When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 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.” 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.” The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed. (Acts 16:35-40, NRSV)
Paul and Silas should not have been beaten publically before a trial. That was the law for Roman citizens. So when the morning came and they were back in their cells, the police came and said release them, but Paul was like, uhm no way dude! We were not given our rights as Roman citizens so they need to come and walk us out.
And after the officials apologized Paul and Silas went to the home of Lydia and encouraged the believers there before they left.
The picture here is the Basilica of Lydia. It is a beautiful church my wife and I have seen first hand. I stood on the bridge over the river where they claim Lydia and her family were baptized. It is a wonderful cross-shaped area for baptisms.
How do we encourage one another?
aSacredRebel 