Philippian Jailer
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638. Philippian Jailer
638. Philippian Jailer
Acts 16
Convicted, converted, and consecrated are words which express the experience of the jailer.
1. Convicted. The earthquake caused a soul-quake with the jailer. The foundations of his being were shaken, as well as the foundations of the prison—v. 27. His trembling manner, humble demeanour, and earnest cry tell out his anguish of soul—v. 29, 30. Conviction of sin always precedes conversion from sin. The needle of God’s law, causing heartache and bitterness of soul, goes before the scarlet thread of the Gospel—Rom. 7:7–13, 25.
1. Convicted. The earthquake caused a soul-quake with the jailer. The foundations of his being were shaken, as well as the foundations of the prison—v. 27. His trembling manner, humble demeanour, and earnest cry tell out his anguish of soul—v. 29, 30. Conviction of sin always precedes conversion from sin. The needle of God’s law, causing heartache and bitterness of soul, goes before the scarlet thread of the Gospel—Rom. 7:7–13, 25.
2. Converted—v. 31, 34. “He believed in God” sums up the conversion of the jailer. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” is the message that comes to him, like a draught of water to the famished traveller in the arid desert. What does it mean to believe on Christ? At least three things—To believe on Him as “Jesus” is to be saved through Him—Matt. 1:21.
2. Converted—v. 31, 34. “He believed in God” sums up the conversion of the jailer. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ” is the message that comes to him, like a draught of water to the famished traveller in the arid desert. What does it mean to believe on Christ? At least three things—To believe on Him as “Jesus” is to be saved through Him—Matt. 1:21.
To believe on Him as “Christ” is to be sanctified in Him—1 Cor. 1:2.
To believe on Him as “Lord” is to be swayed by Him—John 13:14.
3. Consecrated—v. 33, 34. The jailer evidences his conversion by his kindly treatment to the apostles. He seeks to repair the past and improve the present. It has been well said: “Here is a man converted and he instantly seeks to make up for the past. He tries to rub out yesterday’s injury.” Christianity always drives men back upon their yesterdays. The Christian says: “I must pay the money that I am owing. I know that the Statute of Limitations would excuse me, but there is no Statute of Limitations in the regenerated heart.” The penitent says: “I must find out the life I once bruised, and if that life is no longer on the earth I must find some descendants, and for David’s sake I will love Mephibosheth.” The religion that does this proves its own inspiration. It does not need our eloquence, nor ask for our intellectual patronage.
3. Consecrated—v. 33, 34. The jailer evidences his conversion by his kindly treatment to the apostles. He seeks to repair the past and improve the present. It has been well said: “Here is a man converted and he instantly seeks to make up for the past. He tries to rub out yesterday’s injury.” Christianity always drives men back upon their yesterdays. The Christian says: “I must pay the money that I am owing. I know that the Statute of Limitations would excuse me, but there is no Statute of Limitations in the regenerated heart.” The penitent says: “I must find out the life I once bruised, and if that life is no longer on the earth I must find some descendants, and for David’s sake I will love Mephibosheth.” The religion that does this proves its own inspiration. It does not need our eloquence, nor ask for our intellectual patronage.
Frederick Marsh, 1,000 Bible Study Outlines: Study Helps and Sermon Outlines (WORDsearch, 1970), 301–302.