The Gospel Fills an Empty Heart Acts 16:1-15

1. What two genetic races did Timothy have? Acts 16:1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.

A certain disciple named Timotheus * Two epistles bear his name. * He was a native of Derbe or Lystra. * A highly esteemed young man of piety. Educated in the Holy Scriptures. * Paul calls him "his own son in the faith" * The son of a certain woman name Eunice.

2. Why did Paul circumcised Timothy? Acts 16:3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.

Circumcision not required, but * To avoid opposition and contention of the Jews. * An act of expediency for the sake of peace. * "And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews." Acts 21:23-26Acts 21:23-26.

3. Who determined the decrees that Paul and Barnabas gave to the Gentiles? Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. Read Acts 15:23-29

The Decrees A law or edict of a legislature or council. The Christians to submit to that decision. To keep - To obey - To observe.

They delivered them the decrees... St. Luke gives is a faithful transcript. Their stand in any dispute with the Judaisers. The decrees were regarded by the Gentile converts as the charter admission into the Church.

4. What was the churches strengthened in that contributed to their growth? Acts 16:5

Five Effects of Faith Establishment 1. Persuaded in the principles necessary to be believed. 2. The burdensome yoke of the law of Moses broken. 3. Obstacles to conversion of the Gentiles removed. 4. Visitation of the churches strengthened those already converted. 5. An increase in number daily.

5. What geographical places the Holy Spirit did not permit the missionaries to preach? Acts 16: Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

The Holy Spirit's Intervention Forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. Jews get the first opportunity to convert. They were led on, step by step, not seeing their way clearly. The Holy Spirit directs them in order and success. Read Proverbs 3:5-6

6. What happened at Troas in the night? Acts 16:8-9 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

“Come over and help us” * A call to preach the gospel in a pagan land, amid trials and dangers. * Paul and Silas cheerfully responded. * Similarly, Abraham went out not knowing where he went (Hebrews 11:8).Hebrews 11:8

7. Were Paul and the others convinced by the vision to preach the? [yes] [no] Acts 16:10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

The " we " is the first instance in which Luke refers to himself as being in company with Paul.

8. Which city in Macedonia did the missionaries stay for some days? Acts 16:11-12

Philippi Acts 16: Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.

The Course to Philippi The “straight course” implies that they had the wind in their favor. Wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Wind was the power the moved the ship and the missionaries. Wind is the life giving by God for living – "… he became a living soul."

9. What day of the week did the missionaries attend a prayer meeting? Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

By the River Side A prayer-meeting was held. Jews or proselytes frequented the river- banks. They had no synagogue. "We" sat down, and spoke unto the women.

10. How did Lydia, a merchant, respond to the Gospel message? Acts 16:14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.

Lydia, a seller of purple cloth Purple was a most valuable color worn by princes and by the rich. Very profitable for the merchant. Lydia had an spiritual calling to help her soul. Her heart was opened by the Lord.

11. Did the missionaries accept the invitation to Lydia's house? Acts 16:15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

Olga Breeskin Finding God at The Bottom Finding God at The Bottom

REVIEW 1. What two genetic races did Timothy have? 2. Why did Paul circumcised Timothy? 3. Who determined the decrees that Paul and Barnabas gave to the Gentiles? 4. What was the churches strengthened in that contributed to their growth?

REVIEW 5. What geographical places the Holy Spirit did not permit missionaries to preach? 6. What happened at Troas in the night? 7.Were Paul and the others convinced by the vision to preach the? [yes] [no]

REVIEW 8. Which city in Macedonia did the missionaries stay for some days? A. SamothraceB. NeapolisC. Philippi 9. What day of the week did the missionaries attend a prayer meeting? 10. How did Lydia, a merchant, respond to the Gospel message? 11. Did the missionaries accept the invitation to Lydia's house?

What is the Good News in this lesson?