12th Sep 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
Encouraging the church
Acts 16 - Series 04/Episode 58 - Sat 12th Sep 2026 - Encouraging the church - Acts 16:16-40 - EXPERIENCES AT PHILIPPI - Acts 14:22-23
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Acts 16:35-40 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go." (36) So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace." (37) But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out." (38) And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. (39) Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. (40) So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
The last task before departing from Philippi was to encourage the church. We can imagine what must have been going through the hearts and minds of the rest of the team, as well as the church that was meeting in Lydia's home.
Quite likely, it was Lydia's influence with the magistrates that caused them to come to their senses. They realised that they had been foolish and hasty in having Paul and Silas beaten with rods in public and then thrown into prison. We must remember that Lydia was a wealthy and influential person. Paul and Silas had to meet her and the church in her home before departing from Philippi. Lydia's presence in Philippi was one of the reasons for the church's strength.
Though there is no direct reference to Lydia after Acts 16, we can surely see her unmistakable shadow on the church at Philippi. The beginning of the church in Phillipi was in the home of Lydia. Philippians 1:5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,_ The financial and other support that the Philippian church provided to Paul tells us of the presence of Lydia. _Philippians 4:15-16 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. (16) For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
The church in Philippi began with women. Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Paul is specifically writing to the women in Philippi, who were part of the first church. Philippians 4:2-3 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. (3) And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. The 'true companion' that Paul mentions here may refer to Lydia, but we cannot be sure.
The church in the home of Lydia now included men, and so Luke refers to the church in the home of Lydia as brethren. This was now a full-fledged church in Philippi. The church had grown in a very short time frame.
The church needed encouragement after all that had taken place in Philippi. Acts 14:22-23 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (23) So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. This was the standard practise for Paul. Luke and Lydia were probably appointed as elders of the church at Philippi before Paul and the team departed.
Encouragement within the church is a special and specific effort for her nurture. What is the substance of encouragement? II Corinthians 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (4) who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (5) For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. (6) Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (7) And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
In God's kingdom, suffering for the church is not wasted. Suffering for the church is the actual place where we are built up. Therefore, suffering and consolation go hand in hand in the church. Other passages related to suffering in the church. (II Corinthians 4:8-12; 4:16-18; I Thessalonians 3:2-3)
Learning: We encourage one another in Christ
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