Paul and Silas in Prison — Acts 16:16–40 — Bible Stories

Acts

Paul and Silas in Prison — Acts 16:16–40

Overview

Paul and Silas praise God in prison, and God uses their suffering to bring deliverance and salvation to the jailer’s household.

Details

Key KJV PassageActs 16:31 — “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

Main CharactersPaul, Silas, the jailer, the jailer’s household, and God.

Lesson / ThemeWorship and faith can endure suffering, and God can use hardship to bring salvation to others.

Connection to ChristThe jailer is pointed directly to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the way of salvation.

Memory VerseActs 16:31.

Discussion QuestionsWhy did Paul and Silas sing in prison? How did God open the way for the jailer to hear the gospel? What does this story teach about salvation?

Verse Selections

✎ Acts 16:31 Paul tells the jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” – the Gospel’s invitation to salvation.

(31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

✎ Acts 16:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 The jailer himself declares his conversion, recognizing that God has made him “delighted in God.”

(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.

✎ Philippians 4:7, 8 A New Testament echo of the prison’s joy.

(7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

✎ Philippians 4:12, 13 I am able to do all things … as nothing is possible…

(12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

(13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.