#1584 Acts 16 Part 1 I Became A Jew

 

Now Paul also arrived at Derbe and at Lystra. And behold, a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brothers who were in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted this man to go with him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to keep. 5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were abounding in number daily.

The Macedonian Vision

6 And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; 8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the gospel to them. Acts 16: 1-10 LSB

Acts 16: 1-10

Vs. 1-2 Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek - We are told that Timothy was well spoken of, which means he was known to other believers and his life was being evaluated. When you read Paul's letters to Timothy you have one the most beautiful manuals on discipleship. His grandmother and mother were heavy influences in his life even though his father is not listed as a believer. This is why it is so important for women, not just men, to be equally sound in their doctrine. Motherhood is predominant in the family. I grew up with a single mom who did a much better job of getting me to church and teaching me the Bible at home than I did with my own children. If women are to teach their children and disciple younger women then they must be Biblical. If Timothy would have been left solely to the instruction of his father then he would have had a shallow and secular idea of Who Christ is. 

…4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.… 2 Timothy 1: 4-6

…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17

V. 3 And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts - It was strange to see this after what they had gone through with the Jerusalem council and dealing with those who went out from there but who were not really sent. This wasn't done because it was something lacking in Timothy's teaching or conversion, but to remove a stumbling block for the Jews that they would witness to. I have guys who have worked for me that are vegans, and while I don't agree with their choice or reasoning, when the company gives me the credit card and says treat the boys to pizza or whatever, I have those individuals pick something from the menu that they can eat. Paul is removing obstacles here for the more important matter of the gospel, and then people grow and learn from there, but some hills just aren't worth dying on. Get God's work done, never negotiate on the gospel, otherwise you will offer something that doesn't save, but don't strain at gnats either. 

Took him and circumcised him (see study of circumcision) - Paul circumcised Timothy for anyone could perform this rite. The Jerusalem council had declared that circumcision was not necessary for salvation or for acceptance into the Christian church. In Acts 15:1+ the "Judaizers" felt circumcision was necessary, but subsequently the Jerusalem council concluded it was not necessary for salvation. However because of Timothy's Jewish background it seemed expedient in his case in order to enlarge his local usefulness even as Paul declared in his letter to Corinth… - PA

…22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. 24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.… 1 Corinthians 9: 22-24

Vs. 4-5 They were delivering the decrees - It is hard to imagine a time when you did not have the printed New Testament, so that is a defining attribute of an Apostolic Age, that this is the time of the laying of the foundation of the church. This is the time of the pillars, and they are carrying these messages, letters and doctrines to the new churches. Now we have the completed Bible as our authority in all manners concerning doctrines and traditions. The word of God must be above man's opinions and traditions. 

Delivering the decrees - What decrees? The decrees which had been drawn up by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem which can be summarized that salvation is by faith alone (God cleansed the Gentiles "hearts by faith." Acts 15:9+) and does NOT require circumcision or law-keeping, that sexual immorality was forbidden for all believers for all time and that meats offered to idols, from animals that had been strangled, and blood were all forbidden as food, not as matters essential to salvation, but to facilitate fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers. Some of these instructions were revised (1 Cor. 8-10; 1 Ti 4:4, 5).

MacArthur summarizes their goal of giving "the twofold message of Christianity: salvation by grace and living by love." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) - PA

V. 6 Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asian - This has always fascinated me, and the reason is not given here as to why the Spirit did this, but certainly the Holy Spirit knows better than me, and it was not a part of His plan at the time. It is like the studies on the fullness of the cup of God's wrath, and you wonder how we are not there yet. Salvation is truly of the Lord. 

Having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia - How the Holy Spirit forbade Paul, Silas and Timothy is not specifically stated. The phrase the word in this context indicates the Gospel. Somehow the Spirit told the missionaries not to preach the Gospel in these regions at this time. However God had not forgotten about the lost souls in Asia (see "Asia" in the red area on this Map) for these regions would later have churches in several cities including Ephesus, Smyrna, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Colossae, Sardis, Pergamum, and Thyatira. For now that "door" was closed to Paul. Note that by using the name Asia Luke was NOT referring to the continent of Asia as we know it today.

NET Note on Asia - "Asia"; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. (see red area on this Map) Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia.

…8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. 9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.… Proverbs 16: 8-10

…20The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him. 21And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” 22So you will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away like menstrual cloths, saying to them, “Be gone!”… Isaiah 30: 20-22

7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. 9By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.… Hebrews 11: 7-9

V. 7 The Spirit of Jesus did not permit them - Note Holy Spirit and now, Spirit of Jesus. These men are going out in response to the great commission, but it is far from random. We do not know who is chosen among the sons of men, but the Spirit does. We may also witness to the judgment of some, most, but there are times and people that God gives us a love for that we would never have found on our own. 

J. I. Packer wrote, “Belief that divine guidance is real rests upon two foundation-facts: first, the reality of God’s plan for us; second, the ability of God to communicate with us. On both these facts the Bible has much to say.”

The Spirit of Jesus did not permit them - Paul, presumably filled with the Spirit is responsive to the Spirit's guidance (cf Ro 8:14, Gal 5:18) and willingly lays down his will and plans. Paul is being guided by hindrance, closed doors (but the exact form of this "closure" is not stated by Luke) not opened doors. The Holy Spirit guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors. We all like the latter, but often chaff at the former!

Did you notice the synonymous identification of the Holy Spirit in Acts 16:6 and with Spirit of Jesus in this verse? These parallel names are a clear indication that the Holy Spirit is Deity, and supports that He is the third Person of the Trinity.

Vs. 8-10 Concluding that God had called us to proclaim the gospel to them - Now I see people on tv and have talked to many charismatics who claim these sorts of visions all the time today, but most are beyond doubtful when you examine their life and their doctrine. There were also a lot of actual healings during the time of the Apostles to establish the messengers. Now a days I have had someone tell me that they saw I was supposed to give them money or some other assistance in a vision, but they are all charlatans. Here, the Spirit is moving this group on a quest to where they need to be. Often God will lay something heavily upon the heart, but one must not confuse such with their emotions nor shove other people where they are not meant to go.