Today's Devotion

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 - Acts 16:23-40

In the name of + Jesus. Amen.

Paul and Silas have been publicly flogged and imprisoned in the Roman colony of Philippi. They were especially singled out – having exorcised a demon and depriving a local pagan the ability to make money off of his possessed slave who could tell fortunes (Acts 16:16-22). So they were put very deep into the prison, their “feet in the stocks.”

Paul and Silas hold a legal trump card: they are Roman citizens. They did not reveal this before they were beaten and jailed. As citizens, they were entitled to due process and not to be tortured. But for some reason, they allowed their attackers and captors to assume that, being ethnic Jews, they were not Roman citizens. It seems that Paul and Silas are waiting for the right time to make this known. But for the time being, they find themselves imprisoned.

As is often the case with St. Paul, he sees his incarceration as a preaching opportunity. Rather than bemoaning his own captivity, he sees his guards and fellow prisoners as his captives. And he teaches them the Word of God, testifies about Jesus, and preaches the Good News to anyone within earshot. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and prisoners were listening to them.” Even at this very early point in church history, we see liturgy and hymns. Christian worship is both a comfort to believers as well as outreach to unbelievers. And it is in this context of worship, even in a dungeon, where God does something extraordinary.

As there was when Elijah seemed to be without hope (1 Kings 19:11), as there was after Jesus’ death on the cross (Matt 27:51), and just as there will be as this dying world passes from time to eternity (Rev 16:18), there was an earthquake. “All the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” The jailer is about to kill himself rather than face the wrath of the Roman government for losing his prisoners. But St. Paul intervenes. Life will triumph over death this night in Philippi. The prisoners refuse to leave the jail. And this prompts the jailer to ask the question that has plagued mankind ever since the fall: “What must I do to be saved?” He had apparently heard Paul’s preaching, and realized that the gods to which he had prayed and sacrificed to are useless.

Paul’s answer sums up the Christian difference. There is nothing one can do to be saved. Salvation is rather by faith, that is, by belief: belief in the Savior: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” – and not only the jailer, but his entire “household.” Rather than losing his life, rather than his family losing a husband and father, rather than his household losing its living – the jailer and his home will not only live this night, but gain eternal life.

“And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him and all who were in his house.” The whole family was baptized. There was rejoicing. Paul and Silas were released the next day. They used their citizenship to secure an apology for their treatment. They return with joy to the church at Lydia’s home. Their missionary work here is done. “And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.” Paul and Silas will free many more prisoners in the Greco-Roman world from bondage to sin, death, and the devil.

Amen.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.