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The Jailor who became a Christian

Paul and Silas help a Philippian Jailor become a Christian.
Contributed by Rev. Henry Martin
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Polish, Hindi
1
Paul and Silas were on a missionary journey and arrived in the city of Philippi. They began to tell people about the Lord Jesus Christ. – Slide 1
2
As they were walking through the city, they were met by a slave girl who had an unclean spirit that helped her predict the future. She followed them shouting, ‘These men are servants of God, and they have come to tell you how to have your sins forgiven.’ – Slide 2
3
This happened several times, until one day Paul became so troubled by it he turned round and addressed the unclean spirit,  ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ Instantly the spirit left and she became calm. – Slide 3
4
When the owners of the slave girl realised she could no longer make money for them as a fortune-teller, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the judges at the marketplace. ‘The whole city is in uproar because of these Jews,’ they complained. ‘They are teaching people to do things that are against Roman laws.’ – Slide 4
5
A mob joined in the attack against Paul and Silas and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped, whipped across their backs and thrown in prison. – Slide 5
6
The prison jailor clamped their feet in stocks. Should any prisoner escape he knew he would be punished with execution. – Slide 6
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The jailor then kept watch on the prisoners that night. – Slide 7
8
About midnight Paul and Silas, instead of being miserable after their beating, were praying aloud and singing praises to God. Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the prison violently. Chains were broken, stocks were loosened and the prison doors flung open. – Slide 8
9
In the darkness the jailor thought all the prisoners had escaped. He took out his sword and was about to kill himself. Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself. We are all here.’ – Slide 9
10
Trembling with fear, the jailor called for a light, ran into the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas. ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ he pleaded. – Slide 10
11
‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, along with your entire household,’ they replied. The jailor took them back to his house where he treated their wounds. Paul and Silas shared the good news of Jesus with him and his family. – Slide 11
12
The jailor and his whole family believed in Jesus and were all baptised. Later Paul and Silas were released from prison by the authorities and after saying goodbye to the other Christians in the city went on their way. – Slide 12
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Alternative image of the jailor being baptised. – Slide 13
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Slide 14