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As We Begin... Acts (Chapter 16:11-40) – Class Notes for 1/4/2021

Video of Today’s Study -

Paul & Silas in Philippi: Paul and Silas soon find themselves in Macedonia. Their actions in Philippi establish a famous church there and demonstrate the fruit of their labor and obedience. The letter to the Philippians is later written to the people in this town/church.

Important Places in the Trip Planner: The 2nd Mission Trip includes these important places.

Samothrace & Neapolis (v. 11): This island (Samothrace) in the N. Aegean Sea offered a convenient place for boats to anchor if they were afraid to sail at night. When the team arrived at the other shore they landed at Neapolis. It served as the port for Philippi and was approximately 10 miles from the city.

Philippi (v. 12): Philippi was a Roman colony. The people in Philippi likely spoke Latin and reflected the typical aspects of life for the Roman people (laws, religion, politics). Philippi was located on a major road that led to Rome and connected the city with other cities in the East. It was named after the father of Alexander the Great. It was not known for a Jewish population, but it was known for retired Roman soldiers. Octavian (future emperor) fought and won a battle near Philippi over Brutus and Cassius in 42BC. Philippi would have a military reputation for these reasons. Luke describes Philippi as “the leading city” in Macedonia.

Macedonia: This is the title for the region or district in which we find Philippi. It was a large region and also included the towns/cities: Thessalonica and Berea.

As We Study... Acts (Chapter 16:11-40) - Mission Trip #2

Lydia’s Conversion at Philippi

o (16:13) “On the Sabbath we went outside the city … where we expected to find a place of prayer.” – This sentence tells us that they Jewish population in Philippi was not large enough to support a synagogue. Paul and Silas are most certainly in mission territory, BUT they are still hoping to find Jewish believers at a “place of prayer.” Paul and Silas went to the Gangites River and look for a place along the river where believers would gather. The water of the river would likely be used for ceremonial cleansing. They did find a group of believers, but it sounds small because it only mentions women gathered there.

o (16:14) - “One of those listening … was Lydia.” – This verse introduces us to the next major character in the book of Acts. Lydia was from Thyatira which was located in Asia (across the Aegean Sea), the region from which they had just traveled. Lydia was in new territory and so were they.

▪ A dealer in purple cloth – This town was known for purple cloth and dye. Purple was a color of royalty.

▪ A worshiper of God – This term identifies a Gentile who has become a worship of God and follows the teaching of Judaism while still not becoming a true convert.

▪ A widow? – Commentators make this assumption with no reference to a husband. She is also the owner of a home (v. 15).

o (16:14) – “The Lord opened her heart.” – This brief comment is filled with faithful teaching. When people come to faith, the Lord is the catalyst of that faith. He is the heart “opener.” This must be the case because the Bible describes the “heart” as rebellious to God’s will and faith. Look at the following Bible passages to note how God worked in the heart of Lydia (and others).

▪ Mark 2:8 & 3:5 –

▪ Acts 7:51 –

▪ Acts 15:8-9 –

▪ Romans 1:21 –

▪ Galatians 4:4-7-

▪ Ephesians 4:17-19 –

▪ Philippians 4:6-7 -

o (16:15) – “She and the members of her household were baptized” – This verse notes the critical connection between conversion and baptism. This must have been a wonderful experience for all involved. Lydia is famous for being the “first Christian convert in Europe.” There a different “little trinity” in the conversion of a believer: one person shares the message, one person receives the message, and God opens the hearts. HE is, in many ways, the main character in the conversion story. This comforts the messengers & believers.

o “Household” – Lydia’s conversion notes the importance of the “household” when it comes to matters of faith. Did they all come to faith on that day? We don’t know. Her household likely included children, servants, and maybe grandchildren. Whatever the case, one thing is clear. Through Paul’s proclamation or through the combination of Paul’s proclamation and the ongoing example, prayer and sharing of Lydia, many others came to faith. The “household” is a powerful place for ministry!

o (16:15) – “Come and stay at my house.” – The apostles now find a home from which they can establish their ministry in Philippi. Lydia’s hospitality becomes an example for others. This gift is elsewhere described as a gift of the Holy Spirit.

