Acts 16:6-15

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 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.

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. 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.

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

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Having completed their visits to the churches Paul established on his first missionary journey, the three attempted to head to Asia. It is unclear exactly what was meant by Asia but likely referred to the area including the major city of Ephesus. But the Holy Spirit prevented them from preaching the gospel there at that time. How they were prevented is not stated. It could have been through circumstances, visions, prophecy, or some other means. What’s important is that God had other plans for them for the time being. They then attempted to go the Bithynia by way of Mysia but again they were stopped by the spirit of Jesus. This could refer to a special vision of the risen Lord, but likely is just another expression referring to the Holy Spirit. Finally, Paul saw a vision in the night of a man from Macedonia urging him to come to Macedonia to help them. Immediately they made plans to go to Macedonia concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them. This is the first occurrence of the word “we” which indicates that Luke joined the party from this point on.

Now a party of four, they set sail from Troas and headed to Samonthrace (an island), then Neapolis (an Aegean seaport in Macedonia), and then on to Philippi a leading city of the district of Macedonia. There they stayed for some days until the Sabbath to begin their outreach. They once again intended to begin their outreach in the synagogue, but because Philippi didn’t seem to have an established synagogue, they went outside the city to the riverside where they expected to find a place of prayer. They sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. They met a woman named Lydia, a Gentile from the city of Thyatira which was known for its purple dying of cloth. She was a worshipper of God but not yet a believer in Jesus (because she had not yet heard). The Lord opened her heart to hear what Paul had to say. Evidently, she and her family believed the message they heard because Paul would not have permitted them to be baptised if they had not believed in Jesus for eternal life. Showing hospitality, Lydia invited and insisted that Paul and his team stay with them in her home.

Even Paul had times when he thought he was moving forward in God’s will but the Holy Spirit prevented forward motion. He continued to press on in faith until God’s will became clear. Sometimes all you can do is plan and act with Biblical wisdom and then trust God to make things clearer over time.


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Centrality of Christ: Colossians 1-2