Romans 8:28 says: "We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Do we really believe it? With hindsight and faith we can see that from the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, God wrought our salvation. Jesus' ascension made possible the sending of the Holy Spirit, another advocate, so we could be strengthened and enabled to live out our faith, to follow Jesus by picking up and carrying our crosses each and every day.

Certainly Paul and Silas believed. The Spirit was what empowered them to sing and pray while in jail and to not be afraid of the earthquake or whatever further punishment they might face from the people of Philippi. Even though severely beaten they rejoiced at the circumstances which led to the conversion of their jailer and his family.

We do not know what became of the jailer and his family after they had received Paul and Silas into their home and had been baptized. Since Paul and Silas were released by the town magistrates there were probably no repercussions from the civil authorities. As for the jailer, he panicked when he did not see the prisoners and he summarily concluded that they had escaped from the prison. Fear worked in him and he was at the point of taking his own life in despair. But this was not to be, for Paul shouted at the top of his voice, "Do not harm yourself for we are all here." (Acts 16:28).