“They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.” Acts 16.31-34
We see several times in the New Testament that when someone comes to faith the whole household follows suit in belief and baptism. This jailer, who was watching over the apostles when the earthquake struck and the prison cells were opened wide, gave his life to Jesus. He was transformed in an instant. His life was saved by the Lord and then his whole family came to Christ. He took care of the wounds of Paul and Silas, he brought them to his house, and he was “filled with joy” because he had come to believe in God.
Every Tuesday night I serve at the First Waco College Ministry. With the spirit of revival sweeping across our nation, I am seeing students swept up by God’s Spirit. This past Tuesday at our time of sharing with the college guys, two shared about an experience they had this week at a worship service. Both recommitted their lives to Jesus at the Vertical Bible Study. What usually has a few hundred students had three times that number. God was calling people to repentance. These two boys, independent of one another, fell before the Lord in confession and brokenness. Like the jailer, they too were “filled with joy” because of their new found belief in God.
Sometimes we think getting “right” with God is complicated. Maybe that we have to straighten out all our sins, or become holy on our own. But in truth, finding peace with God is a decision of the heart. When we confess our sins, tune our hearts to Christ, and find strength in Jesus name, we find salvation. When we give our lives to Jesus by faith, we believe, we can experience peace in this world.
Are you struggling to find peace? Do you know people who are longing and hungry for God? Why not remember the words of Paul — “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” It isn’t rocket-science — it’s much simpler, it’s a choice of your will. Finding salvation in Jesus is a matter of submission, confession and dependence.
It is my prayer that you and others find salvation in Jesus. This is the whole point — that God wants to restore a right relationship with his people. Will you repent? Will you trust in Jesus? Will you pray his Holy Spirit take control of your life so that you might be the person he has called and created you to be? By his grace and for his glory.
“O Lord God, a fire has been lit. Stemming from Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, your power is being made manifest among us. People all over the globe are awakening with a passion for Christ. Save us Lord! Draw us near to your power. I confess, repent and give you my life. Transform your people and this world. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen