What is the real purpose of Paul and Silas being singing, chained in prison after being beaten? Let's go to the following text and then we will meditate on this purpose.
After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
Acts 16:23-32 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/act.16.23-32.NIV
Something that catches the eye: Paul and Silas were not singing to be delivered from their pain. The proof of this is that when the chains and gates were opened by God's miracle, they did not want to leave the place. They could have run, but they didn't.
They understood that there was a greater purpose to all this: the salvation of the jailer and the other prisoners who were there. It's because they had not yet obtained the true freedom: the freedom to be freed from the chains of the devil, from sin, from condenation and eternal death.
The other prisoners needed to know the One who freed Paul and Silas from the physical currents, because they were already freed from the spiritual currents.
They needed to know the One who received all Authority in heaven and on earth; all Authority to rule in the spiritual and physical world.
They needed to know the One who not only gets you rid of trouble, but the One Who is Life Himself.
They needed to know Him who gives eternal life to those who believe in Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior.
They needed to know the One who was interested in granting them this true freedom. They needed to know JESUS CHRIST.
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