Bible in a Year Series - Day #327 - This post is part of a year-long series where we are reading chronologically through the Bible. Click here to learn more. You are most welcome to join along at any time.
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God." (Acts 16:25-34)
When reading the Bible we must be careful not to pull individual sentences out of context with the whole of scripture's council.
For example, Satan certainly believes in Jesus Christ. Does this mean that he will be saved?
Further, some have taken the phrase "you and your household" and believe that if the father of the house becomes "saved" then his whole family is now saved. However, this would contradict the significant other testimony that each of us is responsible alone for placing our faith and trust in Messiah.
A few years ago I was doing a study of the book of Acts following along with Dr. Mark Dever. You might also enjoy his series. Here's a link to his message on Acts 16-20.
