The passage in Acts for this lesson reveals the founding of the church in Philippi. An intimate relationship developed between the believers in Philippi and the Apostle Paul. The Philippians supported his ministries with finances, gifts and prayer. One of Paul’s biblical epistles addresses the Philippian faithful. A verse from Acts gives insight into the background and depth of this loyalty.
In addition to the story of Lydia, Luke includes the story of the conversion of the Philippian jailer in his narrative of the church’s beginnings. This verse catches the eye:
When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped (Acts 16:27 ESV).
Was this just a very conscientious jailer? No, men with similar convictions filled the streets of Philippi.
Origins of the City
Philippi is located at the north tip of the Aegean Sea, about ten miles inland from the Gulf of Neapolis. The city is named after Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. He ascended to the throne of the kingdom of Macedon in 359BC and demonstrated skills as a diplomat and soldier. During his reign, he strengthened the kingdom and extended its boundaries.
In 356BC the citizens of Crenides (the name means “wells”) requested Philip to become their protector. Since the area had many areas of gold deposits, Philip was glad to annex the city. He changed the name to Philippi. The site was also on the great route which crossed Macedonia from east to west. The Romans would later reconstruct the road as the Via Egnatia.
When Rome invaded the area in 167BC the gold reserves had been depleted and the city had lost its wealth, influence and luster.
Philippi During Roman Rule
Philippi would soon become important again. In October, 42BC the plains just west of the city became filled with warring soldiers. The troops of Brutus and Cassius met the forces of Mark Antony and Octavian. Brutus and Cassius, of course, were two of several who were involved in the murder of Julius Caesar (44BC). After intense battles, those representing Antony and Octavian (who would later become Augustus) prevailed.
Following the battles, Philippi was given the honor of being a Roman colony. Such a designation brought finances and architecture into the city. Construction commenced which tried to replicate the city of Rome on a smaller scale. The language of the city became Latin. The citizens showed evidence of the Roman culture in their dress and in their cuisine. The coins of Philippi used Latin inscriptions.
Legionnaires
Following the battle, the victorious soldiers were given plots of land around Philippi.The troops were allowed to retire and within a few years after the battle, as many as 500 soldiers – many veterans of Antony’s praetorian or palace guard – received land allotments and Roman citizenship in Philippi.
Augustus’ Praetorian Guard
Octavian was impressed by Antony’s guards, and because of the demise of Julius, when Octavian became Caesar, he instituted his own praetorian guard. This guard was an elite group of soldiers, established to guard the Emperor. They were distinguished by receiving double pay, and they enjoyed many privileges. The position required fierce loyalty. Because of the trust, the guard were given additional duties in government and security outside the palace. Praetorian guard would willingly give their own life if they somehow failed in their assigned task.
The normal term of service was twelve years, later increasing to sixteen. Upon completing the term, each soldier received a little over 800 dollars and land in a Roman colony.
The Local Jailer
Although speculation, it is highly probable that the jailer was a retired praetorian guardsman. When the earthquake occurred, the jailer assumed the prisoners would all scamper to freedom. He was ready to do what a loyal Roman soldier would do – end his life because of his failure to hold his prisoners. To his surprise, Paul and Silas not only remained, but encouraged the other prisoners to do so as well.
The jailer, who understood loyalty, immediately wanted to understand the kind of loyalty that Paul had to his God. Upon explanation of the gospel, the jailer and his household were baptized. It is likely that the jailer shared his good news with his friends and colleagues.
Paul in Chains Again
Paul would be delivered to the Praetorian Guard to await trial before the Emperor at the close of the book of Acts. Luke describes Paul as having been “bound in chains” (Acts 28:20; Ephesians 6:20). The Greek word ἅλυσις (halusis) is used. The halusis was a short length chain, binding the wrist of the prisoner to the wrist of the soldier. Escape was deemed impossible.
For two years Praetorian guardsmen were on duty with Paul – captive audiences, as it were, the hear and experience the overwhelming joy Paul felt as a part of the spread of the gospel.
When Paul writes to the Philippians,
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ (Philippians 1:12-13 ESV).
Don’t you imagine that Paul had the jailer in his mind? The entire congregation was filled with military men and their families. And when Paul closes the letter with, “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22 ESV), can you not just see the smile on Paul’s face?
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