They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household. Acts 16:31 NIV
The jailer was trembling. Earthquakes had shaken the foundation of his world—both physically and spiritually. His life, once bound by duty and fear, stood at the edge of something new and unexplainable. And in his desperation, he asked the question many hearts still whisper in the darkness: “What must I do to be saved?”
Paul’s response was not a lecture or a list of qualifications. It wasn’t about works, performance, or how clean the man’s past was. It was beautifully simple: “Believe in the Lord Jesus.”
This word “believe” in Greek—pisteuō—goes beyond intellectual agreement. It means to entrust yourself fully, to lean your entire weight upon someone. It’s like falling backward into grace and finding that God was always ready to catch you.
But here’s the breathtaking part: “…you and your household.”
This promise ripples outward. The salvation we receive through faith doesn’t just change us—it spills over. It heals families, softens hardened hearts, and plants seeds of hope across generations. One moment of belief can redirect the story of an entire household.
Today, maybe you’re standing in your own midnight hour, wondering if freedom, healing, or hope is even possible. Or maybe you’ve been praying for someone you love to find Jesus—someone who seems far, closed-off, or lost.
Take heart. The same Jesus who unlocked the jailer’s prison is still opening doors. The same Savior who calmed his trembling heart is still whispering peace to ours.
Believe. Not just with your mind—but with your whole heart. Entrust your story to Him. And let the echo of His salvation reach not only you but everyone connected to you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I believe in You. Even when I can’t see the full picture, I trust that You are writing something good. Save me. Transform me. And let Your love overflow into the lives of those I love. Let this household—my household—be a place where Your name is known and Your peace reigns. Amen.
Reflection:
What area of your life do you need to entrust more fully to Jesus?
Who in your household are you praying will come to know Him?
Write down their names and believe. God is still in the saving business.