Tag: Paul and Silas
An earthquake with eternal blessings!
Scripture reading for May 27th: Acts 16
Earthquakes have been in the news frequently. A devastating earthquake killed thousands in Nepal and caused terrible hardship and suffering. But the Book of Acts tells of an earthquake that had a liberating effect on a specific group of people. This earthquake literally shook the chains off them and opened the hearts of a family for salvation!
Paul and Silas while on a missionary journey found themselves in stocks in the prison dungeon, beaten and bruised, after casting a demon from a slave girl in the Roman province of Philippi. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they began to worship God. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the doors flew open and everybody’s chains came loose.” (Acts 16:25-26)
Worship has a liberating effect on the souls of those who practice it. It also has a way of loosing people from chains of bondage! In this case, all the prisoners experienced a terrible shaking that loosed them and opened the doors of the jail!
The jailer was fearful that all the prisoners would escape in the night, and drew his sword to kill himself. Paul called out to stop him, letting him know that all were still there. “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” (Acts 16:29-31) This earthquake opened the heart of the Roman jailer to recognize his need of salvation! This was an earthquake that brought blessing!
Lessons from Jail!
Scripture reading for June 25th: Acts 16:16-40
As Paul and Silas were going to prayer in Philipi, they were followed by a slave girl with a spirit of divination. She was owned by some people who used her in fortune-telling. This girl kept after the missionaries day by day shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” (Acts 16:17-18) Finally, Paul became fed up with her taunting and in the Name of Jesus Christ commanded the spirit to come out of her.
It is interesting to note that the demons in this girl recognized who Paul and Silas were and what they were doing. Their taunt, however, was derogatory. Paul and Silas waited on the Holy Spirit and finally acted to silence this evil spirit. This threw her owners into an uproar because they lost their source of income! The idols of money and power go down screaming! Paul and Silas were arrested, severely beaten and imprisoned before they could evade the worked up crowd! They were placed in jail in stocks and under guard as vicious criminals.
Paul and Silas were not in despair, even if they were hurting and uncomfortable! “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly their was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here.”” (Acts 16:25-28) Where God guides, He provides! God responded to their faith and sent a most unusual earthquake. His purposes were being worked out through the suffering of His servants and their trust in Him.
The jailer was so touched by Paul’s care for him that he asked how he might be saved! Paul and Silas told him to believe on the Lord Jesus and he and his household were saved and baptized that night! What was meant for evil, turned out for great good! If you are suffering today because of your faith, why not take time to pray and worship? God may send you a special earthquake!
The Holy Spirit and Joy!
Scripture reading for June 21st: Acts 13:42-14:7
Even when their preaching got them expelled from the region, the missionaries left with joy knowing that the Lord was using them to bring light into the darkness! Those who were usually behind the persecution were the religious Jews who were threatened by the message and its power to draw people.
Paul and Silas were invited back to the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch. During the week, their message stirred up the people and the whole city was on hand to hear them again. (Acts 13:44-45) This made the Jews who ruled the synagogue jealous and they talked abusively about the missionaries. “Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”” (Acts 13:46-47)
The Gentiles who heard this word of rebuke, gladly believed and were saved. The word of the Lord spread quickly throughout the whole region but the Jews were upset and pushed back against it. “But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:50-52)
The disciples had been taught by Jesus how to respond–shake the dust off as a witness against these people! (Matthew 10:14-15) Jesus had promised that it would be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town or people. Jesus sent his disciples out as sheep among the wolves and they needed to be shrewd and know that not everyone would accept their message! It would offend some.
Even as they were expelled, a fullness of joy and the Holy Spirit marked these followers. It is a blessing to be used by God for the purpose of bringing eternal life to those who will be saved! There is no joy quite like it! Have you experienced this joy for yourself? Why not ask the Lord for opportunity today?
Household salvation?
Scripture reading for November 10th: Acts 16-18
One of the prayers that I have prayed for my family is that they would all be saved and walk with the Lord during their time on earth. God has been faithful and I am very thankful. All my children are serving the Lord and have a personal walk with Him. A question that comes up from reading about the Philippian jailer is this: does the Bible promise salvation to each person’s entire family? Can I apply this story and the verse about the jailer and his house responding to the Gospel to claim my family?
“But Paul shouted,”Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”. . . . “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” . . “They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16:28-33
I believe that this record does inspire faith for us to believe God for our entire family to be saved. With faith in God, nothing is impossible. We should ask for the salvation of our family and stand in faith on God’s word. However, when looking at the rest of Scripture, each person must choose to repent and believe on the Lord for himself. God doesn’t make anyone believe! Our prayers keep the door open and invite God to send laborers and draw the person to saving grace.
God doesn’t want anyone to be lost! (1st Timothy 2:4-5) He has done everything necessary to provide salvation for every person. He draws each person by the Holy Spirit. Yet, each person has a free will and must choose his own way or God’s way. Jesus taught that the way of salvation was narrow and few would chose that narrow path. The way of destruction was broad and many would travel on it. (Matthew 7:13-14) Each person in a household must choose to repent and follow Jesus.
Take time to pray that your household will be saved and that the Lord will draw them to Himself! We don’t want to miss out because we aren’t asking in faith!
Household Salvation?
Scripture reading for November 12th: Acts 16-18
One of the prayers that I have prayed for my family is that they would all be saved and walk with the Lord during their time on earth. God has been faithful and I am very thankful. All my children are serving the Lord and have a personal walk with Him. A question that comes up from reading today’s passage about the Philippian jailer getting saved with his whole household, is this: does the Bible promise salvation to each person’s entire family? Can I apply this story and the verse about the jailer and his house responding to the Gospel to claim my family?
“But Paul shouted,”Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”. . . . “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” . . “They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16:28-33
I believe that this record does inspire faith for us to believe God for our entire family to be saved. With faith in God, nothing is impossible. We should ask for the salvation of our families and households and stand in faith in God’s word and mercy. However, when looking at the rest of Scripture, I feel that it doesn’t promise that all will be saved. Each person must choose to repent and believe on the Lord for himself. God doesn’t make anyone believe! However, our prayers keep the door open and invite God to send laborers and continue to draw the person to saving grace.
God doesn’t want anyone to be lost! (1st Timothy 2:4-5) He has done everything necessary to provide salvation for every person. He draws each person by the Holy Spirit. Yet, each person has a free will and the ability to choose his own way or God’s way. If we could be made to be saved, all would be saved! Jesus taught that the way of salvation was narrow and few were on that narrow path. The way of destruction is broad and many are on it. (Matthew 7:13-14) Each person in a household must choose to repent and follow Jesus.
Prayer is a powerful thing! We must always pray and live by faith for our loved ones! Take time to pray that your household will be saved and that the Lord will draw them to Himself! We don’t want to miss out because we don’t ask!