Acts 16:12
From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
From there
This phrase indicates a continuation of a journey, suggesting movement and purpose. In the context of Acts, Paul and his companions are on a missionary journey, led by the Holy Spirit. The Greek word "ekeithen" implies a transition from one place to another, emphasizing the divine guidance in their travels. This movement reflects the Christian life as a journey, where believers are called to follow God's leading, often into unknown territories.

we traveled
The Greek word "erchomai" is used here, which means to come or go. This word signifies not just physical movement but also a spiritual journey. The apostles' travels were not merely geographical but were part of a divine mission to spread the Gospel. This reminds believers that their own journeys, whether physical or spiritual, are part of God's greater plan.

to Philippi
Philippi was a significant city in the ancient world, named after Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. It was a strategic location for the spread of the Gospel into Europe. The mention of Philippi highlights the importance of reaching influential centers with the message of Christ. For Christians, this underscores the call to engage with culture and society, bringing the light of the Gospel to places of influence.

a Roman colony
Philippi was a Roman colony, which meant it had special privileges, including Roman citizenship for its inhabitants. The Greek term "kolonia" indicates a settlement of Roman citizens in a foreign land, reflecting the spread of Roman culture and law. This status provided a unique opportunity for the Gospel to penetrate Roman society. For believers, it serves as a reminder of their dual citizenship—earthly and heavenly—and the call to live out their faith in diverse cultural contexts.

and the leading city of that district of Macedonia
This phrase emphasizes Philippi's prominence in the region. The Greek word "protos" means first or leading, indicating its importance. As a leading city, Philippi was a hub of commerce and culture, making it a strategic location for the early church's mission. This highlights the importance of strategic planning in ministry, recognizing the potential impact of reaching key areas for the Gospel.

And we stayed there several days
The Greek word "diatribo" means to spend time or remain. This indicates a period of intentional presence and ministry in Philippi. The apostles' decision to stay reflects the importance of building relationships and establishing a foundation for the church. For modern believers, it underscores the value of investing time in communities and relationships to effectively share the Gospel and disciple others.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Philippi
A significant city in Macedonia, known as a Roman colony. It was a strategic location for spreading the Gospel due to its status and influence.

2. Roman Colony
Philippi was a Roman colony, meaning it had special privileges and was governed by Roman law. This status made it a melting pot of cultures and ideas, providing a unique opportunity for the Gospel to reach diverse groups.

3. Macedonia
A region in Northern Greece, significant in the spread of Christianity. Paul’s journey to Macedonia was prompted by a vision, indicating divine guidance in his missionary work.

4. Paul and his companions
The apostle Paul, along with Silas, Timothy, and possibly Luke, traveled to Philippi as part of their missionary journey, demonstrating their commitment to spreading the Gospel.

5. Several Days
The phrase indicates that Paul and his companions spent a considerable amount of time in Philippi, allowing them to establish relationships and lay the groundwork for the church there.
Teaching Points
Divine Guidance in Missionary Work
Just as Paul was guided to Philippi, believers today should seek and be open to God’s direction in their ministry efforts.

Strategic Evangelism
Philippi’s status as a Roman colony made it a strategic location for the Gospel. Christians should consider the strategic importance of their mission fields.

Cultural Engagement
The diverse culture of Philippi required Paul to engage with different people groups. Believers are called to engage with and understand the cultures they minister to.

Perseverance in Ministry
Paul and his companions stayed several days, showing commitment and perseverance. Christians should be patient and persistent in their ministry efforts.

Building Relationships
The time spent in Philippi allowed for relationship-building, which is crucial for effective ministry and discipleship.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Paul’s decision to travel to Philippi about seeking and following God’s guidance in our own lives?

2. How does the status of Philippi as a Roman colony influence our understanding of the challenges and opportunities Paul faced in spreading the Gospel there?

3. In what ways can we strategically choose our mission fields today, similar to how Paul chose Philippi?

4. How can we effectively engage with and minister to diverse cultures in our communities, following Paul’s example in Philippi?

5. Reflect on a time when perseverance in a challenging situation led to fruitful outcomes. How can this encourage us in our current ministry efforts?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 16:9-10
This passage describes Paul's vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, which led to their journey to Philippi. It highlights the divine direction in their mission.

Philippians 1:1-5
Paul later writes to the church in Philippi, expressing gratitude for their partnership in the Gospel. This connection shows the lasting impact of his initial visit.

Acts 16:13-15
These verses describe the conversion of Lydia, a significant event during Paul’s stay in Philippi, illustrating the immediate fruit of their ministry.
Christianity in EuropeM. C. Hazard.Acts 16:12
PhilippiProf. Eadie.Acts 16:12
The First Three Philippian ConvertsBp. Lightfoot.Acts 16:12
The Spirit's CourseP.C. Barker Acts 16:6-12
A Call for HelpJ. Oswald Dykes, D. D.Acts 16:8-12
A Cry for HelpDean Vaughan.Acts 16:8-12
Cry of the HeathenJ. F. B. Tinling, B. A.Acts 16:8-12
Paul's Vision At TroasCaleb Morris.Acts 16:8-12
The Beginning of European MissionsR. Glover.Acts 16:8-12
The Charter of MassachusettsW. E. Rae.Acts 16:8-12
The Cry of the HeathenPulpitActs 16:8-12
The Cry of the HeathenC. H. Spurgeon.Acts 16:8-12
The Cry of the Macedonian to PaulD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 16:8-12
The Macedonian PhantomH. Melvill, B. D.Acts 16:8-12
The Macedonian SpectreC. S. Robinson, D. D.Acts 16:8-12
The Vision and the CallJ. M. Gibbon.Acts 16:8-12
The World's Want, the World's CryG. Owen.Acts 16:8-12
What Might have Happened Had the Vision not OccurredJ. Stalker, D. D.Acts 16:8-12
The Opened HeartR.A. Redford Acts 16:11-15
The Opened Heart; Or, the Power of Divine GentlenessW. Clarkson Acts 16:11-15
People
Lydia, Paul, Silas, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Derbe, Galatia, Iconium, Jerusalem, Lystra, Macedonia, Mysia, Neapolis, Philippi, Phrygia, Samothrace, Thyatira, Troas
Topics
Abiding, Chief, Colony, District, Foremost, Important, Leading, Macedonia, Macedo'nia, Philippi, Philip'pi, Principal, Roman, Several, Stayed, Staying, Tarrying, Thence, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 16:6-12

     5108   Paul, life of

Acts 16:12-13

     7456   synagogue
     8427   evangelism, kinds of

Library
Paul at Philippi
'And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate, by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which were come together.' --ACTS xvi. 13 (R.V.). This is the first record of the preaching of the Gospel in Europe, and probably the first instance of it. The fact that the vision of the man of Macedonia was needed in order to draw the Apostle across the straits into Macedonia, and the great length at which the incidents at Philippi are
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

