Great Men of the Bible Series: Silas

Great Men of the Bible Series: Silas (Acts 15-18)

Silas, also known as Silvanus, is one of those seemingly minor characters in the New Testament, who was used of God to spread the Gospel. He was a respected leader in the church at Jerusalem. Seven passages in Acts, involving Silas, begin with an introduction to him as an important member of the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:22-27; 15:30-41; 16:16-24, 25-40; 17:1-9, 10-15; Acts 18:1-6). Silas was a right-hand man to both Paul and to Peter in the ministry. Silas played an active role with Paul and Peter (I Thessalonians 1:1; II Thessalonians 1:1; II Corinthians 1:19; I Peter 5:12).

Silas, who was a dedicated follower of Christ, was a leader at Jerusalem among the congregation of the apostles. He was willing to travel and suffer with Paul over several years to spread the Gospel and to nurture the church. The faithful service of Silas’ teaching and preaching at the church at Antioch resulted in healthy growth.

Although Silas endured persecution, affliction, and sufferings in the ministry, it never hindered his spirit from service to the Lord. He was jailed with Paul for preaching Jesus. Even in this abused and tired condition, at the late hour of midnight, Silas sang praises to the Lord along with Paul. Then an earthquake occurred and set all the prisoners free. The jailer was stopped from taking his own life, and found the conditions inside the prison to be as Paul had said. He was shaken much more by these strange circumstances than by the earthquake, and the spirit moved him to ask about the way of salvation. Silas was faithful to stay with Paul even though difficulty and danger seem to await Paul at each stop. They were said to have turned the world upside down and, as a result, the number of believers continued to grow

We all go through dark times in our lives. Friends disappoint us, those into whom we have invested our love and efforts turn away, and financial or physical problems we did not expect arise. None of those things take God by surprise. He is still there and still working in our lives even when we cannot immediately see what He is doing. That is where faith comes in—it sings until the lights come back on.

Silas never hungered for the spotlight. Rather he tended to the tasks God gave him to assist the Apostles. Even if it seemed he was doing simple, mundane tasks he did them with joy and a servant’s heart. As Christians, this is our responsibility. Whether you’re a pastor, teacher, or have no formal title or position, we are commissioned with doing those duties we are assigned, and doing them with a joyful attitude. Even if no one else sees or hears what you do for the Lord, He will record, remember, and reward you for your faithful service.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to become a loyal co-laborer in the ministry. Keep me faithful in your service while fulfilling Your Great Commission. May I bear much fruit in the harvest field. In Jesus name, Amen.

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