After being placed into the inner cell of the prison at Philippi and put into the stocks, instead of lamenting their deplorable condition of pain, loss of blood, hunger, and thirst, the missionaries Paul and Silas turned to God through prayer and singing hymns. They sang while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly, in Acts 16:26, God shook the very foundation of the prison through a mighty earthquake … so that the prison doors were opened, and the prisoners’ chains were loosed.
The jailer awoke and saw the shocking view of the open prison doors. Knowing that he would face significant consequences for the lost prisoners, which he was certain had escaped by now, he drew his sword, preparing to commit suicide. Seeing this, Paul cried out to him telling him to STOP! The reason, Paul declared, was that all the prisoners were still there. Overwhelmed, the jailer called for lights and burst into the prison to confirm Paul’s statement. Upon seeing that Paul’s words were true, he threw himself at their feet, understanding that they were God’s messengers. He led them out of the inner cell (perhaps into the prison courtyard) and asked them the soul-wrenching question, “What must I do to be saved?”
Gladly, the missionaries declared to him the sweet gospel message: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” The wonderful words of the gospel were not for him alone but for everyone in his household if they also will believe. Paul and Silas then spoke a more thorough exposition of the gospel to the jailer and to all who were in his house. The jailer listened to their message and believed, evidenced by his sudden transformation. He washed their wounds from their savage beating; and without waiting until the morning, he AND his believing family were baptized. He then brought the missionaries up into his house and served them food as he and his household outwardly expressed their joy that this hardened Roman soldier had believed in God!
The next morning, Paul and Silas having returned to their prison cell, the police came with the magistrates’ decision to let them go. The jailer was pleased and relayed this message to Paul. But Paul was not pleased that after being publicly humiliated, beaten, and thrown into prison, that the magistrates would now try to get Silas and him to quietly leave town. Paul refused this proposal and demanded that the magistrates come and take them (being Roman citizens!) personally from the prison. The reasons for his insistence on this are covered in the teaching.
The magistrates were terrified to find out that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, because they had horribly violated their rights. They came to the prison, attempting to appease them personally for such a travesty of justice, and led them out of the prison. They could not force them to leave Philippi, but they continually urged them to leave the city. But before leaving, Paul and Silas spent time at Lydia’s house and also encouraged the body of believers who had recently come to faith in Christ. Then, they finally left Philippi to continue their journey. Timothy went with them … but Luke remained in Philippi.
You can listen to this teaching on Acts 16:25-40 by clicking on the following link: Midnight Miracle In Macedonia
