In Matt. 28:19, Jesus instructed His disciples to “make disciples of all the nations” and to be witnesses “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). But in Acts 16:6, why did the Holy Spirit forbid Paul and his companions to preach the word in Asia?
– Aby, New Zealand
DR. GEORGY’S RESPONSE:
The act of the Holy Spirit forbidding Paul was only for that instance. God had a greater plan by bringing the gospel first to Europe (Acts 16:9). In time, the gospel reached Asia and to many places through the disciples in Europe (1 Thess. 1:7). We also read about the gospel’s penetration into Asia later in Acts 19:10, 22, 26; 20:4, 16, 18; 1 Cor. 16:19. God’s ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8-9). He does everything in His perfect timing. The prohibition by the Spirit was only temporary, and does not mean in any way that the Lord did not want those in Asia to hear the gospel.
