His Word Today

^6 “And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, ⁷ and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” ⁸ And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. ⁹ And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.” (Acts 17:6–9)

History can, and often does, repeats itself. Predicting the future can be as easy as studying the past in order to comprehend the present.

In the case of Paul, Silas and Timothy, what happened to them, directly and indirectly, in Philippi also occurred in Thessalonica. Opponents to the Gospel were not discreet or demure regarding their opposition. They dragged Jason, presumably Paul’s hospitable host, and some other Christians before the city magistrates. The Jews said, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, ⁷ and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”

There is a Yiddish Proverb which says, “A half-truth is a whole lie.” The Jews were speaking half-truths. True, the world was being turned upside down because of the Gospel. True, Paul, Silas and Timothy had indeed come to Thessalonica to preach the Gospel. True, Jason had received them. However, what was not true was that the missionaries were all acting against the decrees of Caesar. Jesus was not just another earthly king like Caesar. He is the King of kings because He is the eternal God (John 1:1-2). Human kings are mere mortal men.

The Jews got the results they wanted. Those who speak half-truths often do. The people of Thessalonica, along with the city authorities, were disturbed, riotous and greatly distressed. An interesting thing then occurred. Acts 17:9 says, “And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.”

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “The crowd and the politarchs were in turmoil (etaraxan, “agitated, disturbed, troubled”; cf. John 11:33; Acts 16:20) probably because they could not find Paul and Silas (17:6), the source of the city’s problem. Probably the bond-posting was to guarantee that Paul and Silas would leave town and not return. If more trouble arose, Jason and the others would lose their money. This may explain why Paul was prohibited from returning (1 Thess. 2:18). In spite of this, the Christians at Thessalonica kept on boldly proclaiming the gospel (1 Thess. 1:7–10; cf. 2:14–16).”

When people discover the whole truth contained in the Gospel, they no longer tolerate the half-truths of its opponents. What is true regarding the Gospel is also true with respect to the entire Word of God. Do not settle for the half-truths of the current contemporary culture, and its influence upon the church. Hold fast to the eternal truth of God’s Word (John 17:17).

Soli deo Gloria!

^4 “And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. ⁵ But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.” (Acts 17:4–5)

The Gospel provokes resections. It solicits a response. The reactions and responses to the Gospel may be negative or positive. We witness both responses to the Gospel in today’s text.

To begin with, there was the positive reaction to the Gospel by not only some of the Jews of Thessalonica, but also by a great many of the devout Greeks and a few of the leading women of the city. Luke recorded that the response to the Gospel by the Gentiles was much greater than by the Jews.

As was the case in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:45), certain non-converted Jews became jealous. They incited wicked and worthless men from the marketplace, who were loafers, loiterers and bums, and formed a mob. They proceeded to set the city in an uproar. In other words, they caused a riot to occur in the city. Sounds like America 2020.  You do not agree with someone, or something, and you start a riot.

The mob targeted the house of Jason. Apparently they did so believing that Paul was staying there while in Thessalonica. The purpose of pursuing Paul and his colleagues was to drag them out and receive the justice of the mob.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Luke evidently included this incident to reemphasize the continued Jewish rejection. Jason probably had provided lodging for Paul and Silas. The Jews were intent on finding Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. Thessalonica was a free city which meant it was sovereign in its local affairs, and not subject to provincial administration in such matters.”

 The uproar of the mob rule in Thessalonica mirrors the uproar we have witnessed in America during the latter part of 2020. People protest, peacefully and otherwise, but it appears that all that is accomplished is to express a rejection of any and all authority. Ultimately, the authority being rejected is God’s.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. ² And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” (Acts 17:1–3)

Notice that as Luke begins recording the events in the Apostle Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica, the author again uses the third personal pronoun “they.” Apparently, Luke has left the team for unknown and unspecified reasons. However, Paul, Silas and Timothy continue the Second Missionary journey (Acts 17:4, 10, 14-15).

The three missionaries’ travel through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia, apparently without stopping. They proceed to Thessalonica, the capital of Macedonia.

Luke records that there was a Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica. Perhaps the preceding two cities did not have synagogues and Paul wanted to continue his practice of preaching first to the Jews.

