Question 1

Why did Paul circumcise Timothy if believers were free from the law?

Accepted Answer

Paul had just helped defend the freedom of Gentile believers from the law’s ceremonies, so his choice to circumcise Timothy can seem confusing. The passage shows he did it “because of the Jews” in that area who knew Timothy’s father was Greek. Paul was not adding a rule for salvation. He used circumcision as a voluntary step so Jews would not reject Timothy’s ministry before even hearing the message about Jesus. It was an act of wise love, not a return to trusting in the old ceremonies.

Question 2

What are the decrees Paul delivered to the churches in this chapter?

Accepted Answer

As Paul and his companions travelled, they passed along decisions made earlier by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. These decrees told Gentile believers they did not have to keep the old ceremonial law, but they should avoid certain practices that would offend Jewish believers and confuse people about idols and sexual sin. The goal was peace and unity in mixed churches. The result, the passage says, was that the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew in numbers every day.

Question 3

What is the meaning of Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia?

Accepted Answer

Paul wanted to preach in certain regions, but the Holy Spirit kept closing those paths. Then at night he saw a vision of a man from Macedonia begging, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” This showed him that the Lord was redirecting their work into that region. The group talked it through and concluded God was calling them there to share the good news. It teaches that God can clearly guide his servants, sometimes by closing doors, sometimes by a strong call to a new place.

Question 4

Who was Lydia and why is her conversion important?

Accepted Answer

Lydia was a businesswoman from Thyatira who sold purple cloth, a valuable product. She already worshiped the God of Israel and met for prayer with other women by a river outside Philippi. As she listened to Paul, the passage says the Lord opened her heart so she paid careful attention and believed. She and her household were baptized, and she then offered her home to Paul and his team. Her story shows that God himself opens hearts to the message and that true faith quickly bears fruit in hospitality and support of gospel work.

Question 5

Why did Paul cast the spirit out of the slave girl who followed them?

Accepted Answer

A slave girl with a spirit of divination followed Paul and his companions, shouting that they were servants of the Most High God and showed the way of salvation. Even though her words sounded right, the source was evil, and her owners used her for money. After many days, Paul became deeply troubled and, in Jesus’ name, commanded the spirit to leave her. The spirit left at once. This shows that the message about Jesus must not be mixed with demonic influence, and that Jesus’ name has real power to free people.

Question 6

Why were Paul and Silas beaten and put in prison in Philippi?

Accepted Answer

When the spirit left the slave girl, her owners realized their hope of income was gone. They seized Paul and Silas, dragged them to the rulers, and accused them of throwing the city into confusion and teaching unlawful customs for Romans. The crowd turned against them, the magistrates had their clothes torn off, and they were beaten and locked in the inner prison with their feet in stocks. Their suffering came because greed and prejudice resisted the gospel, yet God used even this injustice to open a way to reach the jailer.

Question 7

Why were Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns at midnight in jail?

Accepted Answer

After being beaten and fastened in stocks, Paul and Silas spent the night praying and singing praises to God while the other prisoners listened. They were in real pain, but instead of giving up, they turned to God in worship. Then a great earthquake shook the prison, opened the doors, and loosed everyone’s chains. Their songs show that faith can look to God even in deep trouble, and God can use such faith, both to encourage others who are listening and to open new doors for the good news.

Question 8

What does the question “What must I do to be saved?” mean here?

Accepted Answer

When the earthquake opened the prison doors, the jailer thought the prisoners had escaped and was about to kill himself. Paul stopped him, saying everyone was still there. Shaken and aware that something far bigger than an earthquake was happening, he fell before Paul and Silas and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” He was not just afraid of punishment; God had gripped his heart. Their answer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house,” shows that salvation comes by trusting in Jesus, not by works.

Question 9

How were the Philippian jailer and his household saved and baptized?

Accepted Answer

After the jailer asked about salvation, Paul and Silas told him to believe on the Lord Jesus and then explained the word of the Lord to him and everyone in his house. That same hour, he washed their wounds, showing a changed heart, and he and all his household were baptized right away. He then brought them into his home, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he and his whole household believed in God. This shows how faith, care for others, and baptism all go together as part of God’s saving work.

Question 10

Why did Paul insist the magistrates publicly release them after beating them?

Accepted Answer

In the morning the magistrates sent word to quietly let Paul and Silas go. But Paul replied that they had been beaten publicly without a trial, even though they were Roman citizens, and then thrown into prison. He refused to slip away in secret and told the rulers to come themselves and lead them out. When the magistrates heard they were Romans, they were afraid, came, and asked them to leave the city. Paul’s stand did not seek revenge. It helped protect the young church by making the rulers more cautious about harming believers again.

Acts 16:1

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

Paul’s Vision of the Macedonian

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

The Conversion of the Jailer

An Official Apology

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

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Acts 16:1

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

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Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

Paul’s Vision of the Macedonian

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

The Conversion of the Jailer

An Official Apology

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

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