One of the most famous prison stories in the Bible is the story of Paul and Silas. After they exorcised an evil spirit from a girl, her masters accused them. The evangelists ended up being beaten and thrown into a Greek jail. However, nothing could shake their faith.
Read on to discover how God used Paul and Silas in that prison.
1. They trusted in God.
To be honest, Paul and Silas didn’t deserve to be in prison. They had committed no crime. Yet they trusted that, in spite of this injustice, God would take care of them. They weren’t worried about the future.
It’s easy for us to trust God when things are going smoothly. But, when tragedy hits, will we still trust Him? At the local church’s prison ministry, we trust God even during trials. He has always proved Himself faithful!
2. They praised Him even in hard times.
Paul and Silas didn’t stop at just trusting God. They could have said their prayers, snuggled up to the cold stone wall, and fallen asleep.
But, instead of doing that, they sang praises to God at midnight! The Bible tells us, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” (Acts 16:25)
What an amazing testimony for the fellow prisoners to hear! Paul and Silas knew that, at all times, God was worthy of praise. Paul would later write to the Philippian believers,
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
He wasn’t writing from a lofty ivory tower. No, he was speaking from battle-trench experience!
If Paul can sing praises in a 1st-century prison, we can surely sing praises today—no matter where we may find ourselves.
3. They saw God’s amazing deliverance.
The story doesn’t end with Paul and Silas’s serenade! Right after they sang praises, God sent a mighty earthquake.
It shook the foundations of the jail, opened all the doors, and released every prisoner from his chains.
The jailor woke up and almost committed suicide, thinking that the prisoners had escaped.
But Paul cried out and told him that no one had escaped.
In response to his servants’ faith, God showed His mighty power. No Roman jail could hold one of His servants.
4. Their testimony helped bring others to Christ.
What happened next? Trembling, the jailor came in and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)
He recognized God’s mighty power and wanted to have peace with God.
Paul and Silas told him, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31)
That night, the Philippian jailor and his family believed on Christ and were baptized.
The next day, Paul and Silas were released and left in peace.
God had not only delivered them, but He also used them to show His power and tell the jailor how to be saved.
What about you?
Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, you can do that today! Contact us at the local church’s prison ministry to learn more!
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Are you searching? Jesus has the answers for addictions and stubborn habits. For more information, send the Crossmans a private message here on Facebook or come to a church service at Prince Albert Baptist Church. Take the first step in a walk of freedom!
For more information, call (306) 940-9554 or email anchorofhopeheb@gmail.com
