Turning the World Upside-Down

Turning the World Upside-Down – Today we continue our readings in the Book of Acts with a story of Paul’s early ministry that will lead us to our summer look at Paul’s letters. It was said about the early Christians that “These people are turning the world upside-down!” Carol tells us a bit about the arrival of Paul and Silas in Philippi that was prior to our reading in Acts today, things they did that were turning that world upside-down and resulted in their being beaten and imprisoned. Carol thinks they might actually have wanted to go to prison to be with those who had also been imprisoned without due process. They even have mercy for their jailer, and the whole family of the jailer is saved. Throughout this story there are multiple examples of Paul, Silas, and thus the faith of God turning things upside-down. Living the way of Christ sometimes results in this kind of thing, and Carol gives numerous examples of how following Jesus can effect family or social systems and change them for the good.