The Way
The Vision of the Man from Macedonia
At the end of closed roads, an open sea
Story
Paul and his companions traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. They wanted to preach the word in the province of Asia, where Ephesus was, but the Holy Spirit stopped them. When they came to the border of Mysia and tried to go north into Bithynia, this time the Spirit of Jesus would not allow it. Each time a road closed, they had to turn around.
So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas on the coast. Beyond the city lay the Aegean Sea. That night Paul saw a vision. A man of Macedonia was standing there, pleading with him. The man said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
After Paul saw the vision, they at once looked for a way to leave for Macedonia. They were sure God had called them to preach the gospel to the people there. Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, joined the group at this time. From this point on, he wrote “we” instead of “they.”
Walk this scene on the map →Words of the Lord and of Paul
Come over to Macedonia and help us.
When Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, sure that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The Holy Spirit kept them from speaking the word in Asia. They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Acts 16:6–10
Background
Troas was a Roman colony on the Aegean coast south of old Troy. It was the port where ships left Asia for Macedonia. Because Acts begins to say “we” here, the writer Luke is thought to have joined the group at this point.
Pause and Reflect
When the way does not open as I want, do I still trust God to lead me?