Acts 16:16-40
Q.1. Why did Paul resist the testimony of the slave-girl? How did her masters deceive the magistrates? Why were Paul and Silas beaten with rods? – (Acts 16:16-23)
On the surface, any support for the Gospel seems acceptable (Phil.1:15-18). However, someone under Satan’s power like this, would inevitably spoil the testimony of Christ. Paul commanded the demons to come out of her (Acts 16:16-18). This enraged those who had profited from her divination, so they dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrates, falsely claiming that they were – proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans (Acts 16:21). Paul had set a slave-girl free. As a reward, the evangelists were beaten with rods and – When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely (Acts 16:23 c.f. 2 Cor.11:25).
Q.2. What were Paul and Silas doing in jail? What made a jail-break possible? How did the jailer respond? Why? – (Acts 16:23-27)
After their severe beating, they were thrown into the inner prison, and their feet fastened in stocks – all for rescuing a slave-girl (Acts 16:24). They responded by – praying and singing hymns of praise to God (Acts 16:25). At midnight, with their captive audience – suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened (Acts 16:26). Earthquakes usually bring carnage and destruction – this one liberated every prisoner and snapped the stocks. The jailer was under command. It was an offense punishable by death to let prisoners escape, so – … he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped (Acts 16:27).
Q.3. What made the jailer change his mind? How did Paul answer the jailer’s question? What change took place in the jail? Who shared the blessing? – (Acts 16:25-34)
When Paul saw the impending suicide, he called out – …”Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”(Acts 16:28). The jailer, upon seeing the miracle – … trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas … and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:29-30). He doubtless had heard the singing. Now, observing the Divine intervention, he recognized the God moment. Amid the rubble, both Paul and Silas gave him and his household the Gospel, and – 31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house (Acts 16:31-32). The jailer’s first act was to wash their wounds – something this hardened man had been unwilling to do after the severe beating of Paul and Silas. He also led his whole household to be baptized, and then set food before them all. There was great rejoicing (Acts 16:33-34). What a change the gospel makes.
Q.4. Why did Paul refuse to go quietly? How did the town leaders and police respond to the news? Where did Paul and Silas go? – (Acts 16:35-17:1)
The magistrates felt that they had made their point, and ordered for Paul and Silas to be released – But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! … (Acts 16:37). Realizing their oversight, the city leaders were afraid, and begged them to leave the city. However, Paul and Silas returned to stay and encourage the believers at Philippi. Then they went on to Thessalonica (Acts 16:40-17:1).