Acts 16      English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul and Silas in Prison

¹⁶ As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” ¹⁸ And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

¹⁹ But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. ²⁰ And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. ²¹ They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” ²² The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.²³ And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.²⁴ Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The Philippian Jailer Converted

²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, ²⁶ and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. ²⁷ When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” ²⁹ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. ³⁴ Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And here joiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

³⁵ But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” ³⁶ And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” ³⁷ But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” ³⁸ The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. ³⁹ So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. ⁴⁰ So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Reflection

• The slave owners had Paul and Silas jailed. However, their response to arrest and being beaten was prayer and praise, a powerful witness to the other prisoners. How does your response to opposition to and suffering for the gospel compare and contrast to that of Paul and Silas?
• An earthquake was so great that prison doors were opened and chains fell off the prisoners. The jailer’s terror at finding his prison doors open, and his narrow escape from suicide, created a readiness for salvation. And he asked: “Sirs,what must I do to be saved” (v30)?
• The jailer was so affected by Paul and Silas’ behavior that he made his prisoners feel at home with his family, Paul and Silas baptized the family, they ate a festive meal together while nobody had any idea what would happen to Paul and Silas the next day. What an amazing outcome out of suffering and injustice.
• Paul and Silas speak the truth of the gospel as well as living it out. Very often, we associate living as witnesses to Jesus with doing good works. However, we see that Paul and Silas lived in a way that reflected their trust in God that even in suffering, they continue to glorify God. How can you live in a way that glorifies God and teach others about Him?
• Ask God to give you courage as you step in faith to obey him, to tell those around you about the good news that has transformed your life. Continue praying for your Oikos.
  • Lord, I pray that you draw ___________ to yourself.
  • I ask you, Lord, to prevent Satan from blinding ___________ to the truth.
  • Holy Spirit, I ask you to convict ___________ of sin and the need for Christ’s redemption.
  • I ask that you send someone who will share the gospel with ___________.
  • Lord, I pray that ___________ will confess Jesus as Lord, grow in faith, and bear fruit for your glory. Amen.