Acts 16:16-40 (GNT)

Acts 16:16-40 (GNT)

16One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a young servant woman who had an evil spirit that enabled her to predict the future. She earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes. 17She followed Paul and us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God! They announce to you how you can be saved!” 18She did this for many days, until Paul became so upset that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I order you to come out of her!” The spirit went out of her that very moment. 19When her owners realized that their chance of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them to the authorities in the public square. 20They brought them before the Roman officials and said, “These men are Jews, and they are causing trouble in our city. 21They are teaching customs that are against our law; we are Roman citizens, and we cannot accept these customs or practice them.” 22And the crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas.

Then the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be whipped. 23After a severe beating, they were thrown into jail, and the jailer was ordered to lock them up tight. 24Upon receiving this order, the jailer threw them into the inner cell and fastened their feet between heavy blocks of wood.

25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, which shook the prison to its foundations. At once all the doors opened, and the chains fell off all the prisoners. 27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he thought that the prisoners had escaped; so he pulled out his sword and was about to kill himself. 28But Paul shouted at the top of his voice, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29The jailer called for a light, rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. 30Then he led them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved- you and your family.” 32Then they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in the house. 33At that very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; and he and all his family were baptized at once. 34Then he took Paul and Silas up into his house and gave them some food to eat. He and his family were filled with joy, because they now believed in God.

35The next morning the Roman authorities sent police officers with the order, “Let those men go.” 36So the jailer told Paul, “The officials have sent an order for you and Silas to be released. You may leave, then, and go in peace.” 37But Paul said to the police officers, “We were not found guilty of any crime, yet they whipped us in public- and we are Roman citizens! Then they threw us in prison. And now they want to send us away secretly? Not at all! The Roman officials themselves must come here and let us out.” 38The police officers reported these words to the Roman officials; and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were afraid. 39So they went and apologized to them; then they led them out of the prison and asked them to leave the city. 40Paul and Silas left the prison and went to Lydia’s house. There they met the believers, spoke words of encouragement to them, and left.

On this day...

• Christ is interceding on our behalf - 2011
• NECK OR NOTHING - 2009
• CAN YOU COME DOWN? - 2009
• THE OLD CROSS AND THE NEW - 2009
• one has begun to stop living - 2009
• Rejoice in knowing that you belong to God - 2009
• AND EVERY VIRTUE WE POSSESS - 2009
• God Gave Man a Harp - 2009
• Moses - Man of great faith - 2009
• The heavens declare the glory of God - 2009
• Discerning What is False - 2009
• GETTING THERE - 2009
• John 16:8 - 2009
• Trading Spaces - Rubble Trouble - 2009
• Two Kinds of Vessels - 2009