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Corinthians 2:12-13). He leaves his coat here and asks Timothy to bring it to him in prison in
Rome (2 Timothy 4:13).

Act 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and
prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

Paul later called this a “door opened” (2 Corinthians 2:12). Asia and Bithynia are “doors
closing.” Many times God leads us by closing doors before opening others.

Peter had a vision in Chapter 10, and now Paul has a vision. Visions are a means of God’s
leading in this age (Joel 2:28). In this vision, Paul recognizes the man who appears to him as
being from Macedonia. The man’s clothing and speech allows Paul to identify where this man
is from. This man represents the readiness of the whole nation of Macedonia. The nation has
been evangelized before and is now ready to receive the gospel.

Act 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into
Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

The narrative is no longer about Paul and his team, but Luke is now a member. The literary
style of the book of Acts indicates that Luke is the author. “We” is now added, showing that
Luke had joined them.
Paul refers to Luke as “beloved.” “Luke will leave Paul and rejoin him from time to time (20:15;
21:18; 27:1; 28:16) as do other members of the team. The other members include Silas and
Timothy. All of these take Paul’s vision as their own. They probably all pray and open their
hearts to the will of the Holy Spirit. They do not argue about going to Macedonia, but believe
Paul has received direction from the Lord. Once they have agreed to go, they do not argue or
criticize but support Paul’s decision.

FIRST CONVERTS IN EUROPE (11-18)

Paul and his companions travel to Philippi in Macedonia where they remain for several days.
On the Sabbath, they speak with some women who have gathered. One woman is Lydia, a
business woman, who receives the message of salvation and invites Paul and his companions to
her home.

PAUL AND HIS TEAM TRAVEL TO MACEDONIA

Act 16:11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and
the next day to Neapolis;

After the vision at Troy, Paul and his crew immediately sailed straight for the next mission.
Samothrace is an island northwest of Troy about halfway to the port of Neapolis . Neapolis is
one of two main seaports of Macedonia (the other is Thessalonica). Samothrace can be
reached in one day from either Troy or Neapolis depending on the winds. Samothrace had a
high peak (5500 feet) that could be seen and used as a navigation point for sailors.