Acts 16 -- God Does More Openings

On the return trip heading back west, Paul and Silas came to Derbe and then Lystra, where Paul enlisted Timothy as his special assistant.  Timothy's mother was Jewish and his father was Greek, so he hadn't been circumcised.  In a way, he represented the new makeup of the church.  He'd be working with both Jews and Gentiles in the years to come.  Paul made a decision based not on the truth of the gospel, which he had already addressed to the legalists who insisted on circumcision, but on Timothy's fitness to serve, by having him circumcised.  Timothy must have looked Jewish, and as he would speak with Jewish men, Paul wanted to eliminate any stumbling blocks to his ministry, my commentary said.  An obviously Jewish man who had not had the procedure could be ineffective in speaking with other Jewish men about the Scriptures.  

This chapter had three "openings", my commentary said.  "Paul had tried to enter new territory for the Lord by traveling east into Asia Minor and Bythinia, but the Lord closed the door ... In His sovereign grace, God led Paul west into Europe," instead.  In addition to this new territory being opened, God opened Lydia's heart, then He opened the prison doors so that Paul and Silas could get back on their journey.  Of course, that also led to the opening of the jailer's heart as well, along with those of his family, who were all saved.  "Different people with different experiences, and yet all of them changed by the grace of God," my commentary said.

Father, help me to see all of the ways You are at work around me today.  Help me also to know the best way to introduce each person to You.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford