Acts 16:30 is useful in teaching salvation for the question is asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas begin their answer with, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." vs 31 The denominational world would have us believe this is the complete answer, but read the next few verses: "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. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house." Acts 16:32-34
From these verses it is clear this jailer did more than just believe. How did he know what else was involved in salvation? Paul and Silas "spake unto him the word of the Lord..." The jailer's belief is not mentioned until after his baptism. The Word of God shows the jailer rejoiced in salvation only after baptism.
Acts 2:21 and Rom 10:13 are often quoted to show only belief is necessary for salvation, "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom 10:14 is also quoted "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?" They fail to recognize Acts 2:21 and Rom. 10:13 teach that not only must one believe on Jesus, they must call upon His name for salvation. If one thing to do is added then it cannot be belief only. The verses used to prove belief only salvation actually show one must both believe and call on the name of the Lord. Salvation by belief only is false! What else might be required when we look at all Scripture instead of a few selected phrases?
Continuing in Rom 10 we find faith or belief comes by hearing the word. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom. 10:17 Now it is clear why Paul did not stop with Acts 16:31, but continued to speak "unto him the word of the Lord." Belief on Jesus is not possible until one has heard the Word! What does the word say? Paul, an inspired apostle, considered the word of Jesus important for teaching salvation. Is what Jesus spoke while teaching on earth considered the "word of the Lord?" Certainly! What did Jesus teach regarding salvation? In John 3:1-21 Jesus speaks to Nicodemus of salvation. Those that teach belief only often quote: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 If one believes Jesus, will he follow what Jesus taught? Earlier in this same discussion Jesus clearly states one must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. "Jesus answered... Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:3,5
When we look at the Lord's instructions to the apostles the requirement of rebirth of water is made clear. Just before leaving to be with the Father, Jesus told his apostles that baptism was required for salvation. Read it for yourself. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15-16 Now we know why the jailer was baptized after hearing "the word of the Lord" from Paul and Silas. Jesus said belief and baptism bring salvation. From the Scriptures above we have seen at least four things involved in salvation. One must hear the word, Rom 10:14, believe on the Lord, Acts 16:31, call on the name of the Lord, Acts 2:21; Rom 10:13, and be born again of water and the Spirit in baptism, John 3:1-5; Mark 16:15-16.
Paul said the word he preached requires that you "confess with thy mouth" and "believe in thine heart" to "be saved." Read with me: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Rom 10:8-11 Notice belief leads to righteousness and confession leads to salvation. Does that sound like belief alone will bring salvation? Certainly not! Again, the very verses used by those teaching belief only salvation prove that salvation requires more than belief.
In Acts 17 the apostle Paul tells his audience God expects repentance. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness..." Acts 17:30-31
That word commandeth is very powerful. Do you follow the commands of your boss? What about the commands of the US government? Does God want you to follow His commands. Jesus told his audience to repent in Luke 13:3,5 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." In Acts 2:21 we read the promise that calling on the name of the Lord would be required. As Peter continued his message those gathered were told they had crucified the Son of God. In Acts 2:37 they asked a question much like the jailer would asked Paul. "...Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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. ... And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized..." Acts 2:37-41 Peter answered "Repent, and be baptized..." He further instructed them to "Save yourselves..." Notice those that "gladly received his word were baptized." Were they saved? Yes! Because after hearing and believing the word they were obedient to it. They submitted to the commands of God.
Often those teaching belief only salvation refer to the thief on the cross as an example for us today. This thief was saved before Christ died for sins. He was still under the boundaries set by the law God gave through Moses. This law does not apply to us today. We should look to the book of Acts instead, which contains many examples of men and women converted under the law of Christ. Of course these examples require more than belief for salvation. Look at the Samaritans in Acts 8:5-12; the Ethiopian in Acts 8:35-38; and Lydia in Acts 16:13-15. Look at Paul's account of his own conversion in Acts 22:10-16. All of them have the common denominator of baptism.
Please understand I write the plain and simple Word of God. I have used the King James Version for these quotations. I know Jesus and the apostles he sent to teach His message of salvation. Those that teach belief only salvation claim they do not taken away from God's word, yet they fail to look at all God has said on the matter of salvation. By simply looking at the verses used and those surrounding them, we have found God requires much more than simply believing in Jesus. Belief is necessary. If you do not believe Jesus is the Son of God you will never be obedient to His Word and you will never be saved. The denominational world calls for belief only salvation. Jesus and his apostles ask you to hear, believe, call, confess, repent, be baptized. One or the other must be wrong for there is only one way to gain salvation. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 In whom will you put your trust?
Daniel Lee Henderson dan@hendersons.net