Acts 16:16-40

We left Paul and Silas in Phillippi where the first person to receive Christ as Savior was Lydia and then her entire family. We follow these men in the continuation of their work in the city.

• The second missionary journey
  • The possessed girl (Acts 16:16-18)
    • We would call her a fortune teller today
    • Her fortune-telling abilities came from demonic powers
    • Her declaration “These men are the servants of the most high God” was correct
      • Jews would understand most high God as Jehovah
      • Gentiles would believe she meant Zeus
    • By the authority of which Paul spoke, she was delivered from demon possession (Acts 16:18)
  • The response of her masters (Acts 16:19-21)
    • Charges based on lies
      • There was no evidence they had upset the city until the false charges were brought against them
      • They were not teaching unlawful customs
    • Because of their lies, there was an outcry
      • Much attention was given to these missionaries and their message
  • The arrest of the missionaries
    • Paul and Silas were the only ones arrested
      • They were Jewish
      • They were leaders
      • They were also Roman citizens
        • As Roman citizens, they were exempt from beatings and scourging
      • They were beaten and imprisoned
  • A jailer finds a new life (Acts 16:25-34)
    • Paul and Silas were confident of God’s care
    • Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God
      • The other prisoners were listening and observing
    • The earthquake (Acts 16:26)
      • Doors opened
      • Shackles fell off
      • All prisoners were freed
        • Not just Paul and Silas
      • Jailer woke
        • Seeing the doors open, he prepared to end his own life (Acts 16:27)
          • He faced severe punishment
        • Paul called out (Acts 16:28-29)
          • All the prisoners remained
        • The question and answer (Acts 16:30-31)
          • What must I do to be saved?
        • The effect on the family (Acts 16:32-34)
          • Baptism for the jailer and all his family
  • Dealing with public officials (Acts 16:35-39)
    • Paul and Silas were imprisoned again
    • Serjeants were sent to quietly release them
    • Paul and Silas were freed (Acts 16:39)
      • Paul demanded a public apology to demonstrate to the people of Phillipi that they had done no wrong.
      • They were not guilty as accused but faithful to God’s call
  • A final goodbye to the church
    • Paul always shows concern for the Christians in his ministry