Day 37

Memorize: Need for Timothy’s circumcision

Acts 16

Key Verses: 1, 3, 7, 14, 18, 21, 25, 31, 37

We now see Jews and non-Jews ministering together for the cause of the Gospel. Timothy came from a mixed faith family. Paul seems to contradict what we just learned in chapter 15. The gathering of leaders in Jerusalem had joined together to discern God’s will in regards to non-Jews and the outward rituals of Judaism. Now Paul has Timothy receive one of these outward rituals. Paul did this so that there would not be an automatic closed door to the Gospel. We do this today when we go to some countries to preach. We adopt the customs of the local people in order to open the door for its reception. The outward does not violate the inward, but it can open doors for witness. There is nothing in the text that says Timothy needed circumcision in order to walk with Jesus, just that the Jews knew his lineage and that would raise unnecessary red flags.

We also get a glimpse into what following the lead of the Holy Spirit looks like. Paul and Timothy are prevented from entering certain areas to preach. Perhaps their hearts not ready to receive the Gospel or the timing not right. We don’t know the reasons. But they did following the Holy Spirit’s leading, leading that happens to come to Paul in a dream. God leads as they are moving forward. They are active in their faith and the Lord leads. If we want the Lord to lead, we must be active and moving forward.

Notice that we again see people of other places mentioned. I often do not remember that there was migration, travel, and voluntary and mandatory relocation. Here a foreigner opens house to a foreign visitor. She happens to be a wealthy person, selling very expensive cloth. When we become a Jesus-follower, we often share what we have with those who don’t have what they need. Paul needed a place to stay and Lydia had a place, so she shared.

Some witness for Christ is not acceptable. This demon-possessed woman is shouting the truth. What could be wrong with that? Paul and Timothy were servants of the Most High God. I imagine it was the way she was telling the truth that got on Paul’s nerves. But he stops the witness. Paul does not want to be the center of attention. This is about Jesus and not about Paul. God wants witnesses of His character and works, not witnesses to us.

When false accusations put Paul and Silas behind bars, they end up singing in the night. They could have asserted that their rights as Roman citizen rights had been violated and prevented the imprisonment. But instead, they see it as an opportunity to worship. How many opportunities for worship do we miss each day?

REVIEW: