The apostle Paul traveled around the Roman Empire telling people about Jesus, planting churches, and strengthening the disciples. One time Paul was in the city of Philippi—which is pronounced like you want more dessert: “Fill up pie!” On the Sabbath day he went down to the river and found a group of women praying. Paul shared with them the good news about Jesus.

Lydia, a seller of fancy purple goods and a worshiper of God, was there. But she didn’t yet know Jesus. The Lord opened her heart to listen to Paul’s message. She believed and was baptized, and her household as well. Lydia insisted that Paul and his companions come to her house for a visit.

While they were still in Philippi, Paul met a slave girl who was possessed by an evil spirit. Paul commanded the spirit to come out of her, and the girl was set free in an instant. The girl’s cruel owners were not happy. They liked it when she had an evil spirit because people would pay money to come see the strange girl.

Upset about their loss of income, the owners grabbed Paul and his friend Silas and dragged them before the rulers of the city. The crowd joined the rulers in attacking Paul and Silas. They were beaten with rods, thrown in prison, and fastened to a post so they could barely move.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns when a giant earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. All at once the doors swung open and everyone’s chains broke free. The jailer awoke in a panic. He was sure all the prisoners had escaped. But Paul said with a loud voice, “Don’t hurt yourself. We are all here.”

The jailer turned on the lights and rushed into the cell. Sure enough, everyone was still there. The jailer fell down before Paul and Silas and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

That was the most important question the Philippian jailer could have asked, and the most important question anyone can ask. “Believe in the Lord Jesus,” Paul and Silas answered, “and you will be saved, you and your household.” As they taught the word of God, the jailer believed and was baptized, he and all his family.

The next day the rulers of the city came and apologized to Paul and Silas. They released them from prison and asked them to leave the city. Paul and Silas visited Lydia on their way out of town and encouraged the disciples to stay true to the gospel.