" 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, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
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. 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.
Therefore loosing from Troas, --we-- came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 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.
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.
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.
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. "
- Acts 16:6-15
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The Man with 2 Names - The church at Philippi
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Paul, Silas and Timothy are busy!
Having left Antioch, we saw them move through the regions of Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches there, and delivering to them the doctrinal guidance from the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, the Spirit recording for us the fact that these churches were indeed strengthened in the faith, and grew in number daily!
Buoyed by this, the trio begins to work to plant new churches in the region of Phrygia and Galatia - we are not told of any success at this point in the text, but we encounter something interesting......
They are FORBIDDEN by the Spirit to preach the word in Asia... and Bithynia.
We are told -TWICE- , that the Spirit did not permit them to preach in these locations. What on earth could prevent the Spirit from reaching these areas.. given that the gospel is supposed to be preached to all the earth?
We think we know.... (not everyone will agree with us)... but here is the explanation as we understand it.
"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, ---even where Satan's seat is---: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, ---where Satan dwelleth.-- --- Rev 2:12-13
If you look at the map we have provided (in a separate post this week) , you can see where 'Satan's seat' (Pergamos or Bergama in Modern Turkey) is, in relation to the churches of the NT, and in Revelation. This is the area that the early missionaries were asked to AVOID - Pergamon, Mysia, Bithynia.
Combine this with our revelation that Satan was exiled from heaven when Christ ascended (check out our Plan of God post links on the pinned post on this Page), and Christ HIMSELF telling John the apostle on Patmos, Pergamon is where Satan lives now!.... and you will understand why the Spirit is guiding the fledgling church, and its missionaries away from potentially dangerous areas!
The references to "Satan's seat" could also refer to a structure known as the Altar of Pergamos... a stair like construction with marble friezes around the base depicting the war of the Olympians against the Gods (a Gigantomache)... this structure has been restored and currently resides in a museum in Germany (Museum Island in Berlin). Pergamos was also a center where Isis and Osiris were worshipped, and where, according to Christian tradition, Bishop Antipas was martyred by burned alive in a bronze bull. Not the safest of places for the trio.....
On the map, if you look at the Revelation churches (highlighted by colored circles), including we see some interesting patterns.
If we take the reference by Christ as calling these churches as led (and symbolized) by 7 stars (pastors), we wonder if there is some astronomical connection as well. We think the pattern looks like the constellation of Virgo, but we would be interested in any other views from any of our readers that have a penchant or are qualified in astronomy!!
Not that any of this matters when it comes to interpreting the book of Revelation, but it is interesting to contemplate ... is it not??
The straight line (on a curved earth) from Pergamos through the "bad" churches (except Philadelphia) goes right through them & Paphos (Pauls first speech) to Jerusalem! It is also interesting to note the order in which the churches are mentioned in the book of Revelation... Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea! The Good churches first (Ephesus, Smyrna), followed by the 'bad' churches --- broken only by Philadelphia... they are in geographical order!!!!
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Key Takeaway: It is very important to listen to where the Spirit would have you go, and not charge into areas in your strength and zeal for the Gospel!!!!
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So, as you can see from the map, the trio was manuevered AROUND the Pergamon area, and from Troas they took ship, and crossed the Mediterranean sea over to Macedonia, and the greek city of Phillippi - so named for Philip the II of Macedon.
Please note the term "WE" highlighted in the text this week. The trio have been joined by the author of the book of Acts, and the gospel of Luke! Powerful band of people indeed...
What do they do? On the Sabbath, they go to a place of prayer near the river, and the church at Philippi (to whom the letter of Paul to the Phillippians is addressed) begins with the conversion of Lydia... a woman!
This lady is the subject of God's grace... she used to worship Him from the heart not knowing more... but God sends Paul, and opens her heart to receive the words being spoken by him. The result? Not just here, but the WHOLE of her household is saved, and baptized! God's grace saving the people of her house, by virtue of her belief!!!
Wow! We see this repeated for us, later in the book of Acts, about another person (the Phillippian jailor) ... "Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, ---what must I do to be saved? ---And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, -------and thy house.--------And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. "
Saving one person, allows the Grace of God to be extended to all in the household! What a powerful truth and promise to hang on to!! If you are the only Christian in your household, do not despair. Keep praying for them that are in your house, and God promises, your prayers WILL be heard!!!!
We will leave the tired missionaries to recover their strength by being ministered to by Lydia, in her house... provision and safety provided of the Lord! More things will happen at Phillippi, and in the neighboring regions of Thessalonica, and Berea, and we will look at them next week God willing!
We want to take some time to acknowledge the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, the Day of Pentecost, which fell - Thu-Sat - of this week. This was the day, that the Spirit was poured out on the apostles, to enable them to undertake the work the Lord had set for them. As you can see this week, it was not all just gifts and miracles, the voice of the Spirit is key to discovering areas to go to, and areas to AVOID!
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. " - Matt 7:6.
This is guidance from our Lord Himself, and is echoed, as we see this week, in the work of the Spirit in guiding His disciples!
Hallelujah!