Acts chapter 16 v 13-18

Acts chapter 16 v 13-18:

V13:  On the Sabbath, Paul and his companions go to ” the riverside, where  we supposed there was a place of prayer “. Clearly, there is no synagogue in Philippi, which means nor enough adult male Jews to establish one ( and only 10 were required.) The fact that the group they do meet at prayer were all women, it seems, underlines this.

V14:  As ( Paul ) preaches, one woman is mentioned by name, Lydia, who comes from Thyatira in Asia ( the site of one of the 7 churches in Revelation 2 and 3 )  She is evidently a prosperous business woman ( Purple dye was  expensive and exclusive to a wealthy clientele ) But she is also ” a worshipper of God”,  Who now opens her heart to the Gospel.

V15:  She believes, asks at once for baptism ( more has been proclaimed and taught than is recorded, of course ) and is baptised along with her household – who must have come to faith themselves, and we need not think this all took place on that one day –  and urges Paul and the others to stay at her house, and make it their base in Philippi, if they truly judge her faith to be real.

V16:  One day – no indication is given of how much later – Paul and his companions meet a slave girl who is possessed by ” a spirit of divination”, and exploited by her masters to tell fortunes and earn them much money from this. The reality of spirit-possession is a Biblical truth we must not doubt – Satan’s malice at work through his dark forces.

V17-18:  She follows Paul and the others, and the spirit which grips her cries out who they are – even that they ” proclaim.. the way of salvation ” – but Paul will not allow testimony from such a source ( remember Satan can disguise himself as ” an angel of light” – 2 Corinthians 11 v14-15.) Such testimony, even while ” speaking truth”, can only undermine and corrupt the Gospel and cannot glorify the Lord, so Paul commands the spirit to come out of the girl in the Lord’s Name.