A Prison Governor's Conversion - Acts 16 Part 3

The third conversion in Philippi was of a most unlikely character. It was the Roman prison officer who had been charged with guarding Paul and Silas. They were beaten and put in the inner prison with their feet in stocks. How would you react if that was you? I think I wouldn't have been too happy but Paul and Silas were heard to be praying and singing praises to God. 

When the earthquake came the Prison Guard thought that all the prisoners had escaped. If that had been the case then he would have lost his life which is why he had his sword out ready to commit suicide rather than be put to death by his superiors. 

Paul saves the say and cries out 'don't do yourself any harm'. Things only get better from then on! The man springs in and asks how he can have what they have i.e. peace with God and joy in the midst of sorrow!

That's what God has on offer through His Son, Jesus Christ. I am praying that you will come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, 

Stephen 

Acts 16. 25-40

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard 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 every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have castus into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. 39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. 40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.

For more information text the word INFO to 07747 101352 

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

Religion Ruins Business! - Acts 16 Part 2

When I was a boy I heard the story of a village in Lanarkshire, Scotland where so many people got saved that the local pubs and ale houses had to close down. The men of the village where turning to God and giving up their old drinking habits. They had found something better. Something that satisfied. Something that drink could never complete with. This was true in the case of my grandfather as well. He had gone to sea as a boy of 14 and had spend 27 years sailing the oceans of the world. He had seen life and knew how to take his drink but it never satisfied him. One time he was home from the sea my grandmother, who was a believer, took him to a meeting to hear a missionary from Africa preach. That was the night my grandad got saved. He never drank again. You see he had found something that really satisfied and he didn't need the drink any more.

The second conversion story in Acts 16 is about a girl whose life was a mess because of sin. It would seem as if she was trapped in her lifestyle. She was also demon possessed. The men she worked for were making money out of her. Paul and Silas were on their way back to the prayer meeting we talked about yesterday. On the journey this girl met them. Somehow she recognised that they were men who served God so she started to shout about it. For days this went on until Paul commanded the demon to come out of her. She was freed immediately. 

The men who had enslaved her were not too happy about her liberty and freedom. They had lost their source of income. Salvation from sin frees a persons and brings them into present and eternal blessing. That however doesn't mean that other people will be happy about it. 

Paul and Silas end up in Prison as a result. Tomorrow we will discover that God has allowed this to happen for a reason. 

Have a good day, 

Stephen

Acts 16

16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:17 the same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 and brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 and teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

KJV - Acts 16:16-24

For more information text the word INFO to 07747 101352 

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

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All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.

The First Christian in Europe - Acts 16 Part 1

When the gospel of Jesus Christ first came to Europe it was quite an event. This chapter records three conversions that took place at that time. We will look at each of them in turn, in three different blog postings. 

The first person to become a Christian was Lydia. She was a business women and was obviously interested in discovering the truth. We meet her first at a prayer meeting. That's a good place to search for God. If you are interested in discovering the truth, in getting to know God and in becoming a Christian going to place where the God of the Bible is discussed and talked about would be a good starting point. 

In cultural terms it's quite significant that the first recorded conversion in Europe was a woman. In her society women were not treated with equal status as men. This clearly not a biblical standpoint as scripture records that God is no respecter of persons. He does not distinguish between men and women in terms of superiority (despite defining differing roles for them) but he treats them equally. 

The truth is that we have all sinned and we can all be saved by the same process of repentance towards God, confession of sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The description of the way  that Lydia got saved makes pleasant reading. She didn't need her life thoroughly shaken up before she trusted Christ. There were no stories of strong arguments persuading her to believe. The text simply says that the Lord opened her heart. It sounds to me like a flower responding to the sun's rays. A flower opens in the heat of the sun, especially a Livingstone Daisy if my memory serves me properly. Lydia responded to the warmth of God's love and received Christ as her Lord and Saviour. 

I am praying that this will happen to you as well. 

Thanks for reading this, 

Stephen

Acts 16Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

16 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 and from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Pride & Prejudice - Acts 15

Today's blog posting will be short and I trust, sweet. Have a read through the chapter and note the sections that I have highlighted. 

Let me summarise some of the important messages that I see in this chapter. 

No 1 - Christians are thrilled and happy when they hear of new people getting saved and becoming believers. This is not because more people have 'joined our club' or 'we are winning the argument' but because we genuinely believe that people who die without Christ as Lord and Saviour end up in hell. This need not be the case. Jesus Christ's death is sufficient to forgive every soul who has ever lived and when a person receives the 'gift of God which is eternal life' they are safe for this life and the next. 

No 2 - God makes no difference between people. Race, culture, wealth, intelligence, social status or any other man made dividing line is not relevant to God. He treats us all the same. 

No 3 - All of our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked. We need cleansing! God will purify our hearts if and when we turn from our sin to Him and trust His Son, Jesus as Lord and Saviour. 

No 4 - God is long-suffering not willing that any should perish. He is currently dispensing grace in salvation to all who call upon His name. 

That's my summary. There is a lot more that could be said. If you have questions please get back to me or have a read of some of the other blog postings. 

Have a good weekend, 

Stephen.

Acts 15Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

15 And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and fromblood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 and they wrote letters by them after this manner;

The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,26 men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 31 which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. 34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.

For more information text the word INFO to 07747 101352 

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.