Salvation Through Suffering

Acts 16:6 begins a new chapter in the spread of the Gospel

it started in Jerusalem, then spread into Judea, then Samaria and then out into the uttermost parts of the earth

it is now moving into Europe, making its way towards the capital of the Roman Empire

Summary:

Jesus, by his HS, restrained Paul and his team from speaking the Word in Asia, what is now western Turkey

knowing they had been called to preach they kept travelling until God opened a door for them

that opportunity to preach was finally opened at Troas when the Lord directed them to Macedonia

so they sailed across the Aegean Sea into Europe to Philippi

because there was no synagogue they went outside of the city to the temporary meeting place where they preached to a group consisting largely of women

as Paul preached the Word God God opened the heart of a business woman named Lydia so that she was willing and able to understand

he gave her grace so that she was able to exercise her saving faith along with some from her household

all who heard, believed and repented of their sins were baptized

at the same time that God was working through Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke to save sinners Satan was working against them through a slave girl in order to keep those sinners under his power and control

he directed a demon possessed fortune telling slave girl to attach herself to Paul’s team and to cry out that they were servants of the Most High God and were proclaiming the way of salvation

imagine Satan doing that!!

Paul wisely recognized Satan’s subtle attack and cast the demon out of the girl

when the owners of the girl realized their source of income had been destroyed by Paul they turned their outrage against them

Satan changed his tactics from subtlety to an outright attack on them

Paul’s teaching on the power of the devil:

1 John 5:19 ESV

19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Ephesians 6:11–12 ESV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

contrast the power of the devil to Jesus’ promise in Mt 16:18:

“I will build my church, and the gate of hell shall not prevail against it”

in our text today the gates of a prison cannot hold back the gospel from those whom God has chosen to save

Vicious Opposition to the Gospel

Satan’s subtle but devious effort to corrupt the gospel through the fortune telling slave girl was foiled when Paul cast his demon out by the power of the HS

Paul had assaulted Satan’s gates and the Devil fought back

Acts 16:19–21 ESV

19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”

“they seized … and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers”

seized: to take hold of; grab

dragged: to seize away ⇔ haul v. — to lead someone away by force against their will; conceived of as drawing a heavy object out of something with great effort.

they were manhandled, dragged and shoved into the marketplace before the rulers

the trumped up charges:

they are Jews - true

The Jews always have been and always will be hated by the world because they are God’s chosen people.

having been separated by God as his chosen people they are Satan’s target

The same is true for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

about this time Emperor Claudius ordered all the Jews to leave Rome

this anti-semitism may explain why only Paul and Silas were apprehended, Luke being a Gentile and Timothy a half-Gentile

they are disturbing our city - false

disturb: to throw into great confusion or disorder

this was of course false

up to this point their ministry in Philippi had been relatively quiet

there was no significant Jewish presence to stir up opposition as they did in other cities like Lystra where Paul was stoned

they advocate unlawful customs - partially true

there was a Roman law forbidding its citizens from practicing any foreign religion which had not been approved by the State, however it was rarely enforced

If Paul and his team were to obey the calling of the Holy Spirit they would have to disobey Roman law and accept the consequences.

example of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin

Acts 4:18–19 ESV

18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,

Acts 5:40–42 ESV

40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

“the crowd joined in attacking them”

“attacking” is supplied - lit. “the crowd joined against them”

the crowd joined the slave owners in their attack on Paul and Silas

“the magistrates tore the garments off them … beat them with rods”

having been stirred into a mob like frenzy Paul and Silas were physically attacked

all of their outer clothing was ripped off them, they were stripped down to their underwear

they were beaten over and over again with a rod or a cane

this was the first of 3 that Paul would endure for the Gospel (2 Cor 11:25)

Paul’s testimony of his treatment

1 Thessalonians 2:2 ESV

2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

Paul and Silas were publicly humiliated in this unjust act of brutality, a strong warning to any who would follow them

When Satan’s subtle attack failed he made a direct physical attack on Paul and Silas.

remember the progression in the level of persecution when the church was first planted in Jerusalem:

Acts 4 - verbal warning - prayed for boldness - the place was shaken, they were filled with the HS and they continued to speak with boldness

Acts 5:17-42 - physical beating - rejoiced in their suffering counting it a privilege to suffer for Christ - did not cease teaching and preaching

Acts 7:54-60 - Stephen was martyred - great persecution - the gospel was spread as they scattered

Acts 16:23 ESV

23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.

