will Paul.

Macedonia was a Roman province in NT times, beginning as a kingdom in the seventh century bc. With arrival of the Greek King Philip II (359–336 bc), and especially of his son Alexander III (the Great, 336–323 bc), Macedonia became a world power.

After Alexander’s death, the empire was divided among his successors into several regions, one of them the original Macedonian kingdom. Political instability held sway for the next 150 years, and in 167 bc Macedonia came under Roman rule. Initially divided into four districts by the Romans (Acts 16:12 is a possible reference to this division), this territory was made into a Roman province in 14 bc with Thessalonica as its capital. From ad 15–44, Macedonia was combined with Achaia and Moesia (other parts of Greece) into one large province.

One commentator writes, “The Roman province of Macedonia included the northern region of Greece and southern sections of present-day Albania, Yugoslavia (former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), and Bulgaria. Noted for its gold, silver, timber, and farmlands, the region also served as a land route for trade between Asia and the West. Shortly after the Romans incorporated Macedonia as a province, they built the Via Egnatia, a paved road over 500 miles (804.5 kilometers) long, running from the Adriatic coast to the Aegean, no doubt traveled by the apostle Paul as he moved through the Macedonian cities of Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica (Acts 16:11–12; 17:1).”

It should be noted that the personal pronouns distinctively change in Acts 16:10. Instead of the third person plural pronoun “they,” Luke began using the second person plural pronoun “we” and “us.” It is most likely that Luke joined the team as they prepared to journey towards Greece. The team of three becomes a foursome.

The LORD wanted Paul in Macedonia It would be in this region that the LORD would establish many churches through His faithful stewards and servants. The gospel would be preached, souls would be saved and churches would be established.

Much like the Apostle Paul, be encouraged today that whatever circumstances you encounter, the LORD can use them to accomplish His sovereign will. He is using you for His glory.

Soli deo Gloria!

^6 “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. ⁷ And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. ⁸ So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:6–10 (ESV)

Robert Burns (1759-1796), also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, the National Bard, Bard of Ayrshire and the Ploughman Poet and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.

In his 1786 poem, entitled To a Mouse, Burns tells of how he, while ploughing a field, upturned a mouse’s nest. The resulting poem is an apology to the mouse. In the poem, Burns composed the following, classic verse.

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane [you aren’t alone]                                                 In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft a-gley, [often go awry]
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promised joy.

Burns was saying that the most carefully, prepared plans may go wrong or may be changed due to circumstances beyond one’s control. Burns’ poem provides an appropriate commentary regarding the plans of Paul, Silas and Timothy during their missionary endeavors.

As you may recall, they planned on solely revisiting the churches that Paul and Barnabas visited during their first missionary journey. However, the LORD had other plans. Today’s text indicates that the Holy Spirit forbade them to speak the Word of God in Asia any longer. The Spirit also prevented them from entering Bithynia, located north of Galatia and off the coast of the Black Sea.

They then traveled southwest through the region known as Mysia. They eventually stopped at the coastal town of Troas. Troas was a seaport on the Aegean Sea.

It was while they were at Troas that the Apostle Paul had a vision at night. This apparition was similar to the visions the LORD brought to Ananias (Acts 9:10-12), and to Peter (Acts 10:1-19; 11:1-5).

Before we begin examining the content of the vision, let me ask you a question? Have you ever encountered closed doors? You pursued a certain goal, a relationship or career path, only to be consistently stymied and hindered from encountering any success or achievement in your best, laid plans?

During those times, did you consider that the LORD might have been providing you “prohibitive guidance?” Instead of becoming frustrated, it would be better to trust Him when things don’t go the way you think they should.

Dr. R. C. Sproul comments that, “As God closes the doors to you, thank Him for that grace to move ahead, walking in His revealed will (the Bible) and waiting patiently for His specific will to become clear.”

Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁴ As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.” (Acts 16:4–5)

Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled though the various cities that Paul and Barnabas visited during their previous missionary journey. However, instead of solely sharing the Gospel, the three missionaries delivered the letter and subsequently explained the decisions reached at the Jerusalem Council.

As a result, the churches were strengthened in their faith. The churches became more firm in their trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and worship of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Dr. R. C. Sproul comments that, “The unity of the visible church is evident in the fact that a decision reached by a council in Jerusalem, in response to an issue in Syrian Antioch, is now communicated as binding on churches in other cities and regions.”

The churches also increased in numbers on a daily basis. Luke does not mention any church growth principles being implemented. Rather, it was the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which resulted in not only spiritual growth but also numerical growth.

I Corinthians 3:5-9 says, “⁵ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸ He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. ⁹ For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”

God is the cause for true church growth. He is the only One who sovereignly appoints or assigns specific converts to specific sharers of the Gospel. Let us always remember this biblical truth.

Soli deo Gloria!

^“Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.” (Acts 16:3)

Paul welcomed Timothy to his evangelistic missionary team. Unlike John/Mark, the Apostle Paul was impressed with this young man and eagerly wanted Timothy to join him and Silas on this second missionary journey.

However, there was a problem which needed to be resolved. Timothy was a product of a mixed marriage between a Jewish mother and a Gentile father. Timothy had never been circumcised when he was 8 days old (Genesis 17:10-14). Therefore, as an uncircumcised son of a Jew, he would have been an offense to other Jews. Ironically, if both of his parents had been Gentiles, his uncircumcised condition would not have been a problem.

Even though Paul is carrying a decree from the Jerusalem Council explaining that circumcision was not a necessary condition for conversion, he was willing to circumcise Timothy in order that Timothy might minister to the Jews without giving offense. Remember, Luke records that the Jews in the region all knew that Timothy’s father was a Greek.

Dr. Simon Kistemaker writes, “Paul himself wanted to be all things to all people, so that he might win both Jew and Gentile for Christ (I Corinthians 9:19-23). He expected that Timothy, a fellow missionary, would do the same. Timothy does, and becomes an invaluable aid to the apostle.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Although Paul adamantly resists the imposition of circumcision on Gentiles such as Titus (Galatians 2:1-3), Timothy’s status as the offspring of a mixed marriage would be questionable in the eyes of the Jewish community. Rather than risking a hindrance to Timothy’s ministry among those who might regard him as an uncircumcised Jew, Paul removes that obstacle (I Corinthians 9:19-23; 10:32-33).”

What obstacles may you remove from your own life in order to not hinder your ministry and communication of the Gospel? Think about it.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. ² He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.” (Acts 16:1–2)

Paul returned, along with his companion Silas, to the towns of Derbe and Lystra. He did so in order to encourage the new believers he and Barnabas ministered to during their First Missionary Journey. Living in Lystra was a young man named Timothy.  

Timothy was already a disciple of Jesus Christ when Paul met him. Luke records that Timothy’s Jewish mother was also a believer. However, Timothy’s Greek father was not a Christian. Timothy was a third-generation Christian after his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (2 Timothy 1:5). The apostle Paul, undoubtedly Timothy’s spiritual father, refers to him as “my true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).

Timothy possessed a good reputation. Luke records that the Christians in Lystra and Iconium continually spoke well of him. Timothy lived a good testimony of faith.

One commentator writes, “Probably Timothy was about eighteen years of age, a convert of Paul’s former visit a few years before (1 Tim. 1:2) and still young twelve years later (1 Tim. 4:12). Paul loved him devotedly (1 Tim. 1:3; 5:23; 2 Tim. 3:15; Phil. 2:19f.). It is a glorious discovery to find a real young preacher for Christ’s work.

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “All believers grow in Christ at varying rates, and those who are young may be quite mature spiritually. We must not discount the usefulness to Christ of anyone young or old. Neither should we discount our own abilities because of youth or age. Seek to grow in Christ to the full extent and to serve Him faithfully no matter what your age.”

Soli deo Gloria!