Commentary on Acts 16.8

By Bob Myhan

⁸So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.   

The apparent reason for the Holy Spirit forbidding Paul to preach in the provinces of Asia and Bithynia is to expedite his arrival in the city of Troas, a coastal city on the Aegean Sea. Paul and company have thus far travelled approximately 600 miles, as the crow flies, on this second missionary journey among the Gentiles. Time might have been wasted if Paul had been allowed to evangelized the areas he was forbidden by the Holy Spirit to visit at this point. God knows the hearts of all men and there was apparently a greater readiness to hear and believe the gospel in Macedonia than there was in Asia and Bithynia. This is not an example of divine providence but of supernatural direction. It is reminiscent of the divine direction of Phillip and Peter.

Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." (Acts 8:26-29)

Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:39-40)

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do." (Acts 10:1-6)

While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them." (Acts 10:19-20)

Men need not think that such divine direction is available today for the day of miracles came to an end once the fullness of the revelation of God’s will was realized.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:8-13)

The apostles were led into all truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) but it was necessary to record God’s truth for future generations and this required to passing of time. We thus have the four short biographical sketches of the life and ministry of Jesus, written by two apostles and two prophets, to give us the facts of the gospel; the book of Acts, written by Luke, to gives us the commands of the gospel and the beginning and early spread of the Lord’s church; and the epistles of various apostles and prophets, to describe the obligations and responsibilities of the Lord’s people, both as individuals and as congregations.

The inspired sermons and epistles of the first century were but parts of the eventual whole. Thus, “that which is perfect” is “that which is whole or complete.” We now have the complete word of God, which will make us complete and furnish us unto all good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Faith, hope and love continue though the miraculous, spiritual gifts have all been “done away,” having served their purpose. One day faith will be replaced by sight and hope will be exchanged for possession, much as the parts were replaced by the whole. But love will continue in eternity for “Love never fails.”

(To be continued)

A Study of the Holy Spirit (Part 28)

By Bob Myhan

The miracles of Jesus, recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, still enable people to believe in Him, for no other man has ever been able to do the things He did, except those to whom He and His apostles gave the power and authority to do them. He Himself was anointed by the Spirit of God at His baptism by John.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:13-17)

Though Jesus did not need remission of sins, having never sinned, it was necessary that He identify with the nation by submitting to all of God’s commandments. It was essential that nothing—not even an apparent sin—could be laid against Him so that none could challenge His sinlessness. Peter describes this as the time Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power.

The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Acts 10:36-38)

Peter had earlier indicated that the miracles, wonders and signs of Jesus had been done by God through Jesus.

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. (Acts 2:22-24)

And what God did through Jesus, Jesus did through the Holy Spirit.

(To be continued)