Acts 16:16-24 – Paul and Silas in Philippi – audio

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Text: Acts 16:16-24

Introduction

A. Paul and Silas are doing mission work in Philippi.

B. Lydia and her household were baptized, and Paul and Silas were encouraged to continue the work there.

C. While going to prayer, a slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met them. She made a couple of observations that need to be considered.

D. After the spirit was cast out of her, her masters made another important observation.

E. Thus, Paul and Silas were thrown into prison, which led to the salvation of the jailer!

F. Let us consider three observations.

Body

I. Paul and Silas are servants of the Most High God.

A. A servant is not above, but like his master (Matthew 10:24-25; John 13:16). Jesus demonstrated this as He washed His disciples’ feet.

B. A servant will follow his master wherever he goes (John 12:26).

C. A servant of Christ does not seek to please men (Galatians 1:10).

D. A servant of the Lord must: “Not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will (2 Timothy 2:24-26).”

E. A servant of God puts to silence the ignorance of foolish men by doing good (1 Peter 2:15-16).

F. A good and faithful servant will enter into the joy of the Lord (Matthew 25:21, 23); an unprofitable servant will be cast into outer darkness (Matthew 25:30).

II. They proclaim the way of salvation.

A. There is only one way of salvation (John 14:6).

B. Christ is the only name in which we can be saved (Acts 4:12).

C. God appointed us to salvation through Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

D. God chose us for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

E. The Holy Scriptures make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).

F. The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).

G. Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).

H. Christians are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5).

III. They teach customs that are “not lawful for…Romans…to receive or observe.”

A. Paul was considered an expert on customs and questions concerning the Jews (Acts 26:3).

B. Jesus warned Paul that some would not receive his testimony concerning Him (Acts 22:18).

C. Stephen was accused of blasphemy, and was misunderstood regarding Jesus changing customs which Moses delivered (Acts 6:14).

D. One such custom in question was that of circumcision. Some thought only the circumcised could be saved, but this was not so (Acts 15; 21:21).

E. A Christian must change his habits or lifestyle! He must receive and observe the things of God (Romans 6:4, 6). Paul even said that “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation (Galatians 6:15).”

F. Some have a custom of forsaking the assembling; this must be changed (Hebrews 10:25).

Conclusion

A. Paul and Silas were effective, setting the example that Christ expected of them.

B. They were truly His servants, proclaiming the way of salvation.

1) Even when the words of Christ differed from the customs of the Romans, they continued to teach the truth.

2) It was up to them to follow Christ and not after themselves.

C. Are we true servants of God?

1) Do we proclaim the way of salvation?

2) Do we receive and observe the customs of Christ, and not hold to traditions of men (Matthew 15:3,6; Colossians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15)?