Acts 16:31 provides an example of Paul in evangelism. Does it show he taught that salvation is by faith alone? Some think so. And, in a way, at first glance, it seems to. But, before we jump to conclusions, let’s look at it.
Context, context, context
It’s widely known that nothing bears on the meaning of Scripture like context. That’s true of any communication. There are many kinds of contexts besides the chapter context where a Scripture is located. Actually, each Scripture fits into quite a number of contexts. Our post today concerning Acts 16 will reveal some important ones that usually get overlooked.
Acts 16:30-31 has provoked much controversy as to its meaning. One reason is because people limit their reading of the local context. They stop reading at verse 31 in order to claim that salvation is by mere faith and do not consider what follows in the next two verses, which paints a fuller picture of the evangelism that took place.
To properly understand Paul’s answer in Acts 16:31, a person must understand three significant contexts in which it resides. All three govern the meaning of what can be assumed from verse 31.
Acts 16:31 is in the context of:
1/ A patently strategic missionary enterprise (vv. 25-34)
Step one in evangelizing a pagan, which the jailer was, is leading him to faith in the Person of Christ. That’s standard missionary strategy because salvation results from faith in Jesus. And that is precisely what Paul was attempting to do in verse 31.
But just believing in a man called Jesus apart from the Gospel is not saving faith. The Good News includes the pertinent information about Christ’s atoning sacrifice and resurrection and what He taught in His post-resurrection Great Commission about receiving salvation. That is the common sequence in all effective evangelism and it is implied in verse 32, where it is stated that Paul and Silas gave the jailer the word of the Lord. We know that word included Christ’s teaching on baptism because it is the most noticeable thing about his conversion.
So, the missionary context of Acts 16:31, which is evident in further reading, bears on the meaning of it.
Acts 16:31 is in the context of:
2/ Paul himself
By that, I mean that Paul’s own spiritual state bears on the meaning of what he said. Each person speaks from his own insight and experience. Therefore, Acts 16:31 must be interpreted in the light of Paul’s conversion experience and ministry practice seen elsewhere in Acts. The Bible is consistent and so are its commissioned Apostles about the plan of salvation. The context of Paul himself is necessary to consider because he could not be teaching something here that contradicts what he personally experienced and taught elsewhere. He himself taught that there is only one salvation experience (Ephesians 4:5; Galatians 1:8-9). In other words, what we see in Paul’s conversion is what he would have taught the jailer. The biblical record makes it clear that Paul experienced Acts 2:38. This is evident from Acts 9 and 22:16. And what we see Paul insisting on in another evangelistic context in Ephesus, where much more detail is provided, is what he would have insisted on in every case of evangelism. His missionary outreach to the Ephesians reveals that he insisted on the Acts 2:38 tenets (Acts 19:1-6). Paul was consistent with himself. He would have taught the jailer what he taught others and received himself.
Acts 16:31 is in the context of:
3/ The divine authorship of the book of Acts
Christ had a purpose for everything that was recorded in Acts. The entire record, with its many instances of evangelism and personalities presenting it, combines to show that the book has a singular and unified message of salvation. There is no account of difference between Apostolic personalities and especially none within a single person. Nothing in Acts even hints that there are two ways to be saved. The purpose of the book of Acts is to provide a template for salvation and a model for evangelism since conversion and evangelism would come to be duplicated many millions of times throughout the Church age. It provides the standard for evangelistic procedure and doctrine. Its Gospel tenets were introduced by Peter on the Day of Pentecost and were supported by multiple ministers, involving thousands of people. Acts 16:30-34 dovetails perfectly with all the other examples, including those involving Paul himself.
Conclusion
Scripture is clear upon diligent study (2Timothy 2:15). But a superficial or light-hearted approach to it is not only reckless, it’s dangerous. Incentive to save one’s soul and the souls of others should compel a person to spare no pain to know the truth (1Timothy 4:16). Jesus said the truth is what sets a person free (John 8:31-32). He told Pontius Pilate that He came to bear witness to the truth and He referred to those who receive it as of the truth (John 18:37-38). The truth can be known and will be known by those who revere it and desire it. It will evade the notice of someone who scorns it, as Pilate did. Paul said we are saved through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2Thessalonians 3:13). True believers then become the promoters and defenders of the truth, or, as Paul said, the pillar and ground of the truth (1Timothy 3:15). Solomon said, “Buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23).