Acts 16:34

THE JAILER’S CONVERSION

‘And when he had brought them into his house he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.’

Acts 16:34

The jailer was brought near to the unseen world by the danger he had escaped: and as the light shone around he saw his past life, and the Eternal Spirit unveiled that life and made him to see the evil of it. Then his conversion grew out of the further instruction of the Apostle.

What sort of convert was he?

I. He was a believing convert.—He believed promptly, without delay or doubt. He was told to believe, and did. Who will not believe what is true, what the experience of thousands promises to be true?

II. He was an humble convert.—He fell down at the feet of the Apostle. He waited upon them in his house. A convinced soul does not want the highest seat in the synagogue. If good people dispute at all, let it be for a place at the feet of Christ.

III. He was a ready convert.—Hearing—believing—fellowship—all in the midnight hour. When we know what Christ would have us do, any moment of delay is sin.

IV. He was a practical convert.—He washed their stripes. He set food before them. Not easy to get up a feast in the middle of the night. He fetched them the best. He, the right sort of convert, who wants to be doing something for Christ; he can soon find something to do.

V. He was a joyful convert.—Rejoicing in God with all his house. While waiting at table, would not the jailer ask the Apostle to teach him a psalm?

VI. He was an influential convert.—All in his house were converted.

VII. He was a sensible convert.—He still kept on in his position. He did not give up keeping the jail. Who so fit to be a jailer as a man who knows the Lord, and will be humane? We like those who are converted to keep to their business and to glorify Christ in that position.