And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Acts 16:31 [KJV]
Acts 16:31 [KJV]
This verse was the main theme of the message conveyed by the early church's gospel witnesses (2:38,39;3:19-26;4:12;8:12;10:43;13:38,39). At the same time, this word transcends the ages and is the core of eternal Christian truth. They immediately taught him what he must do
(v. 31). They were always ready to answer such questions. They do not postpone these matters until a more convenient time or place, even if they are cold, sick, or sleepy. Neither does he command him to come out, because, on the next Sabbath, I will speak to him by the river,
where they meet. As iron is beaten when it is hot, they deliver the word immediately, lest his confidence is lost now that he has a good heart. Now that God has begun to work, it is time for them, "workers together with God," to begin working as well. They do not rebuke him for
the savage and viciousness he has treated them and for his abuse of power. All these have been forgiven and forgotten. They are willing to show him the way to heaven as if he were their best friend. They were not elated about him, even though he was trembling. They give him
the same instructions as they have given others: "Belief in the Lord Jesus." In this case, we are led to think that the apostles should have first said, "Forgive us for your mistreatment." But if he would only believe in Christ, the question of forgiveness could be overlooked.
This serves as a good example for ministers to encourage those who repent, to meet those who are turning to Christ, to receive their hands, not to burden them with unkind acts, and to seek the honor of Christ rather than their own. In the text, all the contents of the gospel,
the covenant of grace, are summarized in a few words, "And they said, Belief on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Let's take a look at its contents. Happiness is promised. "thou shalt be saved. Not only have you been rescued from eternal ruin,
but you have been brought to eternal life and blessings. Although you are an unfortunate man, a jailer in a dungeon, and of a humble and lowly position in this world, that cannot stand in the way of your salvation. Although you were a great sinner and a persecutor, through
the merits of Christ your filthy crimes will be all forgiven, and your hard and bitter hearts will be made soft and sweet by the grace of Christ, and you will not die because of your sins or sickness. ." One condition is required. It was "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ". We
are to accept in the gospel what God has written concerning his Son and to accept it as faithful and acceptable to all. We must approve of how God seeks to reconcile himself with the world using an intercessor. And we must accept Christ as the one sent for us, and give ourselves
up so that by Him we may be governed, taught, and saved. This is the only sure way to be saved. We cannot be saved except by Christ, and we cannot be saved by Christ except by believing in Him. And if we take the path of faith, there can be no danger. This is the way God has
promised, and he is faithful to his promises. "Whoever believes in him will be saved" is the gospel that must be proclaimed to all creatures. 'Belief' is, of course, the simple past. For the moment a person has true faith, salvation is his. Faith always means to place trust and
trust in the Lord Jesus. Salvation is confirmed even to his family. Therefore, the text says, "You and your household will be saved." This means, “As God was God to Abraham, so in Christ, I will be God to you and your descendants. Believe, and salvation will come to your house
(Luke 19:9). Even the children of your house will be with you. They will be accepted into the visible church, and thus they will walk the path of salvation. The saints will receive the grace of salvation that has come upon them, and no matter how many they are, they will be
saved as long as they believe in Jesus Christ. All of them are in the same condition. will be welcomed by Christ". Even though the concept of 'you' is already expressed as a verb ending in 'thou' and thy house.' The jailer's faith cannot automatically save his wife or children.
Just as he had to believe in his personality, the family members must believe in their personality.
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