A Challenge for Those Who Know

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 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. (Acts 16:25-34)

Paul and Silas had been jailed and beaten and thrown into the inner prison. However, they rejoiced in God, singing, and fellow prisoners listened to them. An earthquake jolted the prison gates open and the jailer feared for his life, yet Paul offered him eternal life in the Savior. He accepted, brought them into his home, fed them and celebrated as his entire family accepted Christ's offer of salvation. It was the same message earlier when Peter would preach to those gathered for Passover and thousands would become saved.

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)

Do we get the message? As we teach and share the message of salvation, both in formal settings and in everyday life, adults, children AND families become saved ... forgiven of sin and granted an eternal relationship with Christ! Our influence changes "families". We can make a difference for generations to come .. . for ETERNITY!!!