There are occasions when a highly painful experience can result in a glorious conclusion. This happened as these events in Philippi unfolded.

These two men, leaders in this pioneering team, Paul and Silas, were falsely accused and unfairly imprisoned. They responded in that Philippian jail by praising Almighty God. Now, I do not know if that is how I would have reacted if thrown into similar conditions.

That senior prison officer in Philippi called out to Silas and Paul, "What must I do to be saved?" What did Paul say? Keep the Ten Commandments? Be kind. Come to our fellowship which is meeting in Lydia's home? NO!

Paul stated and proclaimed from prison, "Believe in the Lord Jesus - and the people in your home can be saved too." You can almost hear the jailer say - "Tell me more." He took these two prisoners into his home.

Imagine taking top security prisoners into your home - what a risk to run - but he so wanted to hear more, and that was worth any risk. "Bring a sponge and warm water. Let me bathe their wounds." What a change in this man's life already!

When Jesus Christ becomes so real, people do the most extraordinary things - beautiful things.

Then Paul says, "Let's now wash you, and he took them and baptised them." Paul realised that this was an essential element in their being born again.

They all heard - believed - and were baptised. It is vital that we see and understand that clearly. There were no infants in that household at that time.

In the New Testament we never read of new believers having to wait more than 24 hours before they were baptised in water. Check it out and you will find that to be the pattern, and it is a good one to follow wherever possible.

This tough jailer and Lady Lydia were now brother and sister in Christ. Changed lives includes and involves changed relationships - black and white - rich and poor - tough and sophisticated - are one in Christ. There is no alternative - no choice is given - we have no option - not if we are in Christ. And now the fellowship newly birthed in Philippi has a man to lead it, and that too is important. You can read all about this in Acts Chapter 16 in the New Testament.

But let's read on in verse 35. Daylight came in Philippi, and Paul and Silas were still prisoners, despite everything that had happened to the senior prison officer and his family.

The magistrates had decided to release Paul and Silas, "Go. Off you go - out of our road - off our patch - go in peace." But Paul said - "NO. They have beaten us openly - we are untried - illegally imprisoned - and now you want to dismiss us quietly and privately - as if it had never happened. No - No - No. Let the magistrates come and meet us."

This is quality leadership which is scarce. Paul knows exactly what he is saying and doing because there is a principle involved here.

Paul is not standing upon his dignity. There is an important principle at stake. He wants to make sure that the magistrates are fair and true. He is thinking about others. He does not want any other Philippian disciples to get into trouble as a consequence of their ministry.

The authorities had been very much in the wrong, and Paul's desire is that these new disciples of Jesus can live in comparative peace.

When all this is resolved and sorted out, they went to Lydia's house for a fellowship meeting - the jailer and Lydia. There is a now a fellowship of Jesus Christ in Philippi, and Paul encouraged and comforted them. He always wanted to strengthen new groups of disciples - always. Do whatever you can to encourage, comfort and strengthen believers in Jesus Christ.

It was as if God had said - "Paul there is a man in that prison who needs my love. Are you prepared to go in there that I may reach him and touch him?" How else could he have been reached?

And - a man was required to lead that new fellowship of disciples of Jesus in Philippi!

What a way to live - preaching - bleeding - marked - chained - filled with the power of the Holy Spirit - concerned for all the others - in the place where God wants you to be no matter what the cost - being used by God wherever you are - and having that interest and compassion to see young believers encouraged and built up and rooted in the local fellowship. Paul's concern and interest for them continued.

When you are sore - know that Jesus can soothe you. When you are laughed at - know that Jesus sees. When you are down - know that Jesus can lift you. When you are hurt - know that Jesus can heal you. Wherever you are - know that Jesus can use you. When you are in prison - continue to praise.

Sandy Shaw