Worship in Prison

Acts 16:19-34

¹⁹But 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.

²⁰And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.

²¹They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”

²²The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.

²³And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.

²⁴Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,

²⁶and 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.

²⁷When 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.

²⁸But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”

²⁹And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.

³⁰Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

³¹And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

³²And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

³³And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

³⁴Then 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.

Oddly enough, sometimes when you do the right thing for the right reason the consequences are less than pleasant. Maybe you tap someone's car in the parking lot and bravely leave a note claiming responsibility only to be socked with a large bill for repairs. Maybe you speak truthfully to a friend about some behaviors that are negatively affecting those around them and you lose your friend. Maybe you free a slave girl from an evil demon and you get thrown into jail.

The owners of the slave girl who was rescued by Paul are not impressed. Their source of income has vanished. So they drag Paul and Silas into the town square and press charges. It is interesting that they are accused with trying to convert people. Proselytizing for Judaism was legal because it was a religion recognized and sanctioned by the Roman government. This was not the case for Christianity. It was still illegal. After soundly beating Paul and Silas (and Timothy and Luke) they are all put under strict guard and chained to a wall in the guard's house. Then another curious thing happens. The imprisoned men choose to spend their incarceration in worship and praise. Instead of worrying about what the next day will bring - like an execution - they spend the time praising God and singing songs. I might have been able to sing a praise song - but it would have been pretty shaky! For me there are two miracles in this passage. Yes, there is that earthquake that frees Paul and his entourage from the chains. But there is also a bravery and boldness given to the missionaries that leads to singing in the face of death. That is the work of the Holy Spirit right there.

As is always the case with the Scripture we get to see God's grace in action. As a result of all of these events the jailer and his entire family are saved by the blood Jesus. He is made ready to hear the Gospel and it is quickly and simply proclaimed by Paul. The missionaries show mercy by not leaving the jail thus sparing the life of the guard. And that mercy (and probably several hours of hearing Paul and his friends worshiping and praying) moves his heart. He wants to know Jesus. God uses everything when it comes to reaching people with His love, including an unjust imprisonment.

Once again I am challenged to begin looking for opportunity when faced with unpleasant consequences. And maybe it's time to sing a little more and worship in a few unusual places. That might prove to be surprising too!