Topical Encyclopedia In the early Christian church, the spread of the Gospel often met with resistance and accusations of heresy, particularly from those who felt threatened by the new teachings. One notable instance of such an accusation involved the Apostle Paul and his companion Silas during their missionary journey in Philippi, as recorded in the Book of Acts.Context and Background Paul and Silas, driven by the Holy Spirit, traveled to Philippi, a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony (Acts 16:12). Their mission was to preach the Gospel and establish a Christian community. They encountered Lydia, a seller of purple goods, who became a believer and offered them hospitality (Acts 16:14-15). The Accusation The trouble began when Paul and Silas encountered a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. This girl earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. Paul, in the name of Jesus Christ, commanded the spirit to leave her, and she was immediately freed from the spirit (Acts 16:16-18). The owners of the slave girl, realizing their hope of profit was gone, seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the magistrates. They accused them, saying, "These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice" (Acts 16:20-21). The accusation was twofold: it was both religious and political, suggesting that Paul and Silas were advocating practices contrary to Roman law and order. The Response and Outcome The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After being severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them securely (Acts 16:22-23). Despite their suffering, Paul and Silas responded with faith and resilience. At midnight, they were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, opening the doors and loosening the chains of all the prisoners (Acts 16:25-26). The jailer, fearing the prisoners had escaped, was about to take his own life, but Paul intervened, assuring him that all were present. This led to the jailer's conversion, as he asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:30-31). The jailer and his family were baptized, and he tended to the wounds of Paul and Silas, showing them hospitality (Acts 16:32-34). Significance The accusation of heresy against Paul and Silas highlights the tension between the nascent Christian faith and the established religious and social norms of the Roman world. Their experience in Philippi underscores the challenges faced by early Christians in proclaiming the Gospel amidst opposition and misunderstanding. Despite the accusations and suffering, the power of God was evident in their deliverance and the conversion of the jailer and his household, demonstrating the transformative impact of the Gospel message. Nave's Topical Index Acts 16:20,21,23And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, Nave's Topical Index Library Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. The Church History of Eusebius. Index of Subjects. Acts xv. 13, 15 Galatians Chapter I. Ascetic. [Endnotes] The General Conference of 1840 part i Resources What is the definition of heresy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Pneumatomachian heresy / Macedonianism? | GotQuestions.org Why did John Calvin have Michael Servetus burned at the stake for heresy? | GotQuestions.org Heresy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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