When the Spirit Says No
One of the most interesting passages in Acts has to come from chapter 16. Paul is trying to preach the Gospel in some places and the Holy Spirit says no. Acts 16:6–8 (ESV) And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. It is weird to consider Paul wanted to preach somewhere and instead is diverted elsewhere. Troas was an important city for sure. It was almost the capital of Rome under Julius Caesar. But by going further at the vision's leading in Verse 9 Paul ends up in Macedonia where the churches of Philippi and Corinth are established. Certainly these cities would weigh in on theological understanding even still today as we have letters to them canonized in our Bible. I thought of a few things: 1. Following the Lord is a ...