Theological Commentary: Click Here
Acts 16 is a
great chapter in the development of the church.
It is in this chapter that Paul picks up Timothy, one of his greatest
disciples. It is in this chapter that
Paul begins the Greek mission, one of his greatest missionary journeys. It is here that Paul ministers to Lydia and
in so doing begins the Philippian church, one of his greatest church
plants. Many great things happen in this
chapter.
There is one
thing in this chapter that allows these things to happen. Paul is told no. Paul wants to go into Asia. He desires to minister to the people in that
area. God, however, has other
plans. In order to get Paul into Greece,
He needs to say no to Asia.
I can only
imagine Paul’s disappointment as this unfolded in his life. He couldn’t know what was coming in his future. He simply felt God saying no again and
again. There surely was some
frustration. Perhaps there was
discouragement. There may have even been
confusion.
The one
thing we don’t see is disobedience. Paul
listens to God and trusts. He follows
God, believing that if God doesn’t want him to go into Asia then God has His
reasons. This is a great example for us
to understand as we go about mission.
God wants us
to go out. He wants us to invite people
into a relationship with Him. He wants
us to remember, though, that it is His plan and His idea, not ours.
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