III. Paul's Second Tour (continued) (15:36-18:22)
D. Arrival in Macedonia, and baptism of certain women, (vv.11-15)
v. 11,12 Samothrace, an island about 60 miles from Troas. Neopolis was a Macedonian seaport. From Neopolis to Philippi was about 12 miles inland. Philippi was a Roman colony. This would consist of settlers transplanted here from Italy.
v.13 There was probably not a synagogue in Philippi, the Caesar, had expelled all Jews from Roman cities at this time. However, where a synagogue could not be found. Jews would usually gather at a river so they could perform their ceremonial washings. The river Gangites was located 1 mile west of the city.
v.14 Lydia of Thyatira, a city of Asia famous for its purple dyes. It is ironic that Paul had been denied entry to Asia, but his first contact in Europe is from Asia. She was either a Jew or a proselyte. The preaching of the gospel enlightened Lydia's mind, she "gave heed" or centered her mind on this preaching.
v.15 This verse does not prove that infant baptism is scriptural. Why not? "Her household" means those who live in the house whether blood relation or not. She insisted that they stay at her house.
E. Paul and Silas are scourged and imprisoned (vv. 16-24)
v.16 After the conversion of Lydia the apostles continue to visit the place of prayer. This young girl was possessed by a spirit and was used by her owners as a means of profit.
v.17 Compare the damsels outcry with that of the demoniacs in Luke 8:28, see also Mt. 8:29, Mk. 1:24;3:11 and Luke 4:41. Was what the damsel said true or false?
v.18 The faith of the people must be based on the word of God, which could be confirmed through signs and miracles, but not through the testimony of demons.
v.19 With the demon gone, the girl's powers were gone. Her owners realized this and seized Paul and Silas and took them bodily to the marketplace. This is where the courts of law would be located in a Roman city.
v.20,21 The government officials would be prejudice against Paul and Silas because they were Jews. The charges against them were disturbing the peace and organizing a secret religious sect. Roman law forbade the introduction or practice of any new religion. Notice that these accusers never mention what they really had against Paul and Silas.
v.22 The mob sides with the accusers and the magistrates had Paul and Silas beaten with rods. The backs were stripped bare and they were probably tied to a whipping post.
v.23 Many stripes could have been more then the customary 39 of the Jews, remember these were Romans. The jailer was commanded to take every precaution to secure his prisoners."
v.24 A Roman prison was usually divided into three sections the outer prison where light and fresh air could reach, the middle prison shut off by iron gates and the inner prison or dungeon. The feet on Paul and Silas were placed in stocks usually made so that the feet were stretched wide apart.
F. The Jailer and His Family are Baptized (vv. 25-34)
v.25 They had been beaten, lost blood, not been fed, tortured in the stocks but they were singing and praying to God. The other prisoners listened to them.
v.26 An earthquake shook open the doors and opened the chains and stocks holding the prisoners.
v.27 Why would the jailer kill himself?
v.28 Paul stops the jailer from killing himself by announcing that none had escaped.
v.29,30 If the jailer had to have lights to see, bow did Paul know that no one had escaped and the jailer was going to kill himself? The jailer realizes the power of the Most High God rests within these two men. He removes them from the inner prison and asks that now familiar question.
v.31 "Believe on the Lord Jesus" is the direct answer to the jailer's question. Faith could save the jailer as well as his entire household.
v.32 Now the apostles present the evidence that Jesus is the Savior of the world so that the Jailer might believe. It is obvious that the jailer's entire household was capable of hearing and obeying or Paul and Silas could not preach to them,
v.33 The jailer took Paul and Silas someplace where there was an avai1ibility of water. There he washed their stripes and they washed away his sins. This was done immediately.
v. 34 Here we have the nucleus of the church at Philippi, Lydia and now the jailer and his household.
G. The Prisoners are released (vv. 35-40)
v.35 The magistrates sent orders for Paul and Silas to be released. Why?
v.36 The jailer would now be in sympathy with Paul and Silas so he invites them to come forth and go in peace.
v.37 Paul now counter-charges the magistrates; 1) beating them publicly 2) they were uncondemned 3) they were Roman citizens 4) they were cast into prison. All of these things were done publicly and now the magistrates wanted to release them quietly or privately.
v.38 The rights of a Roman citizen were strong. The four charges Paul had made against the magistrates were based on the fact that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.
v.39 The magistrates came and begged them to leave the city. Paul would not leave secretly and desert the young converts he had made.
v.40 The left the prison, went to the house of Lydia, they exhorted the brethren and departed. Luke and Timothy will stay behind at Philippi. Timothy will appear again in Chapter 17 but Luke will not rejoin Paul until chapter 20.
Addenda- Miracles in the books of Acts.
25) Demon Removed, Earthquake opens prison 16:16-34.