Was the age of miracles still operating when Paul and Silas were in the Philippian prison?
Yes. At the Philippian prison, the miraculous economy was still operating. A sudden earthquake opened the doors and loosed everyone’s bands. The age of miracles and signs had not yet fallen off the platform; God was still working miraculously, and all the prisoners remained instead of fleeing.
Les teaches that when Paul and Silas were in the Philippian prison, the economy of miracles and signs and wonders had not yet ended. He points out that this Gentile jailer likely had heard Paul and Silas teach and preach, had probably witnessed their arrest and beating, and was now given charge over them along with the other prisoners. At midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God, and the prisoners heard them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake. Les reminds us that they still had not left the economy of miracles and signs and wonders, not even here yet; it would later fall off the platform completely, but as yet God was still working in the area of the miraculous. This miraculous earthquake had a distinct purpose: all the doors were opened and everyone’s bands, or stocks, were loosed. The jailer awoke, saw the prison doors open, and would have killed himself, knowing the Roman authorities would kill him if a prisoner escaped. But Paul cried out, “Do thyself no harm, for we are all here.” Instead of fleeing, all remained, showing a sovereign God at work.