[Vision of the Holy Spirit]
Acts 16:6-10
The Holy Trinity, as the original form of the Holy Spirits coworker, is always with each of us, from the moment of creation, working for our atonement. Whilst contemplating where next to go in the missionary journey, Paul receives guidance through a vision. Let us consider this vision of the Holy Spirit through the Holy Trinitys ministry.
First, the Holy Spirit guides with effective rejection.
Having visited southern Galatia, Pauls team was planning to carry out its mission in Ephesus, Asias largest city, home to many diaspora Jews, and a synagogue. However, the Holy Spirit employed methods that clearly signaled to Paul that this was not to be so. This was because Ephesus would have been too challenging for Timothy, young, mixed race and Silas, new to missions. Paul would have understood the Holy Spirits intentions to shield Timothys soul, and this seems to be why the exact reasons for giving up on Ephesus was not recorded. Indeed, after preparation, Timothy, Priscillia, Aquila, and others spread the Word for two years in Ephesus during the third missionary journey. The Holy Spirit tells Paul that Asia would not be productive through clear indication of denial.
Second, the Spirit of Jesus, who lowered Himself through the cross, rejects.
Pauls team obeys and this time tries to go through the center of Bithynia to the North. However, the Lord refuses Pauls plans once more. It is specifically written that 'the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them.' Why the 'spirit of Jesus'? Having had his plans rejected twice now, Paul thought about how Jesus lowered Himself to the point of being crucified on the cross and rejected by the foremost of sinners, Paul himself. Paul realized what he was going through was nothing in comparison.
In verse 8, 'went down' means that the team moved onto the coastal city of Troas, which is lower in elevation, but can also be construed as the team lowering themselves spiritually. Following Jesus down to Troas, when applied to us, would be staying within given boundaries to see our mission through to the end.
I thought about why the details of why and how Paul was lowered is not recorded. Asia and Bithynia are mentioned together just once in Peter 1:1. It is not recorded that Peter spread the Word in this region, but there must have been people who returned there after meeting the Lord in Jerusalem through Peters sermons during Pentecost. From this we can infer that the churches strewn about this large region knew and respected Peters authority in some capacity. In Romans 15:19-21, Paul states an important rule in spreading the Word, which is not to build 'on someone elses foundations.' If Paul had gone to Asia and Bithynia, he could have caused unnecessary misunderstandings during a time when there was still conflict between the Jews and Gentiles. Further, Paul must have realized through the Holy Spirit, that the regions mission would be more effectively carried out under Peter. However, seeing as, during the third missionary journey, Paul went there to preach, we can infer that by then the tension between him and Peter must have relaxed and that the instincts of territorialism changed in the context of missions. Thus Paul was both obeying and lowering himself by not going to Asia and Bithynia. Ultimately, Pauls team was able to stay within boundaries, which the Lord prescribed, to honor Peters authority and strengthen the church.
Third, we see the hidden dispensation of God.
Pauls team arrive at Troas, after risking much suffering and hardship, to find they are blocked on all sides by sea and have nowhere to go. Because on this night, when all paths seem closed off, we hear His voice, that night becomes a blessing. In the frightening thick of darkness, God showed visions to Abraham in Genesis 15:1 and to Jacob in Genesis 46:2 now to Paul. In this way, Troas is not where God has shut off all hope, but where He has opened the land to all the seas, so that we may overcome the sea as an obstacle to answer our hitherto unknown calling in western Europe. Until then, all we can do is obey. Even as Timothy and Silass addition to the party meant a broadened capability in dealing with various languages and cultures, and even with the rejections by the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus, Paul was still oblivious. So God visits us in a form we can see and understand, that of one person who desperately needs our help. The Holy Spirit blocking and the Spirit of Jesus disallowing is the will of God and His hidden dispensation. Paul sees the person from Macedonia beg him to help 'us'. At verse 10, first person plurals are used twice. Here, the first person plural includes Luke, a medical doctor and author of Acts and Luke, who joins the team at Troas and remains until the end of the journey as Pauls helper. He was well versed in the academia and culture of Greece, assisting Paul greatly as he proceeded through its center. The Holy Trinitys full force guided Pauls mission explicitly with a vision, and now grants a believing community that, by interpreting the Word and finding applicable action, resembles the Holy Trinity. Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke have become 'we' in their faith to discuss the vision to conclude God had called them to send Word to the people. Here, 'concluding' means to have gathered clues to come to a single verdict. Our pains are interpreted in our community through the Word and by animated debate we are persuaded. The team gets ready to leave at once as they are told. One trait of people who have seen the Holy Spirits visions is that after listening to the Word together with the community and upon coming to understand their lives, they move straight to action.
In the end, 'we' must help save that one person. 'We' must give up on the worldly dreams of money, romance, stocks, success to realize the history of the Holy Trinitys ministry in every aspect of our lives, so that 'we' may live the vision of helping a person get saved. I pray this happens to us.
