We reason, the Holy Spirit regenerates

Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:17

We cannot be reasoned into the kingdom of God, nor can we reason anyone else in. That does not mean, however, that Christianity is unreasonable. It is absolutely reasonable. The problem is, we are all born sinners. A sad reality of being born in sin is that our ability to make sense of spiritual truth is severely compromised. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:14:

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Therefore while no one can be reasoned into saving faith, when we talk about Christ and the Gospel, what we say is reasonable and as we talk about Christ, we are reasoning. While our reasoning alone cannot convert anyone, we rely on the Holy Spirit to regenerate people, enabling them to understand our most reasonable faith.

Because the unconverted (even as we were) have a predisposition to reject Christ and the gospel, the unregenerate comfort themselves in their unbelief by believing a number of untruths. These commonly held untruths are posed as reasons not to believe. They are “roadblocks” standing in the way of belief. As we reason, our job is not to convert (that job belongs solely to the Holy Spirit), but to remove the excuses people hide behind. Humanly speaking, we do this by reasoning. Spiritually, the Holy Spirit removes the veil of one’s understanding (regeneration). The result is conversion.

The importance of being able to reason will be in tomorrow’s post.

Pointing those in error to Christ and the gospel

So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:15-17

Last time we considered the relationship between human wisdom and idolatry…

In this post we want to learn from Paul’s example how we ought to respond to those deceived by the idolatry of human wisdom. Paul didn’t angrily write these people off. Instead, he was “provoked” (by the Holy spirit) to point these people to Christ.

Please note Paul’s tactic when debating those in error (no matter what the error is). He did not set out merely to win an argument, or to expose their error. In all of Paul’s ministry, regardless of what the person’s problem was, he pointed them to Christ and the gospel. (Read verses 23 and following.)

This is important because some get side-tracked debating a specific error and never get to the one and only answer to every problem: Christ and the gospel.

As we encounter all sorts of errors in this world (no matter what they are), let us address the errors with the truth, which is, and always will be Christ and the gospel.

Human wisdom and idolatry

So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:15-17

Paul went to Athens, a prominent Greek city known for being the home of many Greek philosophers. Before proceeding, let us be reminded of what God’s Word says about human (that is, godless) philosophy. It is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-21).

What was Paul’s reaction to being in this hotbed of “worldly-wise” foolishness? “His spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.” From this let us learn two truths:

First, note that God’s Word equates human philosophy with idolatry. Why is it idolatry? It pridefully idolizes human intellect, reason, and imagined wisdom. In short, it idolizes humans in general, and self in particular—instead of humbly worshiping God. We are surrounded by this kind idolatry, too. Think of how many “experts” claim to know everything about just about everything. There are science experts who claim to know everything from health to climate—all without acknowledging God. There are social scientists who claim wisdom that human beings can change gender based on personal desires—excluding God. There are political and economic scientists who claim wisdom to spend more than we have and to give money taken from those who produce to those who only consume—ignoring the economic wisdom of God’s Word that is exactly the opposite. Many more examples could be given, but those with true wisdom get the point.

Like Paul, we live in a land of idolatrous human wisdom that denies God and the true wisdom that comes from Him. What is the correct response to those around us? Read the next blog post…

Persecution: Rejoice, or Run?

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. Acts 17:13-14

When persecutors from Thessalonica threatened Paul and Silas in Berea, the brethren there sent them away. What should we make of this?

First, we must use extreme caution forming doctrine from narratives. The Bible accurately records what happened, but it does not endorse (much less prescribe) everything it records.

Second, when thinking about how Christians are to view persecution, we are reminded of Jesus’ words that persecution is a “blessing” and that we are to “rejoice” in it (Matthew 5:10-12).

Third, Jesus also taught that when we are rejected for the sake of the gospel, we should depart (Matthew 10:14). This is in keeping with what Paul and Silas did, departing from persecution.

From this I would deduce that Christians need to discern in each case what is appropriate, considering the following:

It is unwise to seek persecution, and it is in fact wise to avoid it when possible—so long as we are not denying Christ and the gospel to do so. We certainly do no favors to Christ or ourselves if we persist when someone has made it clear that they do not want to hear what we have to say about Christ.

When persecution is unavoidable, we must seek the Lord for His grace and strength to endure faithfully and patiently while blessing those who hate us (Luke 6:28).

Let us pray for our persecuted brethren around the world. And let us be prepared. Persecution appears to be coming our way.

Two kinds of "missionary zeal"

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Acts 17:13

Why were those who persecuted Paul and Silas in Thessalonica not content to get them out of their city? Why did they feel compelled to follow the missionaries to Berea to attack them there also? Here are a couple of reasons.

First, they were not primarily motivated to “protect” their city from Christianity, they were motivated more fervently by their hatred of Christ. Let’s not forget Jesus’ words in John 15:18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” It was their hatred of Christ that propelled them even to other places to rid the world of Christ and the gospel—as well as of those who would dare to preach Christ.

Second, consider how love and hatred, though opposites, have this in common: both are powerful motivators. It was the love of Christ that constrained Paul to proclaim Christ with “missionary zeal” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Likewise, it is hatred of Christ that drives persecutors to oppose Christ with a similar “missionary zeal.”

Understand that the love of Christ causes believers to proclaim Christ. But Christian missionary zeal is carried out with love, kindness, and persuasion, whereas anti-Christian missionary zeal is carried out with anger, violence, and persecution. Christians reason, encourage, and plead with people to believe. Zealous Muslim “missionaries,” for instance, demand, threaten, and even kill those with whom they “share their faith.”

The missionary zeal is similar, but the strategies are altogether different.

Let us not be less zealous for Christ and the gospel than those who hate Christ and the gospel. But let our zeal be fueled by love, even as Christ has loved us.

Normative or Transitional?

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Acts 17:13

Have any of you taken noticed the following two recurring themes in the book of Acts?

• Missions and Evangelism.

• Persecution

Should this be important for us 2,000 years later?

Normative or Transitional? Some things in Acts were important then, but not so much after the transitional time of the Apostles. A prime example is the signs and wonders God did through the Apostles. As noted previously, just as God worked miracles through the Old Testament prophets to validate their words, God validated the words of the Apostles with signs and wonders when the Church was in its infancy. While we would never say God cannot do signs and wonders today, clearly they were more prevalent during the transitionary time of the Apostles.

Other things recorded in the Acts are normative—meaning they are basically (though not always exactly) the same for all believers and churches throughout the Church Age (until Christ’s 2nd Coming).

So what?

All believers and churches are to be engaged as much as possible in evangelism and missions, whether across the street, or around the world. This is to be normative.

While all Christians and churches do not suffer persecution in the same ways or to the same degree, that the Christ-hating world hates those who love and follow Jesus is normative. (1) Let us thank the Lord that we do not suffer as much as so many of our brothers and sisters around the world. (2) Let us remember to love and pray for those who do. (3) And let us be prepared so that when we do suffer, we do not stumble in our faith.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

He saves all sorts of people to put His “without partiality” grace on display!

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. Acts 17:11-12

One of the great encouragements (and there are many!) that I receive from the Lord is Hs inclusivity in the building of His kingdom. It is not made up of a singular demographic, but of all sorts people from nearly every demographic. Whether rich or poor, male or female, and without any respect to one’s ethnicity, God saves all kinds of people.

We may see more poor than wealthy followers of Christ, but it’s not the money that keeps the rich out. It is their trust in and love for their money that hinders then from trusting only in Christ. And while the Church was first made up of mostly Jewish people (Jesus is the King of the Jews who came first to His own), the Church is far more Gentile than Jewish from very early on. But that was not due to God’s precluding the Jews. If there was ever a preference shown, it was to the Jews, since their entire history and identity was their association with the God of the Bible and with His promises of a Messiah. God did not preclude them as much as they precluded themselves by refusing Him time and again.

