It was good for Paul and Silas.....the Wayfarer 1/23/16

It was good for Paul and Silas
 1/23/16

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of he prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's hands were loosed.

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 fled.

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house,"

(Acts 16:25-31)

Paul and Silas were both wayfarers!

Though many that attended Sunday School and church as children are familiar in part with this history of these two, most are not familiar with the circumstances that led to them having been imprisoned to begin with.

The song, "Old time Religion"  calls to mind the fact that the prayers of Paul and Silas were in fact answered, and that the effectiveness of those prayers has not been lessened as time has progressed.

"It was good for Paul and Silas, and it's good enough for me."

Something to keep in mind as this song is sung, however, it was not mere religion that was, "good enough". 

It was faith!

Faith led these two wayfarers to Philippi in a most round about way having traveled over a great deal of ground between Jerusalem and that city in what was then Macedonia.

They encountered dissimulation, disbelief, persecution and derision  constantly in their travels, yet continued on in the mission given by Christ to "teach all nations".

For an overview of some of this journey through a wilderness of disbelief and the trials faced, I highly encourage the reading of the entire book of Acts, which recounts the travels of many wayfarers, to include the two I call to mind today.

In Philippi, these two continued their journey, and their apostleship, preaching  the risen Christ, paying dearly for each stop along the way.

A side note is to be found in the means chosen by Paul in choosing those who accompanied him on his journeys.

 Each was chosen, having their own means of support in order not to burden those to whom they were sent.... including Paul himself, who worked his way from place to place preaching and spreading the GIFT of the gospel, dependent on God for the sustenance and things needed while doing so, by means of the ability given him to make a living by other means for the duration of his travel.
 something also noted by Peter as he preached that the leadership of the church should be for love, not for lucre.
 (1 Peter 5:2)


This dedication led to the imprisonment of Paul and Silas, because they had the temerity to preach the TRUTH  causeing the loss of profits to those holding authority and power in the city to which they were sent.

Not mentioned in the song I referenced, were the beatings endured before that imprisonment, nor the excruciating pain faced both physically and spiritually by these two wayfarers.

Yes, it WAS good for Paul and Silas!

But it was not just religion that as good for them, it was faith in Christ Jesus, His Father, and the Holly Spirit to deliver on the promise made through the new covenant being preached... faith in BEING what they professed to be... Christians, disciples followers of Christ Jesus and what HE preached, not only as mere doctrine, but Truth.

Christ remains the WAY the TRUTH and the Life  for all who may truly say, "It's good enough for me."

I close, the same simple sinner saved by the same grace through faith in Christ, that moved these two wayfarers along the path chosen for them, as my own has been chosen by the One in charge, also understanding the futility of attempting to step off the path chosen for me, soldier and wayfarer, offering the same gospel, the same reward of redemption through repentance preached by them, as well as our MASTER, Christ Jesus, giving the same warning as well, given by that same MASTER:

"Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen.
the Wayfarer