Acts 16:29-34

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

trembled (v.29) — as in Acts 7:32 = trembling produced by supernatural occurrences

fell down (v.29) — The jailer connected the events (the earthquake and the prisoners’ decision not to escape) with Paul and Silas

sirs (v.30) = lit. “lords” — reverential respect. He regarded them as superiors.

saved (v.30) — He evidently knew something of their ministry.

Lord (v.31) — The jailer called Paul and Silas “Lords.” They pointed him to the true Lord.

When “the people” had asked John the Baptist: “What shall we do then?” he had insisted upon the fruits of repentance and of the kingdom (Luke 3:9-11). When a lawyer had asked our Lord: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” the Lord had asked him: “What is written in the law?” and had instructed him: “This do, and thou shalt live” (Luke 10:25-28). When Peter’s convicted hearers at Pentecost had asked: “What shall we do?” Peter had directed them to “repent and be baptized … for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:37-38). But now, under Paul, the clear, pointed messages is: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Stam, page 62

spoke the word (v.32) — They began with simple faith but didn’t stop there (even though they were covered with blood)

washed their stripes (v.33) — lit. “washed them from their stripes.” They had been imprisoned still bleeding.

household (v.31-34) — his family and servants all believed and rejoiced.

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