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Acts 16:19-40

Paul and Silas are on the Second Missionary Journey

Paul had just healed the slave girl who was announcing that Paul and Silas proclaimed the way of salvation.

Her owners were furious, because she could no longer make them money. They took Paul and Silas to the authorities, with false charges.

Paul and Silas were beaten with rods. threw them in prison and put them in stocks.

At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, and all of the prison doors were opened and everyone’s chains fell off.

The jailer, seeing that all the prison door were open, was about to kill himself. But Paul stopped him, saying that all the prisoners were still there.
The jailer and his family accepted Jesus.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart, you will be saved.

The jailer tended Paul and Silas’ wounds and fed them.

The next day the magistrates sent a message to the jailer to release Paul and Silas secretly.

Paul and Silas refused, demanding that the magistrates come themselves to publicly release them, as they were Roman citizens

The magistrates were afraid, and coma and pleaded with them to leave.
Paul and Silas went to Lydia, met with the brethren, and then left.

Paul did this to protect the Gospel message- the people had seen the missionaries beaten and jailed – not a great witness. So Paul wanted a public apology so that the people could see that Christianity did not have criminal influences.

Aplicação:

1. What does turn the other cheek mean?
   Paul didn’t mind what happened to him, but did not tolerate anything bad happening to the Gospel, or his ministry
   
2. Life is short. You need to settle the matter of your salvation and eternal life now, while you have a chance.
   Jesus is the only way to salvation.
   
3. Can you worship and pray when you’re suffering, or when life is hard? It is hard, but it is a great witness.