the acts of the apostles-第41章
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moans； cursing and swearing； breaking the silence of the night； but never
before had they heard words of prayer and praise ascending from that gloomy
cell。 Guards and prisoners marveled and asked themselves who these men could
be； who； cold； hungry； and tortured； could yet rejoice。
Meanwhile the magistrates returned to their homes； congratulating themselves
that by prompt and decisive measures they had quelled a tumult。 But on the
way they heard further particulars concerning the character and work of the
men they had sentenced to scourging and imprisonment。 They saw the woman who
had been freed from satanic influence and were struck by the change in her
countenance and demeanor。 In the past she had caused the city much trouble；
now she was quiet and peaceable。 As they realized that in all probability
they had visited upon two innocent men the rigorous penalty of the Roman law
they were indignant with themselves and decided that in the morning they
would command that the apostles be privately released and
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escorted from the city； beyond the danger of violence from the mob。
But while men were cruel and vindictive； or criminally negligent of the
solemn responsibilities devolving upon them； God had not forgotten to be
gracious to His servants。 All heaven was interested in the men who were
suffering for Christ's sake； and angels were sent to visit the prison。 At
their tread the earth trembled。 The heavily bolted prison doors were thrown
open； the chains and fetters fell from the hands and feet of the prisoners；
and a bright light flooded the prison。
The keeper of the jail had heard with amazement the prayers and songs of the
imprisoned apostles。 When they were led in； he had seen their swollen and
bleeding wounds； and had himself caused their feet to be fastened in the
stocks。 He had expected to hear from them bitter groans and imprecations；
but he heard instead songs of joy and praise。 With these sounds in his ears
the jailer had fallen into a sleep from which he was awakened by the
earthquake and the shaking of the prison walls。
Starting up in alarm； he saw with dismay that all the prison doors were
open； and the fear flashed upon him that the prisoners had escaped。 He
remembered with what explicit charge Paul and Silas had been entrusted to
his care the night before； and he was certain that death would be the
penalty of his apparent unfaithfulness。 In the bitterness of his spirit he
felt that it was better for him to die by his own hand than to submit to a
disgraceful execution。 Drawing his sword； he was about to kill himself； when
Paul's
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voice was heard in the words of cheer； 〃Do thyself no harm： for we are all
here。〃 Every man was in his place； restrained by the power of God exerted
through one fellow prisoner。
The severity with which the jailer had treated the apostles had not aroused
their resentment。 Paul and Silas had the spirit of Christ； not the spirit of
revenge。 Their hearts； filled with the love of the Saviour； had no room for
malice against their persecutors。
The jailer dropped his sword and； calling for lights； hastened into the
inner dungeon。 He would see what manner of men these were who repaid with
kindness the cruelty with which they had been treated。 Reaching the place
where the apostles were； and casting himself before them； he asked their
forgiveness。 Then； bringing them out into the open court； he inquired；
〃Sirs； what must I do to be saved？〃
The jailer had trembled as he beheld the wrath of God manifested in the
earthquake； when he thought that the prisoners had escaped he had been ready
to die by his own hand； but now all these things seemed of little
consequence compared with the new； strange dread that agitated his mind； and
his desire to possess the tranquillity and cheerfulness shown by the
apostles under suffering and abuse。 He saw in their countenances the light
of heaven； he knew that God had interposed in a miraculous manner to save
their lives； and with peculiar force the words of the spirit…possessed woman
came to his mind： 〃These men are the servants of the most high God； which
show unto us the way of salvation。
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With deep humility he asked the apostles to show him the way of life。
〃Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ； and thou shalt be saved； and thy house；〃
they answered； and 〃they spake unto him the word of the Lord； and to all
that were in his house。〃 The jailer then washed the wounds of the apostles
and ministered to them； after which he was baptized by them； with all his
household。 A sanctifying influence diffused itself among the inmates of the
prison； and the minds of all were opened to listen to the truths spoken by
the apostles。 They were convinced that the God whom these men served had
miraculously released them from bondage。
The citizens of Philippi had been greatly terrified by the earthquake； and
when in the morning the officers of the prison told the magistrates of what
had occurred during the night； they were alarmed and sent the sergeants to
liberate the apostles。 But Paul declared； 〃They have beaten us openly
uncondemned； being Romans； and have cast us into prison； and now do they
thrust us out privily？ nay verily； but let them come themselves and fetch us
out。〃
The apostles were Roman citizens； and it was unlawful to scourge a Roman；
save for the most flagrant crime； or to deprive him of his liberty without a
fair trial。 Paul and Silas had been publicly imprisoned； and they now
refused to be privately released without the proper explanation on the part
of the magistrates。
When this word was brought to the authorities； they were alarmed for fear
that the apostles would complain to the emperor； and going at once to the
prison； they apologized
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to Paul and Silas for the injustice and cruelty done them and personally
conducted them out of the prison； entreating them to depart from the city。
The magistrates feared the apostles' influence over the people； and they
also feared the Power that had interposed in behalf of these innocent men。
Acting upon the instruction given by Christ； the apostles would not urge
their presence where it was not desired。 〃They went out of the prison； and
entered into the house of Lydia： and when they had seen the brethren； they
comforted them； and departed。〃
The apostles did not regard as in vain their labors in Philippi。 They had
met much opposition and persecution； but the intervention of Providence in
their behalf； and the conversion of the jailer and his household； more than
atoned for the disgrace and suffering they had endured。 The news of their
unjust imprisonment and miraculous deliverance became known through all that
region； and this brought the work of the apostles to the notice of a large
number who otherwise would not have been reached。
Paul's labors at Philippi resulted in the establishment of a church whose
membership steadily increased。 His zeal and devotion； and； above all； his
willingness to suffer for Christ's sake； exerted a deep and lasting
influence upon the converts。 They prized the precious truths for which the
apostles had sacrificed so much； and gave themselves with wholehearted
devotion to the cause of their Redeemer。
That this church did not escape persecution is shown by an expression in
Paul's letter to them。 He says； 〃Unto you
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it is given in the behalf of Christ； not only to believe on Him； but also to
suffer for His sake； having the same conflict which ye saw in me。〃 Yet such
was their steadfastness in the faith that he declares； 〃I thank my God upon
every remembrance of you； always in every prayer of mine for you all making
request with joy； for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until
now。〃 Philippians 1：29；
30； 3…5。
Terrible is the struggle that takes place between the forces of good and of
evil in important centers where the messengers of truth are called upon to
labor。 〃We wrestle not against flesh and blood；〃 declares Pa
