There is a lot going on in this chapter. Circumcision, mission, conversion, persecution, demon possession, prayer, worship, and citizenship are all topics that jump out at me here. I’m going to hit three topics that stand out the most to me.
Circumcision: Just in the last chapter Paul participated in a debate that indicated that circumcision was not necessary, but here at the beginning of chapter 16 we find him circumcising Timothy. What’s up with that? Is Paul changing his opinion?
Paul never says that circumcision, itself, is wrong. He recognizes this requirement of the Law as an important part of the Jewish faith. On his mission journeys he almost always begins with seeking out the Jews in the community to share the Gospel with them. As a missionary he is operating out of the freedom of the Gospel in order to reach as many as possible. Timothy was of Jewish descent, and in order to remove any offense and hindrance among the Jews they were evangelizing he is circumcised. (On the other hand, when Titus, who was a gentile, was faced with a similar dilemma, Paul insisted that he not be circumcised for the freedom of the Gospel.) Paul’s main point on this topic is that the Law is not what brings us salvation – and therefore circumcision, etc. are not necessary for salvation and should not be treated as if they were.
The Macedonian Call: What does it mean to be, “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word . . . ?” Frankly, in Paul’s case, we don’t know. It could mean that there was a direct revelation that told Paul to avoid Asia. Maybe this is where Barnabas and John Mark were working and they were avoiding duplicating each other’s work. Maybe there was persecution, hostility, illness, or some other circumstance that prohibited them from traveling in that direction. What is important to grab onto here is that God is leading and directing His church and the spread of the Word. Notice the language of the text: “forbidden by the Holy Spirit,” “the Spirit of Jesus did not allow,” and, “God had called.”
What we are seeking to do as God’s people today is to determine what God is calling us to do. This is often done through prayer, fasting, study of the Word, and openness to God’s guidance. We know we are to be witnesses – that is clear and direct. However, questions of where, how, for how long, and the like are important for us to seek God’s will in.
Baptism and Salvation: Baptism and salvation go hand in hand, and they should not be separated. Salvation ultimately comes to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, as Paul bluntly states. Whether that faith comes through hearing the Word or being baptized (as in the case of infants) does not matter. Faith in Jesus is foremost. That being said, baptism is not optional. While it may not be necessary to be saved (Remember the thief on the cross.), it is necessary. God works through the water, connected to and combined with His Word, to wash away sins as it indicates in Titus 3. That is a gift that we all need. Indeed, it is in that gift of forgiveness for Jesus’ sake that we live every day, and our empowerment to seek God with all of our hearts.
Father, help me to live in Your freedom so that I will not be bound by the Law, but live in Your will out of freedom and love. Help me to go where You lead me and stop when You say to. And help me to live in the forgiveness Jesus won for me on Calvary’s Cross every day of my life, so that forgiveness might be proclaimed through my life to others. Amen.
Circumcision: Just in the last chapter Paul participated in a debate that indicated that circumcision was not necessary, but here at the beginning of chapter 16 we find him circumcising Timothy. What’s up with that? Is Paul changing his opinion?
Paul never says that circumcision, itself, is wrong. He recognizes this requirement of the Law as an important part of the Jewish faith. On his mission journeys he almost always begins with seeking out the Jews in the community to share the Gospel with them. As a missionary he is operating out of the freedom of the Gospel in order to reach as many as possible. Timothy was of Jewish descent, and in order to remove any offense and hindrance among the Jews they were evangelizing he is circumcised. (On the other hand, when Titus, who was a gentile, was faced with a similar dilemma, Paul insisted that he not be circumcised for the freedom of the Gospel.) Paul’s main point on this topic is that the Law is not what brings us salvation – and therefore circumcision, etc. are not necessary for salvation and should not be treated as if they were.
The Macedonian Call: What does it mean to be, “forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word . . . ?” Frankly, in Paul’s case, we don’t know. It could mean that there was a direct revelation that told Paul to avoid Asia. Maybe this is where Barnabas and John Mark were working and they were avoiding duplicating each other’s work. Maybe there was persecution, hostility, illness, or some other circumstance that prohibited them from traveling in that direction. What is important to grab onto here is that God is leading and directing His church and the spread of the Word. Notice the language of the text: “forbidden by the Holy Spirit,” “the Spirit of Jesus did not allow,” and, “God had called.”
What we are seeking to do as God’s people today is to determine what God is calling us to do. This is often done through prayer, fasting, study of the Word, and openness to God’s guidance. We know we are to be witnesses – that is clear and direct. However, questions of where, how, for how long, and the like are important for us to seek God’s will in.
Baptism and Salvation: Baptism and salvation go hand in hand, and they should not be separated. Salvation ultimately comes to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, as Paul bluntly states. Whether that faith comes through hearing the Word or being baptized (as in the case of infants) does not matter. Faith in Jesus is foremost. That being said, baptism is not optional. While it may not be necessary to be saved (Remember the thief on the cross.), it is necessary. God works through the water, connected to and combined with His Word, to wash away sins as it indicates in Titus 3. That is a gift that we all need. Indeed, it is in that gift of forgiveness for Jesus’ sake that we live every day, and our empowerment to seek God with all of our hearts.
Father, help me to live in Your freedom so that I will not be bound by the Law, but live in Your will out of freedom and love. Help me to go where You lead me and stop when You say to. And help me to live in the forgiveness Jesus won for me on Calvary’s Cross every day of my life, so that forgiveness might be proclaimed through my life to others. Amen.
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