Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he 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, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God. Acts 16:25-34 NLT
There are many inspiring stories of baptisms in the Bible, but none points out the way baptism is intended to be than the story of the Philippian jailer. He was a jailer in the Roman colony of Phillipi, appointed by the government, likely a retired soldier. Paul and Silas behaved so well under pressure as men of God that their concern for him saved him from taking his own life. He could not imagine they would stay in prison for his good. He had heard Paul and Silas singing and praying, so the jailer knew the difference was their faith. As soon as the earthquake ended, he ran to Paul and Silas and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? To know your God?” They explained God’s Good News through Jesus to him and everyone who lived in his household. They all repented and placed their faith in Christ.
The jailer showed evidence of his transforming heart right then. In the middle of the night he cared for them and washed their wounds. Then they baptized all these new believers as a sign of their public commitment to Jesus and His way. They concluded the evening with a shared homecooked meal at his table. Everyone rejoiced! See how that works?
It gets even better. The story goes on. God answered more prayers. The next day Paul and Silas went free on the order of the authorities. That’s a whole great story on its own. Read it. The church in Phillipi thrived and grew, and the jailer was part of it. The story comes full circle.
- Where are you on the circle? Thank God and keep sharing the Good News.