‏ Acts 16

* Paul takes Timothy to be his assistant. (1-5) Paul proceeds to

Macedonia, The conversion of Lydia. (6-15) An evil spirit cast

out, Paul and Silas scourged and imprisoned. (16-24) The

conversion of the jailer at Philippi. (25-34) Paul and Silas

released. (35-40)

1-5 Well may the church look for much service from youthful

ministers who set out in the same spirit as Timothy. But when

men will submit in nothing, and oblige in nothing, the first

elements of the Christian temper seem to be wanting; and there

is great reason to believe that the doctrines and precepts of

the gospel will not be successfully taught. The design of the

decree being to set aside the ceremonial law, and its carnal

ordinances, believers were confirmed in the Christian faith,

because it set up a spiritual way of serving God, as suited to

the nature both of God and man. Thus the church increased in

numbers daily. 6-15 The removals of ministers, and the dispensing the means of

grace by them, are in particular under Divine conduct and

direction. We must follow Providence: and whatever we seek to

do, if that suffer us not, we ought to submit and believe to be

for the best. People greatly need help for their souls, it is

their duty to look out for it, and to invite those among them

who can help them. And God's calls must be complied with

readily. A solemn assembly the worshippers of God must have, if

possible, upon the sabbath day. If we have not synagogues, we

must be thankful for more private places, and resort to them;

not forsaking the assembling together, as our opportunities are.

Among the hearers of Paul was a woman, named Lydia. She had an

honest calling, which the historian notices to her praise. Yet

though she had a calling to mind, she found time to improve

advantages for her soul. It will not excuse us from religious

duties, to say, We have a trade to mind; for have not we also a

God to serve, and souls to look after? Religion does not call us

from our business in the world, but directs us in it. Pride,

prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God, till his grace

makes way for them into the understanding and affections; and

the Lord alone can open the heart to receive and believe his

word. We must believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to God

as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator. 16-24 Satan, though the father of lies, will declare the most

important truths, when he can thereby serve his purposes. But

much mischief is done to the real servants of Christ, by unholy

and false preachers of the gospel, who are confounded with them

by careless observers. Those who do good by drawing men from

sin, may expect to be reviled as troublers of the city. While

they teach men to fear God, to believe in Christ, to forsake

sin, and to live godly lives, they will be accused of teaching

bad customs. 25-34 The consolations of God to his suffering servants are

neither few nor small. How much more happy are true Christians

than their prosperous enemies! As in the dark, so out of the

depths, we may cry unto God. No place, no time is amiss for

prayer, if the heart be lifted up to God. No trouble, however

grievous, should hinder us from praise. Christianity proves

itself to be of God, in that it obliges us to be just to our own

lives. Paul cried aloud to make the jailer hear, and to make him

heed, saying, Do thyself no harm. All the cautions of the word

of God against sin, and all appearances of it, and approaches to

it, have this tendency. Man, woman, do not ruin thyself; hurt

not thyself, and then none else can hurt thee; do not sin, for

nothing but that can hurt thee. Even as to the body, we are

cautioned against the sins which do harm to that. Converting

grace changes people's language of and to good people and good

ministers. How serious the jailer's inquiry! His salvation

becomes his great concern; that lies nearest his heart, which

before was furthest from his thoughts. It is his own precious

soul that he is concerned about. Those who are thoroughly

convinced of sin, and truly concerned about their salvation,

will give themselves up to Christ. Here is the sum of the whole

gospel, the covenant of grace in a few words; Believe in the

Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. The

Lord so blessed the word, that the jailer was at once softened

and humbled. He treated them with kindness and compassion, and,

professing faith in Christ, was baptized in that name, with his

family. The Spirit of grace worked such a strong faith in them,

as did away further doubt; and Paul and Silas knew by the

Spirit, that a work of God was wrought in them. When sinners are

thus converted, they will love and honour those whom they before

despised and hated, and will seek to lessen the suffering they

before desired to increase. When the fruits of faith begin to

appear, terrors will be followed by confidence and joy in God. 35-40 Paul, though willing to suffer for the cause of Christ,

and without any desire to avenge himself, did not choose to

depart under the charge of having deserved wrongful punishment,

and therefore required to be dismissed in an honourable manner.

It was not a mere point of honour that the apostle stood upon,

but justice, and not to himself so much as to his cause. And

when proper apology is made, Christians should never express

personal anger, nor insist too strictly upon personal amends.

The Lord will make them more than conquerors in every conflict;

instead of being cast down by their sufferings, they will become

comforters of their brethren.