Topical Bible: Joy: Holy: Jailor

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Joy

In the biblical context, joy is a profound and abiding sense of happiness and contentment that is rooted in one's relationship with God. It is a fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." Joy is not merely an emotional response to favorable circumstances but a deep-seated gladness that persists even in trials, as believers trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.

The Psalms frequently speak of joy as a response to God's presence and salvation. Psalm 16:11 declares, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." This joy is both a present reality and a future hope, as believers anticipate the fullness of joy in God's eternal kingdom.

In the New Testament, joy is closely associated with the coming of Jesus Christ. The angel's announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-11 is a proclamation of great joy: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!'" The joy of salvation through Christ is a central theme, as seen in the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son in Luke 15, where the recovery of what was lost leads to rejoicing.

Holy

The concept of holiness in the Bible refers to the distinctiveness and purity of God, as well as the call for His people to be set apart for His purposes. Holiness is an essential attribute of God, as seen in Isaiah 6:3, where the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." God's holiness is His absolute moral perfection and separateness from sin.

For believers, holiness is both a status and a calling. Through faith in Christ, believers are made holy, or sanctified, by His sacrifice. Hebrews 10:10 states, "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." This positional holiness is the foundation for the practical pursuit of holiness in daily life, as believers are called to live in a manner that reflects God's character. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

Holiness involves a separation from sin and a dedication to God's service. It is a transformative process empowered by the Holy Spirit, as believers grow in Christlikeness and obedience to God's Word.

Jailor

The account of the Philippian jailor in Acts 16:25-34 provides a powerful example of conversion and the transformative power of the Gospel. Paul and Silas, imprisoned for their faith, were praying and singing hymns to God when a miraculous earthquake opened the prison doors and loosened the chains of all the prisoners. The jailor, fearing the escape of the prisoners and the consequent punishment, was about to take his own life. However, Paul intervened, assuring him that all the prisoners were still present.

In a moment of desperation and conviction, the jailor asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Paul and Silas responded, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household" (Acts 16:31). The jailor's immediate response was one of faith and obedience. He took Paul and Silas to his home, washed their wounds, and was baptized along with his entire household.

The transformation in the jailor's life was marked by joy, as Acts 16:34 records, "Then he brought them into his home and set a meal before them, and he rejoiced with his entire household that he had come to believe in God." This joy was a result of his newfound faith and the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ. The account of the Philippian jailor highlights the power of the Gospel to bring salvation and joy, even in the most unlikely circumstances.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 16:34
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Joy, a Duty
... with traces of sorrow, yet with a holy delight that ... my brethren dearly beloved and
longed for, my joy and crown ... and that same night baptized the jailor and his ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/joy a duty.htm

Martyrdom of the Holy Confessors Shamuna, Guria, and Habib, from ...
... At length the governor ordered the jailor to release him from ... laid him down by the
side of the holy Guria ... But they, filled with a joy, beyond the power of words ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents martyrdom of 2.htm

The Parables Exemplified in the Early History of the Church.
... of Messiah (Acts 8:27); and such was the jailor at Philippi ... and, instead of complaints,
"the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost" (Acts ...
/.../the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter vii the parables exemplified.htm

Household Salvation
... First, "HE" was baptised,"the jailor; he was ready first to ... I have no doubt that
their joy was permanent and ... The whole house would become a holy house, and a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/household salvation.htm

A Continuation of Mr Bunyan's Life; Beginning Where He Left Off ...
... sufferings, that he did as the Egyptian jailor did to ... and water of life, as by many
holy and humble ... rising to an incorruptible immortality of joy and happiness ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a continuation of mr bunyans.htm

Jesus Only
... Was it not thus that the jailor began when the ... is supernatural (being the entire
work of the Holy Ghost), all ... and filled your whole man with his heavenly joy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter xii jesus only.htm

What is the Christian Home?
... her by the bonds of Christian marriage, of holy baptism, and ... a "communion in spirit,"
that their "joy might be ... of Lydia, and Crispus, and the jailor of Philippi ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter i what is the.htm

His Missionary Travels
... They were filled with joy and the Holy Ghost, and ... toil and suffering, but flushed
with the joy of success ... more marvelous wrought upon his cruel jailor; and in ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter vi his missionary travels.htm

Acts of Paul and Thecla.
... her, she went into the prison; and having given the jailor a silver ... And she came,
exulting with joy. ... But the proconsul gladly heard Paul upon the holy works of ...
/.../unknown/acts of paul and thecla/acts of paul and thecla.htm

The Resurrection
... Look what sweet embraces of joy were between old Jacob and ... heaven, to taste of the
fruit of the holy land. ... When the judge sends, the jailor must deliver up his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 the resurrection.htm