Acts 16:16-40

16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and 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 bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.”38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

 

Key Words: Spirits, Gain, Salvation, Prison, Saved, Believe, Rejoice, Magistrates

Keystone Verse: And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

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Acts 16:6-15

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

 

Key Words: Holy Spirit, Allow, Call, Preach, Prayer, Open, Heart, Baptize

Keystone Verse: The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:14b)

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Acts 15:36-16:5

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

16 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

 

Key Words: Return, Withdrawn, Disagreement, Separated, Commended, Strengthened

Keystone Verse: Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. (Acts 15:40)

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Acts 15:22-35

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

 

Key Words: Seemed Good, Elders, Troubled, Unsettling, Instructions, Encouragement

Keystone Verse: It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us. (Acts 15:28)

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Acts 15:1-21

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

16 “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins,      and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,     and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,      says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’

19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

 

 

Key Words: Circumcise, Save, Debate, Believe, Faith, Holy Spirit, Conversion, Grace

Keystone Verse: But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. (Acts 15:11)

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Acts 14

14 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

 

Key Words: Preach, Word, Gospel, Believe, Faith, Turn, Mistreat, Tribulation

Keystone Verse: When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:21-22)

 

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Psalm 33

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!     Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;     make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3 Sing to him a new song;     play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4 For the word of the Lord is upright,     and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice;     the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,     and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;     he puts the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;     let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be;     he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;     he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,     the plans of his heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,     the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

13 The Lord looks down from heaven;     he sees all the children of man; 14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out     on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 he who fashions the hearts of them all     and observes all their deeds. 16 The king is not saved by his great army;     a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,     and by its great might it cannot rescue.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,     on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death     and keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the Lord;     he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him,     because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,     even as we hope in you.

 

Key Words: Joy, Praise, Thanks, Sing, Lord, Righteousness, Love, Strength, Hope

Keystone Verse: Let Your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us even as we hope in You. (Psalm 33:22)

 

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Psalm 32

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,     whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,     and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away     through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;     my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you,     and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”     and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly     offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters,     they shall not reach him. 7 You are a hiding place for me;     you preserve me from trouble;     you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;     I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,     which must be curbed with bit and bridle,     or it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,     but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,     and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

 

Key Words: Blessed, Forgive, Acknowledge, Confess, Sin, Transgression, Iniquity, Covered, Instruct, Rejoice

Keystone Verse: I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)

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Psalm 31

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;     let me never be put to shame;     in your righteousness deliver me! 2 Incline your ear to me;     rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me,     a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress;     and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; 4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,     for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;     you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

6 I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,     but I trust in the Lord. 7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,     because you have seen my affliction;     you have known the distress of my soul, 8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;     you have set my feet in a broad place.

9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;     my eye is wasted from grief;     my soul and my body also. 10 For my life is spent with sorrow,     and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity,     and my bones waste away.

11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,     especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances;     those who see me in the street flee from me. 12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead;     I have become like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the whispering of many—     terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me,     as they plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, O Lord;     I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hand;     rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! 16 Make your face shine on your servant;     save me in your steadfast love! 17 O Lord, let me not be put to shame,     for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame;     let them go silently to Sheol. 18 Let the lying lips be mute,     which speak insolently against the righteous     in pride and contempt.

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,     which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you,     in the sight of the children of mankind! 20 In the cover of your presence you hide them     from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter     from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord,     for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me     when I was in a besieged city. 22 I had said in my alarm,     “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy     when I cried to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!     The Lord preserves the faithful     but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. 24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,     all you who wait for the Lord!

 

Key Words: Refuge, Fortress, Trust, Distress, Affliction, Times, Hand

Keystone Verse: Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. (Psalm 31:5)

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Psalm 30

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up     and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,     and you have healed me. 3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;     you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,     and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For his anger is but for a moment,     and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night,     but joy comes with the morning.

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity,     “I shall never be moved.” 7 By your favor, O Lord,     you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face;     I was dismayed.

8 To you, O Lord, I cry,     and to the Lord I plead for mercy: 9 “What profit is there in my death,     if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you?     Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!     O Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;     you have loosed my sackcloth     and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.     O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

 

Key Words: Help, Healed, Restored, Joy, Prosperity, Dismayed, Mercy, Helper, Gladness

Keystone Verse: You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. (Psalm 30:11)

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