Violent Earthquake 

Acts chapter 16

     "When the owners of the slave girl realized their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas. The crowd joined in the attack, and magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison." 

     "About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake...the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God." 

(C)  1.  A believer's joy is within, not outward circumstances (James 1:2-4).   

2.  Christ's enemies cannot destroy faith in God (Rom. 8:35-39). 

3.  In the worst times, God will provide sufficient grace (Matt. 5:10-12). 

4.  The Spirit rests on those suffering for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:14).

In Berea

Acts chapter 17

     "Now the Bereans...examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did...Greek women and men." 

     "In Athens, Paul stood up (on the hill where the highest governmental council met). 'I found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What you worship as something unknown, I am going to proclaim to you. God (made everything) so that men would seek him and perhaps find him, though he is not far from each of us.'" 

(C)  Those in Berea are a model for us. No interpretation or doctrine is to be accepted passively. It must be examined by personal study of the Scriptures. 

     Paul was greatly distressed at the idolatry and moral corruption in Athens. An attitude of holy anger toward sin and immorality should characterize all those who have the Spirit of Christ. All must turn from sin or be condemned.