Note for 20250731

Acts

Sixteen

Part 16 - Acts 16 - Subservient

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250731 - Acts - Part 16 - Acts 16 - Subservient

Acts 16:1-40 KJV

[1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: [2] which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. [3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. [4] And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. [5] And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. [6] Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, [7] after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. [8] And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. [9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. [10] And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. [11] Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; [12] and from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. [13] And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. [14] And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. [15] And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. [16] And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: [17] The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. [18] And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. [19] And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, [20] and brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, [21] and teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. [22] And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. [23] And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: [24] who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. [25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. [26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. [27] And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. [28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. [29] Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, [30] and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? [31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. [32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. [33] And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. [34] And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. [35] And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. [36] And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. [37] But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. [38] And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. [39] And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. [40] And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.16.1-40.KJV

What a remarkable account, and we see the start of Timothy's story with Paul. Once more, we read of an earthquake in the presence of those who prayed and worshiped, which is not by my account, but as it stands here, paired with another account of Saints being set free from captivity, and yet, Paul and all that were with them remained. There is also an interesting account of the Holy Spirit's prevention for them to go into certain areas, like Asia mentioned here. Then is there the vision that sends Paul and company to Macedonia.

Today's title, "subservient" is quite interesting, considering the scripture. We see a type of servitude when they change direction and go to Macedonia and obey the prevention of the Holy Spirit from entering into certain places. But, there is another form of it in this:

Acts 16:18 KJV

[18] And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.16.18.KJV

Who obeys here? In other words, Who is in Command and Who should we be subservient to, Jesus Christ or other spirits? The very sad thing is how there were those that profited from this possessed woman. She was not just subservient to that spirit, but also all those that despitefully used her.

In our modern times, there are many if not most that are subservient to others like this, and yes, I do suggest even spirits other than the Holy Spirit of GOD. Not all that are possessed foam at the mouth, shake in fits or run around baked like Legion did between the tombs. But that, which is in them, is of the same nature as those that were permitted to enter the herd of pigs, when commanded by Jesus Christ to come out of that tortured man.

How interesting is it then, when we come to the end of the chapter where Paul refuses to be set privately, while they were shamed publicly? Most of us would just be glad to get out of that situation and would run out before they change their minds, right. Well, Paul was not subservient to them, friends, even though they gave them stripes. Who is ashamed at the end, Paul or them? Now in this case, it was because they were Roman citizens, and that was a bit of a problem for them, because there was no trial before the penalty was carried out, and it was done in public, which made that action unlawful against a Roman.

What does the Word say, are you of this world, or in it? They mistakenly identified Paul and them as commoners. How are we identified, while we are children of the Most High GOD and Creator? Like Christ, we are here to serve, not to be served. Are you starting to see the picture, or better yet, did you know that? Who will judge the angels? Friends, when we stand in Jesus Christ, spirits must depart when commanded to do so, you do understand that, right?

Many are not ready to receive this, much like you do not give a piece of steak to a newborn. But, even that newborn will eventually be able to eat steak, when he or she has matured. GOD is in control of the "growing up" process, and like many toddlers, we bump our heads on (spiritual) sharp objects, while we are distracted with some game of play. But, the children of GOD will mature and stand in full authority, especially when we are glorified with Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, the Coming King.

So, what does the term "subservient" mean to you now? Who is actually in control, the flesh or the Spirit?

Selah, Shalom

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Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Philippians 2:3 KJV

[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

https://bible.com/bible/1/php.2.3.KJV

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