Congregational Book Study, Week of September 30-October 6, 2024, Chapter 16, paragraphs 1-5 and box on page 128, Answers.

Congregation Book Study, September 30-October 6, 2024, Chapter 16, paragraphs 1-5 and box on page 128, Answers.

Congregation Bible Study (30 mins.) bt ch. 16 pars. 1-5 and box on p. 128.

“Come to Macedonia and help us”

Based on Acts 16:6-40

1-3. (a) How did the Holy Spirit direct Paul and his companions? 

The Holy Spirit directed Paul and his companions in several ways during their second missionary journey. First, He forbade them to preach in the district of Asia, which led them to seek other routes, for Jesus was using the Spirit of God to direct them to go through Asia Minor, cross the Aegean Sea, and head to the banks of the Ganges.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In Acts 16:6-10, we see how the Spirit prevents them from preaching in certain places, such as in the district of Asia, although apparently these places needed to hear the message of Christ. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, clearly indicated to them that they should not travel in that direction at that time, but that they should cross over into Macedonia and go to Philippi.

This spiritual guidance was key for the missionaries to fulfill the Divine plans. As mentioned in Second Chronicles 16:9, the eyes of Jehovah are on all, showing that he directs his servants to where there is the greatest need for his message. Constant prayer and the Holy Spirit were fundamental to follow the steps that Jesus had marked.

This dependence on God's spirit in making decisions demonstrates the complete trust that Paul and his companions had in Divine guidance.

1-3. b) What are we going to see in this chapter?

This chapter, entitled “Come to Macedonia and Help Us,” recounts several significant events from Paul’s second missionary journey. It will show how the Holy Spirit guided Paul and his companions on their mission, including the difficulties they faced in trying to preach in Asia and how they were directed to Macedonia.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In this chapter we will observe how Jesus used the Holy Spirit to lead Paul and his companions on an extraordinary missionary journey to Macedonia, and specifically to Philippi. We will see how they were forbidden to preach in certain places in order to be led to where there were people like the women who prayed to Jehovah on the banks of the Ganges River.

We will also learn valuable lessons about the importance of being attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not only in the lives of missionaries, but also in the lives of Christians today.

As we examine this account of Paul's second missionary journey, which began around 49 C.E., we will witness how Jehovah uses his spirit to direct the preaching work and expand the reach of God's Kingdom into unexpected places.

“God had called us” (Acts 16:6-15)

4, 5. (a) What happened to Paul and his companions as they approached Bithynia? 

As they approached Bithynia, Paul and his companions encountered a confusing situation. Although they intended to preach in that region, the holy spirit forbade them to do so, blocking their way. This created confusion for them, as they knew what message they should share, but they could not find the right place to do so. Despite this prohibition, they did not give up and continued to search for a clear direction for their mission.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 

As they approached Bithynia, Paul and his companions faced a new barrier imposed by the Holy Spirit. After having been previously stopped in their attempt to preach in the district of Asia, they headed toward Bithynia, a region in the north. However, once again, the spirit of Jesus prevented them from going forward as mentioned in Acts 16:6,7. This divine blockage must have been disconcerting to them, for they knew clearly the message they were to preach, but they had no clear direction as to where to do so.

Although they arrived near Bithynia, they were forbidden to continue; this situation tested their patience and faith, since they found themselves in a state of uncertainty, not knowing where to direct their efforts.

4, 5. b) What decision did they make, and what happened next?

After being unable to preach in Bithynia due to the ban on the holy spirit, Paul and his companions made the decision to head west, walking some 550 kilometers until they reached the port of Troas. This decision, although it might seem illogical as it skipped several cities, was crucial to their mission.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Once in Troas, Paul had a vision during the night in which a Macedonian man begged him to come to Macedonia and help them. This vision was interpreted as a clear sign that God was calling them to announce the good news in Macedonia. Motivated by this revelation, Paul and his companions set sail for Macedonia, marking the beginning of a new stage in their missionary work.

Despite the difficulties and closed doors in Asia and Bithynia, Paul and his companions did not give up. Instead of insisting on continuing towards those regions, they made the decision to head west, travelling a considerable distance of approximately 550 km, 350 miles, to Troas, a key port from which they could embark for other destinations.

This move may have seemed illogical at the time, as they were skipping many cities where there might have been opportunities to preach. However, once in Troas Paul received a vision in which a Macedonian man pleaded with him to go help his people. It was then that they understood that God was calling them to Macedonia. Filled with enthusiasm for the clarity of the vision, they immediately set sail for that new destination confident that a door had finally been opened for them as mentioned in the verse in Acts 16:10.

This experience highlights the importance of trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit even when the paths seem uncertain as in the end the divine purpose for their mission was revealed to them.

ANALYSIS BASED ON THE BOX ON PAGE 128: LUKE, THE WRITER OF ACTS

Luke is referred to in the Bible as “the beloved physician” by the apostle Paul, suggesting that he was a doctor by profession. This is also reflected in his interest in the details of healings and the well-being of people in his writings.

Beginning in Acts 16:10, Luke's writing style changes from third person to first person, indicating that he himself was present at the events he describes. This suggests that he witnessed many of the events he recounts.

Luke describes himself as someone who “devoted himself to putting together an account of events” based on “eyewitness” testimony and who researched everything accurately from the beginning. This indicates his commitment to accuracy and truthfulness in his writing.

Luke was with Paul during critical times, including his arrest in Jerusalem and his transfer to Rome. At the end of Paul’s life, it is mentioned that “only Luke is with me,” highlighting Luke’s loyalty and commitment to his friend and mentor.

We know that Luke was the writer of Acts, because both this book and Luke's gospel are addressed to Theophilus. Furthermore, the beginning of Acts mentions the first account referring to the gospel, which implies that the same author wrote both books.

We know that Luke was a doctor, a close collaborator of Paul and that he accompanied him on several of his missionary trips. He was present during difficult moments such as Paul's arrest and his imprisonment in Rome, demonstrating his loyalty and dedication. 

Lucas gathered information by interviewing eyewitnesses and organized the facts logically after having thoroughly researched everything. His care in giving a detailed and accurate account is evident. 

Luke focuses on medical details and the well-being of the people, mentioning for example that the demon left without harming a person and describes the physical conditions of those who were healed, such as the high fever of Peter's mother-in-law or the woman who was bent over for 18 years. 

Luke's main objective was to serve Jehovah and contribute to the Lord's work. He was not focused on having a prestigious career, but on helping people to know and serve Jehovah through his work in the good news. After this review we see how this box highlights Luke's dedication, both as a meticulous writer and as a loyal companion of Paul in the expansion of the Christian message.