"Visiting the Ancient City of Philippi" - by Rev. Weldon Bares

It was a wonderful privilege on a group tour to visit the ancient city of Philippi in northern Greece recently. The highlight of the trip was visiting the ruins of the city jail.

The reason this was so meaningful to me is because a great miracle of God took place right there. You can read about it in the book of Acts, chapter 16.

Paul and Silas were arrested for preaching the Gospel. They were put in shackles in the jail. At midnight, they were praying and singing songs in the night when an earthquake rattled the city, freeing Paul and Silas of their chains.

The jailer came in, fearing for his life. He asked the most important question anyone can ever ask, “What must I do to be saved?”

Paul answered right away, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved . . .”

What a great story in the Bible. What a great miracle of God. It all took place right there in the city jail of Philippi.

It is all in ruins now. But not the story. The story continues to touch lives today because God is truly alive.

Visiting the jail in Philippi caused me to think about Jesus and those who faithfully proclaimed the Gospel.

I also thought about Charles Wesley’s great hymn, “My chains fell off, my heart was free. I rose went forth and followed thee.”

May this be the prayer of our hearts today.