The text seems to support this perspective in that Paul spent three weeks reasoning with the Jews from the Scriptures. The Scriptures Paul reasoned from would have been the Old Testament. He continued to explain and to prove that Jesus’ substitutionary atonement on the cross on behalf of sinners, and subsequent bodily resurrection, was absolutely necessary for the sinner’s justification. Paul indicated that the Old Testament Messiah was none other than Jesus of Nazareth.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes that, “The Pauline Epistles suggest that Paul stayed in Thessalonica longer than three or four weeks (including the workdays before, between, and following three successive Sabbaths). According to Philippians 4:16, the church at Philippi sent him aid at least twice, and the Thessalonian Epistles indicate that Paul had been able to give extensive doctrinal instruction to the Christians there.”

What will be the result of such faithful labor? We will examine both the positive, and the negative, reactions to Paul’s, Silas’ and Timothy’s ministry when next we meet. It should not surprise us that the Gospel results in both great affirmation and great condemnation.

Soli deo Gloria!

^35 “But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” ³⁶ And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” ³⁷ But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” ³⁸ The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. ³⁹ So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. ⁴⁰ So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.” (Acts 16:35-40)

What a difference a day makes. Perhaps it was because cooler heads were now prevailing following a night’s sleep, that the magistrates send the Philippian police to the jailer telling him to release Paul and Silas from jail. The jailer informed of this news then bids them both to go in peace.

However, Paul was not having it. He said to the police, ““They (the magistrates) have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.”

The police officials reported Paul’s words to the city magistrates. They in turn became afraid when they understood Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains that, “Roman citizens were exempted from scourging and torture, and had the right to due process in a trial before any punishment was inflicted. If Roman citizens were tried in a Roman court, they had the right to appeal their case to Caesar” (Acts 25:11; 26:12).

Why was Paul so aggrieved? Was it because he had been personally insulted and humiliated by the magistrate’s treatment of him and Silas? Maybe. Paul was human after all. More likely it was his desire to reaffirm the Gospel’s reputation and refute the slander that been leveled against it (Acts 16:21).

The magistrates came and apologized to Paul and Silas. Notice, the magistrates did not summon the two, but rather came to them. Instead of commanding the two of them to leave Philippi, they asked them to leave. Paul and Silas complied.

They left the prison and visited their friend Lydia. They also said goodbye to all their new friends. This would have included not only Lydia and her household, but also the jailer and his household, the other women at the river bank and anyone else who responded to the preaching of the Gospel by the missionary team. It was then that they departed Philippi and journeyed to Thessalonica.

What a congregation God built in Philippi. A merchant woman, a jailer, a slave girl. This is the wonder, the diversity and the beauty of the church. Elect from every nation, tribe, and language yet one in all the earth.

Soli deo Gloria!

^32 “And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. ³⁴ Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.” (Acts 16:32–34)

In sharing the Gospel to the Philippian jailer and his family, Paul and Silas had the wonderful privilege to lead them to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. God converted the jailer and his household by sovereign grace alone, through faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. The jailer, his family and his servants were immediately baptized.

The display of true conversion is not only by one’s speech but also by one’s actions. Galatians 5:13-14 says, “¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Paul and Silas had previously been the object of the jailer’s scorn and scourging. They became the objects of the jailer’s love for Christ. The jailer embodied the teachings of James 2:14-26 and I John 4:7-11. He demonstrated the reality of his faith in Christ by his good works toward Paul and Silas. What good works did the jailer perform?

First, he washed Paul and Silas’ wounds. Perhaps, these were the very wounds he himself administered.

Second, he brought them into his house. Where once they had been housed at his place of employment, the jailer brings them into his family dwelling.

Third, the jailer places food before the former prisoners. Means of punishment, like the stocks in the inner prison, gave way to a nutritious meal in the jailer’s home.

Finally, the jailer and his family rejoiced and praised God. Prayer and praise behind prison walls by two prisoners, has been replaced by public rejoicing by a jailer, his family, and by their two new friends. What a night.

Has your life taken upon itself such a change because of your conversion to Christ? May it be so.

Soli deo Gloria!

^27 “When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” ²⁹ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ And 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 and to all who were in his house.” (Acts 16:27–32)

Assuming there were other men on duty, the jailer might be excused for sleeping on the job. If not, then he was fearfully startled from slumber when the earthquake occurred and he saw the prison doors opened. His natural recourse was to commit suicide assuming that all the prisoners had escaped. He would have been executed anyway for allowing such a thing to happen on his watch.

Seeing what the jailer was about to do, Paul yelled at him and said, ““Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” Upon hearing Paul’s voice, the jailer demanded that torch lights to be brought in order to see. Rushing into the jail with great fear and trembling, the jailer fell prostrate before Paul and Silas. This ironically was a display of humble submission by the prison official towards two of his prisoners.

