“WAIT, WE ARE ROMAN

CITIZENS!”

ACTS 16: 16 - 40

• V16 – 18 The Slave Girl

• Paul, Silas, Luke, and team were still staying

with Lydia in Philippi

• For several days, a demon possessed slave

girl, who could predict the future (predict

not KNOW = demons are NOT Omniscient),

followed Paul and group. She constantly

shouted, “These men are servants of the

Most High God, who are telling you the

way to be saved.”

• Paul becomes annoyed and said, “In the

name of Jesus Christ, I command you to

come out of her!” Instantly, the demon left.

• The girl’s owners realized they were

loosing money because she was no

longer possessed. Brought Paul and

Silas to their town Magistrate (Mayor)

complaining that Paul and Silas were

teaching practices that Rome did not

approve.

Meet the Jailor: v25 - 31

• The Mayor ordered Paul and Silas

flogged and jailed. The jailor put them

in the most secure part of the prison.

• At midnight, the other prisoners could

hear them praying and singing praises

• V26 A violent earthquake shook all the

prison doors open and all the chains fell off.

• The jailor assumed all the prisoners

escaped and started to kill himself, but Paul

called out, “Don’t harm yourself, we are all

here!”

• The jailor fell at their feet and asked, “what

must I do to be saved?” He brought Paul

and Silas to his home, fed them, cleaned

their wounds.

• Paul and Silas ministered the Word to him

and his family – he and his household were

saved. “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you

will be saved and your household…” v31

• V35 Paul and Silas – Roman Citizens!

• Daylight, Mayor releases them from jail,

however, Paul declares their Citizenship and

demands a formal escort out of jail –

publicly you punished us then publicly free

us!

• They escorted Paul and Silas to Lydia’s

home and are asked to leave the city “asap”

• Paul and Silas encourages the young church

leaders and leave Philippi – he intentionally

and publicly identified himself with the

church – now providing Roman covering!

WHAT DO WE SEE?...

• There is a cost to serving Jesus

• What is your “prison”?

• There is great victory! The slave girl saved,

the jailor’s household saved, the Philippian

Church protected – chance to grow and…

• In the midst of chaos and crisis – Paul and

Silas prayed and sang praises…what are you

doing?