S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Silas was a leader in the early church, a fellow missionary with Paul, and a "faithful brother" (1 Peter 5:12). He was a Hellenistic Jew who, it seems, was also a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37). He is ...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Silas, a respected Jerusalem church leader, prophet, and Roman citizen (Acts 15:22, 32; 16:37-38), shared one of the most dramatic moments of his ministry with Paul in the Roman colony of Philippi.

After Paul cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, her owners incited a mob. Paul and Silas were stripped, severely beaten with rods, and thrown into the inner prison with their feet fastened in stocks (Acts 16:22-24). At midnight, while suffering intense pain and in maximum-security confinement, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God (ὑμνοῦντες τὸν θεόν), and the other prisoners were listening (Acts 16:25).

Their worship, audible, joyful, and Spirit-filled, triggered a great earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison, opened every door, and loosed every prisoner’s chains (Acts 16:26). Instead of fleeing, Paul and Silas remained, leading to the conversion and baptism of the jailer and his household (Acts 16:27-34).

This episode vividly demonstrates Silas’s character: courageous in persecution, unwavering in faith, and ready to praise God in the darkest hour. His midnight hymns alongside Paul have become a hallmark example in Christian tradition of worship that moves heaven and breaks chains.

I love the Gaither Vocal Band's interpretation of this miracle in Acts 16:

Whole Lotta Shakin’
Gaither Vocal Band
(1988 album: One Voice)

(Verse 1)
Well, there were Paul and Silas
Stuck down in that jail
Their hands were chained
And their backs did bleed
They’d been beaten with rods
And thrown in the stocks
But they had a song that the world still needs

(Pre-Chorus)
They lifted up their voices
Began to sing and pray
Then the building shook
And the doors swung wide

(Chorus)
There was a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
When the prisoners started praisin’ the Lord
There was a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
The jailhouse started rockin’
The chains began to drop
When the prisoners started praisin’ the Lord

(Verse 2)
The jailer came a-runnin’
Thought everybody fled
He drew his sword to take his life that night
But Paul cried, “Do thyself no harm
We’re all here!”
Then the jailer saw that glorious light

(Pre-Chorus)
He fell down at their feet
Said, “Sirs, what must I do?”
They said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”

(Chorus)
There was a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
When the jailer and his household got saved
There was a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
The jailhouse started rockin’
The chains began to drop
When the prisoners started praisin’ the Lord

(Bridge – often sung with ad-libs in live performances)

If you’re locked in a prison of sin and shame
Start praisin’ the Lord and call on His name
Your chains will fall, your walls will crumble
You’ll be free indeed!

(Final Chorus – repeated with energy)
There was a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
When the prisoners started praisin’ the Lord
There was a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
The jailhouse started rockin’
The chains began to drop
When the prisoners started praisin’ the Lord
Yeah, when the prisoners started praisin’ the Lord!

(Ending tag – usually shouted)
Shakin’! Shakin’! Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on!

23 hours ago • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report