When he brought Paul and Silas out from the inner prison he asked, ““Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The Holy Spirit had awakened the jailer’s soul to the truth of what Paul and Silas had previously prayed and sang: the truth of the Gospel. The physically imprisoned missionaries became the vessels God used in order to free the spiritually imprisoned jailer.  

Paul’s response was succinct and straightforward. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” As with each sinner convicted by their sin, the only deliverance from the penalty, power and the eventual presence of sin is trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and worship of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Not only was this the good news for the jailer, but this Gospel would also be available to the jailer’s family.

Dr. Simon Kistemaker explains that, “Paul and Silas are not promising salvation for the entire household if the jailer alone believes; in fact, they preach Christ to his family and servants in verse 32. They are simply saying that the offer of salvation is open to all of them.”

The offer of salvation in Jesus Christ alone is still offered to sinners today. It is the only God ordained way of deliverance from sin. Remember, God did not cause the earthquake to free Paul and Silas from their physical chains, but rather to free the jailer from his spiritual chains. Has God freed you?

Soli deo Gloria!

^25 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, ²⁶ and 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 unfastened.” (Acts 16:25–26)

When we last met, Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God at the midnight hour following a vicious beating sanctioned by the Philippian magistrates. They were in prison and their feet were fastened to stocks. They were extremely uncomfortable but also extremely content. Their physical pain gave way to spiritual prayers and praises to God.

It was at this moment that God miraculously intervened. A great earthquake occurred. This resulted in the prison foundations shaking, the prison doors opening and every prisoner’s bonds and shackles unfastening. That must have been some earthquake.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Earlier in Acts, we twice see apostles freed from jail by angels (Acts 5:17-32; 12:6-11). Now, however, God intervenes in another way – He sends a violent earthquake that causes the doors to swing open and the chains to come loose from the walls. Although the prisoners all miraculously escape injury, none makes a break for freedom; perhaps they understand that the events are somehow connected to Paul and Silas, and they stay near for protection.”

Warren Wiersbe writes, “Prayer and praise are powerful weapons (2 Chron. 20:1–22; Acts 4:23–37). God responded by shaking the foundations of the prison, opening all the doors, and loosening the prisoners’ bonds. They could have fled to freedom, but instead they remained right where they were. For one thing, Paul immediately took command; and, no doubt, the fear of God was on these pagan men. The prisoners must have realized that there was something very special about those two Jewish preachers.”

How did the jailer respond? We will find out when next we meet.

Soli deo Gloria!

^“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25).

Badly beaten and held secure in stocks in an inner prison cell, Paul and Silas greatly suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ. What was their response to such ill treatment by the Philippian government officials? Did they complain? Did they doubt God? Did they become angry at their suffering and circumstances?

Today’s text tells us that Paul and Silas, at around the midnight hour, were praying and singing hymns to God. What a wonderful testimony of their living faith in Christ. What a convicting testimony of a living faith in Christ that I do not often display when I encounter suffering circumstances. Especially, in light of the fact that my circumstances do not even remotely compare to the circumstances Paul and Silas encountered in Philippi.

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “With their bodies aching and their feet uncomfortably held in the stocks, Paul and Silas cannot sleep in their prison cell. But they neither surrender to despair nor lament their sufferings. Instead, they go to God with their petitions and praises, bolstering their faith by reminding themselves of their great and loving God.”

I often encourage people to do three things when encountering difficulties in life. First read God’s Word. Second, pray the Word which you have read. Third, sing the Word which you have read and prayed. Paul and Silas display two of the three spiritual disciplines, and the other prisoners were listening.

Pastor Warren Wiersbe writes, “Instead of complaining or calling on God to judge their enemies, the two men prayed and praised God. When you are in pain, the midnight hour is not the easiest time for a sacred concert, but God gives “songs in the night” (Job 35:10; also see Ps. 42:8). Prayer and praise are powerful weapons (2 Chron. 20:1–22; Acts 4:23–37).”

 “Any fool can sing in the day,” said Charles Haddon Spurgeon. “It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but the skillful singer is he who can sing when there is not a ray of light to read by … Songs in the night come only from God; they are not in the power of men.”

 Let each of us remember this lesson from a prison setting. No matter the circumstances, let us pray and sing to our Lord, who is sovereign over all our circumstances.

Soli deo Gloria!

