Acts 16:1-15
Into Macedonia
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1Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father.
2The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
3Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
4As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
6After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.
7And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.
9During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace, and the following day on to Neapolis.
12From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
13On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.
14Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Timothy joins Paul's journey with the good recommendation of local believers. Paul has him circumcised because the Jews in the area know his father is Greek. Meanwhile, the team delivers Jerusalem's decisions to the churches. This is not a new requirement for salvation: Timothy is already called a disciple. Paul is addressing an obstacle to their work among the Jews, not teaching that grace needs to be completed by circumcision.
The journey itself does not unfold according to every plan the team makes. The Spirit prevents them from preaching in Asia and entering Bithynia. At Troas, Paul sees a vision calling for help in Macedonia, and the group concludes that God is sending them there to preach.
In Philippi, they speak with women gathered by a river for prayer. Lydia listens, and Luke tells us why she responds:
The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
Paul speaks the gospel, but the Lord makes Lydia receptive to it. Her baptism and her persistent invitation to stay at her home follow. God has directed the travelers to this place, and he is at work in the person hearing them.
Questions
1 Who joined Paul on the journey?
AnswerTimothy joined Paul after the believers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him, and Paul circumcised him because of the Jews in those places.
2 What happened when Paul tried to enter some regions?
AnswerThe Holy Spirit prevented them from speaking in Asia, and the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them to enter Bithynia, redirecting the mission toward Macedonia.
3 What did the Macedonian man ask?
AnswerHe asked Paul to cross over to Macedonia and help them, and Paul understood the vision as God’s call to preach the gospel there.
4 What happened to Lydia?
AnswerThe Lord opened Lydia’s heart to pay attention to Paul’s message, and she and her household were baptized after she believed.
What This Means for Us
We can explain the gospel clearly and pray for someone to receive it, but we cannot open a heart by argument or pressure. Lydia's response gives us reason to ask God for what only he can do. It also encourages us to make time for the people already in front of us. A conversation and an invitation into a home can be part of his work.
Prayer
Lord, help us hold our plans with open hands. Lead us toward the people you are preparing, and open our hearts to respond when you speak. Amen.