The beautiful feet that had travelled so many miles to carry the good news of peace were all at once shut up in stocks.
There in the inner prison of Philippi sat Paul and Silas.
Just a matter of hours prior, they were heavily beaten by order of the civil magistrates. Why? Some citizens of Philippi said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice” (Acts 16:20).
Well, that’s not entirely truthful. These particular citizens were more angry because Paul had put an end to their livelihood. They were using a demonized slave girl as a fortune-teller to make money, and Paul cast the demon out of her—miraculously delivering her from satanic oppression.
This then led to Paul and Silas in Philippi’s prison.
And although their bodies bore the marks of heavy blows and their feet were fastened in stocks, their hearts were ignited in love for Jesus. At midnight, they were unashamedly, for all to hear, praying and singing hymns to God (Acts 16:25).
Yet what happened next would have come as a surprise: an earthquake shook the prison in such a way that all cell doors and stocks were opened!
The jailer awoke and saw the sight, and took his sword to prepare to kill himself. Why? Because he saw that the doors were opened, and he wouldn’t want to face the shame and guilty outcome of having let his prisoners go free.
But as he drew his sword—tension rising just like Abraham drawing the dagger to sacrifice Isaac—Paul called out, “Stop! We’re all here!”
The jailer then approached Paul and Silas. Having known something about them and the message they carried, he asked one of life’s greatest questions:
“What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).
What they say next sounds too simple to be true, but it is true (and beautiful):
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30).
No sooner did they answer him that he and his household were baptized into Jesus Christ. Not only this, but instantly fellowship was made between them and “he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God” (Acts 16:34).
Think about this incredible story: here was a Roman jailer who was about to use his sword against himself because of the fear, shame, and death that awaited him. But at the sight of two “lights” (disciples) deep in the inner cell, he was led to the Great Light: Jesus.
And what was the process for his salvation? Was it catechism? Did he have to do a 12-week beginners course? Did he have to get his life in order first? No!
What did he have to do? Believe in the Lord Jesus.
That’s it!
And brothers and sisters, nothing has changed today. People are all around us who are just like this jailer—plagued by fear, shame, and guilt. And we have the great privilege and joy to alleviate all of their aches with one simple command: believe in the Lord Jesus.
Though simple, believing in the Lord Jesus is not simplistic. To be sure, Paul and Silas are said to have spoken “the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house” after they told him to believe in the Lord Jesus (Acts 16:32).
But it still remains that simply “believing” in our Lord Jesus is all it takes to experience the joy and salvation he offers to us broken, rebellious people.
Therefore, wherever our discipleship may take us (potentially even to prison!), let us continually model a life that believes and submits to the Lord Jesus, and tell all people that if they just believe in the Lord Jesus, they will be saved—saved from sin, fear, shame, guilt, death, hell, etc.
It’s that simple.
Believe in the Lord Jesus.