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  (ESV of Bible used here.)

To answer this we’ll read of the account of the Roman jailer found in Acts 16…

Acts 16:16-26 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.  (17)  She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”  (18)  And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.  (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.”  (22)  The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.  (23)  And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.  (24)  Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. (25) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,  (26)  and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

(Mark the correct answer.)

— Q1. What had they done to deserve being put under arrest?

They had…   a/ started a rebellion     b/ healed a slave girl     c/ stole some food

— Q2. How were they treated while under incarceration?

They were…   a/ beaten.     b/ treated with respect.     c/ paid off.

— Q3. How did they respond? (What was their testimony under such persecution?)

They…   a/ complained bitterly.     b/ tried to lead a protest.     c/ prayed and sang hymns.

— Q4. What does God do about His servant’s situation here?

God…   a/ left them to suffer.     b/ caused an earthquake to free them.     c/ sent an angel to free them.

Acts 16:27-33 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.  (28)  But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”  (29)  And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.  (30)  Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  (31)  And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  (32)  And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.  (33)  And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

— Q5. When the jailer wakes and sees the prison doors open, he is about to _____ _________.

a/ kill them     b/ chase them     c/ kill himself   (Answer: Acts 16:27).

— Q6. How did Paul and Silas handle their new God-given freedom?

They…   a/ stayed there in jail.     b/ immediately fled.     c/ attacked the jailer.   (Answer: Acts 16:28)

— Q7. When he sees that Paul and Silas remained, and saved him from losing his life as punishment for failing the Roman Empire, the jailer…

a/ put them back in stocks.     b/ had soldiers guard them.     c/ asked, “What must I do to be saved?

— Q8. And what was the answer the Apostle Paul gave to him?

a/ Go and make a sacrifice in the temple.     b/ Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.

— Q9. To “Believe in the Lord Jesus”, means we need to believe that…

a/ Jesus lived in Roman times.     b/ Jesus was a holy man.     c/ Jesus died for our sins and is the Lord of all.

— Q10. What did Paul and Silas do that caused the jailer to receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior?

They…   a/ served God with all the abilities and gifts God gave them.     b/ praised God in all circumstances.

c/ had compassion for their jailer’s plight.     d/ shared the good news that Jesus is Lord and Savior.     e/ all of these.

We’re not Paul and Silas but we can use the gifts God has given us to serve others. We too can choose to give God praise, even in times of sorrow and persecution. We can also have compassion on those who are hurting, and tell them the Good News of Jesus. That’s how our witness will lead others to be saved. (KK)

Step1 – repent of sins;   Step2 – accept Jesus as your Savior; and    Step3 – make Him the Lord of your life. (KK)

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