Acts...

Acts...

The pastor is studying through the book of Acts in the New Testament...saying it will take awhile...

A pivotal book, the church comes to being...the new leaders, the growth to the world, the sorting out of doctrine, the testimonies, the encouragement, the dispersion, the sacrifices, the travels, truth...adding the letters to the new churches, individuals...

 It is like reading a life story of an individual...all the in and outs, the ups and downs, the various chapters of life, the connections or disconnects, making up the whole story of their life...how God was working over and over again...the changes throughout their life to bring them to new places, new people and how it all works together...

What a glorious path the church has trod and is still treading ...it has not been destroyed, but rather blossomed because God has been glorified and continues to be so...He is God after all...He lifts up and tears down...He Forgives that we might do so as well...He moves the world and man as He planned...He is loving, comforting, building...while He judges as well...the sin...

One portion of Acts reveals one man’s deep questions...

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 

When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. 

At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 

The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 

But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved —you and your household.” 

Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 

At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 

The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. 

When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “

The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”

Acts 16:23-36

I can’t imagine the jailer in the beginning treating Paul Silas with any  kindness...but he is transformed in this small narrative...from placing them in stocks to washing their wounds, feeding them and telling them to go in peace...and bidding their leave...

He is not only transformed in actions but, in heart..believing, being baptized...

What we all need to do... believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent, accept Him as Savior...

God was building the church with jailers, crowds, rich, poor, various cultures...everyone... because He is for all...all mankind...thank YOU...