Paul is always making new friends and allies.
In verses 1-8, he meets Priscilla and Aquila, collaborates with Silas and Timothy, and converts synagogue leaders Titius Justus and Crispus.
In verses 10-15, we read about Paul and Silas’ escape from Thessalonica.
They have better success in Berea, at least until their enemies from Thessalonica follow them into town and stir up trouble.
1) Thessalonica
2) Berea
3) Athens
To an Unknown God
In verses 29-34, Paul and Silas baptize the family of the jailer.
In verses 35-40, Paul takes the system to task. When he informs the officers that he and Silas were punished without a trial, even though they’re Roman citizens, the leaders are anxious to release them quietly.
This reminds me of discussions we’ve seen during the war on terror concerning the rights of non-American captives. Are they entitled to the same rights as citizens? If not, where do we draw the line? And how does international law fit into this discussion.
It seems that there was no concept of universal rights at the time described in this passage.
In verses 25-28, we read about Paul and Silas’s jail time.
They’re singing like crazy people when an earthquake sets the whole jail free.
The jailer assumes his prisoners have escaped, so he prepares to kill himself before his supervisors do.
What I wonder most is why the other prisoners don’t escape.
In verses 16-24, Paul and Silas are thrown into prison for healing a young slave.
If doing the right thing costs a powerful person their comfort and means to make money, be prepared for backlash.
Wow. I wouldn’t have been praying with thanksgiving if I’d been thrown in a nasty dungeon.
What am I missing that Paul and Sials had?
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