PAUL TRAVELED ON TO DERBE AND LYSTRA. Compare Acts 14:6-21. A BELIEVER NAMED TIMOTHY. Born of a Jewish mother and a Greek father, and had been taught the Scriptures from childhood (2 Timothy 3:15) by his devout mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5)_. J. G. Malphurs_ thinks Timothy's father was a "G... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THEY WENT THROUGH THE TOWNS. They delivered the message from the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:23-29) to the churches [groups of believers] in the towns along the way.... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH THE REGION OF PHRYGIA AND GALATIA. _McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia_ says the Province of Phrygia did not yet exist, but the name referred to the area south of Galatia. IN THE PROVINCE OF ASIA. Ephesus was the capital. The Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of Jesus, had other plans for... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAILED STRAIGHT ACROSS. Samothrace is an island at the half-way point. Neapolis is the seaport, just a few miles from Philippi. A Roman colony. Emperor Augustus had planted this colony. It was a miniature Rome, with its own government. Note the apostles planted the Good News FIRST in the populat... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE RIVERSIDE. The Gangas, a small river. A Jewish place for prayer. Evidently, there was no synagogue. A few devout Jews, mostly women, met on the river banks to worship God. And talked to the women. Some of these may have been "Gentiles converted to Judaism." Lydia is a Greek name. Thyatira is... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WERE MET BY A SLAVE GIRL. She was possessed by a demon, who gave her supernatural abilities. THESE MEN ARE SERVANTS. The demon knew who they were (James 2:19). Compare Mark 3:12; Luke 4:34-35. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Compare Mark 16:17; Acts 19:13-16.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY GRABBED PAUL AND SILAS. Nothing angers men more than seeing their greed defeated. THESE MEN ARE JEWS. That fact alone would incriminate them. Compare Acts 18:2_ and note._ TORE THE CLOTHES OFF. It was the custom to strip convicted prisoners and whip the bare body.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER A SEVERE BEATING. The Law of Moses regulated whipping (Deuteronomy 25:3; 2 Corinthians 11:24). Romans had no such restriction. THE INNER CELL. A damp cell, with no source of light, used for "solitary confinement.... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOUT MIDNIGHT. Note they were praying and singing in spite of their physical condition and the place where they were! SUDDENLY THERE WAS A VIOLENT EARTHQUAKE. This was God's answer. Compare Acts 4:31; Acts 5:19. AND WAS ABOUT TO KILL HIMSELF. Guards who allowed prisoners to escape forfeited their o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FELL TREMBLING. He is convinced they are under divine protection! WHAT MUST I DO? Paul's answer to this question shows the jailer knew they preached a new religion. BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS. This was the point of beginning for this man. To those who already believed, Peter said "repent and be b... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ROMAN AUTHORITIES. It may have been fear of the earthquake, or "second-thoughts" about their cruel treatment of "holy men" which influenced them to order the release. BUT PAUL SAID. Roman law said no Roman citizen could be whipped or tortured. Paul makes an issue of this, probably to benefit the... [ Continue Reading ]