Paul and Silas Unjustly Jailed - Acts 16:19-40

Last week we went over the story of how Paul and Silas commanded a demon spirit of fortune-telling to come out of a slave girl. When this happened she lost her powers of fortune-telling and her owners were very angry at Paul and Silas. The owners accused Paul and Silas of teaching customs which are not lawful for Roman citizens. The magistrates (legal authorities) had them beaten and thrown in jail. The jailer was commanded to keep them very secure. He put them in the center of the prison and put their feet into stocks so they could not escape.

Although unjustly beaten and thrown in prison, Paul and Silas worshipped God and sang praises and songs to Him. They were praying and singing at midnight while the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosened. The jailer, fearing that all the prisoners had escaped, drew his sword and was about to kill himself when Paul called out to him to not harm himself.  He reassured the jailer that all of the prisoners were still there.

The jailer rushed to Paul and Silas, trembling, said, “What must I do to be saved?” They responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Paul and Silas spoke the Word to the jailer and he accepted the Lord as his savior. He took them to his house, cleaned up their wounds, and fed them. His whole family believed, were baptized, and saved. The next day the magistrates told the jailer that he could let Paul and Silas go. However, Paul and Silas were unwilling to go secretly and said they would not leave. The magistrates were afraid because they found out that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens and by law, they could not be beaten without a trial.  The magistrates came and pleaded with them to leave their city. They came out of prison but went directly to the house of Lydia to finish what they came to do in the first place. After their visit, they left the city.

God used the Apostle Paul and Silas who were both Jews and Roman citizens to spread the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews). Through unjust circumstances, Paul and Silas were not defeated. They praised God and sang their way to freedom. In doing so they saved the life of the jailer and his household became believers in Jesus as well.

When you ever feel locked up in discouragement and unfairness, keep praying and singing to the Lord. The devil, your enemy, hates any kind of praise and worship to the Lord God. In your darkest moment find praise and worship songs that will lift up your spirits as you pray and trust God for your deliverance. As the jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.” This is a great promise to keep for your household if you are the only Christian. Keep believing for your loved ones to come to Christ. Jesus is the answer. (John 3:16)

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