“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and You Will be Saved” (Acts 16:31-32) – Is It Really That Simple?
Our Bible fellowship is studying the book of Acts and the impact of the early church. As the message of the Gospel spreads we come to the scene where Paul and Silas are imprisoned. After a massive earthquake, all the prison cells are opened. Upon seeing that all the prisoners have a way of escape, the jailor proceeds to take his own life. At that moment, Paul yells for him to stop because all of the prisoners are accounted for. The jailor approaches Paul and asks him, “What must I do to be saved?” That was a big deal for him to ask this question. In this 1st century setting, just asking that question could have cost him his life. As Americans we don’t realize this because it doesn’t cost us our life to join the local church and be involved in ministry. Paul’s answer was “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” The question is now raised…is it really that simple? The short answer is yes and no. Forgive me for sounding like I want it both ways.
When we study Scripture we have to take into account the time, culture, and audience. We also have to make sure that we don’t read into the Bible passage or impose a 21st century lens on something that happened two thousand years ago. First, I need to make a couple of disclaimers. I am not saying that there is a legalistic list of do’s and don’ts added to our salvation. Creeds and doctrines have taken care of this straight from Scripture. Second, only God knows who His followers truly are and I am not responsible for making that determination. I rest in the peace that He is the perfect judge. Finally, my purpose is just to examine how the church in America has viewed this part of doctrine.
Let’s take a look at this passage in light of Scripture as a whole. Repentance actually means to turn from or change direction.
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[quote bar=”true” align=”center”]In full disclosure, a salvation experience is not the same for everyone. Some experiences can be emotional, some not, and some are like an epiphany.[/quote]
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This brings us back to the original question. Is salvation as simple as believing in the Lord Jesus Christ? Let’s break it down. Charles Spurgeon, the great 19th century highly influential preacher, stated that Biblical belief is made up of three components – knowledge, belief and trust. You have to have knowledge before your mind can reflect that these things are true. Belief enters in and then the soul trusts that God will do what He said He would do. Spurgeon further says trust involves commitment to a merciful God and is the lifeblood of faith. There is no saving faith without it. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Further, James 2:14 says, “What use is it, my brother, is someone says he has faith, but he has not works? Can that faith save him?” Too often, today’s church has cheapened grace. We haven’t emphasized the importance of the Cross. Grace and mercy are found there. Understanding what He sacrificed should convict us of what it takes to be a devoted follower of Christ.
So, what about the person that says they were saved years ago, but they have never done anything since. They haven’t gone to church, read their Bible, prayed, or committed to anything spiritual. Do they get to go to Heaven when they die? The Bible says in Matthew 7:16 that you will know them by their fruits. Also, in verse 21 it says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven will enter.” My answer is… that’s up to God. But I’ll say this. If you tell your earthly father you love him, but you never talk to him, spend time with him, or help him, would you call that genuine love? Our faith walk ought to be characterized by a visible allegiance to God, the things of God, and to God’s people. If you can say with the jailor, I have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and I am saved, would you be willing to risk it all as he did?
S. & A. Montgomery