4/13/08

The Jailer's Conversion

From Acts 16 (vs. 25-34, ESV):

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Notes & Questions:

1) Paul & Silas were praising God in the midst of trial.
2) The non-believing jailer was afraid and temporarily suicidal.
3) Paul cared and tried to prevent it.
4) Requirement for salvation: Belief in Jesus.
5) The jailer and his household heard "the word of the Lord"
6) Did the jailer care for Paul & Silas' wounds?
7) He and his family were baptized. So did his family also believe? They heard the Word. Were they baptized because of a personal faith or because of the faith of the man of the household? Hopefully they had a personal faith in Christ.
8) The now believing jailer fed Paul & Silas.
9) He and his household rejoiced over his belief.

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