The power of the Cross of Christ has been sung ever since Jesus died. When Paul and Silas were in prison, at midnight, what were they doing? They were praying and singing praises! The Scripture adds, “and the prisoners heard them ” Now, do think praise songs is exactly what you’d expect to hear coming from a jail cell? Not hardly! But that’s exactly what was going on. I can imagine some of the prisoners not responding too well! A lot of jeering, a bit of cursing, and perhaps the guards snapping “Shut up, you two! You can’t sing in here!” But sing they did! What happened? Suddenly there was a great earthquake, the foundations of the prison were shaken, the prison doors were opened, and all the prisoners’ bond were broken!
Amazingly, the keeper of the prison awakening from sleep (which he certainly was not supposed to do on the job) was about to kill himself when he saw the doors open, because he thought the prisoners had escaped, but Paul shouted, “Do thyself no harm, for we are all here.” Yes all the prisoners were still there!
Obviously, everyone was in shock! Especially the jailer! He grabbed a light, fell on his face, and asked “sirs what must I do to be saved?” Paul explans ” believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house.” That was the start of a new life for the jailer and his family! They all did receive Jesus and were baptized!
So where does that leave us? Sing, saints, sing! You may get some criticism, but you just never know, someone’s life, and even his/her eternity may bé be on the line!
Wouldn’t you have liked to seen the face on that jailer when that happened?
Thanks