Leadership through Discipleship #17

Silas, The Power of Praise

Silas was one of the “leading men” in the Jerusalem church. He was a prophet who was selected by the apostles and elders to travel to Antioch after the first council meeting in Jerusalem concerning the Gentiles in the church. After this initial assignment Silas felt the need to stay in Antioch and continue the work of ministry in that city. The scripture doesn’t say how long this was, but eventually Paul prepared to visit the various churches he had previously established. He planned to take Barnabas but they had a disagreement over John Mark and Paul asked Silas to accompany him on this missionary journey.

Paul and Silas traveled to Philippi in Macedonia where great conversions were taking place. In the midst of revival a demon-possessed woman began to proclaim “These are men of God, hear him!” She continued following them around for several days broadcasting their credentials. Finally, Paul wearied with the spirit’s annoyance and rebuked the spirit within her. Immediately she was delivered of the evil spirit that had previously enabled her to tell fortunes. Those who profited from her fortune-telling were incensed that she was no longer able to predict events and enable their profiteering. In anger they apprehended Paul and Silas, bringing charges against them and had them beaten with rods and imprisoned.

What is most ironic in this situation is that Paul and Silas were being persecuted for doing good. Instead of people rejoicing over demonic deliverance they were angered. Instead of being rewarded for helping others, the preachers were imprisoned. Rather than being applauded, they were beaten. Where they deserved to be rewarded for their good, they were bound and placed in stocks.

The response of Paul and Silas was most remarkable. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves and despairing in their situation, they began to sing songs of praise and magnify God. While they rejoiced in the midst of trouble God answered with a powerful presence. The earth quaked and the prisoners were released. When these disciples sang in prison they praised themselves into freedom. Not only were they released but all the prisoners who heard them were freed. The leader who learns to worship in times of trouble will experience personal freedom and witness deliverance in the lives of others.