http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 Answers to Questions on Acts 16:1-40 1. Timothy lived in Lystra. His mother was a Jewess and a believer while his father was a Greek. The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 2. What had happened to Paul when he was in Lystra the first time? Paul healed a crippled man. The people were greatly impressed and set about to worship Paul and Barnabas, but were told by Paul not to do it. People came from Antioch and Iconium, stirred up the people against Paul who stoned him and left him for dead. 3. Why was Timothy circumcised while Titus was not required to be circumcised? Timothy s father was a Greek. Both of Titus parents were Greeks and he was covered by the Jerusalem decree. By being circumcised, Timothy would be more readily received by the Jews to whom he would preach the gospel.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 2 4. As Paul continued on his second missionary journey he delivered the decisions reached, the decrees ordained by the Jerusalem apostles and elders. Who issues decrees for the church today? The Godhead three, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, only. Their will is revealed in the scripture exclusively. 5. What were the results of the churches hearing of these decrees? The churches were strengthened by the content of the decrees in the faith and daily grew in numbers. 6. How did the Holy Spirit guide Paul and his companions in regard to where they should and should not travel? The Holy Spirit guided them and by a vision and otherwise. The Holy Spirit restrained them from going where the Holy Spirit did not want them to go. Acts 16:6-10, Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to do so. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, Come over to Macedonia
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 3 and help us. After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (NIV) We do not fully know exactly how the Holy Spirit guided them in every case. 7. How does the Holy Spirit guide Christians today as plans are made to preach the word? Providentially in answer to prayer. 8. Paul came to Troas, a seaport at the western extremity of Asia near the ancient city of Troy. It was there that Luke began traveling with Paul. 9. At Troas a vision of a man of Macedonia appeared to Paul saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. When Paul had seen this vision, he and his companions got ready at once to leave for Macedonia. What lesson does this apostolic example teach us? When we know God s will we are to obey forthwith.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 4 10. The church established in Philippi was the first to be established on the continent of Europe. To this church Paul later addressed the New Testament book of Philippians. 11. Philippi was established by Philip of Macedon and controlled the nearby gold mines which financed the world conquest of Alexander the Great. The Romans gained control of the city following the battle of Pydna in 168 B.C. 12. Where did Paul go on the Sabbath? Outside the city by the river to where a place of prayer was thought to be found. Why did he go there instead of to the synagogue? Evidently there was no synagogue in Philippi. To whom did he preach? The women who had gathered there. 13. What does Luke tell us about Lydia? That she was a dealer in purple cloth and that she was from Thyatira. She was a worshiper of God. She believed Paul s preaching and became a Christian. She was hospitable to Paul and his fellow missionaries. 14. Was the slave girl really able to foretell the future, or was she making guesses, prediction of things to come by observing trends, signs of the time? Give reason for your answer. She was making guesses
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 5 some of which happened to be correct. This person evidently was mentally demon possessed and was fraudulently used by her owners to make money. 15. What did she shout day after day that caused Paul to be troubled? These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved. 16. What did Paul do about this situation? As a last resort, postponed in an effort to avoid a riot, Paul commanded the spirit to come out of her. 17. Why were the slave girl s owners upset by what Paul did? They made money from the slave girls prognostications. She was no longer able to predict the future as she previously had claimed to be able to do.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 6 18. How did they react to this turn of events? Was Paul treated fairly? Why or why not? They were very upset by their loss of an income source. They seized Paul and Silas and brought them to court. They were severely flogged and thrown into prison. This was a terrible miscarriage of justice. Paul had simply healed a sick slave girl. 19. How interested were the salve girl s owners in her well-being? Not at all! They were simple using her to make money. 20. Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten, severely flogged and thrown into prison. Why were Luke and Timothy not treated in the same way? Evidently they were not thought by the slave girl s owners to have been significantly involved. They were in the background.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 7 21. After being unfairly arrested, brutally beaten and inhumanely imprisoned, when they should have been in the hospital, Paul and Silas still prayed with resolute faith and sang hymns to God. What would we have done under those circumstances? Each person will give his/her individual answer. However, Paul and Silas set us a marvelously high standard. 22. Suddenly, about midnight, a violent earthquake shook the foundation of the prison. All the prison doors flew open, and everybody s chains were loosed. Why didn t all the real criminals escape? The Bible does not say. Their escape would not have advanced the cause of Christ in Philippi. God saw to it that his gospel was provided the advantage from the terrible events that had taken place. 23. What effect did all this have on the jailor? It made a believer out of him! He and his family repented and were baptized. They became Christians. They were saved from their sins. 24. What does the Bible say about suicide? Can a person in his right mind ever commit suicide? Can a person who commits suicide go to
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 8 heaven? There are few suicides recorded in the Bible because Israelites and Gentiles had different views of suicide. I think a sane person could take his own life. Certain military personnel have suicide drugs to be used in case of capture to avoid revealing national secrets as a result of torture. Samson made a decision to sacrifice himself to destroy the Philistines, his enemies. Jesus willingly laid down his life on the cross, it was not forcefully taken from him. God is the sole judge regarding everyone s eternal destiny. Circumstances in each case will be mercifully considered. 25. What happened to the jailor? What change did all these events bring about in the jailor s life? It is hoped that he and his family for the rest of their lives lived as faithful Christians. Nothing more is known of him following Paul s departure from Philippi. 26. How many times is the question, What must I do to be saved? asked and answered in the New Testament? What answers were given to this question? Were the answers always the same? If not, why not? Three times in the book of Acts. Repent and be baptized, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Other things were said and done. All did the same things to be saved.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 9 27. In the morning what did the magistrates do? What did the jailor do? What did Paul do? What happened then? They sent word that Paul and Silas were to be released from prison. The jailor conveyed the message. Expecting them to leave, he wished them well. Paul let it be known that they were Roman citizens and had been punished illegally. The magistrates were afraid and courteously escorted Paul and Silas out of jail. 28. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia s house, met with the brothers, and encouraged them. Then they left Philippi. 29. What kinds of people become Christians? All kinds! Business people (Lydia), professional people (the beloved physician, Luke) government employees (Philippian Jailor), fishermen (several apostles), killers (Saul of Tarsus), you name it!
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 10 30. How does our missionary zeal compare with that of Paul and Silas? There is much room for improvement on our part, no doubt, even in the lives of the best of us.