The Miracle in the Prison

The book of Acts records the persecution Paul and Silas faced in Philippi because the spread of the gospel threatened the economic interests of some local people. The magistrates ordered that their clothes be torn off and that they be beaten with rods before being thrown into prison. Though their bodies were bound, their spirits were not. Though their bodies were in prison, their spirits could be with the Lord, and they were joyful even in their suffering (Romans 5:3).

Around midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, a great earthquake occurred, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Instantly, all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up and, seeing the prison doors open, assumed the prisoners had escaped. (According to Roman law, if prisoners escaped, the jailer would have to pay with his own life). He drew his sword to kill himself. Paul stopped the jailer from harming himself and preached God’s gospel to him. The jailer and his entire household believed in God and were filled with joy.

Salvation is like an earthquake—it throws open the prison doors, loosens chains, and brings light into darkness, instantly changing a person’s life. A few hours earlier, the jailer had thrown Paul and Silas into the inner cell, was indifferent to their wounds, and had fallen fast asleep until the earthquake woke him. Now, he personally washed their wounds and set a meal before them, and the joy of the Lord became the mark of his new life in Christ.

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