[Acts 16]

 

             {52 AD. Paul going toward Europe.}

             ^16:1 Now he arrived in Derbe and Lystra, and behold, a certain disciple was there, Timothy by name, the son of a certain woman, a believing Jewess, and a Greek father, ^16:2 whom was being testified of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. ^16:3 This one, Paul wished to go forth together-with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who are in those places; for^* they all knew that his father was^* Greek. ^16:4 Now as they were traveling through the cities, they were giving them the decrees to observe, the ones which has been decided by the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem. ^16:5 Therefore indeed, the congregations^* were being strengthened in the faith, and were abounding in number every day.

 

             ^16:6 Now they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, and were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. ^16:7 After they came down to Mysia, they were attempting to travel to Bithynia, and the Spirit did not permit them. ^16:8 And they passed-beside Mysia, and went-down to Troas. ^16:9 And a vision was seen by Paul through the night. A certain man, a Macedonian, was standing, pleading with him and saying, After you have crossed over into Macedonia, help us! ^16:10 Now as he saw the vision, we immediately sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord has called us to proclaim the good-news to them.

 

                          {Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}

             ^16:11 Therefore, we set-sail from Troas and, made a straight route to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis; ^16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, a Roman colony. Now we were staying in the same city for some days. ^16:13 And on the Sabbath day, we went forth outside the city beside a river, where it was supposed to be a place of prayer. And we sat down and were speaking to the women who came together. ^16:14 And a certain woman, Lydia by name, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira who was hearing us and worshiping God, whose heart the Lord opened to take-heed to the things being spoken of by Paul. ^16:15 Now as she and her household were immersed^*, she pleaded with us, saying, If you^° have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, after you^° have entered into my house, abide^° there and she constrained us.

 

             {52 AD. Philippi.}

             ^16:16 Now it happened, while traveling to the place of prayer, that a certain maidservant came to encounter us, who has a spirit of divination, who was providing her lords much business by fortune-telling. ^16:17 This maidservant was crying out, and followed-after Paul and us, saying, These men are bondservants of the Highest God, who are proclaiming to us the way of salvation. ^16:18 Now she was doing^* this over many days. But Paul, also was pained and turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come forth away from her. And it came forth in the same hour.

 

             ^16:19 But her lords saw that the hope of their business was gone and grabbed Paul and Silas, and they dragged them into the marketplace in front of the rulers. ^16:20 And they led them to the magistrates and said, These men, being^* Jews, are disturbing our city, ^16:21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not legal for us to accept, nor to do^*, being Romans. ^16:22 And the crowd stood up together against them, and the magistrates ripped off their garments and were commanding the sergeants to lash them with rods, ^16:23 and they laid many wounds upon them and they cast them into prison, and commanded the jailer to securely guard them. ^16:24 Who has received such a command, he cast them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the wood stocks.

 

                          {Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}

             ^16:25 But before midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were their audience; ^16:26 and suddenly a great earthquake happened, so-as for the foundations of the prison to be shaken, and instantly all the doors were opened and bonds of everyone were laxed. ^16:27 But the jailer, became awake and saw the doors of the prison has been opened and pulled his sword and was about to assassinate himself, supposing the prisoners to have fled away. ^16:28 But Paul shouted with a loud voice, saying, Do^* nothing evil to yourself; for^* we are all here.

 

             ^16:29 Now he asked for lights and dashed in and came^* in trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas. ^16:30 And he led them outside and was saying, Lords, what is essential for me to do^* in-order-that I might be saved?

             ^16:31 Now they said, Believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your house. ^16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all the ones in his house. ^16:33 And he took them in that same hour of the night, and fully-washed dirt from their wounds, and he himself and all his household were instantly immersed^*. ^16:34 And he led them up into his house and placed a table before them {i.e. fed them}, and was glad with all his household, all believed in God.

 

             ^16:35 But after it became day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Release those men.

             ^16:36 Now the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent me forth in-order-that you^° should be released. Therefore, now after you^° have gone forth, travel^° in peace.

             ^16:37 But Paul was saying to them, They smacked us in public, uncondemned men who are^* Romans, and cast us into prison, and are they now casting us forth secretly? For^* no {i.e., No way}, let^° them lead but after they come themselves.

             ^16:38 Now the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates and they feared, after they heard that they are Romans. ^16:39 And after they came, they pleaded with them, and led them outside, and were asking them to go forth away from the city.

             ^16:40 Now after they came forth out-of the prison and they entered into the house of Lydia, and saw the brethren and encouraged them and went forth.