Acts chapter 16 is the story of Paul and Silas being put in prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. They begin to sing in worship while they are bound in stocks. The Lord sends an earthquake that rattles the prison, and drops the shackles off of all the prisoners, including Paul and Silas. The prison guard that is on duty is panicked because he knows that he will be held accountable for any prisoners who escape. However, none of the prisoners flee, and Paul and Silas have an opportunity to witness to the guard. He runs in, falls at their feet, and asked to know how to be saved. They respond with the following answer:
“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
If you stop reading here, it’s easy to understand why many people think all that is necessary to be saved is to believe in Jesus. However, the passage goes on to say that Paul and Silas shared the Word of the Lord with his family, AND took them that same hour and BAPTIZED them.
“And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” (Acts 16:29-33)
- SCRIPTURE MUST BE TAKEN IN CONTEXT.
We must read the Word of God in its entirety. It’s obvious that the jailer and his family didn’t believe only, but Paul and Silas thought it was important that they were baptized, as well. Not at some future time when it was convenient, but the same hour that they preached the Word of God to them, they took them to be baptized.
Anyone who is truly interested in understanding the Word of God can read the Book of Acts and see the pattern. Believers were expected to repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues. This is the New Birth Experience, and the pattern can be found in Acts 2, 8, 10 & 19, plus many other supporting passages. Here are excerpts, but I urge you to read all four chapters:
ACTS 2
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.“ (Acts 2:38)
Although Acts 2:38 is not the only place the Plan of Salvation can be found, it is the most concise, because it was spoken by Peter in the first message to the Church on the Day of Pentecost. Jesus gave Peter the “Keys of the Kingdom,” and he laid out the plan perfectly.
THE PATTERN
- Repentance -We apply Jesus’ death when we die to sin.
- Baptism -We are buried with Jesus when we are baptized in His Name.
- Receive the Holy Ghost -We are raised to new life, and receive resurrection power when we are filled with His Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues.
ACTS 8
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 8:14-17)
ACTS 10
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Acts 10:44-48)
ACTS 19
“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:2-6)
We cannot choose to make the scripture mean what we want it to for the sake of convenience.
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)
“We cannot choose to make the scripture mean what we want it to for the sake of convenience.” -Pat Vick Click To Tweet- BELIEVING REQUIRES ACTION.
Believing is only the first step in the conversion experience. When you believe in something, you will act upon that belief. The same is true of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When you believe on Jesus, you must act on that believe with obedience.
This obedience to the gospel is not works. Works are benevolent deeds. Repenting, being baptized in Jesus’ name, and being filled with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues is not works. It is OBEDIENCE.
Is it rational to think that all we must do is to think in our minds and hearts that we love Jesus and accept Him as our Savior? Jesus specifically said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) He also said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16)
- BELIEVING WITHOUT ACTION IS WISHING
Isn’t it sweet to see a child blow dandelion fluff into the wind, scrunch tight their little eyes, and make a wish? Such it is when an adult believes in Jesus without following through with any acts of obedience. They are simply wishing. Placing their eternity in a puff of air and a feeling, and sending that wish into the great beyond. Hoping when they get to the end of their life that something magical has happened. All the while, Jesus has been waiting for their obedience to the Gospel.
“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Romans 10:16)
If you have thoughts on this post, I’d love for you to leave comments. Even if you don’t agree. Truly. Tell me what you agree with and why. Also, tell me what you disagree with and why.
Warm Regards, -Pat