the Jews limited their beatings to 40 less 1 in order to protect the person’s honour

the goal under God’s OT law was not the destruction of the person’s standing but to restrain evil and cause others to fear

there were no restraints like this on these Romans who brutally beat Paul and Silas

after the vicious beating Paul and Silas were cast into prison where their feet were fastened in stocks

Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians described their treatment in Philippi:

1 Thessalonians 2:2 ESV

2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

The Gospel Affirmed Through Suffering

Acts 16:25-34

“praying and singing hymns to God”

In spite of the severe beating, their unjust imprisonment and being put in stocks they were praying and singing to God!

they were not doing so with loud voices

this was not a deliberate attempt to witness to a captive audience

their focus was on God

he had kept them from preaching in Western Turkey, he had directed them to Philippi, Lydia and many of her household had been saved

perhaps like Peter and John they were rejoicing at being counted worthy to suffer for Christ!

“the prisoners were listening to them”

to overhear v. — to hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

Paul and Silas were not loudly praying and singing but were worshipping and praying as they trusted in the Lord.

perhaps they were encouraging one another in the midst of their sufferings

Ephesians 5:15–21 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:16–17 ESV

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

as they did so the prisoners and the jailor were eaves dropping

Questions for Self Examination:

what would an unbeliever think if they were able to eaves drop on your words when you have been shamefully treated? unjustly slandered? ridiculed?

what would an unbeliever think if they were able to eaves drop on your times of bible reading, study and prayer?

“suddenly there was a great earthquake … all the doors were opened … everyone’s bonds unfastened”

remember that they were praying and singing to God

not only were the prisoners listening but God was listening and caused an earthquake as a result

why would God do that???

Before the NT scriptures were completed miracles were God’s means of affirming the preacher and his message.

“when the jailor awoke”

if he had been listening he fell asleep

seeing that the prison doors were open he naturally assumed the prisoners had escaped and drew his sword to kill himself

remember what happened when Peter escaped King Herod’s soldiers: they were executed!

when a man enrolled in the Roman army he swore a military oath to the General and the Emperor called the sacramentum

in it he promised to fulfill his duties on the pain of punishment up to and inclusive of death

discipline in the Roman army was extreme compared to modern standards

a general had the power to execute any soldier under his command

when a soldier had been courtmartialed for dereliction of duty the soldier would be stoned or beaten to death in front of the troops (called fustuarium)

[Read Acts 16:28-34 and make brief comments]

he fell down before Paul and Silas

The same feet the jailer had put into stocks he was now bowing before the pleading to know how to be saved!

v. 31 a summary of the gospel - not enough to be saved

v.32 a more robust teaching of what believing meant and required

the jailer took them into his house where Paul and Silas taught them

signs of salvation:

v.33 washed wounds - ministered to them - showed them love

was baptized (Oct 20)

fed them: showed them hospitality

rejoiced greatly having been saved

v.40 “the brothers” indicates many had come to Christ besides Lydia and the Jailer and their families

Paul’s refusal to go quietly

Paul did not seek revenge but did not want their treatment to become a precedent for the treatment of the new believers.

Satan’s plans were brought to nothing being overruled by God’s sovereign control of persons, events and nature

for those willing to be faithful no matter the cost, God stands ready to work all things together for good!

The Blessing of God’s Sovereign Rule

One of the great blessings of God’s sovereign rule over the universe is his power to bring good out of evil. (Rom 8:28)

especially true when his people are persecuted

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Even the fickle and unpredictable wrath of man God is able to use. (Ps 76:10)

Psalm 76:10 ESV

10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.

Nothing can separate us from God’s loving care and protection. (Rom 8:38-39)

Romans 8:38–39 ESV

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Joseph’s testimony of God’s overruling hand over his jealous brothers who sold him into slavery

Genesis 45:5–8 ESV

5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 50:20 ESV

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

the most wicked crime ever committed was the murder of God’s Son, Jesus

Out of the horrible act of the unjust, cruel murder of Jesus God brought salvation to the world. (Acts 2:22-24)

Acts 2:22–24 ESV

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

over and over again throughout the book of Acts we have witnessed the persecution of the early church (Acts 4,5,7,8,12)

in each case Satan was trying to hinder or silence God’s witnesses in order to stop the spread of the gospel

yet the church was not only strengthened but it grew in numbers!

and so here again we see the sovereign hand of God, overruling Satan’s vicious attack to ensure the spread of the gospel

when Satan’s attempt to infiltrate the church with a demon possessed girl failed he tried to destroy it with persecution

though this resulted in great suffering God turned it around and used it to save the Philippian jailer and many of his household

[pray for awareness of devil’s schemes and willingness to be faithful no matter what the cost and may we see many come to Christ]