Letter to Non-Jewish Believers

The apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to send some of their men with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, who were respected by the believers.

So we are sending Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things.

Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said many things to encourage the believers and make them stronger.

After some time Judas and Silas were sent off in peace by the believers, and they went back to those who had sent them [,

but Silas decided to remain there].

but Paul chose Silas and left. The believers in Antioch put Paul into the Lord’s care,

Paul and Silas in Jail

Once, while we were going to the place for prayer, a servant girl met us. She had a special spirit in her, and she earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes.

When the owners of the servant girl saw this, they knew that now they could not use her to make money. So they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the city rulers in the marketplace.

They brought Paul and Silas to the Roman rulers and said, “These men are Jews and are making trouble in our city.

The crowd joined the attack against them. The Roman officers tore the clothes of Paul and Silas and had them beaten with rods.

Then Paul and Silas were thrown into jail, and the jailer was ordered to guard them carefully.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God as the other prisoners listened.

The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside and, shaking with fear, fell down before Paul and Silas.

So Paul and Silas told the message of the Lord to the jailer and all the people in his house.

At that hour of the night the jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their wounds. Then he and all his people were baptized immediately.

After this the jailer took Paul and Silas home and gave them food. He and his family were very happy because they now believed in God.

The police told the Roman officers what Paul said. When the officers heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were afraid.

So they came and told Paul and Silas they were sorry and took them out of jail and asked them to leave the city.

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue.

Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, along with many of the Greeks who worshiped God and many of the important women.

But some others became jealous. So they got some evil men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot. They ran to Jason’s house, looking for Paul and Silas, wanting to bring them out to the people.

Paul and Silas Go to Berea

That same night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea where they went to the synagogue.

These people were more willing to listen than the people in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true.

The believers quickly sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea.

The people leading Paul went with him to Athens. Then they carried a message from Paul back to Silas and Timothy for them to come to him as soon as they could.