What takeaways are there for us all in this?

We who are saved must be humbly grateful that God has saved us. It has nothing to do with who or what we are, but only with His matchless grace!

We who are saved must never count anyone out due to who or what they are. God may yet graciously save them just as He graciously saved us.

We who are saved must give all glory, honor, and praise to God, for this is why He saves all He is pleased to save. He saves all sorts of people to put His “without partiality” grace on display!

When a person will listen

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. Acts 17:11-12

The Bereans were open to hear the Word, and they checked what they heard next to the Bible. (Read yesterday’s post for why that is so important!) The results: many believed!

Two characteristics found in those who receive the Lord: (1) They’ll listen. (2) The power is in the Word.

While we cannot be too surprised when people do not want to hear about Christ and the gospel, let us rejoice when someone is willing to listen! Here are a couple of suggestions when this is the case:

Thank the person for being willing to listen. Let the person know how important what you are telling him/her is to you.

Since the person is willing to listen, be sure to give the gospel. Remember:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it [the gospel] is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16

Do you know the gospel well enough to give it simply and briefly? Be sure to relay these three points:

1. We are all ruined by sin (Because God is holy and demands holiness of those He created in His image, AND because we are not holy, we have a serious problem!)

2. Jesus is the only Remedy (Jesus, who is God who became a man, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins—and then rose from the dead to prove that there is no one like Him! He is the only way to be forgiven.)

3. Each person must receive Christ to be forgiven (Receiving Christ means trusting in Him as the only way to be forgiven, and turning from sin to follow Him because He has forgiven you— if you receive Him) Invite the person to receive Christ!

The exact words are not essential, but the message of the Gospel is most essential!

When a person won’t listen

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. Acts 17:11-12

The Bereans were open to hear the Word, and they checked what they heard next to the Bible. (Read yesterday’s post for why that is so important!) The results: many believed!

Two characteristics found in those who receive the Lord: (1) They’ll listen. (2) The power is in the Word.

We cannot be surprised when people do not want to hear about Christ and the gospel. Many simply do not. Though we should try anyway, if it is clear that they don’t want to hear it, continuing to press can drive people further away. This does not mean we give up on them! Instead, try saying something like this:

“It seems as though you are not interested. I get it. There was a time that I wasn’t either. But God graciously changed my heart. My prayer is that He might graciously change yours someday too. Let me know if you ever want to ask any questions. I’m only telling you this because I care for you.”

Then be sure to remember that person in prayer, asking the Lord to change the person’s heart and you give you other opportunities to share Christ with this person. That you respected their wishes, may go a long way in keeping the door open for another go at an different time…

Open mindedness: a good thing?

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. Acts 17:11-12

In contrast to the trouble Paul and Silas encountered at Thessalonica, the people in the city of Berea “were more fair-minded.” Some translations say “more noble minded.” Either way, the folks at Berea were apparently more “open-minded.”

Before saying any more about the Bereans, let us beware that in our day, being “open minded” is not necessarily a good thing. In our day being “open minded” is often equated with being willing to believe everyone and accept everything. Open mindedness in that sense is, of course, foolish and dangerous. Why? Because not all people and not all things are worthy of acceptance since many things are false, dangerous, and even deadly.

The Bereans were noble minded not because they accepted whatever they heard, but because they “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Yes, they “received the [Apostles’] word with all readiness,” but they checked what they heard against the scriptures. Once again, the Bible is the absolute and final authority next to which we must measure all things. If anything is not in line with the scriptures, it must be refused!

And this does not mean only religious teachers and their teachings. We need to measure everything against the Bible. Everything. This includes what we hear from any and every source: what we read, music we listen to, TV and movies we watch, all things on the internet, including social media, and even friends we spend time with and hear from.

