People of the Bible: Silas
Updated: Nov 16, 2021
Who was Silas?
We first see Silas’s name emerge in the book of Acts. After Jesus died, the disciples started to spread the gospel. Because of this, the church began to grow and we are introduced to new people who played prominent roles in the years after Jesus’s resurrection. Silas is one of those men. He was one of the main leaders in the early church. He was likely a pastor or teacher who was responsible for discipling people towards further Christlikeness.
Silas was such a good leader and faithful follower of Christ that Paul chose him to accompany him on his missionary journeys. On one of these journeys, Paul and Silas were arrested for preaching the gospel. While in prison, they began to offer worship to God. During their worship God sent an earthquake that shook the prison and broke the prisoners free. The guards saw their faith and were compelled to ask them how he and his family could be saved. Paul and Silas offered a simple answer. To be saved, all he had to do was believe and put his trust in Jesus Christ.
Here we are reminded of several things.
God inhabits praise the praise of his people.
Others are listening and watching what we do.
Jesus is the only way to be saved.
Another thing we see from Silas is that he also worked with Peter. When Peter sent the letter that would become known as the 1 Peter we know from the Bible, most people believe he sent it with Silas. In that letter, Peter describes Silas as a “faithful brother.” It is clear through all these examples that Silas was highly respected and trusted by some of the most well known people from the early church time period. His faithfulness is an attribute that we should all seek to emulate. He was first faithful to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but he was also faithful to those around him. He was not concerned with who got the credit on these missionary journeys, he was only concerned with spreading the good news about Jesus.
That good news is that Jesus, the son of God, came to the world to live with us. During that time, he lived a perfect life where he loved and cared for us, but was sent to the cross to die. In that death, Jesus died for our sins and he was resurrected. He defeated death and now allows anyone who believes in him to enter eternal life with him in heaven.
Key Takeaways:
Silas was a Missionary
Praise = Breakthrough
Be faithful to both God & those around you
Parents, 3treesKIDS will also be learning about Silas this Sunday, both in-person and online.
Be sure to check out their lesson at www.3trees.com/kids.
To find service times and locations, visit https://www.3trees.com/planyourvisit.