The Holy Ghost (Spirit) in Action - Scene 36: Acts 16:1-12 - Timothy Joins Paul & Silas on 2nd Missionary Journey through Asia Minor

Paul having settled the matter of circumscion for the Gentiles, then continues on his 2nd missionary throughout Asia Minor. His first stop was in Derbe and Lystra (modern day cities in Turkey). It was in this city that a certain disciple by the name of Timothy, whose mother was Jewish but his father was a Gentile (Greek). The believers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of Timothy, but because his father was a Gentile, he was not circumcised according to the Jewish tradition for all males. 

Apostle Paul, through the wisdom of the Spirit of God in action, directed that Timothy be circumcised, because the Jews in that area knew that his father was Greek. This action by Paul neutralized the potential actions of the Jewish brethren in that area, because they had not been fully briefed on the decision of the headquarters church in Jerusalem on the issue of Gentiles keeping the Law of Moses. So Paul’s action was pre-emptive, rather than reactive for the furthering of the message of salvation.

Dr. Luke recorded that Apostles Paul and Timothy, then travelled from town to town in that region, and delivered the decisions reached by the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. The churches were strengthed and grew daily in numbers as the Holy Ghost in action used these men of God.

Paul and his fellow missionaries travelled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, but when they got to the province of Asia (modern day Turkey), they were forbidden by the Spirit of God in action to preach the word of God. They then journeyed on to the city of Mysia (modern day Turkey), and tried to enter the city of Bithynia (modern day Turkey), but the Spirit of God in action once again forbade them to stay, so they continued their journey to the port city of Troas on the Aegean Sea.

During the night while at Troas, Apostle Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "come over to Macedonia and help us".  After this vision, Paul and his companions got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that the Spirit of God in action had directed them to go to this city to preach the gospel to them. They then left by boat from Troas and sailed straight across the Aegean Sea to Samothracia (modern day Turkey), then to the port city of Neaoplis (modern day Greece). From there they went to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city in the district of Macedonia. They stayed there several days and waited for the Spirit of God in action to guide them on where to go and what to do.

The detailed record that Dr. Luke provided us, in this week’s blog of the Apostle Paul missionary journeys underscored the necessity of, and importance of the Spirit of God in action on for the work of the ministry. It is through and by the Spirit of God in action, that we are able to carry out the work of evangelism and effectively counter and thwart the plans and working of the devil.
Readers of this blog, if you want to know more about this life changing message that will get us right with God, please contact us at: Meadowvale East Apostolic Church – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 416-385-1140