Acts 16
Mace New Testament Par ▾ 

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

1Paul arrived then at Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, whose mother was a Jewish convert, but his father a Greek. 2as the brethren of Lystra and Iconium gave him a good character, Paul had a mind he should accompany him. 3so he took him and had him circumcised, out of regard to the Jews of that country, who all knew his father was a Greek. 4as they pass'd through the cities, they recommended it to the faithful to observe the decisions, made by the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem. 5thus were the churches established in the faith, and daily grew more numerous.

Paul’s Vision of the Macedonian

6but after they had travers'd Phrygia and Galatia, they were order'd by the holy spirit not to preach the gospel in Asia: 7being therefore arrived in Mysia, they essayed to go into Bithynia, but the spirit of Jesus would not allow it: so they pass'd by Mysia, 8and came to Troas. 9there Paul had a vision in the night, a Macedonian appear'd to him, and thus address'd him, "pass on to Macedonia, and come to our relief." 10immediately after he had had this vision, we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, concluding from thence, that the Lord had called us to publish the gospel there, we embark'd therefore at Troas,

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
(Revelation 2:18–29)

11and sail'd directly to Samothracia, and the next day landed at Neapolis. 12from thence we marched to Philippi, the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony, having stopp'd there some days, 13we went out of town on the sabbath towards the river, where the Jews were allowed to have an oratory.

14so we took our places, and convers'd with the women, that came there, one of them was nam'd Lydia of Thyatira, a trader in purple, and a Jewish proselyte, she heard us: and the Lord inclin'd her heart to attend to what Paul said. 15so that having been baptized with her family, she made us this request, if you think me sincere in my profession, pray come and lodge at my house; and she prevail'd upon us.

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

16One day as we went to the oratory, we happen'd to meet a slave, who had the spirit Python, and was very gainful to her masters by telling of fortunes. 17as she followed Paul and the rest of us, she cried out, these men are the servants of the most high God, who show you the way to salvation. 18this she did for several days, till Paul tir'd with it turn'd about, and said to the spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ I command you to quit her; and instantly he came out.

19her masters finding they had lost such a prospect of gain, seized upon Paul and Silas, and hawl'd them to the publick place before the magistrates. 20having presented them to the Officers, they said, these men, who are Jews, raise great disorders in our city, and preach such maxims, 21as it is not lawful for Romans, as we are, to admit or practise.

22upon this the populace rose upon them, and the Officers order'd them to be stript and scourg'd. 23after they had been severely lash'd, they were thrown into prison, the jayler being charg'd to keep them safe. 24in consequence of this order he thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

The Conversion of the Jailer

25At midnight Paul and Silas went to prayers, and sang praises to God, which the other prisoners heard: 26when all of a sudden there was such a great earthquake, that the foundations of the prison were shaken: immediately all the doors opened, and the setters dropp'd from the prisoners. 27the jayler waking, and seeing the prison-doors open, drew his sword, designing to dispatch himself from the apprehension that the prisoners had escaped. 28but Paul call'd to him aloud, and said, do thy self no harm, for we are all here. 29then having called for a light, he ran in, and with trembling fell down before Paul and Silas; 30and bringing them out, he said, sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31believe, said they, on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you, and your family. 32then they declared the word of the Lord to him, and to all his family. 33at the same time of night he washed their stripes, and immediately he was baptized, he, and all that belong'd to him. 34then he conducted them to his house, and gave them an entertainment; and he and his family were affected with joy, for having believed in God.

An Official Apology

35When it was day the officers sent their serjeants to bid the jayler let the men go. 36so the jayler told Paul, the magistrates had order'd them to be discharg'd, depart then, said he, and go in peace. 37but Paul replied, they have publickly scourg'd us, who are Romans, without any trial, they have thrown us into jayl, and now do they give us a private discharge? no, let them come themselves and release us. 38the serjeants having reported what he said, to their officers, they began to be apprehensive upon hearing they were Romans. 39so they came, and by persuasions brought them out, and desired them to leave the city. 40then they quitted the prison, and went to Lydia's house, where finding the brethren, they gave them an exhortation, and departed.


Daniel Mace New Testament (1729)

Digital Text Courtesy TheWord.net Bible Software.

Section Headings Courtesy Berean Bible.

Acts 15
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