I love exploring the questions in the Bible. The entire overarching narrative of the Bible can be found in the questions. “Adam, where are you?” God asks that fateful morning after Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks his disciples. What must I do to be saved?” a frightened Philippian jailer asks Paul. Let’s explore that last question a bit more.
On their missionary journey, Paul and Silas went to Phillipi, a city in Macedonia. While there, they encountered a demon-possessed lady. After they cast out the demon, the lady’s employers became angry with Paul and Silas since they could no longer profit from her. Acts records, “When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:23–24, NASB 2020) Well, that didn’t go as planned.
Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs of praise and worship. We could consider this for a while, but we need to get to the jailer’s question. Acts record that suddenly, an earthquake opened all the doors and unshackled all the prisoners. The jailer rushed in, fearing that all the prisoners had escaped. He was so distraught that he was getting ready to kill himself.
“But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:28–30, NASB 2020)
There’s the question: What must I do to be saved? That question is more earth-shattering than the earthquake that released all the prisoners. It changes everything. It’s the same question that most of the world’s religions are trying to answer. But the Bible’s answer to that question is different from them all.
The answer is simple, “They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31, NASB 2020) No additional sacrifices or offerings are required, Jesus paid it all. No acts of service or penance or humiliation are needed – Jesus carried our shame to the cross for us. The only “do” is to believe in Jesus Christ.
Maybe you’re asking that question right now. What must I do to be saved? The answer is the same for you as it was for that Philippian jailer. Believe in the Lord Jesus. Believe that He is the Son of God, that He was crucified, dead, buried, and rose again on the third day. He has already carried everything that stands between you and God to the cross. All that is left is for you to believe in Him and accept Him into your life. That is the first step in the journey of faith.
You may have made that decision already. Perhaps you, like me, have long years of following Christ. We also need to remember that question and the answer. Too often, we add additional “do(s)” to the answer: clean up this first, renounce that, or follow these rules. We must avoid the temptation to add conditions to the answer. And perhaps we should do a little repentance ourselves.
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