Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Acts chapter 16 v 6-12
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Acts chapter 16 v 6-12:
V6: They travel on, through the provinces of Phrygia and Galatia ( no details given of their ministry there ) – and then clearly intend to preach in the major province of Asia too -but this is stopped by the Holy Spirit! What form this intervention took, we do not know, but it was definitely seen as a door God had closed ( though note,only to these men at this time, in His Sovereign will.)
God does at times close doors – and we need to recognise and accept where this is so.
V7: Next they seek to turn another way, into the province of Bithynia ( it would be helpful to consult a map of this area ) and again the Holy Spirit ( called, we note the “Spirit of Jesus” – the Oneness of the Triune God is shown here.) prevents them. They accept this , as we all must do when God says ” No “, even to some dearly conceived project of our own.)
V8: Unsure of what God’s will is, but clearly open to it, they carry on following the direct route before them ( always a good principle until directed otherwise ) and come to Troas – the coastal port for direct sailings to Macedonia.
V9: And God now makes His purpose clear, sending Paul a vision of ” a man of Macedonia “ begging him to come over to that land and ” help them” – in other words, bring the Gospel to them. So, God will make His will known to those who seek it in faith and obedience when He reveals it.
V10: They all agree this is of God, and seek at once to take ship for Macedonia. Truly, if God closes one door, He WILL open another as we look to Him. The ” we” indicates that Luke, the writer of Acts has now joined them – no other details are given, and characteristically, he does not draw attention to himself.
V11: So, they sail to Macedonia, via the island of Samothrace, where the ship would put in overnight, and the next day reach the port of Neapolis on the Macedonian coast. So, God has directly acted to bring the gospel into Europe for the first time – the ever-widening circles of Acts 1 v 8 continue.
V12: They travel inland to Philippi, the leading city of Macedonia, and one with the coveted status of ” a Roman colony “, which granted various rights and privileges where bestowed, but also a very direct answerability to Rome.