The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Reverend Mark Carroll MMVI
Trininty 13 Home
From Lessons Appointed for Evening Prayer
ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 20, 2 Sam. xviii, Acts 16:16–34
and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Today's lesson from Acts is the story of Paul and Silas on their first missionary trip on the continent of Europe. They had gone to Macedonia. That is the area northwest of the Greek peninsula, just across from present day Turkey. Today's story is rich, but I would like to look at just one portion of it, and that is the occupation and profession of the Jailer, and his experience.
I broached this topic with the Order on 19 July MMVI, and appointed that day of the calendar to remember his story. At the time I read the account, in the normal annual reading cycle. It occurred to me that this Jailer might not be like my local county jailer, but in fact more in line with a soldier of Rome. I had recalled that urban police forces as we understand them today, were actually military units under the authority of Imperial Rome in the time of the early Christians. Another clue was that the Jailer prepared to take his own life, and was stayed only by the cry of Paul. In the military, if a prisoner escaped, his guard would be executed without question, and so suicide by guards in this situation was not uncommon. A bit of research revealed that many Biblical scholars believe he was a retired, veteran, Roman soldier. As I searched for images of this scene, which in themselves are an interpretation, I came across the one shown above, where the jailer is shown in the military breastplate with armor nearby.
Philippi was a chartered "Roman Colonial City" after the Roman civil war ended there in a victory for the loyal forces of Mark Anthony and Octavius over Julius Caesar's assassins, Cassius and Brutus. It was a lovely city. Old soldiers sought retirement in these kind of cities. The position of Jailer was most suitable for a veteran, and would have been the likely choice of the Roman officials. This was by no means a minor position, as the city itself was a very important one.
As I read the verses, I mentally compared the story of the Philippian Jailer with that of Cornelius, a Centurion of the Italian Cohort stationed in Caeserea [Acts x.]. The stories are similar in some ways. Both Paul who went to Philippi, and Peter who went to Caesarea, were called out in a vision from God. Both Paul and Peter were to go into those colonies to preach.
Both Corneilus the Centurion and the Jailer of Philippi were Roman officials in major colonial cities of the Empire . They exercised authority over others. Both had supernatural experiences: the Jailer a miraculous earthquake, and Cornelius an angelic visit. Both fell at the feet of their Christian evangelists as a sign of humility and subjection. Both heard the Word preached, believed, and were baptized, they and their entire household, which would have included not only family but servants both free and bond alike. Both showed hospitality to the evangelists.
There are some differences in the experiences. The Jailer had no manifestation of the Holy Spirit falling upon him and his household. Unlike Cornelius, the Jailer was not the first to be baptized in the city. That honor went to Lydia the day or so before, who was amongst a group of women by the river to whom Paul and Silas preached the Gospel. Also amongst that group was the demon possessed female soothsayer whose encounter led to the jailing of Paul and Silas. The first Church in Europe was established in Lydia's house.
Now, at the beginning of this little exposition, I suggested that the Jailer was probably a veteran. Let us explore that idea a bit further. There are some other clues about the conduct of the Jailer which point to a prior military service. First, he was very direct in his question to Paul and Silas, "What must I do to be saved?" which tends to show a direct approach typical of soldiers, and not of politicians. As soon as he understood what was required, to believe in Jesus to be saved, he set about to accomplish that by taking Paul and Silas into his quarters, cleansing them, and attending to their preaching - demonstrating a man who acts unhesitatingly under proper authority, a man of action. In addition he was armed, bearing a sword. Expert swordmanship was not common amongst the civilian population, but came from long hours or training with the military.
The scripture is silent about the Jailer after this, but it may be assumed that he joined with the household of Lydia to form the first church in Europe. As the eldest and probably most influential Christian in Philippi when they church was formed, it is not unlikely that he was instrumental in its establishment and governance. Perhaps serving as the first Bishop, as it is held by tradition that Cornelius did. As one who had witnessed a miracle first hand his testimony would have been sought by others. As a man of some position, his influence was important in protecting the Church from those who would have liked to have seen it gone.
Paul's encounter with the Jailer occurred around 53 AD. About ten years later, while an Imperial prisoner of Caesar, he wrote his epistle to the Philippians: to the "Bishops and Deacons" there. He told the Philippians to work out their faith with fear and trembling... I wonder if he recalled the Jailer on his knees at midnight before him ten years before as he wrote those words? Perhaps it was a watchword for the Jailer and the church. The letter is revealing in other ways. Paul says that of all the churches, the church at Philippi alone had sent him money to help with the Gospel mission, as well as supporting other churches. This may reflect the affluence of the city, and that of the first benefactors: Lydia who manufactured royal linens and the Jailer, who was an important imperial official. Some have also believed that Paul may have married in Philippi, and his wife is she who he refers to as his yoke-fellow. He writes, "I entreat thee also, true yolk-fellow, help those women [perhaps Lydia and family and friends] which labored with me in the Gospel and with Clement also [Perhaps the Jailer]. He spoke here by name of those he knew intimately, and that number certainly included Lydia and the Jailer and their families, who were the first-fruits of Europe. We must also acknowledge the importance of the Church at Philippi in the spread of the Gospel. It stood as the threshold to land travel from Asia/Africa in Europe along the Via Egnatia.
Much of this of course, is speculation. We don't know anything for sure about the Jailer beyond what Luke tells us in Acts, but what he does relate from Paul and Silas is one of the most important lessons in the New Testament. If I speak nothing else in this world, let me champion the truth of this passage, for it establishes clearly and once and for all the sole requirement for salvation. There is only one condition to salvation: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" However, beware, a simple acknowledgement of Jesus as the Son of God is not the belief that Paul and Silas preached, for even the devils do acknowledge him to be the Son of God. This was clearly shown by the evil spirit in the demon-possessed soothsayer girl today's lesson who followed Paul and Silas saying, "These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation." Only those whose faith is such that receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and whose lives are therefore transformed by Christ into a new being, living for him and following him, are truly born again and saved.
Let us pray:
O God, who didst burst the bands of Paul and Silas as they praised thee in prison by thy mighty hand, and didst spare the life of the Philippian Jailer to serve thee by thy divine mercy; we beseech thee to protect us and let thy mercy be upon us; so that we, and our households, may join with the Jailer and all thy saints, in perfect assurance of salvation, by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
[Collect: Mark of Kentucky and Mike of Texas]
II Samuel xviii
And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands. And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men. For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak. And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? And I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place. Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies. And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead. Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran. Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi. And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still. And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
Acts xvi. 16
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