^19 “But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. ²⁰ And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. ²¹ They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” ²² The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. ²³ And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. ²⁴ Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:19–24)

The act by the Apostle Paul in casting out the demon from the slave girl fulfilled the well-known expression,” No good deed goes unpunished.” The phrase is a sardonic commentary on the frequency with which acts of kindness backfire on those who offer them. In other words, those who help others are doomed to suffer as a result of their being helpful. The comment has been attributed to several luminaries, including filmmaker Billy Wilder, writer Clare Booth Luce, American financier John P. Grier, banker Andrew W. Mellon, and Oscar Wilde, although its actual origin has never been established. 

When the slave girl’s owners realized their source of income was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers of the city. The marketplace was where the city magistrates judged court cases. The probable reason why Luke and Timothy were not arrested was because they, unlike Paul and Silas, were Gentiles and not Jewish. It appears that anti-Semitism against Paul and Silas contributed to their arrest.

As is often the case, the owners of the slave girl did not express their real reasons for bringing Paul and Silas before the magistrates to stand trial. They never mentioned their loss of income due to the exorcism performed by God through Paul. Rather, they fabricated the charge that because the two missionaries were Jewish they were disturbing their Gentile city. They indicated that the duo were advocating customs that were not lawful for Romans to accept or practice. It is interesting to note that the accusers never said what those unlawful customs were.

The predominantly Gentile mob joined in the attack against Paul and Silas. The magistrates, without even hearing testimony from the two missionaries, gave orders for both of them to be beaten with rods. The rods were called fasces. They were bundles of rods carried by Roman law officers.

Following a severe beating, the magistrates had Paul and Silas thrown into prison. The jailer was to keep watch over them and hold them securely. Upon hearing this directive, the jailer placed Paul and Silas into the inner prison and fastened their feet in stocks.

The suffering experienced by Christians takes many forms. I Peter 2:21 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”

What was Paul Silas’ response to this unfair and unlawful treatment? We will examine the answer to this question when next we meet.

Until then, Soli deo Gloria!

^16 “As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” ¹⁸ And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.” (Acts 16:16–18)

Being consistent with the text, the place of prayer Luke mentioned most likely was the riverside where Paul and his co-missionaries first met Lydia. The text does not say it was the Sabbath. It didn’t have to be. Every day can be a day for prayer.

As Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy were going to the place for prayer, they encountered a slave girl. The phrase “they were met” indicates that the encounter was mutual. The girl was most likely a woman of age or adulthood. However, she was not a free person. She was someone’s slave. The reason is never revealed.

She was also demon possessed. Luke referred to it as a spirit of divination. The phrase Luke used is an idiom or an expression meaning literally ‘to have a spirit of a python.’ By this spirit, she was a successful fortune teller. She would tell people for pay what would happen to them in the future.

Dr. Simon Kistermaker explains that, “The Greek here rendered ‘divination’ derives from a word referring to Python, the mystical snake that guarded the Delphic Oracle. As the priestess of Apollo at Delphi was able to predict the future, so this slave girl served her masters in Philippi as a fortuneteller. She was an instrument of demons who used her as a mouthpiece.”

She was exploited. She was abused and ill-used not only by the demons but also by her owners. The only personal value she had with her masters was the “much gain” she brought to them. They were pimps who subjugated her to a life of fortunetelling prostitution.

Whatever the reason, and Luke did not provide one, the girl followed Paul and his companions for many days and continually shouted and screamed that “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”  

Dr. R. C. Sproul raises several questions. “Is she truly able to predict future events? We cannot be sure; the answer depends on whether God makes His plans known to Satan to any extent.  Also, why would Satan allow this girl to make a truthful confession about Paul and his companions? However, Satan may be using a truthful testimony delivered in a disruptive way to frustrate Paul’s ministry efforts. It is also possible the Gentiles hearing the girl are being led to believe that the ‘Most High God’ is a reference to Zeus.”

Regardless, Paul had enough and became irritated and angry. He eventually said to the demonic spirit, ““I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” The spirit immediately submitted to Paul’s command and departed from the girl.

The Apostle Paul used the divine and delegated authority God had given to him. The result was that the girl was no longer bound by the demons. However, she was still bound by her human masters who would seek retribution against Paul for eliminating their source of profit and prosperity.

Standing for Christ in a lost and fallen world will always result in spiritual opposition. I Peter 4:12-14 says, “¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

Therefore, always be on your guard. We never know when we may face spiritual oppression and attack. However, Jesus is always with us so be encouraged (Hebrews 13:5).

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!