ADULT LESSON 206 THE MACEDONIAN CALL
MEMORY VERSE:
“And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them” (Acts 16:10).
TEXT: Acts 16:1-40
The text opens with Paul in Derbe and Lystra where he enlisted a young disciple named Timothy, who would become a life-long fellow-worker in the Kingdom. As Paul’s company travelled through Phrygia and Galatia, they delivered the decrees from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem and strengthened the churches. “And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16:5).
Paul wanted to carry the good news into Asia but the Holy Spirit did not permit him (verse 6). He moved on to Mysia and tried to go into Bithynia but the Spirit of God again would not allow him (verse 7). But following the leading of the Holy Ghost, he and his companions came down to Troas (verse 8) where he received the vision to “Come over into Macedonia, and help [them]”.
The run of events on this missionary journey, his response to the Macedonian call and its glorious outcome are the focus of this study.
STANDARD FOR THE SELECTION OF GOSPEL CO-WORKERS
(Acts 16:1-5; Romans 1:14,15; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; John 1:47; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Corinthians 4:1)
Aspiring workers in the church must possess some spiritual qualifications before they can qualify to do the Lord’s service. First, they must be saved and discipled. Timothy was a follower of Christ. Those who do the work of the gospel must, in addition, have good report and be humble.
In his pastoral epistles, Paul listed the sublime requirements for appointing Christian ministers and workers such as righteousness, blamelessness, honesty, integrity and contentment (1 Timothy 3:1-14; Titus 1:5-9).
His choice of Timothy and the recommendation of the brethren reveal his humility and sensitivity both to the Holy Spirit and the local churches. “Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek” (Acts 16:3).
Timothy’s circumcision was not by compulsion nor was it done as a means to have him saved. He was already saved and “well reported of by the brethren”. The circumcision was to give him added advantage of universal acceptability.
Paul knew the importance of such advantages as he had used language and his being an ex-Pharisee to break barriers to the gospel (Acts 15:24,28; 22:1,2; 23:6,7).
We thus learn that we can make concessions, which are not sinful, for the sake of accelerated gospel outreaches. Our Lord exemplified the same principle when He submitted to paying tribute (Matthew 17:24-27) and John’s baptism (Matthew 3:11-15).
The world is changing and except ministers of the gospel vary their approach while maintaining uncompromising stance on the doctrines of Christ, many sectors of the society may never be reached. While the gospel remains firm, constant and pure, the delivery methods and mechanisms must vary with changing societal systems.
This also includes self-improvement by the minister who must “Study to shew [himself] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Cultures that are induced by profession, peculiar weather and other natural features should be distinguished from fetish idolatrous and satanic customs. Every pastor and leader in the church should promote church programmes and aim to reach every person in their locality and beyond.
The use of present-day technology can help us pass the gospel to those we have never met and may never meet in life. There are crowds of people glued to the television and Internet who never attend any church service. We must reach the people where they are in a timely manner.
SENSITIVITY AND PROMPT RESPONSE TO GOD’S LEADING
(Acts 16:6-15; 8:26-36; 1 Samuel 9:15-17; Psalm 32:8; John 10:27; Mark 16:15,20; John 15:16; Acts 10:7,8,19,20,33-45)
God has always led and guided His people in both the Old and New Testaments in definite directions. He led Abraham’s servant to discover His perfect will in marriage for Isaac; Samuel in choosing a king for Israel; Peter concerning His plan for the salvation of the Gentiles, starting with Cornelius and his household.
God uses different methods to lead His people. The assurance believers have therefore is that His leading is always clear and definite. He could decide to lead in any or a combination of the following ways:
- the word of God (Psalm 119:105,130; 2 Timothy 3:16,17)
- anointed teaching (Isaiah 30:20,21; Ephesians 4:11,12)
- strong impression in the heart by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26)
- the voice of the Holy Spirit – prompting, directing, influencing or checking (1 Samuel 9:15-21; Acts 10:1-21)
- direct revelation or dream (John 16:13; Acts 9:10-15)
- Spirit’s confirmation of series of events, etc.
“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us” (Acts 16:9).
God did not give Paul this vision immediately he set out for this outreach. He allowed him to draw his ministry schedule and itinerary, which did not include Macedonia and even permitted him to start implementing the schedule to a point. Thereafter, God asked him to put on hold his planned outreach to Asia and Bithynia, allowing him to pass on to Troas where he received the call.
The lessons from this are that:
- God has the prerogative to stop us from a previously planned assignment and give us another.
- His leading is progressive as we take steps to obey Him (Hosea 6:3).
- Those on the path of obedience have no difficulty discerning His voice or interpreting their visions and dreams (Acts 16:10).
- Persistent obstructions to God’s servant may be a divine instrument to direct him/her to His perfect purpose (Romans 8:28).
Paul responded promptly to the Macedonian call. So also, the call to save souls demands prompt response and it must be done “while it is day” (John 9:4).
We must go to the harvest field for it is “white already to harvest” (John 4:34,35).
We are not to despise the days of little beginnings (Zechariah 4:10).
“Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase” (Job 8:7).
SAINTS’ SUFFERING AND IMPRISONMENT
(Acts 16:16-24; 1 Peter 4:14-16; 3:14-17; Matthew 5:10-12)
“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us… But Paul… said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16,18).
When the masters of the demonised lady realised that they had lost their means of gain, they raised persecution against Paul and Silas through false accusation.
The apostles were beaten, ill-treated and cast into prison without trial. Persecution comes in different ways and believers across generations have endured it.
SUPERNATURAL SECURITY AND STEADFASTNESS OF PERSECUTED SAINTS
(Acts 16:25-40; 5:40-42; 2 Chronicles 20:1-30; Psalm 34:19,20; Romans 8:35-39; Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Isaiah 43:1-5; 54:17; Matthew 28:19-20)
Instead of complaining, the apostles prayed and praised God.
God responded with a miracle. There was an earthquake, the prison doors opened, and their chains were broken.
“…saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here” (Acts 16:28).
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31).
The salvation of the Philippian jailer was divinely arranged. The apostles’ suffering became a channel for salvation.
Paul and Silas insisted on proper release to establish their innocence and protect other believers.
Despite persecution, believers must remain steadfast. As we labour in God’s vineyard, He will preserve us.
Questions for Review
- What spiritual qualifications must gospel ministers possess?
- Mention ways the Lord leads His people.
- How can we recognise Macedonian calls among us?
- What do we learn from Lydia’s response to the gospel?
- What was the immediate cause of Paul and Silas’ imprisonment?
- State the spiritual weapons employed by Paul and Silas to secure their freedom!
- Why did Paul and Silas insist on being released from the prison by the magistrates?
