Short Sketch of Scripture's 'Selfless Silas' Quiz

Answer: Judas, called Barsabbas.

The correct answer is Judas, called Barsabbas. Acts 15:29, in the NIV Bible, makes it clear the church council did not want to burden the Gentile believers with a long list of rules. The verse states "You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell." Verse 31 states the people who read the letter "were glad for its encouraging message." Verse 32 goes on to state Judas and Silas, "who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers."

Answer: John, also called Mark

The correct answer is John, also called Mark. Paul, however, wanted no part of having Mark go on the trip due to past experience. Acts 15:36-41, in the NIV Bible, states: "Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.' Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." However, the fractured relationship between Paul and Mark was eventually healed.

In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul advises Timothy to bring Mark to him "because he is helpful to me in my ministry." 2 Timothy is believed to have been written not long before Paul was executed.

Answer: Timothy

The young church worker was Timothy, the recipient of the two books titled 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. Acts 16:2, in the NIV Bible, states the brothers at Lystra and Iconium "spoke well" of Timothy.

Answer: Many days

The correct answer is many days. It appears there was no stopping her, until Paul decided to take action. Acts 16:16-18, in the NIV Bible, states: "Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future.

She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.' She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' At that moment the spirit left her." This act, however, would result in Silas and Paul being imprisoned because the owners of the slave girl had been earning a large amount of money through her fortune-telling abilities. Scripture states when the spirit left her, she was no longer able to tell fortunes and her owners lost their source of income. To get even, her owners seized Silas and Paul and had them appear before the magistrates.

Answer: Inner cell.

It's apparent the authorities were not taking any chances with Silas and Paul escaping. Acts 16:23 states the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully and verse 24 states "upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks". According to notes in the NIV Study Bible, escape from the inner cell would be more unlikely. What's more, it was customary for the inner cell to be used for torture.

Answer: Stayed in their cell.

It's incredible, but the dynamic duo stayed put and did not make a break for it. It was almost as if they were feeling at home, for Acts 16:25 states that just prior to the earthquake, Silas and Paul were praying and singing hymns and the other prisoners were listening to them.

When the jailer was amazed to find out his prized prisoners had not escaped, Silas and Paul seized the opportunity to convert him to Christianity. Verse 34 goes on to state that the jailer's entire household came to believe in God.

Answer: Lydia's house.

Yes, they went to Lydia's house. Lydia, of course, was the woman who was a dealer in purple cloth, whom Paul and Silas had converted earlier, as per Acts 16:13-15. Incidentally, many theologians believe Lydia was the first Christian convert in Europe.

Answer: Berea

The correct answer is Berea. As a result of the work of Silas and Paul, Scripture states "many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men." According to Wikipedia, Berea is now known as Veria (or Voria) and is "is a small city on the eastern side of Vermion Mountains, north of Mount Olympus."

Answer: True

Silas is one of only three people, the others being Timothy and Sosthenes, that Paul includes in the very beginning of his letters. Most often, he includes only his name and no one else. Sosthenes' name appears at the beginning of 1 Corinthians while Timothy's name appears at the beginning of 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, as well as 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

Answer: A faithful brother.

It is apparent Peter held Silas in high regards. In 1 Peter 5:12, he writes in his final greetings: "With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it."