Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household. Acts 16:31
Wearing his striped jumpsuit, James walked across the steamy jail gym and climbed into the portable pool where he was baptized by the prison chaplain. James’ joy multiplied, however, when he heard that his daughter Brittany—also an inmate—had been baptized that same day . . . in the same water! When they realized what had happened, even the staff got emotional. “There wasn’t a dry eye,” the chaplain said. In and out of jail for years, Brittany and her dad both wanted God’s forgiveness. And together, God gave them new life.
Scripture describes another prison encounter—this time with a jailer—where Jesus’ love transformed an entire family. After a “violent earthquake” shook the prison and “the prison doors flew open,” Paul and Silas didn’t run but remained in their cell (Acts 16:26–28). The jailer, overcome with gratitude that they didn’t flee, took them to his house and eventually asked that life-changing question: “What must I do to be saved?” (v. 30)
“Believe in the Lord Jesus,” they answered, “you and your household” (v. 31). The response reveals God’s desire to pour out mercy on not only individuals but also entire families. Encountering God’s love, they all came “to believe in God—[the jailer] and his whole household” (v. 34). Though we’re often eager for the salvation of those we love, we can trust that God loves them even more than we do. He desires to renew all of us, our whole house.
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.a 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailerb was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.c
25 About midnightd Paul and Silase were praying and singing hymnsf 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.g At once all the prison doors flew open,h and everyone’s chains came loose.i 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.j 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.k 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”l
31 They replied, “Believem in the Lord Jesus, and you will be savedn—you and your household.”o 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 nightp the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.q 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; her was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
INSIGHT
- What difference does it make to consider how God reaches out to whole families?
- How can you trust God’s mercy for your family?
We see two great movements in the book of Acts that are closely linked: geographical and ethnic. The good news moves from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth and from Jews to gentiles. Jerusalem represents Judaism and God’s Old Testament promise to bring salvation to the world through the nation of Israel. This promise goes back to God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3), where God promised that He’d create a great nation (Israel) through him and would bless all people. This promise was fulfilled through Jesus the Messiah (Luke 1:55, 73; 3:34; 19:9; Acts 3:25; 7:17).
PRAYER
Dear God, please reveal Yourself to my whole family. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Acts 16:22-24 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Psalm 13-15 ; Acts 19:21-41
