W𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕝𝕪 B𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕠𝕗 A𝕔𝕥𝕤 16 20-40

(Review - When her ‘owners’ realized their hope of making money from her demon inspired prognostication, was gone, they seized Paul and Silas to face the authorities.)

     20 “Because of these Jews, the whole city is in an uproar!” they shouted to the city officials. 21 “They are teaching new customs that are illegal for us Romans!” 22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas. The city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with rods. 23 They were beaten severely, thrown into prison, and the jailer was ordered to make sure they did not escape. 24 So he put them deep inside the jail, and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, the foundations of the prison were shaken, all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains fell loose. 27 When the jailer woke and saw the prison doors were open, he drew his sword to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had escaped. (Under Rome, punishable by death.) 28 But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all still here!” 29 Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and trembling, fell before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they answered, “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, and to everyone in his house. 33 And even at that hour, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were baptized. 34 Then he brought them into his house, and fed them a meal. And everyone in the house was rejoicing because they had come to believe in God. 35 When it was day, the magistrates sent word to release them. 36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to go. Leave in peace.” 37  But Paul said to the officers who were sent, “They beat us publicly without a trial, and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens! (ThAt was a no no.) And now they want to send us away secretly? Surely not! Let them come themselves and accompany us out!” 38 So the officers told this message to the magistrates, and they were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized, and led them out, asking that they leave the city. 40 After they left the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the believers and to encourage them. And then they left the city.

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     Very Brief Outline of Acts:

Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).

The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.

The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).

     Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest.

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