IN PHILIPPI
IN PHILIPPI
ACTS 16:11-24
What does this passage teach us about making Christ known?
Philippi had two claims to fame (16:12). What were they? A more illustrious and enduring claim was begun on the day of Paul’s arrival, for this city was honored as the first “European” city to hear and to receive the good news of God. Perhaps this thought lies behind Philippians 1:5; 4:15. Two notable conversions are described:
Her conviction illustrates what the theologians call “prevenient grace”—ie that God took the initiative, “went before,” in her readiness to hear the word by predisposing her to give a ready acceptance to the Savior’s call (16:14b). Notice her confession of faith in baptism and her gracious, if firm, offer of hospitality. Perhaps Paul was unwilling to accept the hospitality, but she had her way (16:15b) as the first convert in Europe. If Lydia is an example to follow, which other woman of Thyatira gives a warning to avoid (Revelation 2:8-20)?
On a quickly invented charge Paul and Silas fell victim to her masters’ annoyance at the loss of their profits, the crowd’s venom, and the magistrates’ indifference to elementary justice. Even the jailer seemed hostile, as he placed his prisoners’ legs in the torturing stocks. But their deliverance—and his too—was shortly to appear!
Notes 16:12: “a Roman colony”—see Philippians 1:27; 3:20 for the use Paul makes of this fact. 16:13: a prayer-meeting in the open air. 16:17: the girl perceives that these are “holy men” offering a spiritual message. 16:20: Luke is accurate with his term for the magistrates, praetores duoviri.