Charles Spurgeon Commentary Acts 16

Our dreams often follow the leading thoughts of the day; or, if not of the day, yet the chief thoughts that are on the mind. Where the mind goes when we are awake, it often goes when we are asleep.

Paul dreams about mission work, for his heart is in it. I should not wonder if some before me, who are deeply engaged in earnest Christian work, have often dreamt about their Sunday school or their mission station. This vision that appeared to Paul was supernatural and was an indication of what God wanted him to do.

In the vision, the man prayed, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. The best help that Paul could render to the Macedonians was to preach the gospel unto them. The best help you can give men socially is to help them religiously; and the best religious help is to preach the gospel to them.

Waiting to know what they were to do. In God's work, we are not to go on in blundering haste. Sometimes, a little waiting may be good for us; and by waiting, we may find out the true path of success.

And we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

This was probably the first religious meeting of Christians ever held in Europe. It is remarkable that it was a prayer meeting, a prayer meeting attended by women, a prayer meeting to which two ministers came and preached the gospel to the women who gathered there. To be able to be present at a prayer meeting ought always to be considered a great privilege for all of us who are Christians. In this way the gospel first came to us; in this way the gospel will be best preserved for us; and in this way we may best obtain guidance from God as to how we may carry the gospel to others.

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; (Acts 16:13)

Some quiet corner, where good people were accustomed to gather by the brook to pray.