November 11

Acts 16: 35-40

35 When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, "Let those men go." 36 And the jailer reported the message to Paul, saying, "The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go in peace." 37 But Paul replied, "They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves." 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; 39 so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 After leaving the prison they went to Lydia's home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.

Paul and Silas had been imprisoned because of the mob. Now that the heat of the moment has passed those in charge are willing to let them go free. Of course they have been out of chains for the whole night and have been active in preaching to the jailer. The magistrates say they can go, but Paul calls them to account for their decisions. In this Roman colony, there are rights that Roman citizens should have protected. Safety from the mob should have been assured.

For the first time we hear that Paul is a Roman citizen. The assumption on the part of the magistrates has been that being a Jew, Paul was not a citizen. He has the right to a trial, not to mob rule. His punishment is now seen as illegal.

Paul had introduced himself as a Christian not as a Roman. The magistrates yield to the mob rather than investigate. Now the result of that failure is confronting them. Paul demands proper treatment as a Roman. The magistrates come, apologize and then ask them to leave town.

Paul complies after tending the congregation that is being established. The Philippian congregation will receive one of his later letters. This congregation does not receive the correctives that other congregations will receive. This relationship, while begun in distress, will strengthen both Paul and the congregation.

Reflection questions:
1. When should Christians demand their rights as citizens and when should they set these rights aside for the sake of the gospel?
2. Paul and Silas dealt with the mob and the magistrates. They are not afraid to call the magistrates to responsible behavior. How might this model work for us today?
3. In our mobile society people move in and out of congregations regularly. How might we encourage one another in the faith even as we move from place to place?