Conversions in Acts” — What did they do to become Christians?
Part 8.
Over the past several weeks, we have noticed seven specific conversion accounts in the Book of Acts:
The 3,000 on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38, 41).
Those in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:1-12).
“Simon the Sorcerer” (Acts 8:13).
The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40).
The conversion of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9).
The conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10).
The conversion of Lydia (Acts 16:11-15).
In this article, we will examine the conversion of the Philippian Jailor (Acts 16:25-34).
Paul and Silas in prison
Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison after an altercation with a “certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination” (Acts 16:16). People were making money off of her as she was similar to a modern day “fortune teller.”
Paul, as an apostle of Jesus, had the ability to cast the spirit out of her: “And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour” (Acts 16:18).
Paul and Silas were then beaten with rods, thrown into the inner prison, and had their feet fastened in stocks. Words can’t do justice to the immense pain and lack of comfort these men of God must have felt, but they were suffering for doing right (Acts 5:41).
Paul and Silas pray and sing
As they were in the dark prison, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God (Acts 16:25a)! Could you and I say that we would be doing the same?
Their joy was not based on outward circumstances but on the inward peace of doing the will of God and praising Him! Singing is first directed toward God but also serves as a teaching tool (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
Consider the impact this must have had on the prisoners who were listening (Acts 16:25b)!
An earthquake frees the prisoners
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 chains were loosed (Acts 16:26).
The keeper of the prison, who was charged to make sure the prisoners stayed put, woke up and was literally scared to death. He drew his sword to take his life because if a Roman prison guard lost prisoners, he would be put to death. Paul called out with a loud voice saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here” (Acts 16:28).
The jailor’s reaction
The Jailor was so moved by this that he came to Paul and Silas trembling. He asked them the most important question a man or woman could ever ask: “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).
Based on everything we have studied in this series, what formula or pattern do you expect we will find?
What Paul and Silas taught the jailor
Paul and Silas told the prisoner that the first thing he had to do (after recognizing that he was lost) was to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31). This was not the totality of the conversation nor was it the end: “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house” (Acts 16:32).
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17) so they had to preach the Gospel to him for him to believe and obey!
The same hour of the night, the Jailor “washed their stripes” (repentance) and “immediately he and his family were baptized” (Acts 16:33).
Truly, this is a remarkable account!
The jailor was just moments away from taking his life. The Gospel had the power to take him out of darkness and into the marvelous light of God (Col. 1:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:9-10). He and his family were able to rejoice “having believed in God” meaning they responded by faith to the Good News and received the forgiveness of their sins.
Dear friends, the power was not in Paul and Silas.
The power was not in the earthquake.
The power was and is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ to save the soul of man (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18-21; 1 Pet. 1:22-25)!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
 | A guest post by
|