An introduction to Paul’s letter to the Philippians. A Local congregation is drawn together by the Holy Spirit. Acts Chapter 16:9-40.

Pause for thought

Like every local Church the church at Philippi had been called out by Jesus Christ Himself from the pagan society that surrounded them. Each of the characters that we read about in Acts 16 had a very personal miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ. But the same life changing power is working in us just as it did in them. We are all one body we all have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. Ephesians 4:4

Gods plan has always been to bring every believer together into one body that God calls the Church. The Bible knows only two expressions of Church, the universal Church and the local church. Every believer becomes a member of the Universal Church at the time of their new birth 1 Corinthians 12:13. The local church is called together by God himself as a dwelling place in the Spirit Ephesians 2:22 We are only able to “gather together unto Him” because the Lord draws us, But it is possible to refuse to gather ourselves unto Him and resist His drawing. Hebrews 10:24-25

Lydia’s household and the jailers household believed in Jesus and were all baptised, we need to understand that this meant every member of each household had each made their own decision to trust in Jesus Acts 16:15,33

What the slave girl said was true, but the source of what she said was demonic. Some commentators think that the message was spoken in a mocking way which may of course be true, but this was not the only reason why Paul cast the spirit of divination out. Paul was not about to receive validation for his message by a demon so by casting it out he silenced the demon and brought deliverance to the slave girl.

Never fall into any trap of the devil by allowing the Gospel to become linked with demon related activities. Don’t be deceived Truth and evil never mix.

Memory verse

They replied ,” Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, along with your entire household. Acts 16:31 N.L.T.

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