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"He then brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'"
(Acts 16:30)
Today we will continue on in Acts 16 through verses 26-34. The last we had heard, Paul and Silas were worshiping in prison. What happens next is exciting!
"Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose." (Acts 16:26)
One thing that stands out is how easy this was for the Lord. There was no struggle to kick down the doors, no clever skills to pick the locks; the doors simply flew open and the chains were released! The Lord reveals His strength both through a powerful earthquake and through the ease of release for the captives. In an instant: boom! Freedom! But Paul and Silas are not the only people who find freedom in this passage. It continues:
"The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, 'Don't harm yourself! We are all here!' The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'" (Acts 16:27-31)
Freedom from Roman chains is amazing. Freedom from the chains of sin is astounding and eternity-changing! Even when Paul and Silas were physically freed, the spiritual captivity of the jailer remained. So Paul and Silas stayed and had the opportunity to be a further witness. The jailer asked the most important question he could have possibly asked, "What must I do to be saved?"
Think back to yesterday. Why did the jailer know that God was the cause of this miraculous freedom for Paul and Silas? Why did he ask these men about salvation? How did he make the connection? Paul and Silas had been praying and singing so that others could hear! Their boldness in prison paved the way for this man to ask how he too could know and be saved by such a great God.
I recently witnessed a scary motorcycle accident. As my family and I were walking to our local ice cream shop, a motorcycle slammed into the passenger-side door of a car that was backing out of a parking spot onto the street. After he hit, my husband passed the stroller holding our son to me and ran to render aid. Someone called emergency services. Others began gathering in groups, some discussing who was at fault and others just shaking their heads. I started to pray... out loud! My first concern was for the man lying on the ground and I wanted to plead on his behalf. But I also wanted to be a witness in this moment by crying out in the name of Jesus. Thankfully, he got up and walked away a few minutes later with what was probably just a broken arm.
Don't be afraid to live your faith out loud. You never know who may be noticing and how God may be working in their life.
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