The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 16:25-34, “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”
29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.
33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.
34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.”

In a way, it was Paul’s fault. He had just shared Christ with a woman named Lydia, when a slave girl, possessed of a demon spirit, cried out, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” This cry from the girl prevailed day after day, annoying Paul and his companion, Silas. Paul cried out and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And the demon exited Lydia at that very moment. This led to Paul and Silas’ imprisonment.

Later, the two believers shared Jesus Christ with the prisoners; and the jailor and his entire household came to know Christ. It’s vitally important that we share Christ with those around us. If you’re in jail, share Christ with others who are there. Further, it’s important that the new converts understand what has occurred within them, too. That may take some time, but it’s worth it, don’t you think?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom