Tag: salvation

  • The Philippian Jailer & Faith Only

    Those who teach salvation by faith alone often appeal to the conversion of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16. When he asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” they answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30–31).

    Does this mean that belief is the only thing necessary for salvation? We need to consider the entire account, not simply one verse.

    What Must I Do to Be Saved?

    The jailer’s question came under extraordinary circumstances. Paul and Silas had been imprisoned in Philippi, yet at midnight they were praying and singing hymns to God. Suddenly, an earthquake shook the prison, opening its doors and loosening the prisoners’ chains.

    Assuming the prisoners had escaped, the jailer was about to take his own life when Paul cried out, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here” (Acts 16:28).

    Trembling, the jailer fell before Paul and Silas and asked what he must do to be saved.

    Their answer was straightforward: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 31). But what did that belief involve? And what happened next?

    What Happened After the Jailer Was Told to Believe?

    Notice the sequence of events recorded by Luke:

    First, Paul and Silas preached the word of the Lord. Acts 16:32 says, “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.” The jailer needed to hear the gospel in order to believe it (Rom. 10:17).

    Second, the jailer responded to what he heard. That same night, he washed the wounds of Paul and Silas. His actions demonstrated a change in attitude toward the very men who had been placed in his custody.

    Third, he and his household were baptized immediately. Luke records, “And immediately he and all his family were baptized” (Acts 16:33).

    Why was baptism so urgent? Why did they not wait until morning?

    The answer becomes clearer when we consider what the apostles taught elsewhere. Peter commanded his hearers to repent and be baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Jesus likewise connected belief and baptism in Mark 16:16.

    Finally, Acts 16:34 tells us that the jailer rejoiced, “having believed in God with all his household.”

    Notice that Luke describes the jailer’s belief after recording his response to the gospel, including his baptism. The account does not present belief as an isolated mental acknowledgment, but as faith that responded to God’s word.

    Does Faith Exclude Obedience?

    The Bible certainly teaches the necessity of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). But does the necessity of faith mean that repentance, confession, and baptism can be excluded?

    Jesus taught the necessity of repentance (Luke 13:3, 5). He also spoke of confessing Him before men (Matt. 10:32–33). Paul connected confession with salvation in Romans 10:9–10, and Peter commanded baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

    These teachings do not contradict the command to believe. Rather, they help us understand what responding to the gospel involves.

    James makes an important distinction when he writes, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). He concludes, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (v. 26).

    James is not teaching that sinners earn salvation through their own merit. His point is that genuine faith is not inactive. It responds to what God has said.

    We should not confuse obedient faith with an attempt to earn salvation. Nor should we separate faith from the obedience God requires.

    Consider the Whole Account

    The Philippian jailer was told to believe in Jesus Christ. He then heard the word of the Lord, responded to what he heard, and was baptized that very night. Only then does Luke conclude the account by describing his rejoicing as one who had believed in God.

    It is a mistake to stop reading at Acts 16:31 and overlook what follows.

    The question is not whether faith is necessary for salvation. It most certainly is. The question is whether saving faith can be separated from obedience to the gospel.

    The conversion of the Philippian jailer gives us good reason to consider the whole counsel of God rather than build a doctrine upon one verse.

    For further study:

    What Must One Do to Become a Christian? · Passages Concerning Water Baptism into Christ · Looking for Jesus?

  • How Does One Get into Christ?

    The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes that salvation is found in Jesus Christ. Paul writes that God has blessed us “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). He also declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17).

    But this raises an important question: How does one get into Christ?

    There is considerable disagreement about the place of baptism in salvation. Some regard baptism as an outward expression of salvation already received, while others understand it to be part of the response God requires of those seeking forgiveness.

    Rather than begin with what people teach, let us consider what the Scriptures say.

    Baptized into Christ

    Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. — Romans 6:3–4

    Notice Paul’s language. He describes believers as having been baptized into Christ Jesus and into His death. Through baptism, they were buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life.

    Paul is addressing Christians who had already obeyed the gospel. His immediate purpose was to remind them that they could not continue living in sin. Their baptism signified a decisive break with their former manner of life.

    But in making that argument, Paul also tells us something important about their conversion: they had been baptized into Christ.

    Sons of God Through Faith

    For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. — Galatians 3:26–27

    Here, faith and baptism are not presented as competing ideas.

    Paul says that these Christians were sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. He then explains that those who were baptized into Christ had put on Christ.

    We should not overlook either statement.

    Salvation is not earned through human effort. It is made possible through the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Yet the faith described in Scripture is not merely an acknowledgment that Jesus is the Son of God. It is faith that responds to His word.

    The question, then, is not whether faith is necessary. It certainly is. The question is whether we may separate faith from the response God has commanded.

    Baptism and the Resurrection of Christ

    There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. — 1 Peter 3:21

    Peter is careful to explain that baptism is not simply the washing of the body. Its significance is spiritual, and its saving power rests in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    The water itself does not possess some special power to remove sin. Forgiveness comes through Christ.

    Nevertheless, Peter plainly connects baptism with salvation. We should be careful not to dismiss what he affirms.

    This agrees with the instruction given by Peter on Pentecost, when those convicted of their sins asked what they should do. He answered, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

    Jesus likewise commanded His apostles to preach the gospel throughout the world, declaring, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

    These passages deserve careful consideration together.

    The Question Before Us

    If the New Testament speaks of being baptized into Christ, we ought to take that language seriously.

    Baptism does not earn salvation. Forgiveness comes through Jesus Christ. Yet the Scriptures consistently connect baptism with the believer’s response to the gospel.

    We must not diminish the necessity of faith, nor should we dismiss what the Lord has commanded. Our responsibility is to hear His word and respond in faith and obedience.

    A Prayer

    Holy Father, we thank You for the salvation made possible through Your Son. Give us honest hearts to receive Your word, the humility to obey it, and the courage to teach it faithfully. May we never place our own understanding above what You have revealed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    If you are studying this question for yourself, you may also want to read What Must One Do to Become a Christian? and Passages Concerning Water Baptism into Christ. If you are looking for a place to begin with Jesus and salvation, visit Looking for Jesus?.