A Study in Acts

Part 20

This week we move into chapter 16. Paul and Barnabas have parted ways over John Mark. Paul and Silas have left Antioch and began what we know of as “Paul’s second missionary journey.”

 

Acts 16: 1-4: 1.  Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.  2.  He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.  3.  Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.

 

Derbe and Lystra are in the region of Galatia. Commentaries say Timothy and his mother and grandmother lived in Lystra. Here he is referred to as a disciple. In 1 Timothy which many believe was written about 14 years later, Paul refers to Timothy as a youth. He is young here, but a disciple, well thought of by the believers here.

 

1 Timothy 4: 12: 12.  Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

The Greek word here used for youth means a young man fit for military service. Which was any age below 40. As we know from Titus, elderly, by age, men and women were considered wise, due to the knowledge and wisdom acquired over their lifetime. But in many cases wisdom and age do not go hand in hand as we all have probably seen.

 

So, Paul meets Timothy. Timothy is from a mixed heritage. His mother and grandmother are Jewish, and His father is a Gentile. We are never told much about his father, but we know He was “raised in the scriptures” by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois, who were believers also. An interesting fact I discovered is that Jewish lineage is interesting. According to the website Chabad.org. “The Code of Jewish Law clearly states that a child of a Jewish mother is Jewish”.   Other laws pertain to paternal inheritance such as tribes and priesthood. But in Jewish law a child is considered Jewish if His mother is Jewish.

 

Now, Timothy is very interesting. His mother is Jewish, and His father is Gentile. For some reason not given in the Word, Timothy is not circumcised. And despite His Jewish mother, He is considered a Gentile by the Jews in the area. This is why Paul circumcised Timothy. So that Timothy could minister to the Jews in the regions they would travel. Paul was not contradicting his previous stand. As you remember in Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians.

 

1 Corinthians 9: 19-22: 19.  For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;  20.  and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;  21.  to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;  22.  to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

 

So, since Timothy was of Jewish lineage, Paul wanted him to be able to reach Jews. To do this Timothy had to be considered Jewish, thus circumcision. The Jews of that time would not have given Timothy the time of day, if He were not circumcised.

Paul finished his business in Lystra and Derbe and continues on this journey.

 

Acts 16: 4-7: 4.  And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.  5.  So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.  6.  Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.  7.  After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.  

 

They visited the churches previously established where they preached and taught. Strengthening the believers in the faith. Many more came to be believers. Paul also had the letter from the elders in Jerusalem verifying the position on circumcision for Gentile believers.  I want us to stop and think about verse 5. The churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily. This is important to us as believers today. It does not say, strengthened in faith, but strengthened in the faith. Luke is telling us that the believers were built up in their beliefs by the teaching of Paul. He expounded on the scriptures, taught them all that Jesus had done for them. The not only became more knowledge about the things of the Lord but because of this increase in knowledge they were then strengthened in faith. Being able to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word.  We grow when we read our word but also when we are taught God’s word. This is why regular church attendance is so important. If you don’t hear and read God’s word you will be a baby, a youth no matter your age. None of us are to stagnant in the garden of God. We are in our promised land and we are to take it step by step. God promised the Israelites wherever they put they foot would be theirs. This is true in our lives. If you don’t put one foot in front of the other and move into your promises of God, into your land. You will forever be standing in one position in your wilderness.  The wilderness if for unbelievers, the promised land is for believers. Do not let the enemy keep you bound in your wilderness. Move out, get involved, study the Word and attend church regularly, where good solid teaching is available to help you grow into what God has promised for you.

Let’s look at one other thing, before we go.

 

Acts: 16:6-7: 6.  Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7.  After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

In Paul’s mind they needed to go through Phrygia, further into Galatia but the Holy Spirit forbade them. They tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit would not permit them. This is pretty strong language. “Forbidden, not permitted, some translations say, “the spirit or the spirit of Jesus said No.”

 

It is so easy for us, as believers to get “a word” from the Lord and proceed without proper guidance or preparation by the Holy Spirit. As we have said before, God may have given you direction, explained your calling, led you to know His plan for you in part. But that does not mean we jump up and try to make it happen in our time. The Holy Spirit representing the Father, draws and prepares hearts to receive Christ. It is probable that several things were in play here. The hearts and minds of those in Galatia were not ready to hear the Word, or the danger was too great, and it was not Paul’s time to face dangers in this way yet. Remember God sees all from the beginning to the end. He knew where He wanted Paul to go and Paul listened to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and followed that leading. We know that even though Paul went to many cities as the Lord led, he suffered many trials and hardships.  All we need to know here is that Paul followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and God prospered all he did.

 

This is very important in our lives.

 

3 John 2: 2.  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

 

This was the Apostle John’s prayer for believers. That we will prosper in our walk as we renew our minds and strengthen our spirits as we grow daily in the Lord.

 

Do not expect things in your life to be perfect.  Expect God to help you through, draw you to Him and teach and strengthen you as you go through things. You can make it through things and not learn one thing. That is the reaction of a baby Christian or an unbeliever.  You have heard that old saying, “what doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.” That is true to some extent, but unfortunately, we see many who are still spinning their wheels in one mud puddle after another because they do not learn. God will lead you out of the hole, the dark tunnel, that mud pit, but He expects us to learn, and not repeat the same mistakes over and over.

Sometimes we will, but if we learn what the Word says, lean on God and His strength, open ourselves up to the leading of the Holy Spirit we will grow, become strong and lead others. Strive to be a leader not a follower. Strive to be strong in the Lord, not weak and ineffective. Strive to be a servant worthy of his reward.  Amen.