Spiritual Survival Guide
8: Bible Studies for Inside and Out
Prisoners in the Bible: Paul and Silas in Prison
some notable exceptions, but by and large, there was no long-term prison sentence behind bars. As we read and discuss this remarkable episode, pay close attention to Paul’s behavior, character, and priorities in the face of injustice. What inspiration or insight can we draw from God’s Word in the midst of our trials?
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The Bible has more prison scenes than you might expect. Jesus himself, and many of his followers, found themselves in the hands of the local authorities, whether they were actually guilty or not. Paul, one of the most famous leaders in the early church, found himself locked up again and again. This is a story of one of those many lockups. First, a couple of background notes. • Even though he was a prominent leader of a persecuted group, Paul had something that set him apart from man others—his Roman citizenship. It wasn’t by any means a get-out-of-jail-free card, but it did give him a recognized legal status that ensured he wouldn’t be treated with the same callous disregard that most people faced. In a way, it meant that he “had connections,” and enjoyed a certain entitlement. • This story showcases an important dimension of prison life—the officers who work there. It shows what God’s power and grace can do even in the troubled relationship between guards and prisoners. • Ancient prisons were very different from modern facilities. Most of them were little more than temporary holding facilities for a day or two. Once a legal hearing was held, one of four outcomes normally happened: (1) charges were dismissed; (2) a fine was paid; (3) corporal punishment was immediately administered; or (4) capital punishment was immediately administered. There were
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16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune–telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shout- ing, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around 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. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
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