115. GOD FREES PAUL AND SILAS AT PHILIPPI

"At midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God"

Aim

To show how the truth of God's Word changed the life of the jailor and of all his household.

Acts 16:23-40

PAUL AND SILAS SUFFER CHEERFULLY (vv. 23-25)

What a sorry state Paul and Silas were in as the Philippian jailor fastened their feet firmly in the stocks. He had been ordered to keep them safely and the jailor knew he would lose his life if his prisoners escaped. There they were in the dark and miserable prison cell, with backs aching from the terrible beating they had received.

No doubt we would have been bitterly complaining after such unfair treatment but Paul and Silas were amazing men. In spite of all that had happened, they did not speak against God or question Him for allowing them to be dealt with so cruelly They must have been in a lot of pain, but instead of groaning, they turned to their Heavenly Father in prayer and sang praises to Him far into the night. How surprised the other prisoners must have been when they heard Paul and Silas singing in that prison cell.

God heard their prayers and answered them in a strange way.

THE JAILOR BELIEVES AND IS BAPTISED (vv 26-34)

Suddenly, at midnight, there was an earthquake that shook the whole prison. Immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were undone. The prisoners were free.

The earthquake awoke the jailor and when he saw the prison doors open, he thought the prisoners had all escaped.

Knowing that he would surely be put to death when this was discovered, he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul cried with a loud voice: "Do thyself no harm, for we are all here." Trembling, the jailor called for a light and rushed in to the inner prison and fell on his knees before Paul and Silas and said: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" How gladly Paul must have answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (v 31).

The grateful jailor and his family listened eagerly as Paul and Silas continued to talk to them about the Gospel, and they believed. He kindly bathed the disciples' wounds and then, in the early hours of the morning while it was still dark, the jailor and his household were baptised.

Rejoicing with his family in their new hope, he took Paul and Silas to his own house to give them a meal.

PAUL AND SILAS ARE SET FREE (vv. 35-40)

When day came, the magistrates who had ordered Paul and Silas to be beaten sent a message to the jailor, "Let these men go". So the keeper of the prison said to Paul, "Depart, and go in peace." Paul felt this was not good enough. They had been beaten without even being able to answer the charges that had been made against them and this was not according to Roman law. "Let them come themselves and fetch us out", he exclaimed.

Paul was not being proud when he said this. He was thinking of the other disciples in Philippi and wanted to make sure that they would not be treated unfairly as he and Silas had been. The magistrates realised that Paul was right and that they themselves could be in serious trouble. Fearfully they came quickly to the prison and setting the brethren free begged them to leave Philippi. Paul and Silas did so, but only after spending some time encouraging and comforting the disciples gathered at Lydia's house.

Thus was formed at Philippi a company of brethren and sisters who loved the Word of God. At a later date, from Rome, Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians, one of the most beautiful epistles in our Bible.

LESSON FOR US

It was when Paul wrote to the brethren at Rome that he encouraged them to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and be instant in prayer (Rom. 12:12). The lesson we have just considered is full of outstanding examples of these exhortations. Paul could be happy and rejoice when in pain because he looked to God for strength and was ever thankful for the many wonderful blessings God had given him.

If we really consider God's goodness to us and how great it is, the troubles which come our way will seem so much less and we may even be able to face trials cheerfully as Paul and Silas indeed did.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The jailor must already have heard Paul's preaching for no one can learn in one night enough to be baptised. Knowing the cruel beating they had received, the jailor would have been amazed to hear their prayers and songs of praise. When the earthquake came and they did not escape, they thus saved his life. He could see that their actions were always consistent with their words. So God was preparing his mind to accept what they taught as true. He had obviously discussed these things with his family and the events of the night were enough to convince them all of their need to be saved.

The jailor and his household were now changed people. This always happens to those who believe and accept the Gospel. They turn from their olds ways and turn to God, learning a completely different way of thinking and acting.

It is the Word of God working in their minds and hearts that brings about this change. Therefore the more we learn of God's Word, the more we will act like the apostles and look past all our trials to the glory of the Kingdom.

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

1. What did Paul and Silas do in prison before midnight?

2. What happened at midnight?

1. When the jailor was about to kill himself, what did Paul cry out?

2. When he fell on his knees, what did the jailor ask Paul and Silas?

3. What was Paul's answer?

3. What happened to the jailor and his household that night?

4. The rulers of Philippi sent a message saying, "Let these men go." What was Paul's reply?

Detailed Answers

8. Paul and Silas were put in prison at Philippi. Tell what happened on that eventful night?

Additional Answers

9. What were some of the things that brought about a change in the Philippian jailor? What does this teach us about the way we should behave?