The Salvation of the Jailer & the Spread of the Gospel in Macedonia (Acts 16–17)
At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns in prison when a great earthquake shook the foundations, opening all the doors and loosing every chain. The jailer, fearing escape, nearly took his own life—but Paul stopped him. Trembling, he asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). They shared the gospel with him and his household, and that very night they were baptized.
🔹 Note on Baptism: Water baptism does not cleanse sin (1 Peter 3:21). The only baptism that saves is being immersed into Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–13). Paul preached the gospel—not water baptism (1 Corinthians 1:17). Baptism symbolizes our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:4–6, 11); in Christ, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The next day, the magistrates sought to quietly release Paul and Silas. But Paul objected—they were Roman citizens unjustly beaten without trial. Alarmed, the magistrates personally apologized and asked them to leave. After encouraging the brethren, they departed Philippi.
Traveling along the Via Egnatia, Paul and Silas passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia before arriving in Thessalonica. There, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures in the synagogue for three Sabbaths, explaining that the Christ must suffer and rise again. Many believed, but jealous Jews stirred up a mob, attacking the house of Jason. Accused of proclaiming Jesus as king and turning the world upside down, Jason had to post bond for peace.
Paul taught them deep doctrine, including the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13–17) and the man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12). He later sent Timothy to strengthen them (1 Thessalonians 3:1–3).
🏛 Historical Note: Luke’s use of the term πολιτάρχης (Acts 17:6, 8) was once criticized as inaccurate. But archaeological discoveries—especially inscriptions in Thessalonica like the Vardar Gate—confirmed “politarch” was an official civic title in Macedonia, validating Luke’s historical precision and the reliability of Scripture.
Paul and Silas were then sent by night to Berea (modern Véroia). The Jews there were noble-born (εὐγενής) and received the word with eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to verify Paul’s teaching. Many believed, including prominent Greeks. When trouble came from Thessalonica, Paul was sent to the coast while Silas and Timothy remained. He then arrived in Athens and sent for them to join him.
At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns in prison when a great earthquake shook the foundations, opening all the doors and loosing every chain. The jailer, fearing escape, nearly took his own life—but Paul stopped him. Trembling, he asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). They shared the gospel with him and his household, and that very night they were baptized.
🔹 Note on Baptism: Water baptism does not cleanse sin (1 Peter 3:21). The only baptism that saves is being immersed into Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–13). Paul preached the gospel—not water baptism (1 Corinthians 1:17). Baptism symbolizes our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:4–6, 11); in Christ, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The next day, the magistrates sought to quietly release Paul and Silas. But Paul objected—they were Roman citizens unjustly beaten without trial. Alarmed, the magistrates personally apologized and asked them to leave. After encouraging the brethren, they departed Philippi.
Traveling along the Via Egnatia, Paul and Silas passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia before arriving in Thessalonica. There, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures in the synagogue for three Sabbaths, explaining that the Christ must suffer and rise again. Many believed, but jealous Jews stirred up a mob, attacking the house of Jason. Accused of proclaiming Jesus as king and turning the world upside down, Jason had to post bond for peace.
Paul taught them deep doctrine, including the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13–17) and the man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12). He later sent Timothy to strengthen them (1 Thessalonians 3:1–3).
🏛 Historical Note: Luke’s use of the term πολιτάρχης (Acts 17:6, 8) was once criticized as inaccurate. But archaeological discoveries—especially inscriptions in Thessalonica like the Vardar Gate—confirmed “politarch” was an official civic title in Macedonia, validating Luke’s historical precision and the reliability of Scripture.
Paul and Silas were then sent by night to Berea (modern Véroia). The Jews there were noble-born (εὐγενής) and received the word with eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to verify Paul’s teaching. Many believed, including prominent Greeks. When trouble came from Thessalonica, Paul was sent to the coast while Silas and Timothy remained. He then arrived in Athens and sent for them to join him.