The religious leaders of Philippi were angry at Paul for casting demons out of one of their servant girls, who brought her masters profit by fortune-telling, “And when they had laid many stripes on them, they THREW THEM INTO PRISON, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into THE INNER PRISON AND FASTENED THEIR FEET IN THE STOCKS.” Despite THE PAIN Paul and Silas must feel, they’re not really worried about where they are. THEY START SINGING HYMNS AND PRAYING OUT LOUD. The other prisoners listen. In the middle of the night, GOD CAUSES A GREAT EARTHQUAKE OPENS all the cell doors and RELEASES all the chains. “And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, DREW HIS SWORD and was about TO KILL HIMSELF. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?” (Acts 16:23-30)
The earthquake freed them of their chains, but THEY STAYED and BROUGHT THE JAILER AND HIS FAMILY TO CHRIST. The next morning, Paul and Silas REFUSE TO LEAVE QUIETLY, politely insisting that their civil rights have been violated because you CANNOT BEAT A ROMAN CITIZEN without a trial! The officials apologize, and Paul, Silas, and Timothy go to Thessalonica.
MOST OF US HAVE IT SO EASY TODAY, SO, WHY DON’T WE DO MORE? THE COMMAND IS STILL VALID – “GO AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT…” (Matthew 28:19)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham