Acts 16:12-40

Ministry in Philippi From the House of Lydia (16:12b-40).

The arrival in Europe was clearly seen by Luke as very important. He illustrates the successful ministry there by a threefold description of Paul's effectiveness which covers a wealthy businesswoman, a slave girl and a jail proprietor, three different grades in a multiple society. And two of these along with their households, included servants and slaves. The threefoldness stresses the completeness of the success of the ministry. They would form the solid nucleus of a small but multi-layered church grouping.

It was also seen as important by Satan. He first of all seeks to attack the new mission through the testimony of a spirit--possessed girl, and when that fails he raises persecution against Paul and Silas. But both attempts fail and as a result of his activity an important household is added to the church.

It may be asked why, when Paul usually (but not always) selects thriving cities where there are synagogues, he chose Philippi. The answer may well lie, firstly in Luke's recommendation (Paul had never been in this area before), secondly in the fact that it was the nearest large city and therefore a good place to ‘test things out' so as to ensure that God really was behind this venture into Europe, and thirdly, and certainly, because it was of God's doing.