November 28, Acts 16
When should you give in to others, and when do you stand up for yourself? Is it hard to obey when God’s plan differs from what you had in mind? When trouble comes, do you blame God or worship him?
As Paul and his company traveled across Gentile regions where churches had been planted, they brought the letter from Jerusalem about freedom from the Law of Moses. Encouraged by this news, those churches continued to grow.
At Lystra, Paul added Timothy to the team. Years later, the aging apostle would send Timothy on critical missions and hand responsibilities over to his trusted son in the faith. But the young man had to be discipled to be ready when the time came.
Paul decided to circumcise Timothy for practical, not doctrinal reasons. Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman and a Greek man, would enjoy wider acceptance and have greater influence among the Jews if he were circumcised. In contrast, Paul refused to circumcise Titus (a true Gentile) since his circumcision would serve no practical purpose, and could compromise the gospel.
The Holy Spirit directed the mission, vetoing some proposed routes, then leading the group to Troas, where Paul added another team member. Although he does not name himself, the pronoun “they” becomes “we” as Luke joined the entourage to be an almost constant companion for the rest of Paul’s life.
Paul entered Europe after he saw a vision of a Macedonian asking for help. In Philippi, Paul’s message was welcomed by some and violently opposed by others. The nucleus of the church at Philippi included a successful business woman named Lydia, who listened to Paul’s teaching and was baptized along with her household.
After Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl, her owners who had used her for fortune-telling realized their income stream had been stopped. Through prejudice and lies, they had Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned. In the most dramatic jailbreak in Acts, an earthquake set Paul and Silas free. The jailer, on the brink of suicide, became a believer and was baptized with his family the same night. He joyfully took his new brothers in Christ to his house and fed them.
After the magistrates learned they had beaten Roman citizens without a trial, they encouraged Paul to leave town. Paul insisted that the leaders come in person to escort them out of jail. The leaders came, apologized and asked them to go. Paul went back to Lydia’s house to see the church, and moved on.
I need more of the wisdom Paul displayed. He knew when to concede and when to stand up for his rights. He was sensitive and submissive to God’s guidance. His acted and spoke in the name of Jesus, not his own. And when adversity came and he was treated unjustly, he still worshiped God. If you also struggle in such situations, join me in learning from Paul how to deny self to follow Christ.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—November 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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