Study 33. Acts 16:11- 40
For Thought and Discussion: a. Why was it necessary for God to open Lydia’s heart to respond to Paul’s message (see 16:14)? Beause it is not the wisdom or persusasiveness of the preacher or witness that moves people to saving faith - it is the gift of God. We took time off to consider the necessity of God's work in causing people to respond savingly to the gospel message. As with the Gentiles of Cornelius' household (Ac 11:18, cf. 2 Tim 2:25), it is God who enables saving faith (Eph 2:8-9), not our own efforts. Ruth mentioned John 6:44-45, 65, which also speaks of man's inability to come to God unless God draws him. In my view, then, Scripture speaks of God's monergistic work in salvation, not a synergistic effort where He takes 99 steps and we take 1 step. We are not merely helpless, needing only to open our mouths to receive life-giving medicine. We are dead, completely unable to respond without the work of the Spirit (Eph 2:1, 5; Co...