Timothy was already a disciple (we will learn more about him in other books and chapters) and met up with Paul and Silas. Knowing the issues Jews in the area had with uncircumcised men (Law of Moses), Paul, after having taken Timothy under his wing, had Timothy circumcised. The previous discussions in Jerusalem about being saved by faith was delivered to the churches in Derbe and Lystra. Through the delivery of that message, the churches were strengthened in the faith and the numbers were growing (Acts 16:1-5).
While preaching the gospel to various people they felt that the Spirit of Jesus keeping them from Mysia and the Holy Spirit keeping them from Asia. On they traveled and one night Paul had a vision (possibly a dream) of a man from Macedonia saying "Come over to Macedonia and help us." And on they went to Macedonia to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10). From there they were traveling to a place of prayer and were followed for many days by a woman who had the spirit of divinity, which sounds good but is not godly. This woman was a fortune teller and was also a slave girl who was being utilized by her owners to gain wealth and fortune. Paul having been greatly annoyed by being followed by this woman and having her say, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” Paul cast the spirit out of her and that upset the fortune teller/slave girl's owners and they had Paul and Silas beaten and then imprisoned (Acts 16:16-24).
While Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns a great earthquake occurred and the foundations of the prison were open and the prison doors were opened. The jailer saw that the doors had been opened and knowing the custom that the jailer would be executed if his prisoner escaped, the jailer was about to kill himself. Paul let the jailer know not to harm himself as he and Silas were still there. The jailer got lights and saw them still in the jail. He then asked them what he needed to do to be saved. They told him nothing of Mosaic Law, but to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. After telling the word to him and his family, they were all baptized (Acts 16:25-34).
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