1. The Book of Acts recorded the many sufferings that the Apostles underwent
2. They were persecuted for their faith
a. Peter (Acts 4, 12)
b. Paul (Acts 14)
3. This was foretold by the Lord Jesus Himself
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.
John 15:20
PAUL’S SUFFERING IN THE CITY OF PHILIPPI
1. The Apostle Paul and his group had travelled to Macedonia
a. They stayed at the city of Philippi which was the foremost city of that part of Macedonia
b. It was a response to the vision that he had received from a man in Macedonia
“Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9)
c. He had concluded that the Lord had called them to preach the gospel to them (Acts 16:10)
2. The problems faced in the city of Philippi
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Acts 16:20-24
a. Paul and Silas were falsely accused
b. They were then unjustly mistreated
i. Beaten
ii. Thrown into prison
iii. Even into the inner prison
c. The backstory (Acts 16:16-19)
i. There was a certain slave girl who was possessed by a spirit of divination
ii. She followed Paul and cried after them for many days
iii. Paul was greatly annoyed and cast out the spirit
iv. The girl’s masters seeing that their hope of profit was gone, seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them to the authorities
THE SPECIAL RESPONSE OF PAUL AND SILAS
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:25
1. At midnight
a. It was likely that both Paul and Silas were beaten unconscious
b. It was only at midnight that they awoke
2. Their first response – to pray
a. This would be most natural
b. To turn to God amidst difficult circumstances
c. This was also a trait of the disciples that was recorded clearly in the book of Acts (Acts 1:14, Acts 2:42, Acts 4:31)
3. But they did not stop at prayer; they praised
a. This was a special response of Paul and Silas
b. They sang
i. With hope
ii. With joy
iii. With thanksgiving
c. They did not lose heart
d. They were committed to preach the gospel to the very end
e. Their response stood out so much so that the other prisoners listened!
THE SALVATION OF THE LORD EXPERIENCED
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
Acts 16:26
1. Paul and Silas were physically delivered
a. There was a great earthquake
i. The foundations of the prison were shaken
ii. The doors were opened
iii. Everyone’s chains were loosed
b. Even in the earthquake, Paul and Silas were specially kept
2. The Philippian Jailer was also saved
27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Acts 16:27-31
a. He almost killed himself, out of fear that the prisoners had escaped
b. But Paul and Silas reached out to him; spoke the Word of the Lord to him and his household
c. He and all his family were baptized
d. He rejoiced, having believed in God
OUR APPLICATION
1. Not by way of comparison, but by contrast
a. It is most unlikely that we will ever experience the same kind of suffering that Paul and Silas did
b. But if they were able to praise the way they did under such suffering
c. Then even more so, us!
i. Who are not under such duress or distress
ii. Who have experienced the hand of God’s blessing these 51 years
2. We have every encouragement to offer great praise to God this 50+1 Anniversary (Cf. Psalm 18:1-3)