“Believe on the Lord Jesus” is consistent with Jesus’ teaching that believing in the Son is the key to having eternal life (John 3:36, 8:24, 20:30,31). Apostle Paul doubtless told the jailer that whoever believes in Jesus should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
It is important to use the term “believe” as the Holy Spirit did. What does it mean to believe? In scripture, faith has these characteristics:
Faith includes the intellect. Sinners must believe in Jesus.
Believe what? That He is the Lord Jesus Christ, “indicating His deity, humanity, and Messiahship.
Faith is only as good as its object.
· A pagan believes an idol will save him.
· A moralist believes his goodness will save him.
· A Christian believes Jesus can save him.
Idolatry, goodness and humanism have no power to save (Isaiah 54:20, Jeremiah 10:23, Romans 3:10), for the One who will judge accepts only those rescued by Jesus’ blood (John 14:6).
Faith includes the emotions (conscience). We must believe ON Jesus. Faith is not merely believing facts. It is trusting Christ to rescue from sin’s dominion (Romans 6:14, Hebrews 7:25) and relying upon Him to remove the guilt of sin (Romans 8:33).
Faith includes the will. Faith is consummated by an obedient response (Romans 16:26). It involves a decision. Believers receive “the right” to become sons of God (John 1:2).
A patient relies on the physician, the accused on the advocate, and a player on a coach. A patient that fails to take medicine the physician prescribed, the accused who disregards the counselor’s advice, and a player who runs a different play than his coach called – all show a lack of faith by disobedience.
The jailers faith led to actions. He,
· Brought his household to hear (Acts 16:32).
· Washed his stripes (Acts 16:33).
· Was baptized (Acts 16:33).
· And served food (Acts 16:34).
If one takes only Saul’s case (Acts 22:16), then he might teach salvation is by baptism alone. If one only takes Pentecost (Acts 2:38), then he might teach only repentance and baptism. If one takes the jailer alone, then he might say salvation is by faith only.
Some make the mistake by saying things like, the jailer “did not have to move his body an inch to be converted.” Acts 16:31 teaches salvation by faith, but it does not teach salvation by mental faith only. There must be obedience which requires an action to do or go. Immersion in water by faith is such an action (Mark 16:16).
There is consistency in the conversion cases in the book of Acts. “Many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8) is a simple summary. Compare the other conversion cases in chapters 2,8,9,10,16 and 19.
The jailer is a good example of what to do upon learning the gospel of Jesus Christ. When Apostle Paul finished their study, the jailer obeyed the same hour of the night. He did not argue, make excuses or procrastinate.
Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? If you have not been baptized by faith in Him to do a work in you that you cannot do for yourself, or if you did for the wrong reasons, “why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins.” (Acts 22:16).
