Saturday Scripture Gold: Acts 16:30-33

Happy Saturday!

Thank you for joining me today. Each week, I will take a verse (or passage) from the Bible and dig beneath the surface to uncover the precious golden nuggets of truth, wisdom, and knowledge that lie waiting to be discovered. I pray that this will inspire you to do some "digging" of your own into God's scripture!

This week's Bible passage: Acts 16:30-33

If we take a look at Acts 16:30-33, we’ll find a familiar passage in which Paul and Silas are confronted by the Philippian jailor who asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" This is a very important question, especially from the standpoint of salvation. For most of us, salvation from sin is our greatest need (Romans 6:23). After all, it’s better than being a slave to sin, right? And eternal life with God sounds like a pretty good deal to me! But getting back to the jailer’s question, the answer must be according to the Word of God.

Now, I know that this particular question has been discussed many times before. But the answer that is given is often limited to what is mentioned in Acts 16:31 without consideration of all that is said in the context of the passage; and without noting what is taught elsewhere in the Scriptures. So...if someone asks, “What must I do to be saved?” how should we reply? Should we limit our answer only to the words of verse 31, as well?

First, let's try to fill in some of the gaps with information found elsewhere in the Bible. A good place to start is the need to repent of sins. Nothing is said about the need to repent, yet Jesus wanted repentance to be preached in His name (Luke 24:46-47). The apostles often preached the need to repent of sins. Peter did in his first two sermons (Acts 2:37-38; 3:19). Paul also preached repentance of sins in his sermon in Athens (Acts 17:30-31). It’s pretty clear to see that it might be incorrect to conclude that repentance is not necessary; simply because it wasn’t mentioned in the conversion of the Philippian jailor.

Something else that is missing is the need to confess Christ. Here again, nothing is said about the need to confess. Yet Jesus taught of the necessity of confessing Him before others (Matthew 10:32-33). In fact, the apostles often mentioned the importance of confessing Christ. In Romans 10:9-10, we are taught that confessing with the mouth of the Lord Jesus leads to salvation. 1 John 4:15 teaches us that confessing Jesus is the Son of God leads to abiding in God. Here too, shall we conclude that confession is not necessary because it isn’t mentioned in the conversion of the Philippian jailor, either?

Taking all of this into consideration, we would be mishandling the Scriptures to suggest that just because repentance and confession aren’t mentioned in Acts 16:31 that they aren’t necessary to salvation. But now let's consider what is mentioned regarding salvation.

In Acts 16:31, we are told of the need to believe on the Lord. This is consistent with what Jesus himself taught. Believing in the Son is key to having eternal life (John 3:36). After all, unless we believe in Him, we will die in our sins (John 8:24). And so, the apostles often proclaimed the importance of faith in Jesus. In John 20:30-31 we are told that one might have life in His name; and that believing with the heart leads to righteousness (Romans 10:9-10). Without question faith is imperative to salvation, because of what the Bible says about it.

Also, we notice that the jailor and his family were baptized immediately (Acts 16:33). This is similar to what we read elsewhere in several cases of conversion. For example: 3000 were baptized on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41); the Ethiopian eunuch who was baptized as soon as he saw water (Acts 8:35-38); and even Paul was encouraged not to delay (Acts 22:16).

Getting back to the jailor and his family, why were they baptized immediately, even when it was after midnight? How about these reasons?:
1. Peter said it was for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
2. Paul was told it was to wash away sins (Acts 22:16).
3. Paul later wrote that it was a cutting away of the body of sins (Colossians 2:11-13).
4. Peter later wrote that it saves us through the resurrection of Christ (1 Peter 3:21).
Therefore, when one sees what is revealed about baptism in the New Testament, we can understand why it was received as soon as possible by those who heard the gospel.

So, why does Paul only mention faith in answer to the question in verse 31? Because the answer takes into consideration one's spiritual state or condition. For the jailor, he first needed to be told to believe in Jesus. As for the 3000 on Pentecost, they already believed by the time they asked their question, so faith is not even mentioned (but implied nonetheless!)

Now you’re probably thinking what answer should we give to those who ask "What must I do to be saved?" Our answer depends upon what the state the person is in. If they have yet to believe in Jesus, then the need to believe in Him (Acts 16:30). If they believe in Jesus, then they need to repent, confess, and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 3:26-27).

Remember, Paul proceeded to speak the word of the Lord to the jailor and his family (Acts 16:32); and then they were baptized immediately after (Acts 16:33).That is why it is so important that our answer should include everything found in the Word of the Lord.

Therefore, a proper answer to "What must I do to be saved?" will take into consideration both the spiritual state of the person and all that the Word of God reveals on the subject. My friends, have you responded to what the Bible teaches regarding salvation in Christ?

Until next week...

God bless you,

Rochelle