The Determination of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:23–29)
After hearing from Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and James, the Jerusalem Council determined that circumcision was not required for Gentile believers (Acts 15:23). They selected men to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, including Judas and Silas, who were among the leading men of the assembly. A letter was written and sent to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia (Acts 15:24–29). It was issued from the apostles, elders, and pastors, addressing concerns about certain men who had gone out from them and caused emotional distress by insisting that circumcision and obedience to the Law were necessary for salvation.
The Jerusalem assembly, being of one accord, affirmed Paul and Barnabas’ ministry among the Gentiles (Acts 15:25–26). Judas and Silas, who were prophets, were sent to deliver the message verbally as well (Acts 15:27). The council placed no greater burden upon the Gentiles, except that they abstain from offerings to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. If they kept themselves from these things, they would do well (Acts 15:28–29).
The Message Is Delivered to Antioch (Acts 15:30–35)
Upon arriving in Antioch, the assembly gathered to hear the council’s decision (Acts 15:30). The believers rejoiced and were encouraged by the message (Acts 15:31). Judas and Silas, being prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brethren (Acts 15:32). Judas eventually returned to Jerusalem (Acts 15:33), but Silas remained in Antioch (Acts 15:34). Paul and Barnabas also remained, continuing to teach and evangelize the word of the Lord (Acts 15:35).
Paul Prepares to Visit the Assemblies (Acts 15:36–41)
Paul proposed to Barnabas that they revisit the brethren in every city where they had proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they were doing (Acts 15:36). Barnabas desired to take John (also called Mark), who was his cousin (Colossians 4:10), but Paul opposed this because John had abandoned them in Pamphylia and had not continued in the work (Acts 13:13). John had served in an important supporting role, and though later restored to Paul’s favor (2 Timothy 4:11), the contention at this time was sharp enough that Paul and Barnabas parted ways (Acts 15:39). Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies (Acts 15:40–41).
Timothy Joins Paul (Acts 16:1–5)
Paul came to Derbe and Lystra, where he met Timothy, a disciple whose mother was a Jewish believer and whose father was Greek (Acts 16:1). Timothy was well spoken of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium (Acts 16:2). Paul desired Timothy to accompany him and circumcised him because of the Jews in those regions (Acts 16:3). As they traveled, they delivered the dogma (decrees) from the Jerusalem Council for the assemblies to keep (Acts 16:4). As a result, the assemblies were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily (Acts 16:5).
Paul Is Directed into Macedonia by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6–12)
Traveling through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, Paul and his companions were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia (Acts 16:6). When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them (Acts 16:7). Passing by Mysia, they arrived in Troas, where Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help (Acts 16:8–9). Concluding that the Lord had called them to preach the gospel there, they sailed from Troas and arrived in Philippi, a leading city of Macedonia (Acts 16:10–12).
The Gospel Is Preached in Philippi (Acts 16:13–15)
On the Sabbath, they went to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made (Acts 16:13). There, the Lord opened the heart of a woman named Lydia, and she and her household were baptized (Acts 16:14–15). She urged Paul and his companions to stay at her home.
A Slave Girl Possessed with a Demon Harasses Paul (Acts 16:16–18)
A slave girl, possessed with a spirit of Python, practiced divination and brought great profit to her masters. She followed Paul and his companions, declaring that they were servants of the Most High God and were proclaiming the way of salvation (Acts 16:17). After many days, Paul, being greatly annoyed, rebuked the spirit and cast it out in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:18).
The Masters of the Slave Girl Falsely Accuse Paul (Acts 16:19–21)
When her masters saw that their profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities (Acts 16:19). They falsely accused them of causing trouble in the city and of promoting unlawful customs for Romans (Acts 16:20–21).
Paul and Silas Are Imprisoned (Acts 16:22–24)
The multitude rose up against them, and the magistrates tore off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten (Acts 16:22). After receiving many stripes, they were cast into prison, and the jailer secured them in the inner prison with their feet fastened in stocks (Acts 16:23–24).
The Salvation of the Jailer (Acts 16:25–34)
At midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening (Acts 16:25). Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the prison, opening the doors and loosening everyone’s chains (Acts 16:26). Believing the prisoners had escaped, the jailer prepared to kill himself, but Paul cried out, telling him not to harm himself (Acts 16:27–28). Trembling, the jailer fell before Paul and Silas, asking what he must do to be saved. They replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” and preached the word of the Lord to him and all in his household (Acts 16:29–32). The jailer washed their wounds, and he and his household were baptized (Acts 16:33–34). He then brought them into his house and rejoiced with all his family.
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