Get Your Pretense On!

Chapter 6: The Oikos Factor • 133

and associations that make up a person’s larger social circle. Sharing the Gospel in word and deed in the context of our oikos relationships is perhaps the most natural and effective means to spread the Gospel with the lost, wherever they live. The story of Paul and Silas and the Philippian jailer highlights the power of oikos evangelism. This story is the last episode of Paul and Silas’ witness in the region of Macedonia, and in the leading city of that region, Philippi. As a result of their effective ministry there, with the first convert in Europe (Lydia and her “household,” oikos , Acts 16.14ff.), Paul and Silas ran into trouble with false accusations of being religious profiteers, and were thrown into prison. After being beaten by the jailer with “many blows,” they were thrown into prison with their feet bound in stocks. Around midnight, these dear brothers were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, with the other prisoners listening in. Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison house. All the doors opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened – the power of prayer and praise of God’s servants in trouble! When the jailer awoke and saw all this, he thought to draw his sword (believing that the prisoners had escaped), but Paul cried out with a loud voice for him not to harm himself for “we are all here!” The jailer called for lights, fell before Paul and Silas, and after bringing them out of the prison, asked them what he needed to do to be saved. Paul and Silas’ answer is as potent today as those centuries ago: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household [ oikos ].” Simple faith in the risen Lord Jesus is sufficient to deliver us from wrath, break the power of condemnation and guilt, justify us before God as righteous, and ensure us of eternal life, commencing from the moment we declare Jesus as Lord of all, and Lord over our lives. Paul and Silas spoke the word of God to the jailer, and to all the members of his oikos , that network of family, friends, and associates