Study 32. Acts 16:11-15

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'We' (16:10-17). Evidently, Luke joined Paul’s party in Troas and accompanied it to Philippi; the rest of chapter 16 is his eyewitness account. The “we” account ends when the mission team leaves Philippi (see 16:39-40) and begins again when Paul returns to Philippi five years later (see 20:5–28:16).
 
1. In the “Themes in Acts” section (pages 32–34), write how the Holy Spirit guided Paul and his team in 16:6-10. (Also, observe what Luke calls the Spirit in 16:6-7,10.)
'forbidden' (unspecified) (v.6)
'did not allow' (unspecified) (v.7)
(a vision in the night)
 
"the Holy Spirit" (v. 6.)
"the Spirit of Jesus" (v. 7)
"God" (v. 10)
 
2. From your “Themes in Acts” notes, what patterns do you see in the way the Spirit works in Acts 1:1–16:10? (What does He do? How does He make God’s will known? What are His goals?)
 
3. How are the Spirit’s goals, activities, and methods in your life like and unlike those you have observed in Acts? 
like 
unlike 
 Acts
1.   "baptized" "receive power...be my witnesses", speaking through the Scriptures
2.   "filled... speak in other tongues" "pour out on all flesh" "recieve the promise of the Holy Spirit"
4.  "filled...said", "prayed... gathered"... filled...shaken.. speak the word of God with boldness"
5.  "lie to" "tested" (judged/killed) 
6. "full of" (to serve) "wisdom with which he was speaking"
7. "resist", “full of”
8. "receive" "given through the laying on of ...hands", "said..go and join" "carried...away"
9. "filled" "comfort...multipled"
10. "said..behold" "fell on all who heard the word" "poured out" "received"
11. "told me to go with them" "fell on them" "baptized" "full of" "foretold by"
13. "said...set apart" “called them” "sent out" "filled" (to judge) "filled with joy and"
15. "seemed good"
  • The Spirit is promised baptises, is poured out, received, and fills
  • He leads in particular ways by audible voice as well as by other unspecified ways
  • He gives power to witness and to execute judgment
  • He gives wisdom, comfort and joy with filling 
  • Calling to ministry 
  • He guides deliberations
  • He can perform miracles  


4. Describe at least one way in which you think your observations of Acts should affect the way you expect the Spirit to act in your life or the way you respond to Him when He does act or speak.
Expectancy of action

5. How can you grow more responsive to God’s guidance, in whatever forms He chooses to give it? Think of some specific steps you can take.
Alertness to deviations from the norm 

For Thought and Discussion: 
a. Some Christians feel they would be more obedient to God if they had direct guidance from Him, such as visions. In Acts, does God normally guide through visions? In what situations does He choose to use visions, and in what situations does He prefer other methods? 
Visions are given to strengthen the will to do extraordinary or unexpected things. (Ananias/Saul 9:10-12, Cornelius/Peter 10:3,9-19, Macedonia 16:10, Encouragement 18:9 )
 
b. What can we conclude about the functions of direct and less direct revelation in the Christian life?
Both are possible, one is supernatural and less expected.



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