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4. The Founding of the Church at Philippi (Acts 16:11-34)
ACTS 16:19-24
19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city, 21 and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.” 22 The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, 24 who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.
Many rich people considered the slave girl to be a milk cow. They did not care about the psychological suffering of the demon-possessed girl, for they were accumulating much money through the devil’s lying and craftiness working in her. They flamed up with rage when their source of sordid gain was suddenly interrupted. They seized hold of Paul and Silas and violently dragged them before the authorities, where they accused them of causing mutiny in the city. They did not, of course, tell how the apostles had delivered the possessed girl from her nightmare. Instead, they brought false accusations against them, claiming they were rebellious Jews who had introduced undesirable customs not suitable for honest Romans. They awoke the zeal of the retired soldiers living in Philippi, for the owners of the fortuneteller were known and respected people. So the roaring multitudes began clamorously moving toward the magistrates’ court. When the magistrates saw that public opinion was decidedly against the two Jews one of them made a sign to their lictors, whose job was to see that the offenders were punished. They attacked the apostles, tore their clothes, stripped them of their clothing, and beat them severely and violently. They made fun of them before the mocking multitudes.
To be able to later inquire more fully into the activities of these two beaten troublemakers, they were thrown into a narrow, dirty inner cell of the prison, with their backs bleeding and their bodies exhausted and suffering pain. Moreover, they fastened their feet in the stocks, heavy blocks of wood, and handcuffed them with heavy chains to keep them from fleeing. What entered the minds of these poor prisoners? Did they curse the Romans? Did they feel sorrow and regret for freeing the fortuneteller from her demon? Were they afraid of a consequent attack against the newly growing church? No, they had none of these thoughts, for the prisoners were speaking to their Lord in prayer. They blessed their persecutors and with thanksgiving recognized that they had participated in bearing the cross of Christ.
ACTS 16:25-28
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 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 bonds were loosened. 27 The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm yourself, for we are all here!”
The ploughers had ploughed upon their backs, making long furrows. The apostles, however, did not rest in a hospital, where they would have been treated by gentle nuns. Instead they were fastened with stocks and chains to sit in the dirty cell, where they were surrounded by darkness. They neither cursed, nor wept, but began singing hymns together. They were not satisfied with praying in a low voice, for their hearts were filled with thankfulness and praise. They rejoiced over Christ’s triumph in Macedonia following the prohibition by the Holy Spirit to continue in Asia Minor.
The morning of Christ’s triumph had begun shining in Europe. Darkness had begun to lift; the name of Him who had been raised from the dead had been proclaimed. There is no obstacle too big to prevent the breaking through and spreading of the kingdom of God on earth. The two suffering apostles sang hymns loudly so that the other prisoners heard them. It was midnight when the songs of praise began reaching heaven. This event in the Acts of the Apostles has been a source of comfort to many who have been tortured and persecuted in the history of the church. With songs of praise ascending at midnight God suddenly answered - not through an angel, or with words of revelation, but through a violent earthquake. It may have seemed to them at first that the devil was wanting to add to their suffering. Stones and dust began falling down on them from the ceiling. Yet immediately all the prison doors were opened and their tormenting chains fell off. In spite of this event, Paul did not use it as an occasion to run away. Other prisoners had been deeply impressed and awed by the apostles’ singing. Following God’s response to it with the earthquake they dared not move. All may have begun fearing God’s judgment upon their sins.
The keeper of the prison jumped out of his bed. Upon seeing the prison doors open, he supposed that all the prisoners had fled. He became afraid of the shame of their escaping his hand, and of what awaited him in trials, painful suffering, death to him, and slavery to his family. Overwhelmed with such fears and imaginations, he pulled out his sword, intending to commit suicide.
When Paul saw that the keeper of the prison was about to kill himself with the sword, he shouted: “Stop! Do not kill yourself! Do not be afraid! No one has escaped. All the prisoners are here!” The love in Paul’s voice and the comfort in these gentle words were contrary to the insults, curses, and shouting this officer had been accustomed to hear from prisoners. If the prisoners were given a chance to escape they would certainly take it, after first avenging themselves upon their guards. How strange and different this scene is! The prison doors are open, yet prisoners are not attacking like beasts. One of them, Paul, is requesting him, with kind and gentle words, not to harm himself. These words shocked the jailer, surpassing all his imagination. He was greatly surprised to see his enemy loving him, and who in fact had kept him from killing himself. His eyes began to open wide. His thoughts floated through his head as if he were in a deep dream.
PRAYER: O living Lord, let us hear Your gentle voice when we fall into despair and confusion. Teach us to hear Your words of love when our hope disappears. Draw us to Your comfort so that we may live and never die.
QUESTION:
- Why were the tortured prisoners singing hymns at midnight?