We don’t know his name, but he lived some 2,000 years ago.

He was a hardened man – not concerned much about God or man. Yet God had a plan for his life. (Is this still not true today?)

This man was the official Roman jailor at Philippi, leading city in Macedonia. After trying to oust the Apostle Paul, Philippi became the site of a most dedicated church, and the jailor became a charter member! But he never dreamed of such a thing before those remarkable events recorded in ACTS 16 took place.

It might well be that someone reading these words is a long way from God, but at the same time, perhaps the Lord is planning a blessed new life for you!

Would you like to see what a real Christian looks like? Look at Paul.

However,  when you study the apostle’s life you will find him without popularity and in poverty and persecution. His promising theological career with Judaism was cast aside for the sake of Christ, and here in our text ACTS 16 he is beaten and thrown into prison.

No, you cannot tell a Christian by his outward “successes.” Look deeper at Paul’s life, and as you look, call to mind those deeply spiritual Christian folks about you whom you may have despised in their struggles.

Paul was a man on duty for the King of Kings – an ambassador. As a true believer, he was willing to suffer with Christ and lose favor with a sinful world. His official commissioning for these missionary journeys took place in a prayer meeting back in Antioch, Acts 13. How strange is the way of a Christian – being led of the Spirit!  What does the world care about a prayer meeting! The sinner chooses his own ways. He plays while the Christian prays.

Suddenly the earthquake! There always comes a test. Now, who is the strong one?

Read the story. In that mid-night hour with backs lacerated and limbs fastened in the prison stocks, Paul and his partner Silas were praying and singing hymns. (How were your reactions when you passed through your dark hour?)

The jailor was terrified at the shattering earthquake which snapped the prisoners’ fetters and sprung every locked door.

“Surely, they have all escaped and it will be my life for theirs,” he gasps. Suicide (self-murder) is the only thing left for the deranged man.

The trembling sword is halted in mid air as Paul’s words ring from the prison, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” verse 28. When the test comes, it is the Christian who has the strength.

Now, view the change! The jailor falls before his “prisoners” and cries, “What must I do to be saved?”

Study carefully their message: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved -— you and your household.”

Jesus the Lord of Glory is the center of this succinct sermon. You and I must look to Him if we would arrive at the conclusion of the message and “be saved;” that is, be forgiven our sins, spared judgment and damnation, and enter eternal life.

Notice what we are directed to do. Simply believe, believe on the Lord. Rest yourself on Him. Give your whole life in repentance to Him.

Read carefully in the following verses what happens to the jailor. Immediately, his heart is changed and thus his outer life is converted. This is not reformation; it is regeneration.

The hands that held the whip, now take up the ointment. He wants to undo his shameful deeds. Straightway he and his family are baptized, and he brings his fellow Christians into his home and gives them food.

Instead of bitterness, there is blessing. Instead of getting, there is giving. Instead of scoffing and doubting, there is believing. Now he has a Christian family.

Friend, this is true the world around. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come,” 2 Corinthians 5:17. The hardest heart can be changed. The darkest stains made white because  “CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS.”