If we would receive commendation like the Bereans, let us compare all of life to the scriptures. Embrace what the Bible affirms, and reject what it does not.

Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Perilous persecution, yet the Lord still saves His people.

So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Acts 17:9-10

The first nine verses of Acts 17 communicate Paul and Silas’ experience in Thessalonica, the city of the Thessalonians. Their experience there was filled with rejection and persecution. But that is not the end of the story. There are two books in the New Testament named 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. Reading these two short books reveals that though the rejection of the gospel and the gospel messengers was severe, even in the short time Paul and Silas were there, they (or we should say the Holy Spirit?) planted a church.

Reading Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, we are encouraged that though the church needed correction on some matters, there was a congregation of believers who loved the Lord Jesus.

Lesson: Even though life and ministry are often fraught with sorrows, the Lord will always save His people.

The next time you read the Thessalonian letters, I pray you will remember the first nine verses of Acts 17, and the account of that church’s birth—amidst perilous persecution.

And as we pray for our brothers and sisters who live in places of persecution, let us pray that God would continue to save His people in those places!

Last thought for today: When Paul and Silas left Thessalonica, they went to Berea where they did the same thing (going to the synagogue) but experienced vey different results.

Secular Persecution of Christians

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus." And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Acts 17:5-9

Last time we were reminded that Jesus told the disciples that as the world hated Him, the world will also hate His people. Why such hatred of believers? Jesus’ words make it clear that the world’s hatred of believers is actually hatred of Christ Himself.

The world’s hatred comes from two fronts: religious and secular. We wrote last time about religious persecution, as that was what was happening in the passage. This time, two thoughts about secular persecution of Christians.

First, secular persecution often comes from governments. Why? Because human governments nearly always ending up thinking that they are gods. They resolutely insist that they are not religious, as is the case with Communist countries like North Korea. But upon closer examination, they clearly act as if they are gods, insisting on their right to control people’s lives, and demanding allegiance from their citizens. Christianity, based on the lordship of Jesus Christ, poses a threat, not to good government, but to governments that think they are gods.

Second, secular persecution also comes from non-governmental ideologies (worldviews) that hate Christ in favor of whatever their pet project is (including everything from manic environmentalism, to every form of moral debauchery, to the “right” to murder children in the womb). The people driving these ideologies do so with “religious” fervor—even though they insist they are not religious. Christians are often the enemy of these movements because these movements oppose Christ, the gospel, and the teaching of the Bible.

So what is behind secular persecution of Christians? Secular religion.

Religious Persecution of Christians

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus." And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Acts 17:5-9

Jesus told the disciples that as the world hated Him, the world will also hate His people. Why such hatred of believers? Jesus’ words make it clear that the world’s hatred of believers is actually hatred of Christ Himself.

Those who do not love Jesus hate Him (Romans 1:30). He is an affront to their supposed personal sovereignty. All people know that there is a God and that all people will be judged by Him (Romans 1:18-32). People do not like this and therefore want to get rid of God so they can escape His judgment (as if they could). One of the preferred ways the Christ-hating world attempts to get rid of God is to get rid of His people (as if they could).

The world’s hatred comes from two fronts: religious and secular. In this passage the hatred of Christ aimed at His people was religious. Ironically, it was from those in the Jewish religion—the very people Jesus came to first! Religious persecution of Christians is a revelation of how different Christianity is to all other religions. All other religions are about what people do to commend themselves to God. Christianity, alone, is about what God (in God the Son, Jesus) has already done for us to make us accepted in Him (Romans 5:6-8 & Ephesians 1:6).

The religious who are lost will hate God the most on Judgment Day, objecting that God would not accept them on the basis of their religious works and rituals. Religious persecution of Christians by those from other religions only validates God’s rejection of their Christless religion.

