Acts 16: 6-15 God “blocks” Paul’s paths through Asia Paul receives a vision & goes to Europe They travel to Roman colony of Philippi

are joined around this time by Luke (the author of Acts). Paul, Silas, and Timothy are joined around this time by Luke (the author of Acts). The group encounters a new issue: a small Jewish population in Philippi

Acts 16: 16-18 Paul exorcises a spirit of divination from a slave girl after the demon tries to “butter up” the missionaries.

14 … For what do righteousness and wickedness have 2 Corinth. 6: 14-15 14 … For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial [a demon]?

From the beginnings of the Church into today, people have tried to blend Pagan AND Christian beliefs & values.

The Lure of the Mormon Church

Jehovah Witness Christian Science

Philippians 3:18 “As I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”

Acts 16: 19-24 The slave girl’s owners lead a riot against Paul and Silas, using anti-Semitism. They are beaten with rods and are flogged Placed in inner cell of jail, with feet in stocks

Acts 16:25 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” -------------------------------------------------------- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

The man answered, “I am pretty well, under the circumstances.” One day a Christian met another believer whose face was very downcast and asked, “How are you?” The man answered, “I am pretty well, under the circumstances.” To which the first man replied, “I’m sorry that you are under the circumstances. Get above them. Christians should never be under the circumstances.

Colossians 3: 1-2 1 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Acts 16: 26-34 A miraculous earthquake frees all the prisoners from their chains. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The Jailer and his family are saved, baptized, and also make amends.

British Army to answer one question: Suppose I am a wounded soldier For many years, the Chaplain-General Bishop John Taylor Smith required candidates to be Chaplains in the British Army to answer one question: Suppose I am a wounded soldier on the battlefield and have only three minutes to live and am afraid to die because I do not know Christ… “Tell me, how may I be saved and die with the assurance that all will be well?”

Acts 16: 35-40 Paul & Silas willingly remain in custody overnight to save Jailer They are released, but protest how their rights as Romans were violated They encourage the new Philippian believers

Philippians 3:20 “Our citizenship is in Heaven…” -------------------------------------------------------- “The legs feel nothing in the stocks, when the heart is in Heaven.” - Tertullian (Early Church Historian)