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    Chapter 21—Angels Open a Philippian Prison

    This chapter is based on Acts 16:7-40, RSV.

    The time had come for the gospel to be proclaimed in Europe. At Troas “a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing beseeching him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’”TT 112.1

    The call was imperative. “When he had seen the vision,” declares Luke, who accompanied Paul, Silas, and Timothy to Europe, “immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them... . Therefore ... we made ... voyage ... to Philippi.”TT 112.2

    “On the Sabbath,” Luke continues, “we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart.” Lydia and her household received the truth gladly and were baptized.TT 112.3

    As the messengers of the cross went about their work, a woman followed them, crying, “‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.’ And this she did for many days.” This woman was a special agent of Satan and had brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. Satan knew his kingdom was invaded, and he hoped to mingle his sophistry with the truths taught by those proclaiming the gospel. The words of recommendation uttered by this woman were an injury to the cause of truth, bringing disrepute on the gospel; and by them many were led to believe that the apostles were actuated by the same spirit as this emissary of Satan.TT 112.4

    For some time the apostles endured this. Then Paul commanded the evil spirit to leave the woman. Her immediate silence testified that the demon acknowledged the apostles to be the servants of God. Dispossessed of the evil spirit and restored to her right mind, the woman chose to follow Christ. Then her masters were alarmed. All hope of receiving money from her divinations was at an end. Their income would soon be entirely cut off if the apostles were allowed to continue.TT 113.1

    Many others in the city were interested in gaining money through satanic delusions, and these brought the servants of God before the magistrates with the charge: “These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”TT 113.2

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