Message summary: What evidence of conversion are you demonstrating today? Are you sharing it with others?

Listen to our message on your audio player.

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they (Paul and Silas) said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God" (Acts 16:30-34).

Driving through eastern Oklahoma we saw a helpful warning sign along I-40, “Hitchhikers May Be Escaping Inmates". We don't usually pick up hitchhikers and this certainly reinforces our caution. But, generally speaking, it's far more inadvisable to pick up an escaping inmate! Today let us consider a jailhouse conversion.

Jailhouse conversion describes those who at a low point in life make a turnaround and commit their life to Christ while in jail or prison. I attended college with Manny Cordero, who was a career chaplain in the federal prison system and is now my chaplaincy supervisor. I think prison chaplaincy (the PC term is "correctional") would be one of the hardest forms of service but surely must be very rewarding when a life is genuinely saved. We have several friends, Mike and Kathy Matangelo as well as Rick Masciantonio, who currently volunteer in prisons and have done so for many years.

I have met those in my corporate chaplaincy role who made a decision to follow Christ while in state prison. For one of them it turned out the chaplain who discipled him in prison is a friend of mine and for a season I had the opportunity to follow up on his care and encourage this man regularly to stay on the straight and narrow. I've lost touch with him but I pray that he has kept the faith!

The testimony of Troy Haas, who became a missionary to Kenya, demonstrates a jailhouse conversion. "In the jail, another inmate 'began to share Jesus Christ with me,' Haas said. He obtained a copy of Chuck Colson's book, "Born Again," and started to read it. On the night of December 10, 1986, Haas said he awoke in the Harris County jail and realized, "I had nothing unless I gave my life to Jesus Christ." Then he prayed, "God, I don't know You, but from what I know about You, You are my only hope."

Today let us examine another jailhouse conversion, one not involving the inmate but rather the jailer!

Paul and Silas had been beaten and imprisoned for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Philippi. (The full story is recorded in Acts 16:11-40.)

Earlier in Acts Peter, who under similar circumstances of imprisonment, managed to sleep before his trial. But in this story Paul and Silas didn't go to sleep. Instead of whining about the humiliating, cruel, unjust, and extremely painful treatment they endured from being stripped and severely flogged by the town officials, they prayed and sang hymns to God. "But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God" (Acts 16:25).

It's fairly easy to imagine what they prayed about, assuming among their petitions was, "Lord, get us out of here!"

What hymns might they have sung during their time of capture? "Blessed Assurance" would sure fit well. Or perhaps they sang, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" or they encouraged each other with the old spiritual, "He's got you and me brother in His hands..." A fitting song might be "It Is Well With My Soul" (although these songs were not written till over 1800 years later).

Or maybe Paul and Silas preferred "contemporary" music and sang, "Ten Thousand Reasons" This verse would sure fit well:

Of course you already know none of these songs were written till many centuries after Paul and Silas' lifetime. In fact, given the span of church history, even songs we may consider very old are relatively new!

However it is likely that they sang from the Psalms, a common songbook of their time. A good text for a hymn would be Psalm 4:8:

It seems implausible they had any written lyrics so they must have memorized the passages and melody. I wonder if their singing annoyed the jailer or the other prisoners? The text clearly states, "The prisoners were listening to them" (v. 26), so this wasn't some muted singing under one's breath; their voices projected even at midnight. It was surely the first time this jailer had ever guarded joyful prisoners like this, for one cannot sing without stirring up joy from within! However the impromptu worship service was interrupted by an earthquake sent from God to intervene for His messengers, Paul and Silas.

Instead of bolting (being escaped inmates) even though they surely could have, Paul and Silas stayed around to lead the jailer to faith in Christ after his soulful query, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Do you suppose hearing their singing and witnessing their overcoming disposition had anything to do with this?

Many of our readers have memorized the answer to the jailer's question about salvation, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31).

The daily text reveals a very touching evidence of true conversion. "At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds". This must have been a tender scene. Their midnight song service is all the more remarkable considering their untreated wounds. May God help us to have victory even when it hurts!

Prior to his conversion, it would appear the jailer had no concern for their wounds, but afterward he "washed their wounds", giving first aid to Paul and Silas. As he washes their wounds he is surely receiving some foundational discipleship lessons at the same time. He immediately went on to receive his Christian baptism, along with his family. What remarkable evidence of this genuine jailhouse conversion and transforming regeneration for the entire family!

The lesson for today: The jailer showed evidence immediately of his remarkable conversion to Christ. He demonstrated the new nature by becoming a servant and showing compassion to the hurting and mistreated. He immediately submitted to Christian baptism. After this he took Paul and Silas to his home where they had a meal and rejoiced together (v. 34).  He sure had a great testimony for the church and for his future grandchildren! What evidence of conversion are you demonstrating today? Are you sharing it with others?

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, there are many incredible stories of spiritual transformation throughout every generation. You work Your miraculous transforming power in our lives, whether we have lived a life of debauchery or whether we quietly lived in sin, for we have all sinned and fallen short of Your glory! Our only hope for salvation is found in the acceptance of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Whatever our story, no matter how dramatic the change or seemingly uncolorful in our own minds, our transformation to living a godly life is miraculous and serves as a witness to those around us. Prompt us to tell our transforming story often, to live a life above reproach, and to be victorious even in settings that test us to our very core, like that of Paul and Silas who lifted their voices in song and praise, during their midnight hour in prison. When our focus is on You and what You did to deliver us from sin, our problems are lessened and we become more like Christ who overcame the world. By Your grace we can endure hardship and be victorious through Christ Jesus in whose name we pray. Amen.

Our ministry in daily encouragement is primarily for those who have placed their faith in Christ but we know there are those who come across these messages who may not know or understand the plan of salvation. Here's a site with a good explanation. How to become a Christian: https://twowaystolive.com/