Secular persecution of Christians tomorrow…

We can trust the Holy Spirit to do His part

And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
Acts 17:4

Last time we considered our part in pointing people to Christ: Pray and speak. Now let’s consider the Holy Spirit’s part: To regenerate.

Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again,” The 18th century evangelist, George Whitfield, was always saying, “You must be born again.” When asked, “Why are you always telling people, ‘you must be born again?’” Whitefield replied, “Because you MUST be born again!”

But why? Because we are all born dead in sin. Some are born big, others small. Some have blue eyes and blond hair, others have brown eyes and are brunettes. But we are all born sinners. Being spiritually dead in sin doesn’t mean that we are as sinful as we could be—thank God! It does mean, however, that we are born incapable of understanding spiritual truth—including the gospel (read 1 Corinthians 2:14).

The only way a person can understand the gospel is by being born again, which is a work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit regenerates people as they hear the gospel. He regenerates some people, not all people. Who He regenerates and who He does not is His business, not ours. Once a person is born again, that person understands and believes the gospel. That person is given the gift of faith to trust in Jesus, and the gift of repentance to follow Jesus as Lord.

Let us be faithful to do our part, trusting the Holy Spirit to do His part.

Partnering with the Holy Spirit in saving the lost

And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
Acts 17:4

The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16). Paul preached the gospel to all who were there to hear with their ears. The Holy Spirit revealed the gospel to “some” of them, granting understanding and new hearts to believe and follow Jesus.

Be reminded that though we must talk about Christ and the gospel, seeking to be as clear and persuasive as we can be, our words alone persuade no one. That is the Holy Spirit’s job. This reminds us not to try to take credit if the Lord uses our words, since conversions are His work. It also encourages us not to be discouraged when we speak of Christ and the gospel and people do not end up being saved. Only the Holy Spirit can cause conversions.

Let us be diligent to do our part:

PRAY, asking the Lord to (a) Open opportunities to speak (and eyes to see those opportunities!). (b) Open people’s ears and hearts to understand and receive Christ. (c) Open our mouths! “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)

A conquering Messiah or a Suffering Messiah?

Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." Acts 17:2-3

How were Jewish people saved in the Old Testament? By keeping the Law? Heavens no! No one has ever or can ever be saved by keeping the law (Romans 3:20). The Law was given to condemn, not to save sinners (Romans 3:19-20), showing us how dreadfully we all fall short of the glory of God. When a person understands that he stands condemned by God’s law for being less than holy as God is holy (Leviticus 21:8, Exodus 19:6), if he cares, he cries out to God for mercy.

Since Christ came, saved people cry out for grace, trusting in Jesus to do for them what they cannot do for themselves. In the Old Testament (before Christ came) people cried out for grace, trusting God to do for them what they could not do for themselves. Old Testament believers were trusting in Christ, though they did not know who He was, as New Testament believers do.

What has that to do with Acts 17:2-3? The message of a “suffering Messiah” was a tremendous stumbling block to religious Jews who were looking for a conquering messiah—more like David or Solomon—than for a suffering Messiah like Jesus. The concept of a suffering Messiah was abhorrent to religious Jews—but that is who the Messiah is, and it is by His suffering that He saves His people from their sins!

Why did Paul go first to synagogues?

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." Acts 17:1-3

Paul’s first stop in virtually every town he entered was the local synagogue. Why?

First, because as one of the most brilliant Jewish rabbis, having been saved, he longed for others of his religious heritage to know the joy of being saved as well.

Second, by going to the synagogues, he knew he was going to people who were likely to be open to hear about the Jewish Messiah—who Paul knew to be Jesus of Nazareth. And in the providence of God, some did receive Christ. Alas, many did not and it was from these anti-Christian Jews that Paul experienced no small amount of persecution.

Third, Paul was following the example of His Savior, who “came to His own [the Israel]” (John 1:11). And as in Jesus’ earthly ministry, while some did receive Christ, most did not.

