Bible Reading: Judges 12; Acts 16; Jeremiah 25; Mark 11
Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
The Philippian jailor was about to commit suicide. He had been charged with keeping Paul and Silas safe in the prison until the magistrates could figure out what to do with them. During the night an earthquake rattled the jail and opened all the doors. When the jailor awoke and saw the doors open he knew that his life was forfeit because he had failed. He took his sword and was going to end his life, when Paul called out to him that they were all there.
He wanted to know what he must do to be saved. He had heard them singing praises and witnessing to the Lord Jesus Christ and he knew that they were legitimate. The apostles answered that he must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Please notice they did not say he had to do good works. He did not say that the jailor had to repent of all his sins. He said he had to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he would be saved. Paul also told him the promise was for his house.
Acts 16:32-33 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
They took time to speak to him and all that were in his house the word of the Lord. That same night the jailor and his whole household were saved. They were then baptized. Now some say this is evidence of infant baptism but that is not true. There is no mention of infants here. Please notice that the apostles took time to speak the word of the Lord to the jailor and to all that were in his house. In order to be baptized, you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. An infant cannot believe yet, they are too little. Paul baptized no infants – only believers. The Bible says so:
Acts 16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
A whole household got saved that night. Everyone was old enough to understand the gospel and believe. They then were glad to follow Jesus in a believer's baptism. What an exciting night! What an exciting promise! No wonder they were singing praises while chained up – they knew that even in a jail, Jesus Christ can change lives. Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you trust him alone for salvation? Are you taking opportunities to speak to people the word of the Lord so they can believe and be saved?
In Christ,
Rody
