Acts 16:29-31 29And after asking for lights, he rushed in, and trembling, he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30and after bringing them outside, he 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.”
The focus of the next part of the story is the conversion of the jailor. Several miracles can also be seen in this story. The biggest miracle was the change that happened in the jailor. One day, he was doing his job and following orders to confine Paul and Silas. That night his life was transformed through an encounter with the Savior. The first evidence of his change of heart came when he saw his notorious prisoners still there, and they stay voluntarily when they could have escaped. Paul and Silas saved the jailor’s life by not fleeing. Having them still there, speaking a kind word to him, was overwhelming. He knew his life was over if any of the prisoners were gone.
Something within his heart connected this physical salvation with a deeper need in his life. How did the jailor know about salvation? Did he listen to Paul and Silas singing? Did he hear about the gospel while out on the streets? Did Paul and Silas give a testimony in the hearing of the jailor? Somehow, he knew that there was something greater, and that Paul and Silas were the bearers of this good news. Jailors were probably not known for kindness. A job like taking care of criminals would require a certain rough personality. To kneel down before Paul and Silas, two of his prisoners, and who were particularly ordered imprisoned by the town leaders, would have been against everything a jailor stood for.
The response of Paul and Silas was simple, clear, and straightforward. Salvation is defined as believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior. The disciples did not give a long theological explanation but a simple phrase. What to believe is so simple, a child can understand it. To believe means putting ourselves in the sphere of Jesus’ influence, direction, and purpose. We submit in humility to him as the Master of our lives. It requires a change of allegiance, from self or things of this world to him and his teaching. It is experienced as ceasing from our struggles and trusting in God to lead us down a better path.