The Philippian Jailer – Acts 16:25-40

The Story in a nutshell

It was midnight, but Paul and Silas were still up singing and praising God while the other prisoners listened.  Suddenly there was an earthquake.  It was so strong that the prison doors flew open and the chains on the prisoners loosened.  The earthquake woke the jailer, and when he saw the prison doors open he thought all the prisoners had escaped.  He was about to kill himself when Paul shouted that everyone was still in their cells.

The jailer rushed to Paul, fell on his knees, and asked what he needed to do to be saved.
Paul told him to believe in the Lord Jesus and he and his household would be saved.  Then Paul shared the word of the Lord with the jailer and the other prisoners.

The jailer washed the wounds of Paul and Silas, and immediately he and his family were baptized.  The jailer then took them to his home and gave them a meal.

In the morning the local governing officials sent officers to the jailer and told him to release Paul and Silas from prison. But Paul and Silas wouldn’t leave.  They were Roman citizens and shouldn’t have been mistreated as they were.  So, they asked that the city officials come to the jail and apologize for mistreating them.  And the city officials did.

After leaving prison, Paul and Silas met with other believers in town and gave them encouragement.  Then they left town.

Do you remember the story?  Can you answer the questions below?  If you need help, go to the story as found in the Bible (Acts 16:25-40).

1. What happened while Paul and Silas were singing and praising God?
2. What three things did the earthquake cause to happen?
3. What did the jailer think when he awoke?
4. What was the jailer about to do when Paul shouted that all the prisoners were in their Cells?
5. When the jailer asked Paul what he needed to do to be saved, what did Paul tell him?
6. What did Paul share with the jailer and prisoners?
7. What did the local officials do the next morning?
8. Why wouldn’t Paul and Silas leave the jail?
9. What did Paul and Silas ask the city officials to do?
10. What did Paul and Silas do after leaving the prison?

Have questions about God, Jesus, and the Bible? An excellent source for answers to your questions is gotquestions.org. Check it out. gotquestions.org.

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