The Philippian Jailer (2)

1. The Background of the Philippian Jailer

Paul And Silas Had Been Teaching In Philippi (Acts 16:11-16)

During Their Time They Were Followed By A Slave Girl With A Spirit of Divination (Acts 16:16-18)

Paul Cast the Spirit Out of Her (Acts 16:18)

Her Masters Were Angry Because They Could Not Gain A Profit From Her Anymore (Acts 16:19-24)

Paul and Silas Were Put In Prison (Acts 16:24-25)

There Was A Great Earthquake That Shook The Prison And The Doors Were Opened And The Chains Were Unfastened (Acts 16:26)

2. The Question of the Philippian Jailer

It is the most important question one could ever ask

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” - Acts 16:30

What Prompted The Question?

The jailer noted the faith of Paul and Silas

They sang and prayed to God - Acts 16:25

He knew that they were men of God

The earthquake caused him to tremble and seek help from these men in search for salvation - Acts 16:26-27

It Was A Sincere Question

He did not try to trap or ensnare the preachers as the Pharisees often tried to do with our Lord

The question he asked was out of fear

He really wanted to know what he must do to be saved

He Recognized The Need For Salvation

Until one sees a need for salvation from sin, there will be no interest in doing what he must do.

Some may not be convicted of the sin in their life that creates a need for salvation.

The jailer realized that he was lost, an alien, without God and without hope (Eph. 2:12).

We all need it (Rom. 3:23)

He Recognized That There Was Something That He Needed To Do

Acts 16:30

He apparently knew enough to understand that some obedience was necessary

His question itself implies that there are conditions to receiving salvation.

He wanted to know what the conditions were.

His Search For Salvation Was More Important Than Anything Else

His fear, his question and the urgency with which he responded demonstrates that being saved was the most important thing at the time.

Matthew 16:26

Whenever a sinner recognizes his real condition, nothing else will matter until he becomes a child of God.

3. The Answer To The Philippian Jailer

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” - Acts 16:30-31

Belief is necessary for salvation

Mark 16:16

Without Faith We Cannot Please God - Heb. 11:6

John 3:15, 3:16, 3:36; 5:24; 6:35, 40, 47; 12:46

This does not mean that man can be saved by faith alone

“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24)

Belief involves obedience

There are time when the words "believe" or "faith" are used to encompass other acts of obedience

Thus believe stands for obedience

The same point is seen in Romans 10:16. In order to prove his point that "they have not all obeyed," Paul quotes an Old Testament reference that said they did not "believe."

This man’s faith wasn’t a dead, inactive faith, but a living, obeying, saving faith

Having Believed….

He Repented

He Was Baptized

Luke 6:47

4. The Response Of The Philippian Jailer

The Jailer Repented

His repentance is indicated in the fact that he washed the stripes of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:33)

Repentance is Necessary in order to be saved

Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31

Repentance is a change of one’s mind that results in a change of action or life - Matthew 21:28-31

The Jailer Was Baptized

“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.” (Acts 16:33)

Baptism is necessary to be saved

Mark 16:16

Acts 2:38

Acts 8:36-38

The Jailer and His Family Rejoiced

“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.” - Acts 16:34

When someone obeys the gospel it is a time for rejoicing

5. The Urgency of The Philippian Jailer

“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.” (Acts 16:33)

The People on the day of pentecost about the same day - Acts 2:41

The Samaritans and the Eunuch obeyed when they heard the gospel (Acts 8).

Why was the jailer urgent about obeying the gospel?

Life is Uncertain

It is like a shadow - Psalm 144:1

It is like a vapor - James 4:14

Christ Could Return - 1 Thess. 5:2; Matt. 24:36

Your Heart Could Become Hardened - Heb. 3:7-8