(16:25-40)

8. What action was taken by Philippi’s civil magistrates, and what might be achieved if they acknowledged their error publicly?

⁸ The next day, civil magistrates sent word to release Paul and Silas. But Paul said: ‘They flogged us uncondemned, men who are Romans, and threw us into prison. Are they throwing us out secretly? Let them come and bring us out.’ If the magistrates acknowledged their error publicly, they might be reluctant to beat and imprison other Christians. Unable to expel Roman citizens, the magistrates came and asked the brothers to leave, but these did so only after encouraging fellow believers.