After Paul and Bar-Nabbas part ways for a journey to visit the congregations they reached the first time, Paul seemed to contradict his teachings on circumcision by circumcising Timothy. In Philippi, Paul shut up a demon that had possessed a girl and was haranguing him with truth. Paul and Silas were shut up in prison, then led the jailer to salvation by their rejoicing during their incarceration.
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Food for thought from the recorded discussion of Acts 16
Why was Timothy circumcised?
Why did the spirit forbid Paul and Silas from going to Asia?
What area was called “Asia” at this time?
How did Paul and Silas survive the torture of their beating?
How did the evil spirit depart from the slave girl when we have no record of her desire to be rid of the torment of that spirit?
What were the apostles concerned the believers in Asia Minor should still be “holding onto”?
How did Paul and Barnabas go their separate ways?
Who was Silas, a.k.a. Silvanus?
What does the name Timothy mean? Is Timothy a Jew or a Gentile? How did Jews determine family lineage at this time: matrilineal (through the mother) or patrilineal (through the father)?
Was the decision to circumcise Timothy a political decision? Why didn’t Paul circumcise Titus? How could Timothy’s lack of circumcision have been a stumbling block to people?
What happened when Paul and Silas arrived in Philippi? Where were the believers worshipping there? Why were synagogues usually placed near a river? What is the significance of the fact that this congregation run by women? Who was the leader of the congregation in Philippi?
Does one who calls on God’s power to throw a demon out of a person need the victim’s permission to do so?
What did the slave girl say that annoyed Paul so much? Was she lying? How can the truth appear to be a lie? How can speaking the truth do harm?
How did the people react when Paul rebuked the demon from the slave girl? Why were Paul and Silas thrown into prison?
Why was the beating of Paul illegal? How did Paul react when the authorities were going to release him secretly?
Reader: David De Fever. Speaker: Jeff.