12th Sep 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
The Lord rules over the affairs of men
Acts 16 - Series 04/Episode 20 - Wed 05th Aug 2026 - The Lord rules over the affairs of men - Acts 16:16-40 - EXPERIENCES AT PHILIPPI - Daniel 04:17
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Acts 16:22-24 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. (23) And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. (24) Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The apostles were publicly humiliated and beaten with rods at the magistrates' instruction. On what grounds could the administration have done this evil act? Yes, we can imagine the pressure of the crowd was heavy upon the magistrates, which made them execute this vile act. After having humiliated and beaten the apostles, the crowd's madness would have been satiated. The magistrates could have let the apostles go, maybe with a warning.
This is what took place in Jerusalem. Acts 5:40-41 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (41) So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
The magistrates implemented a wicked action on the apostles and then threw them into prison, commanding the jailor to keep them securely. This is what happened to the apostles. As God's people, let us examine this incident closely and prepare ourselves for the kinds of action we can expect against us for speaking and teaching of faith in Jesus.
Let us not be surprised at unreasonable, severe, unjust, humiliating and prolonged persecution for the people of God. Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. (12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. / I Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (14) If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
The word of God encourages us. II Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (18) while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
This is what our Lord told us. Luke 21:12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.
Roman law required that formal charges be placed on people who were being accused of a crime. There had to be an examination of the accused. The accused must be allowed to defend himself. There needs to be witnesses to the alleged crime. None of these happened. Paul later exposes this failure of the administration. Acts 16:37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out." What took place to the apostles at that time was a serious violation of Roman law.
We see that the magistrates very soon realised that they had committed a grave mistake in doing what they did to the apostles. So, early the next morning, they instructed that Paul and Silas be released from prison and sent away. Acts 16:35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go." This was again a violation of protocol. Placing a person in prison and arbitrarily releasing the prisoner without any process being followed is a serious failure of the system. This was what took place. We see all these things happening again and again.
It is into these untenable and unstable systems of governance that the Lord sends us to be His witnesses. As we proceed, let us be prepared for the most bizarre encounters, knowing that the Lord is sovereign and in control over the affairs of men. Daniel 4:17 'This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.'
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