The Power of Praise (Acts 16)
By Dr Edward Tamale-Sali
In our previous edition, we saw the power of God given to His disciples and believers. “And these signs shall follow those who believe. In my name they shall cast out devils – and shall lay hands on the sick and shall recover” (Mark 16:15-20).
We saw Peter and John raising a man born lame at Beautiful Temple gate (Acts 3:1-3). This power was from the resurrected Lord fulfi lling what He said before departing the Earth.
And most importantly He told us in all Gospels that He will always be with us (Mark 28:20). Today we are going to talk about another miracle that happened at about midnight in a prison cell. These two prisoners – Paul and Silas – knew beyond doubt that when they called Him, He would answer.
Prison doors open
Acts 16:16-38 (KJV) talks about how Paul and Silas were imprisoned, but worshiped and praised until the chains of the prison were broken. Because of space, I will share a few verses, and encourage you to read the entire chapter. Acts 16:23-31: “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: [24] Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
[25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. [26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
[27] And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fl ed.” [28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
[29] Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, [30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? [31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
Summary
Paul and Silas were falsely accused and were put in prison. They had just delivered a young woman who was possessed with the evil spirit.
The power of praise
Paul and Silas were in the maximum prison cell waiting the following day to be hanged. Their feet and arms were in chains.
The devil (Lucifer) thought it was all over for Paul, Silas and the church. But the devil, being the father of liars, was taken on by surprise. The devil forgot that at one time he was once an archangel in Heaven in charge of ‘praise’ department before our God (Isaiah 14:12).
Paul and Silas did not sing in a whisper. Instead they just wanted to praise the King of kings and the Lord of lords. They remembered Psalms 22:3: “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.” And as they were praising, something dramatic happened – the earthquake shook the foundation of the building.
All doors and windows of that building got loosened/opened. All prisoners’ chains fell off. Glory to God! The news went out. If it were in our days of social media, you can imagine the social impact would have been.
The whole world would know about it within 24 hours of happening! Dear child of God, know that there is power in praising Jesus. There are many examples in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. For example, the Jericho wall fell down when the children of Israel went around seven times praising God (Hebrews 11:30).
King Jehoshaphat defeated his enemies by just praising God (2Chronicles 20:21-22). Jonah got out of the fish’s belly by praising God (Jonah 2:9-10).
Prison warden gets saved and his family
This man saw the power of God and asked: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Paul and Silas answered: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved and thy house.”
Dear reader if you have never committed your life to the Lord, be like this prison warden. Bow and say: “Lord I am a sinner. Come into my heart and save me. Forgive me all my sins. I will serve you the rest of my life. Amen.”
If you said these words, you are saved and you have become a new creation. Please contact me to send your more information and literature and also direct you to a good Bible-based church.
