13th Sep 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
Oneness in ministry
Acts 16 - Series 03/Episode 02 - Sun, 28th June 2026 - Oneness in ministry - Acts 16:11-15 - LYDIA'S CONVERSION - Philippians 01:27
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Acts 16:11-12 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, (12) and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.
The team was now moving to the continent of Europe. We can imagine their excitement, anticipation and apprehension. They were certain that it was the Lord who was leading them into Macedonia. It was a team decision and choice. There was eagerness and oneness with everyone regarding this move. Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." (10) Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them._
(I'm focusing on Silas.) Silas came to Antioch to deliver the decision of the Jerusalem Council. He had completed his assignment, and he could have decided to return to Jerusalem, just as Barsabas. Acts 15:22-23 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. (23) They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. / Acts 15:25-27 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, (26) men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (27) We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
They had done their task and went beyond by exhorting and strengthening the church. They were then sent back to Jerusalem with greetings from the Antioch church. Acts 15:32-33 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. (33) And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
Silas decided to stay on in Antioch. Acts 15:34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. Silas became the replacement for Barnabas to Paul. Acts 15:40-41 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. (41) And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Silas was still continuing with his original assignment of delivering the decision of the Jerusalem Council, but he was now merging with the mission of Paul to visit and strengthen the churches.
As they travelled through Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch (Pisidia), which were cities of Galatia and reached Troas, Silas seems to have become a changed man. He was now a full-fledged member of Paul's team, ready to take on new challenges.
Along with Timothy, Silas was part of the core of Paul's team that visited Thessalonica, and a strong church was established there. I Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 1:1-2 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: (2) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
These two letters to the church at Thessalonica were pastoral. We can understand that Silas became so deeply connected with Paul that Paul's passion and longing for the churches came on him, too, just as it did on Timothy.
Being with Paul, Silas learned to face persecution with joy. Acts 16:23-25 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. (24) Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. (25) But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Silas was one with Paul and the rest of the team members in going to Macedonia. This move to Macedonia was a leading of the Holy Spirit, and that was the primary basis for oneness in the group. Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
The leading of the Holy Spirit leads to oneness in the spirit and mind of the people of God. Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
The leading of the Holy Spirit will always be towards the growth of the Gospel. There was oneness in the team as they journeyed to Macedonia.
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