The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 222

Scan transcription helps with searching and selection. Use the printed page above for exact spelling and punctuation.

216 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES self, when Paul's voice was heard in the words of cheer, ^'Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.'' Every man was in his place, restrained by the power of God exerted through one fellow-prisoner. The severity with which the jailer had treated the apostles had not aroused their resentment. Paul and Silas had the spirit of Christ, not the spirit of revenge. Their hearts, filled with the love of the Saviour, had no room for malice against their persecutors. The jailer dropped his sword, and calling for lights, hastened into the inner dungeon. He would see what manner of men these were who repaid with kindness the cruelty with which they had been treated. Eeacliing the place where the apostles were, and casting himself before them, he asked their forgiveness. (Then, bringing them out into the open court, he inquired, '^Sirs, what must I do to be saved ! ' ' The jailer had trembled as he beheld the wrath of Grod manifested in the earthquake; when he thought that the prisoners had escaped, he had been ready to die by his own hand; but now all these things seemed of little consequence compared with the new, strange dread that agitated his mind, and his desire to possess the tranquillity and cheerfulness shown by the apostles under suffering and abuse. He saw in their countenances the light of heaven; he knew that God had interposed in a miraculous manner to save their lives; and with peculiar force the words of the spirit-possessed woman came to his mind: ^' These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. ' '