Should Christians in our context (ethnically, religiously, and on the timeline) make Jewish evangelism our first priority? While a few insist this is so, I do not think so. The New Testament makes it clear than when it comes to salvation, ethnicity (including Jewish ethnicity) is irrelevant (Galatians 3:28). Should we want to see Jewish people saved? Absolutely! But no more than we should long to see any people come to Christ. The fact is, Jesus came first to the Jews, and Paul went first to the Jews, but now we take the gospel to whoever will listen, that the Lord may save His people “out of every tribe, tongue, and nation!” (Revelation 5:9-10; 7:9-17)

Who are we really serving?

So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. Acts 16:40

Paul and Silas had been through a harrowing few days. Arrested, soundly beaten, and then abruptly let go! Although they had a “civil rights case” on their hands, they opted to let it go, departing quietly. When they were reunited with the local believers, instead of focusing on what they had been through, Paul and Silas gave themselves to encouraging the folks in the local church.

Does anyone else but me feel a twinge of conviction from that? I hate to admit it, but I would probably have wanted the brethren to encourage me! There is a great lesson to be learned from this. Perhaps the most profitable thing we can do when we need encouragement is to step out of ourselves and seek to encourage others. Why? Because disciples of Christ understand that the best way to have our needs met is by seeking to meet the needs of others!

That said, if we are seeking to meet others’ needs in order that we may feel better, or to feel good about ourselves, we may be disappointed! Why? If we are serving others with selfish motives, who are we really serving? Oh sure, others may benefit, but we may not!

Why didn't Paul speak up earlier?

But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out." And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. Acts 16:37-40

When the magistrates tried to release Paul and Silas after beating them unjustly, Paul revealed that he (and apparently Silas also) were Roman citizens. Roman law forbade such treatment of Roman citizens. Citizens had a right to a fair trial before being punished. Paul and Silas were given no trial. Instead, they were illegally punished—and ever so harshly.

So Paul revealed his citizenship, and the magistrates were terrified! They would now be subject to severe discipline themselves; no doubt the loss of their cushy government jobs, or worse! They may have been next to be beaten for their crime against Roman citizens!

Why didn’t Paul speak up about his citizenship before the dreadful flogging? The text does not say. So again, we can only speculate. Maybe he was initially silent to demonstrate that he was willing to suffer humiliating and painful persecution for Christ’s sake. Paul knew that most believers had no “get out of jail free card” since precious few would have been Roman citizens. We do not know for sure, but it is entirely possible, if not likely. Talk about being willing to suffer along with others who suffer!

Do not miss that when the authorities pleaded with them to leave quietly, they did. They didn’t press charges or force the matter to court. What an example of being like Christ—who uttered not a word in His own defense! To be fair and balanced, however, later in Acts when Paul’s life was on the line, he did appeal his case to Caesar. So we ought not make a hard and fast rule about never or always using our civil rights to escape persecution.

We do not know for sure why they did what they did

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go." So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.". Acts 16:35-36

Why did the magistrates want to release Paul and Silas? The text does not say. It may have been that their consciences troubled them for overreacting about these men who really hadn’t done anything wrong. And great was their overreaction: they had the men beaten! And for what? By this we are reminded of the weakness of human government. Have we not been living with severe government reaction to the COVID virus for over a year and a half?

When consciences are stirred, we can thank the Holy Spirit, whether it be for His stirring of the consciences of government officials or of our own consciences. May we respond better to the conviction we receive from the Spirit than the magistrates did. They wanted to send the men on their way, brushing the whole affair under the rug as though these innocent men had not been beaten unjustly. Let us, when convicted by the Holy Spirit, confess our sin and seek to make matters right. Pretending sin never happened is not the same as confessing, repenting and seeking to make things right with any we may have sinned against.

I freely admit that the text does not tell us why the magistrates sought to release Paul and Silas. But the lessons to be learned are valid even if we do not know their reasons.