The Call to Europe
Acts 16, verse 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. Acts 16, verse 2. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Acts 16, verse 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. Acts 16, verse 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. Acts 16, verse 5. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts 16, verse 6. 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. Acts 16, verse 7. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. Acts 16, verse 8. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. Acts 16, verse 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.” Acts 16, verse 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 First European Convert
Acts 16, verse 11. Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, Acts 16, verse 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. Acts 16, verse 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. Acts 16, verse 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. Acts 16, verse 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.
Exorcism of a Spirit
Acts 16, verse 16. Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. Acts 16, verse 17. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” Acts 16, verse 18. And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
Paul and Silas Imprisoned
Acts 16, verse 19. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. Acts 16, verse 20. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; Acts 16, verse 21. and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Acts 16, verse 22. Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. Acts 16, verse 23. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Acts 16, verse 24. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The Philippian Jailer
Acts 16, verse 25. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16, verse 26. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. Acts 16, verse 27. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. Acts 16, verse 28. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Acts 16, verse 29. Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Acts 16, verse 30. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16, verse 31. So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16, verse 32. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. Acts 16, verse 33. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16, verse 34. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
The Apostles Released
Acts 16, verse 35. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.” Acts 16, verse 36. So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.” Acts 16, verse 37. But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” Acts 16, verse 38. And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. Acts 16, verse 39. Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. Acts 16, verse 40. So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.