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Do you love the Word of God? Perhaps you don't because you're not acquainted with it. However anyone who has taken time, even years to study the Book, they will find it filled with delightful and instructive help and hope for our life and future. The other day, when I was reading the Bible, I came across another one of those arresting Scriptures. Yes, it was only a small statement within a marvelous sentence. But "oh" what a statement! It caused me to research the whole Bible on that particular thought, and what came about is my message to you today. So, if you have a Bible handy, will you join me and the rest of our audience as we open to the New Testament Book of Acts and in a moment we'll read Acts 16:22-34.
It was only three words. But "oh," what words they are! God is like that my friend. He speaks in a minimum of words, but tells us volumes about whatever it is He is relating to us. Let's go right now to the Book of Acts where I'll read to you the beginning point of my message of hope and faith. We read in,
Acts 16:22-34 (Selected verses) "[At Philipi] the crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them with his life. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the [Gospel] to him and to all the others in his household. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family 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 family."
I don't know about you, but that story has always given me "goosebumps," because of the excitement and joy it tells of God reaching down in the darkness of night and bringing a lost sinful man into the daylight of God's love and grace. However as I said before, some words arrested me. Although I read the story to you in the New International Version which I trust and believe is a good translation, I grew up with the King James Bible, and often do my studying with it. That phrase in verse 31 of chapter 16 in Acts reads,
Acts 16:31 (KJV) "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
Notice those last three words - "… and thy house." Now many readers might quickly pass that by, but we must never pass God's word by, even the smallest portion, for in it are the verbally and fully inspired words of God to sinful fallen humanity. Do you know what God said here? Well first to know what He said, we have to dispel what many have erroneously come to teach God says from this verse of Scripture. Today there is more error and false teachings that have emanated from this verse ( Acts 16:31), than perhaps any other Scripture. Here are just a few of the erroneous teachings attributed to this verse.
The jailer asked Paul and Silas what did he have to "do," to be saved and to be in a right relationship with his Creator God? Some say the Bible answers - (1)"submit to baptism and you will be saved." But it doesn't say that here at all! Others have come to say this passage says - (2)"Treat your fellow man rightly and you will be saved." Again, nothing in this passage can say that for the Philippian jailer previously to this, delighted in beating these men severely. Then again some have taught this passage says - (3)"Give your money and your worldly goods and you will be saved." But God says, -- no, no no! Nothing like that is found in this verse of Scripture that distinctly tells the jailer what was necessary for the man to do to be saved, fully and completely from his sins. So again we read Acts 16:31,
Acts 16:31 (NIV) "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.""
The only thing God says is required for a man, woman or child to be saved is to "BELIEVE!!" in the Lord Jesus Christ. "Oh," how wonderful God is! He has made salvation from sin, reconciliation to Himself, the easiest thing in the world that everyone can "do." This is why we call the message of Jesus Christ, the Gospel. It means "good news," to all who hear it and obey its call. Well, that is most astounding indeed, yet millions miss heaven and eternal life because they simply don't follow these instructions. However in this message, God gives an addendum. Not only was the promise of forgiveness, Heaven and Eternal Life, offered to this pagan jailer, but also thanks be to God, to His entire family - "AND THY HOUSE!"
Now note, God is often of few words, but when He speaks we can always find Him consistent in what He says. This phrase that promises any man or woman that God intends this salvation experience to extend to their own household, is the story of Noah and the flood. Let's jump back for a moment to this breath-taking story. We turn in the pages of Scripture to,
Gen 7:1-6(KJV - selected verses) "And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation…4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. 5 And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him…And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood…"
Did you notice friend, those familiar and comforting words, "and thy house?" God said to Noah, my plan of salvation is not for you alone, but includes your whole household after you. Isn't it wonderful God is interested in families, whole families, even extended families? When God saves a man, it is only the beginning. From there He wants to reach out through that man or woman, or boy or girl to every other member of his household. God loves families and all in them! Now this is the kind of God who created the whole world, even the universe itself, a God who indeed wants all men to be saved. Noah is a beautiful example of the salvation story as well as the Philippian jailer. Notice in our text, God said to Noah when the fateful day arrived for judgment to come upon the evil and wicked Christ rejecting world of his day.
Gen 7:13 (NIV) "On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark."… (v.16) …Then the LORD shut [them] in."
What a picture of the salvation event! To be saved, the Philippian jailer and his family, and Noah and his family had to take a measured step to be saved. They had to "believe God," and then, act upon that belief! Noah had to enter the ark God provided for him to build. The invitation was given, but unless they responded and obeyed God, they would not have been saved. The Bible says, "the Lord shut him [them] in." God fastened the door, which no man can open. The ark represents a beautiful picture of salvation for us today. When a soul enters the light of heaven by faith, God seals him in it! Noah and his family were totally secure against the judgment waters of the flood. Thus we have perfect security once we are saved from our sins. I know some teach you can lose your salvation by sinning, or you can give it up if you choose, but that cannot be substantiated anywhere in the Bible. Noah could not open that door once he willingly committed himself to God's care. Nor did he ever want to either!
Now, the second thing all this teaches us from God's` Word is, there is grace, plenty of grace for all who want to be saved! The Bible says,
2 Pet 3:9 (NIV) "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance [faith]."
So also today, all who would come, may come and be saved from their sins. Now lastly in our quest to find God's mind on the matter of families salvation, we go back to the New Testament and read the story of the first gentile convert to Christianity, a man named Cornelius,
Acts 10:33-34 (NIV) " I [Cornelius] have sent for you [Peter], and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." 34 Then Peter began to speak… 44 "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles… Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…"
And thy house! Again, God moved in Europe to save the first Gentile a man, a Roman army commander named Cornelius. "Ah," but not Cornelius alone, it included his whole household with him. God is like that my friend, He loves you and your whole family and wants everyone of you to experience His salvation and forgiveness of all your sins. But now what is salvation? If, as so many falsely teach today, salvation is something you "do," to be saved or to remain saved, then how can one know if they are saved at all?
