Acts 16: 11-15 Lydia Baptized at Philippi
“Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.”
Paul and Silas have obeyed the Lord and are now in Macedonia. At first, everything goes swimmingly, for when they speak at a Sabbath prayer meeting, a local businesswoman named Lydia and all her household get converted and baptized. As a wise and wealthy woman, Lydia immediately invites Paul and Silas to come home with her. At this point, Paul and Silas are undoubtedly thrilled, feeling that they have really obeyed the Holy Spirit and that all is well. But Satan is not about to let this significant conversion go unopposed. After all, Lydia is well-known and well-liked, and now she is telling everyone she knows about Jesus. As a seller of purple, Lydia has access to upper class people who might never give Paul and Silas a hearing. No, Satan needs to break up this situation quickly.
Acts 16:16-24 Paul and Silas Imprisoned
“Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”
Paul and Silas are in for it now! For days, perhaps weeks, a slave girl with a spirit of divination has been following them around, crying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” While this girl appears to be helping Paul and Silas, the spirits in her are mocking them, and Paul knows this. Finally, Paul casts out the spirit of divination, leaving the girl healed but profitless to her masters. Incensed, these men grab Paul and Silas, dragging them into the marketplace where the authorities are sitting. There these shysters lay false charges against Paul and Silas, claiming that they are Jewish heretics teaching rebellion against Mother Roma. A mob begins screaming imprecations and the magistrates command Paul and Silas to be beaten and to be kept in the innermost parts of the local prison with their feet in stocks so they cannot move.
Well! So far this story certainly sounds like a recipe for disaster. Notice that nobody is specific as to the teachings that encourage rebellion against Rome. If you’re going to accuse someone without proof, it’s always wise to keep your accusations as general as possible, lest reality trip you up. This story has many layers. One possibility is that the local officials are benefiting from the divinations performed by this slave girl. It’s likely the girl’s masters are paying a small percentage to those in charge for the opportunity to roam freely through town conducting business. There’s also an element of racism; the girl’s masters accuse Paul and Silas of being Jewish rabble rousers, encouraging an “us vs. them” mentality. And these fakers are also playing on the fear of the local magistrates that if any disturbance arises, the Romans might appoint someone else in their place, causing them to lose face, money, and power. “No,” the magistrates think. “Better to throw these men in prison and sort things out later after the crowds go away. Besides, a show of law enforcement will always impress the Romans.”
As we learn tomorrow, this dismal situation is not the end of the story. But consider this: Paul and Silas allow themselves to be stripped, beaten, and thrown in jail. There is nothing to indicate that they argue or fight back. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is speaking to Paul and Silas, ordering them to keep quiet and to be patient.
The temptation to justify one’s self is a very strong one, particularly when we KNOW we are innocent. What’s worse is having to remain quiet while our accusers go on at length and then we have no opportunity to answer them. At such times, it is tempting to question God why this is happening and why we are not allowed to answer slanderous accusations. But sometimes there is more to be gained from sitting quietly in a relaxed position, smiling as one horrible lie piles on another. Psalm 75:6-7 tells us, “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” May God help us, so that we are willing to trust HIM to justify us, rather than trying to do it ourselves!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You to justify and defend us when we are falsely accused. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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