12th Sep 26 | 04:00
Studies by Book
People resist change
📖 Acts 16:35-40
Acts 16 - Series 04/Episode 56 - Thu 10th Sep 2026 - People resist change - Acts 16:16-40 - EXPERIENCES AT PHILIPPI - John 03:19-20
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Acts 16:35-40 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go." (36) So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace." (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." (38) And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. (39) Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city. (40) So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
The magistrates came and pleaded with Paul and Silas, brought them out and asked them to depart from the city. Why were they pleading? Paul and Silas, as Roman citizens, could initiate action against the magistrates, and it would turn out quite badly for them.
Philippi was a city of residence of retired Roman high officials. The happenings of the previous day would surely come to the knowledge of senior Roman officials, and so the possibility of action against the magistrates was real. The magistrates knew they had violated Roman law by beating Roman citizens without trial - a crime punishable under Roman law. In a Roman colony filled with retired soldiers and officials, such a violation would not remain hidden. The magistrates feared that someone conscientious might report them to higher authorities. They could face loss of office, heavy fines, exile, or even death for abusing Roman citizens. This was why the magistrates came to plead with Paul and Silas not to report them, and then to set them free.
This is how the Lord turns things on its head. Exodus 11:3-6 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people. (4) Then Moses said, "Thus says the LORD: 'About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; (5) and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals. (6) Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again.
Moses knew that the Egyptians would bow to him. Exodus 11:7-8 But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.' (8) And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, 'Get out, and all the people who follow you!' After that I will go out." Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger.
This was the same Moses who had pleaded with the Lord not to send him to Egypt. Exodus 4:13 But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send." The Lord patiently worked with Moses, and look at the kind of man Moses became.
The magistrates brought Paul and Silas out of prison and then asked them to depart from the city. They were afraid of several factors. Besides the repercussions from the Roman legal system, they were afraid of the local people who had instigated the attack on the apostles. They were not prepared to be disturbed from the status quo that existed in Philippi. Isn't this so true even today? John 3:19-20 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. This is one of the reasons for the opposition to the Gospel. Men love darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil.
Calamity awaits everyone who does not heed God. Jeremiah 6:16-19 Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' (17) Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.' (18) Therefore hear, you nations, And know, O congregation, what is among them. (19) Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people-The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words Nor My law, but rejected it.
Learning: Calamity will come on the people who reject the ways of God.
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