of the Roman government sensed the need for a new allegiance. He turns to Paul and Silas and asked that all important question that all seekers of truth must ask: What must I do to be saved?

The jailer wanted to know, What must I do to be saved? He was not playing with them or mocking them or trying to “get their goat.” Neither was he asking this question for purposes of

Of the many individuals who were touched through the ministry of Paul while on his second missionary journey, three are specifically mentioned. His first convert was Lydia, a businesswoman; the second was a young lady who had been used and manipulated by her masters so that they could profit financially. But, when she was saved, her masters were offended because their bank account had closed and so they had Paul and Silas taken before the magistrates on false allegations and they were subsequently, beaten and thrown into prison.

Paul and Silas were escorted to the lowered dungeon, uncomfortable, in chains, mistreated, hurting and still probably bleeding from the beatings. One would expect them to be belligerent, angry, complaining but instead we find them singing and rejoicing. At midnight when it would seem they would have been trying to rest and soothe themselves, they prayed and sang praises to God.

Now the prison guard was in charge and it is interesting that Scripture omits any reference to his telling the prisoners to cease and desist with their noisy singing and praying. In fact, he goes to them with a question of utter urgency. Instead of telling them what to do, he was asking them what to do.

In this paradoxical turn of events, an important question was raised. After hearing about Paul and Silas’ ministry and now hearing them rejoicing in their suffering in the midnight hour, he began to realize that they apparently had something that he did not. This devoted servant of the Roman government sensed the need for a new allegiance. He turns to Paul and Silas and asked that all important question that all seekers of truth must ask: What must I do to be saved?

The jailer wanted to know, What must I do to be saved? He was not playing with them or mocking them or trying to “get their goat.” Neither was he asking this question for purposes of c

unt had closed and so they had Paul and Silas taken before the magistrates on false allegations and they were subsequently, beaten and thrown into prison.

Paul and Silas were escorted to the lowered dungeon, uncomfortable, in chains, mistreated, hurting and still probably bleeding from the beatings. One would expect them to be belligerent, angry, complaining but instead we find them singing and rejoicing. At midnight when it would seem they would have been trying to rest and soothe themselves, they prayed and sang praises to God.

Now the prison guard was in charge and it is interesting that Scripture omits any reference to his telling the prisoners to cease and desist with their noisy singing and praying. In fact, he goes to them with a question of utter urgency. Instead of telling them what to do, he was asking them what to do.

In this paradoxical turn of events, an important question was raised. After hearing about Paul and Silas’ ministry and now hearing them rejoicing in their suffering in the midnight hour, he began to realize that they apparently had something that he did not. This devoted servant of the Roman government sensed the need for a new allegiance. He turns to Paul and Silas and asked that all important question that all seekers of truth must ask: What must I do to be saved?

The jailer wanted to know, What must I do to be saved? He was not playing with them or mocking them or trying to “get their goat.” Neither was he asking this question for purposes of

find them singing and rejoicing. At midnight when it would seem they would have been trying to rest and soothe themselves, they prayed and sang praises to God.

Now the prison guard was in charge and it is interesting that Scripture omits any reference to his telling the prisoners to cease and desist with their noisy singing and praying. In fact, he goes to them with a question of utter urgency. Instead of telling them what to do, he was asking them what to do.

In this paradoxical turn of events, an important question was raised. After hearing about Paul and Silas’ ministry and now hearing them rejoicing in their suffering in the midnight hour, he began to realize that they apparently had something that he did not. This devoted servant of the Roman government sensed the need for a new allegiance. He turns to Paul and Silas and asked that all important question that all seekers of truth must ask: What must I do to be saved?

The jailer wanted to know, What must I do to be saved? He was not playing with them or mocking them or trying to “get their goat.” Neither was he asking this question for purposes of

tion of utter urgency. Instead of telling them what to do, he was asking them what to do.

In this paradoxical turn of events, an important question was raised. After hearing about Paul and Silas’ ministry and now hearing them rejoicing in their suffering in the midnight hour, he began to realize that they apparently had something that he did not. This devoted servant of the Roman government sensed the need for a new allegiance. He turns to Paul and Silas and asked that all important question that all seekers of truth must ask: What must I do to be saved?

The jailer wanted to know, What must I do to be saved? He was not playing with them or mocking them or trying to “get their goat.” Neither was he asking this question for purposes of

of the Roman government sensed the need for a new allegiance. He turns to Paul and Silas and asked that all important question that all seekers of truth must ask: What must I do to be saved?

The jailer wanted to know, What must I do to be saved? He was not playing with them or mocking them or trying to “get their goat.” Neither was he asking this question for purposes of conversation to keep from being bored. Rather, he asked this question out of a sincere desire to know how to receive salvation. We understand this because the word “must” communicates a sense of urgency. It implies something that needs to be addressed and cannot be avoided. It is an a divine imperative; the same imperative that sent Jesus to the cross.

Calvary to Christ was not an if, or a maybe, but a must. Consult your Bibles and observe how frequently Jesus used the word, must.

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Matthew 16:21

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6

But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Mark 14:49.

Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49.

“I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” Luke 4:43.

“Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Luke 19:5.

For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: Luke 22:37.

…All things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Luke 24:4