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RUSSELL SANDERS
7-23-2021
THE APOSTLE PAUL – LESSON 22
SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY PART 8
THE JAILER’S CONVERSION
Paul and Silas were in the Philippian jail and had been praying God’s word and singing in the middle of the night. They were heard by the other prisoners inside and the jailer on the outside guarding the prison gate. An earthquake opened the doors of the jail and angels unloosed the bonds of all the prisoners, but the jailer learned from Paul that nobody had escaped, and he fell down and bowed before Paul.
Paul and Silas began to share the gospel with the jailer, and he took them to his house in the wee early hours of the morning. There he washed their bloodied stripes, cleaned them up and fed them. The jailer accepted Jesus as his savior along with his household and they were baptized as Christians that early morning.
He then returned them to the jail before daybreak and before the authorities missed them. After daybreak, the magistrates, supposing these troublemakers had learned their lesson, sent their sergeants to release the prisoners. Upon being informed by the jailer of it, Paul stated his case. He said, “we, being Roman citizens, have been beaten openly without being condemned of anything and now they want to throw us out like trash? Let them come and personally take us out.”
When the magistrates heard Paul’s reply that was sent back to them, they became full of fear. It was against Roman law to beat a citizen not condemned and imprisoned. They had broken the law that they were bound to uphold. Now they themselves could face prosecution.
The Magistrates came to the jail, took Paul and Silas out and earnestly apologized and sought favor. They then requested that they leave Philippi without further incident.
After being released, they returned to Lydia’s house where they had been staying. After fellowshipping with the brethren at Pastor Lydia’s house church, they left Philippi and continued on their journey.
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