Forbidden of the Holy Ghost to Preach - Acts 16:6

The beloved physician Luke wrote, “then were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily”, and in chapter sixteen and verse six of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul and Silas, “were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia” where we read:

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia,

and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

The verse begins, “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, ...” Luke began with the words, “now when they had gone throughout” which means “moreover at the time and moment Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled, journeyed and passed through” “Phrygia” whose name means “dry or barren” and was “a region in Asia Minor bounded by Bithynia, Galatia, Lycaonia, Pisidia, Lydia, Mysia and it contained the cities of Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colosse” “and the region of Galatia” which means “and the space, region or country belonging to Galatia which referred to the citizens of Galactic”. Luke shared how “Paul, Silas, Timothy and their companions” continued their journey and went through “Phrygia” as well as the area of “Galatia”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,” Luke continued with the words, “and were forbidden” or “and were hindered, withheld and refused” “of the Holy Ghost” which means “by the sacred, pure, morally blameless and ceremonially and religiously consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “to preach the word” or “to herald, announce and proclaim the speech, decree, mandate and proclamation of God” “in Asia” whose name means “orient” and refers to “Asia proper or proconsular Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, corresponding closely to Turkey today”. Luke shared how “Paul, Silas, Timothy and their entourage” were “hindered” by God's “Holy Spirit” to travel to “Asia”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul, Silas, Timothy and their companions” continued to travel to the churches that were previously established. They went throughout the areas of “Phrygia” and “Galatia”, but when they desired to travel to “Asia”, God's Holy Spirit prevented them. God leads people who believe and trust in Him through His Son Jesus, and He directs their path to where He desires to minister. Proverbs chapter sixteen and verse nine says, “A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps”, and those who yield themselves to God through His Son Jesus allow and observe any direction that His Holy Spirit gives.

Next time Luke shares how Paul and Silas, “assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".