Wow! What a story in Acts 16. Now Paul and Silas are in prison, they baptized the jailer and his family, their wounds cleaned, and now what?
Acts 16: 35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”
Now these men are thrown in prison for casting a demon out of a woman, causing the owners of her to lose an income since she was fortune telling. And now: the powers that be order Paul and Silas be released.
The jailer tells Paul they are free and to go in peace. So does Paul jump at this chance? No, he stands his ground boldly and strongly. So what happens next?
Acts 16: 37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”
Most of us if we were thrown in jail and then told the next day we were free we would be happy to be getting out of jail. Probably angry for being thrown in, but rejoicing on our way out.
Now Paul is not a wimp. He is a strong convert since meeting Jesus on the road. He is intelligent, knows the law, and stands firm on what he knows to be correct and proper.
He stands his ground - we did not get a trial, we are Roman citizens thrown in prison - they did all this publicly and now want us to leave QUIETLY? In East Texas terms: "It ain't gonna happen".
Paul speaks up and tells them to have the magistrates come and escort us out. Would you have done this? With God's wisdom and strength - yes- but on my own no.
Acts 16: 38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sistersand encouraged them. Then they left.
Roman citizens could not be thrown in prison without a trial. This is why Paul played his citizenship card. Although he was thrown in prison numerous times, Paul saw this as an opportunity not a set back. Here was a place he could speak to others about his LORD and MASTER - JESUS CHRIST.
A lesson for all of us. Stand up boldly on your principles, look not in despair at your situation, but see it as an opportunity to witness to others. Thank you for reading. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny
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