Paul and Silas told the worried Jailor, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household." Acts 16.31

One of the warehouse workers once while clocking in after lunch, said, “I am back again in dungeon”. It was almost like a prison for him. When he gets out of it, he feels comfortable and when he gets in he feels like he is back in dungeon.

That is how Paul and Silas felt like when they were put in prison. That is how jailor felt like, when Paul and Silas were freed by God. Prison was a dungeon for Joseph too. Nevertheless in prison great things happened. It was from prison that Joseph was elevated to a great place in Egypt. It was in prison that the jailor was saved.

It was in prison that Paul and Saul sang songs. An insignificant person, who was in prison on charges of offending Pharaoh, helped Joseph secure coveted place in Pharaoh’s kingdom.

Let us read Genesis 39:21-23

But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with Joseph, and the LORD made all that he did to prosper.

Even while Joseph was serving jail term, he interpreted dreams to the two prisoners, who were very close to Pharaoh once upon a time. The dreams came true. One of the prisoners was hanged and the other was restored to his position as Pharaoh’s Chief cup bearer.

Gen 40:23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him. No doubt he forgot Joseph for two years but at God’s appointed time he remembered Joseph and presented him before Pharaoh to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. Do not interpretations belong to God? Joseph depended on God and interpreted Pharaoh’s dream with ease and comfort.

Pharaoh was pleased with the interpretation of his dream, and so not only he released Joseph from prison but elevated him to second in Egypt. Look at the marvelous ways of God. Joseph was put in jail for none of his fault, yet he had to suffer in prison. Look at the way how God helped him in prison. Observe the special providence of God, which filled the minds of the two prisoners with unusual dreams. That made unusual impressions upon them. They carried with them evidences of a divine origin, both in one night. Note that God has immediate access to the spirits of men. He can make these spirits work for him whenever he desires.

Gen 41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

Gen 41:41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

Gen 41:44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

Let us see how God helped Peter in prison.

Ever since Saul was converted and became Paul to serve God we do not see any activity in harassing Christians. Right at that moment there comes another person, a proud Herod Agrippa, who was reigning as king in Judea. God cut off Herod in the height of his pride by the stroke of an angel. God delivered Peter in a miraculous way out of prison by the ministry of an angel, in answer to the prayers of the church for him (v. 6–19). Herod killed James the brother of John with the sword, and imprisoned Peter. He did this because he saw it pleased the Jews

Here is an account of Peter’s deliverance from prison.

Acts 12:7

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, raised him up and said, "Arise up quickly". And his chains fell off from his hands.

A great deal of care was executed in keeping Peter confined to prison, so that it became absolutely impossible for him to get away or for some other to release him. Nevertheless unceasing prayer of the church unto God for him, helped him get out of the prison safely. They prayed without ceasing.

Peter experienced angel come upon him and waiting on him. It almost appeared to him that everyone abandoned him, yet there was one who did not forget him; His God, your God and my God.

Although it was dark place and night, yet a light shone in the prison. The soldiers were struck into a deep sleep for the time being. The angel awoke Peter, by giving him a blow on his side and says, Arise up quickly. The chains fell off from his hands. They had handcuffed him to make sure that he would not run away, but God loosed his bands. The angel ordered him to dress himself immediately, bind on his sandals, and follow him. Thereafter, the angel led Peter safely out of danger. The guards did not have any other choice than make their way through without any opposition.

After Peter was safely led out of prison the angel departed from him and he was out of danger.

Now, let us look how God helped the Jailor in prison. See how God helped Paul and Silas when they were in prison.

Paul and Silas told the worried Jailor, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household." Acts 16.31

When a fortune telling slave girl who had a spirit, by which she predicted future was saved from the torture of evil spirits, she testified about Paul and Silas, stating, "these men are servants of the Most High God." They took sympathy on the slave girl and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!"

At that moment the spirit left her. When the owners of slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place to face the authorities. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailor woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!"

The jailor 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."…"then immediately he and all his family were baptized."

Let us introspect if we are facing any problems, such as torture by evil spirits? Insecure, as the jailor felt? Craving for salvation? Flogged for witnessing for Lord Jesus? Bound with fetters of chains?

Sing songs and praises to our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise His name. Glorify His name. He is the Lord. He is the beginning and the end. He is the way, the Truth, and the light. Believe that no one can enter the kingdom of God, unless one believes in Jesus Christ, accepts Jesus as one’s personal savior; and confesses sins to Him.

God bless you
Leslie John

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