▪ Romans 12:13 & 16:23 –

▪ I Peter 4:8-9 –

▪ III John 1:5-8 -

The Demon Possessed Slave Girl in Philippi – The course of events in Philippi would change quickly after Paul and Silas remain in Philippi. They are now meeting with others as much as possible, and they encounter a slave girl who is possessed and makes money for her master by telling the future.

o (16:16) – “We were met by a female slave who had a spirit” – This is another “we” passage in Acts, noting Luke’s presence with the group. The verse tells us that she “earned a great deal of money” for her master through fortune telling. The “spirit” is called a “python spirit.” The python was a mythical spirit related to Delphi. The python guarded the oracle at Delphi and was killed by Apollo. The priestesses of Apollo, called “pythia,” supposedly descended into the cave for mystic revelations. People traveled from all over to Delphi seeking secret wisdom. (Notice the affection for the supernatural.)

o (16:17) – “She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” – This sounds like the most surprising form of free advertising ever mentioned. The demonic element in this girl’s life is capable of identifying the “enemy” (the true Lord) just like the demon did in the Gerasene demoniac man (Luke 8:28, Mark 5:7). She may have been seeking authority by identifying the Lord, but the power of the Lord is soon demonstrated when the demon is cast out by the name of Jesus.

▪ The “Python” was often associate with demonic fortune telling (Delphi). She was seen something like a small python messenger for Apollo, the God of oracles, who had a shrine at Delphi in central Greece. This explains her popularity.

▪ Demons – This verse confirms the presence of demons, their interplay with people. She “had a spirit” who “came out of her” at Paul’s command. We would call this demonic possession or oppression. Struggling to note the specifics, it is important to note that our struggle in faith and life includes this dimension.

o (16:18) – “She kept this up for many days. Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” – The proclamation of the true identity of the apostles was more annoying that beneficial. Paul case out the demon “In the name of Jesus.” We see this as a pattern in the Scripture for responding to demons.

▪ Matthew 4:24; 8:16, 28 – freedom from demonic influence is part of Jesus’ ministry.

▪ Matthew 10:8; Mark 3:15; 16:17 – The disciples did this as well as “raise the dead.”

▪ Matthew 17:14-20 – The disciples struggle and cannot drive out a demon.

▪ Luke 4:34 – The demon in Capernaum identifies Jesus.

▪ Luke 8:2, 30 – Multiple demons can oppress/obsess a person.

▪ Luke 10:17; Acts 19:13 – The name of Jesus has authority over demons.

o (16:19) - “When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas.” – The motive of her owners is clear. She’s a moneymaking fortune teller. Things turn quickly for the apostles, and they’re immediately in danger. This is true because they are so far from home, in a place that is clearly pagan, after an act that is clearly Christian, and their citizenship is unknown.

o (16:20) – “They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews.” – Christianity is unheard of so they are recognized as Jews. They’re “advocating customs unlawful for us Romans.” The accusation is falsely offered. They just want their fortune telling revenue to return!

o (16:22-24) - The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. – After hearing this report, one might ask. Why such inappropriate and exaggerated punishment for doing GOOD?! This verse calls back to the words of Jesus (Matthew 10:17; Acts 5:40; 9:16; 22:24)

As We Go... The Acts of the Apostles - (Acts 16)

Philippi – The Horribly Wonderful City

• The position of Philippi dominated the road system of N. Greece (The Via Egnatia). The city was on a fertile plain on the River Gangites with mountains to the north, famous for Gold. A great place!

• The center for the battle of 42 B.C. in which Antony defeated Brutus and Cassius. After the battle of Actium (31 B.C.), Octavian (the future Augustus) constituted the place a Roman colony, housing partisans of Antony whose presence was undesirable in Italy.

• Philippi had a school of medicine with influence scattered through the Hellenistic world. This adds to the suggestion that Luke was a Philippian. There may be a touch of pride in Luke’s description of Philippi as “the leading city of that district” (v. 12) even though Amphipolis was the capital.

• There were few Jews which necessitated worship at a place of prayer. Lydia seems to be one of the few religious people around and she’s only a “worshiper of God.”

• Ministry goes well: They do witness conversions to the faith, receive hospitality and drive out demons. Philippi is known (later) as one of the happiest, healthiest churches! (Philippians 1:3-5; 4:15)

• Ministry knows persecution: Driving out a demon leads to false accusations, physical persecution and imprisonment.

Mountains & Valleys - Philippi is a demonstration of the “ministry roller coaster” that Paul endured. There were great highs and lows and they happened quite quickly in Philippi. Paul’s ability to overcome these enormous obstacles is a testimony to his faith and to the power of the Holy Spirit working in his life. We learn from Philippi that our lives may also seem like a roller coaster, but by clinging to the Lord and His will, we also may see amazing power and witness a happy and healthy Christian life.

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Acts – Chapter 16:11-40

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