How to Secure a Prosperous Voyage
'And after [Paul] had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11. Therefore ... we came with a straight course.'--ACTS xvi. 10, 11. This book of the Acts is careful to point out how each fresh step in the extension of the Church's work was directed and commanded by Jesus Christ Himself. Thus Philip was sent by specific injunction to 'join himself' to the chariot of the Ethiopian statesman.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Riot at Philippi
'And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20. And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21. And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23. And when they had laid many
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Great Question and the Plain Answer
'He brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved.'--ACTS xvi. 30, 31. The keeper of a Macedonian jail was not likely to be a very nervous or susceptible person. And so the extraordinary state of agitation and panic into which this rough jailer was cast needs some kind of explanation. There had been, as you will all remember, an earthquake of a strange kind, for it not only opened the prison doors, but shook
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Household Salvation
To allure and encourage you to long for family religion, I have selected this text this morning. God grant it may answer the purpose designed. May many here have a spiritual hunger and thirst, that they may receive the blessing which so largely rested upon the Philippian jailer. Note in our text five things. We have a whole household hearing the word, a whole household believing it, a whole household baptized, a whole household working for God, and then, a whole household rejoicing. I. Observe, first,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Lydia, the First European Convert
WE MAY LAUDABLY EXERCISE CURIOSITY with regard to the first proclamation of the gospel in our own quarter of the globe. We are happy that history so accurately tells us, by the pen of Luke, when first the gospel was preached in Europe, and by whom, and who was the first convert brought by that preaching to the Savior's feet. I half envy Lydia that she should be the leader of the European band; yet I feel right glad that a woman led the van, and that her household followed so closely in the rear.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Cry of the Heathen
And now, beloved, having thus prefaced our discourse, we have another observation to make before we proceed to a full discussion of the text. What an instance of Divine sovereignty we have in our text! He who is wise can see sovereignty everywhere in the work of salvation, but how clearly is it present here. Bithynia must not hear the gospel; the apostle desires to go and preach it there; but as yet, it seems, God does not intend that Bithynia should be evangelised. He desires to tarry in Asia, and
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

The Heavenly Father
ACTS xvi. 24-28. God that made the world, and all that therein is, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands . . . For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. I told you last Sunday of the meaning of the days of the week; but one day I left out--namely, Tuesday. I did so on purpose. I wish to speak of that day by itself in this sermon. I told you how our forefathers worshipped
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Note
THERE is a passage in an old writer which throws so much light on some points mentioned in this paper, that I make no excuse for giving it to the reader in its entirety. It comes from a work which is little known and less read. It has done me good, and I think it may do good to others. "When a man is awakened, and brought to that, that all must be brought to, or to worse,' What shall I do to be saved!' (Acts 16:30-31), we have the apostolic answer to it: ' Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Saving Faith.
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.--ACTS xvi. 30,31. This is one of the most abused texts in the Bible, and one which, perhaps, has been made to do quite as much work for the devil as for God. Let every saint present, ask in faith for the light of the Holy Ghost, while we try rightly to apply it. Let us enquire:-- 1. Who are to believe? 2. When are they to believe? 3. How are
Catherine Booth—Godliness

Directions to Sinners.
Text--What shall I do to be saved.--Acts xvi. 30. THESE are the words of the jailor at Philippi, the question which he put to Paul and Silas, who were then under his care as prisoners. Satan had, in many ways, opposed these servants of God in their work of preaching the Gospel, and had been as often defeated and disgraced. But here, at Philippi, he devised a new and peculiar project for frustrating their labors. There was a certain woman at Philippi, who was possessed with a spirit of divination,
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Measures to Promote Revivals.
Text.--These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city and teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.--Acts xvi. 20, 21. "THESE men," here spoken of, were Paul and Silas, who went to Philippi to preach the Gospel, and very much disturbed the people of that city, because they supposed the preaching would interfere with their worldly gains. And so they arranged the preachers of the Gospel before the magistrates of the city, as culprits, and charged
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Missionary on the Sea Shore.
"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us."--Acts 16:9. "Wei schaumt so feierlich zu unsern Fuessen." [65]F. de la Motte Fouque. transl., Jane Borthwick, 1858 Dark mighty Ocean, rolling to our feet! In thy low murmur many voices meet, The sound of distant lands brought strangely near To Fancy's ear. From shores unknown comes the sweet Sabbath bell, New languages the old glad tidings tell, We hear the
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

Chrysostom Evades Election to a Bishopric, and Writes his Work on the Priesthood.
About this time several bishoprics were vacant in Syria, and frequent depositions took place with the changing fortunes of orthodoxy and Arianism, and the interference of the court. The attention of the clergy and the people turned to Chrysostom and his friend Basil as suitable candidates for the episcopal office, although they had not the canonical age of thirty. Chrysostom shrunk from the responsibilities and avoided an election by a pious fraud. He apparently assented to an agreement with Basil
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood

