May 12, 2013 – 7 Easter
Acts 16:16-34
Paul and Silas in Prison
Background: The Acts of the Apostles is a unique book
in the New Testament. This book is the companion to the Gospel of Luke and
provides much of the history of the early church. This section continues to
report on the growing mission to the Gentiles in Europe and picks up at the end
of the story of Lydia’s baptism.
Theme: Paul continues his mission in Philippi
following his meeting with Lydia and the members of her community. As Paul and
Silas travel through Philippi they experience witness to their faith and
oppression by the Roman rulers of the day. This story provides a picture of the
power of the Holy Spirit to turn people and to demonstrate God’s power in the
world.
Questions to Ponder:
* Please read Acts 16:16-40 for today’s reading. Briefly
describe the setting for this passage.
* Where and when does this story take place?
* What is the issue with divination and fortune telling? The
“spirit of divination” could be literally translated as “the spirit of Python
(a serpent of the oracle of Delphi); what impact would that interpretation of
this passage have readers of the day?
* How does this passage of exorcism compare or contrast the
stories told about Peter and Jewish magicians in Acts 8:9-24 and 13:8-12?
* Do you think there is a connection between the girl being
called a “slave-girl” (v. 16) and her calling Paul and Silas “slaves of the
Most High God” (v. 17)?
* What do you think the charge was levied by the
slave-girl’s owners against Paul and Silas? How does their charge compare with
the charge against Jesus before his crucifixion? Do you think Paul and Silas
warranted the punishment they received?
* Why might the jailer want to kill himself when he found
the prison open? How does his reaction to his potential “unmerited sentence”
contrast Paul and Silas’ response to their sentence? What do you think that is
telling us for our current situation?
* What do you think the jailer expected from Paul and Silas
when he asked “what must I do to be saved?”
* What do you think Paul meant when he told the jailer “[to
receive salvation] believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and
your household.”?
* By what means do you think Paul is as defiant as he is
portrayed in verse 37? What do you think his response signaled to the new
Christians in his time?
* What is the message of hope that we garner from this
passage?
* How do we translate this passage into something that applies in our
time and context?
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