What's In A Name?

Many people have asked about Silas' name. Why did you choose it? Does it have some kind of family significance? Did you draw it out of a hat?
To be honest we just liked the name, but I like what the Bible has to say about him:

After the Jerusalem Council the church sends out Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas (Acts 15:22). They are sent out to correct a problem that is going on concerning the church. Some people are told that they must be circumcised to be saved (Acts 15:1). Peter corrects the Pharisees in saying, "But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus..." (Acts 15:11)

Along with Judas, Silas is sent out with Paul and Barnabus to tell the people to "abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality." (Acts 15:29)

It says that Judas and Silas were "men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 15:26) and also that they "encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words." (Acts 15:32)

In Acts 16 as they are on their way to Lydia's house, Paul casts out a spirit of divination from Lydia and both Paul and Silas are beaten in thrown in jail because of their beliefs. In jail a great earthquake erupts and the prison doors are open, instead of thinking of themselves, Paul and Silas look to the needs of the jailer and show him the grace that was talked about at the Jerusalem council. As examples of Christ they tell the jailer, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)

Silas continued with Paul preaching the good news of God's amazing grace.

Silas is an interesting character to me, because he's mentioned in these chapters, but you don't hear a word from his mouth. However, as I mentioned above, he was an encourager and was totally focused on getting the word of Jesus out to as many people as possible, whether that meant getting beat, or ridiculed or even going to prison.

Many of us don't think of Silas when we think of hero's of the New Testament. We think of our Paul's and we think of how amazing Peter was, but I think (for me at least) sometimes we miss the small stories throughout scripture (both OT and NT) of people that were just as faithful and just as interesting as the top men (and women).

My prayer is that my son, Silas along with myself are like the Silas of the Bible. I hope that's your prayer as well. May we be strong in our faith as these men were and in our "hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil." (1 Peter 3:15-17)