The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
PHILIPPIANS i. 21-30 He will be spared to them--Spiritual wealth of the paragraph--Adolphe Monod's exposition--Charles Simeon's testimony--The equilibrium and its secret--The intermediate bliss--He longs for their full consistency--The "gift" of suffering Ver. 21. +For to me, to live is Christ+; the consciousness and experiences of living, in the body, are so full of Christ, my supreme Interest, that CHRIST sums them all up; +and to die+, the act of dying,[1] +is gain+, for it will usher me in
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

The Martyrs of Lyons and vienne (Ad 177)
Many other martyrs suffered in various parts of the empire under the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Among the most famous of these are the martyrs of Lyons and Vienne, in the south of France (or Gaul, as it was then called), where a company of missionaries from Asia Minor had settled with a bishop named Pothinus at their head. The persecution at Lyons and Vienne was begun by the mob of those towns, who insulted the Christians in the streets, broke into their houses, and committed other such outrages against
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Scotland and Ireland
The only thing which seems to be settled as to the religious history of Scotland in these times, is that a bishop named Ninian preached among the Southern Picts between the years 412 and 432, and established a see at Whithorn, in Galloway. But in the Year of St. Ninian's death, a far more famous missionary, St. Patrick, who is called "the Apostle of Ireland," began his labours in that island. It is a question whether Patrick was born in Scotland, at a place called Kirkpatrick, near the river Clyde,
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Whether Since Christ's Passion the Legal Ceremonies Can be Observed Without Committing Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that since Christ's Passion the legal ceremonies can be observed without committing mortal sin. For we must not believe that the apostles committed mortal sin after receiving the Holy Ghost: since by His fulness they were "endued with power from on high" (Lk. 24:49). But the apostles observed the legal ceremonies after the coming of the Holy Ghost: for it is stated (Acts 16:3) that Paul circumcised Timothy: and (Acts 21:26) that Paul, at the advice of James, "took the men,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Pædobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and the Nature of the Sign.
1. Pædobaptism. The consideration of the question necessary and useful. Pædobaptism of divine origin. 2. This demonstrated from a consideration of the promises. These explain the nature and validity of Pædobaptism. 3. Promises annexed to the symbol of water cannot be better seen than in the institution of circumcision. 4. The promise and thing figured in circumcision and baptism one and the same. The only difference in the external ceremony. 5. Hence the baptism of the children
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Children Devoted to God. Gen. 17:7,10; Acts 16:14,15,33.
Children devoted to God. Gen. 17:7,10; Acts 16:14,15,33. [For those who practise infant Baptism.] Thus saith the mercy of the Lord, "I'll be a God to thee; I'll bless thy num'rous race, and they Shall be a seed for me." Abram believed the promised grace, And gave his sons to God; But water seals the blessing now, That once was sealed with blood. Thus Lydia sanctified her house, When she received the word; Thus the believing jailer gave His household to the Lord. Thus later saints, eternal King!
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
[9] "Now, while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry." Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him." --Acts 17:16-17. PERHAPS the reader of this paper lives in a town or city, and sees more of bricks and mortar than of green fields. Perhaps you have some relative or friend living in a town, about whom you naturally feel a deep interest.
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Conversion, Its Nature and Necessity.
Closely related to the doctrine of the power, or efficacy, of the divine Word--as considered in the last chapter--is the doctrine of conversion. It is the subject of conversion, therefore, that we now purpose to examine. It is an important subject. It deserves a prominent place in treating of the Way of Salvation. It is also an intensely personal subject. Each one who desires to be in the Way of Salvation is personally interested in it. The eternal destiny of every one who reads these pages is closely
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Law Established through Faith
Discourse I "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: Yea, we establish the law." Romans 3:31. 1. St. Paul, having the beginning of this Epistle laid down his general proposition, namely, that "the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" -- the powerful means, whereby God makes every believer a partaker of present and eternal salvation; -- goes on to show, that there is no other way under heaven whereby men can be saved. He speaks particularly
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

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