The answer is back in our starting text in Acts chapter 16. Let's finish the story of the Philippian jailer's conversion to Christ. Now after the jailer heard what he had to do, just exercise believing faith, the simplicity of it all was received with a joyous and open heart. The jailer simply BELIEVED in Jesus Christ! That is, he trusted in Christ now, alone, for any standing of righteousness with God. He believed what God had said about his sinful state, his condemnation for sin, and his being saved from the wrath to come by the blood death of Jesus Christ on a cross. Exercising that faith, we read,
Acts 16:33-34 (NIV) "At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family 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 family."
We see that after Paul preached the Gospel to this lost sinner, the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, the man simply believed God and was saved. He was so excited about it that before he allowed Paul to even tell him the whole story, he sent for his family, who probably lived on the premise with the jailer. Together as a family unit, they listened and together they ALL BELIEVED! Now what's amazing is what follows, for this is a perfect picture of real Bible faith ,and real salvation that takes root in the heart. Upon confessing Christ as their Savior, the jailer and his family evidenced a changed heart and life.
The first thing he did was to "wash their wounds." Before, the jailer had delighted in beating these godly men. He thought nothing of persecuting and harming them! Now with sorrow and humility he sought to mend the evil he had done before. So it is with all who are truly saved. When a man comes to Christ and it's a true salvation experience, the first thing he wants to do is, make right the wrongs he has committed. So he straightens up the past as much as is possible. If he owes money, he makes arrangement to pay it. If he's done anything wrong, he is willing to pay the price to make restitution. That is what real Bible faith does for those who are truly saved.
Now secondly, real Bible faith is evidenced here because the jailer also showed a dramatic change of heart and life. He immediately wanted to devote his life to serving Christ, His kingdom work and workers. The Bible says,
Acts 16:34 (NIV) "at that hour 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 family."
You know friend when an individual truly is saved from his sins, the first thing he wants to do is serve the Lord who saved him! The jailer was just the night before, a heathen who couldn't care less about Christ or His followers. But now he wanted to serve Christ and those who brought him the "Good News." By contrast, the jailer was a lost sinner when the sun set, but when it rose he was saved and in God's marvelous light. The night before he like millions to this day, he was groping in darkness, going nowhere, aimlessly marching on the road to an eternal Hell. But now, he was on the highway to Heaven walking in the sunlight of Jesus Christ! That is why the Bible says, "he was filled with joy." Not only was he saved, and his burden of sin lifted, but his whole family too! Before he was ready to commit suicide, but now he was ready to live for Jesus Christ!
Are you my friend? Apart from the many false teachings about salvation, God's Word and lesson today should encourage your heart. Don't give up on your family if they are not saved yet. God knows where they are, and He wants you to know He cares! Keep praying for them, and be sure to live for Christ before them, and one day God will answer your prayers.
Lastly, there is a lesson for us all. Salvation come to three families, and they all responded by faith. Noah and his family were saved because they simply believed God and acted upon that revelation. Cornelius the Gentile believed God, and invited his entire family and household to hear and experience the same message of hope he was to hear . They too were all saved that day! And of course the Philippian Jailer's family too. But remember this one thing friend. Salvation is offered full and free, but the offer of God's grace one day will end. The door of the ark was shut. Peter left the house of Cornelius and we have no report ever that they saw each other again. The same is true of the Philippian jailer. Paul and Silas never saw him again after they departed. Friend, grace is great and grace is free, but grace is not forever. If it is spurned or neglected, or put off, the day of God's wrath is next. The same God who offers full and free salvation to all, also pours out His wrath against sin and sinners.
If you are not a believer today, this message may like Peter's and Paul's be the last time you will hear me speak about Christ to you. For you right now, God's grace is not past, but is being offered personally to you. Won't you come right now? Won't you believe in Christ right now? Won't you surrender your heart to Him right now? God said to Noah, "come into the ark.." Jesus says to all "come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." And my friend, the very last message of the entire Bible is God's call to you and all today who are outside the safety of God's love. Here it and heed it for God the Spirit now says,
Rev 22:17 (NIV) "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."
Friend, I too like these men and their families from Scripture was lost, but now am found. I too was the first in my household to be saved, and I brought the message to my wife and family who since have entered into God's love and grace. I invite you to come to Him and not delay any longer. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house!"
Noah, Cornelius, the Jailer of Philippi - all are God's Biblical illustrations of the variety of people and families God is interested in. I trust you have come to Christ my friend, and that your life has changed from darkness and sin, to light and obedience to His Word and will. The first important thing God wants from all of His children is that we learn of Him. This is the weekend and traditionally the Christian church worships on the Lord's day. Will you be in church with your whole family? Dad will you be taking them? Joshua of old says, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" Do it Dad, or Mom if Dad isn't there - be the one to set the example of going to Sunday School and Church, and then live what God teaches you, not out of duty or purchase, but out of a heart of love that simply says - "thank you Lord for the free gift of salvation and saving my soul." I hereby dedicate my life and heart to live for you till You come for me in glory!" That is our "amen," to our confession of faith.
The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures.A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request.These weekly radio commentaries can be heard in selected areas around the nation. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for 16 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of all messages is available upon request also.
For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please write to our speaker, Dennis L. Finnan (wwyfin@sparc.isl.net)