Acts 16:30
Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
Then he brought them out
This phrase refers to the Philippian jailer who, after a miraculous earthquake, brought Paul and Silas out of their prison cell. The Greek word for "brought" is "προάγω" (proagō), which means to lead forward or bring forth. This action signifies a transition from darkness to light, both physically and spiritually. Historically, Roman jails were dark, oppressive places, and the act of bringing someone out symbolized liberation and a new beginning. Spiritually, this act foreshadows the jailer's own journey from spiritual darkness to the light of salvation.

and asked
The Greek word "ἐρωτάω" (erōtaō) is used here, meaning to ask or inquire. This is not a casual question but a deep, earnest inquiry. The jailer, having witnessed the power of God through the earthquake and the integrity of Paul and Silas, is compelled to seek truth. This reflects a heart that is open and ready to receive divine revelation, a critical step in the process of conversion.

Sirs
The term "κύριοι" (kurioi) is used, which is a respectful address meaning "lords" or "masters." This shows the jailer's recognition of the authority and dignity of Paul and Silas, despite their status as prisoners. It indicates a shift in his perception, acknowledging that these men possess a power and authority beyond the earthly realm.

what must I do
The phrase "τί με δεῖ ποιεῖν" (ti me dei poiein) translates to "what must I do." The word "δεῖ" (dei) implies necessity or obligation. The jailer is not asking for a suggestion but is seeking a definitive course of action. This reflects a heart that is ready to act upon the truth, understanding that salvation requires a response.

to be saved?
The Greek word "σωθῆναι" (sōthēnai) is used here, meaning to be saved or delivered. In the biblical context, salvation encompasses deliverance from sin and its consequences, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life. The jailer's question reveals an awareness of his need for salvation, a recognition that transcends physical safety and touches on the eternal state of his soul. This moment is pivotal, as it encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message: the need for personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul and Silas
Two apostles of Jesus Christ who were imprisoned in Philippi for casting out a spirit from a slave girl. They were known for their missionary journeys and spreading the Gospel.

2. Philippian Jailer
The jailer responsible for guarding Paul and Silas. After witnessing a miraculous earthquake that opened the prison doors, he sought salvation.

3. Philippi
A Roman colony in Macedonia where Paul and Silas were imprisoned. It was a significant location for early Christian evangelism.

4. Earthquake
A miraculous event that shook the prison, opened the doors, and loosened the chains of the prisoners, leading to the jailer's question about salvation.

5. Salvation Inquiry
The jailer's question, "What must I do to be saved?" signifies a pivotal moment of seeking spiritual truth and redemption.
Teaching Points
The Urgency of Salvation
The jailer's immediate question reflects the urgency and importance of understanding and receiving salvation. We should approach our spiritual lives with the same urgency.

God's Sovereignty in Salvation
The miraculous earthquake demonstrates God's power and sovereignty in orchestrating events that lead individuals to seek Him. Trust in God's ability to reach others through unexpected means.

The Simplicity of the Gospel
The jailer's question and the subsequent answer from Paul and Silas highlight the simplicity of the Gospel message: believe in Jesus Christ. Salvation is accessible to all who believe.

The Role of Witnessing
Paul and Silas's conduct in prison, including their prayers and hymns, served as a powerful witness to the jailer. Our actions and attitudes can lead others to Christ.

Transformation through Faith
The jailer's transformation from a keeper of prisoners to a seeker of salvation illustrates the profound change that faith in Christ can bring. Embrace and share the transformative power of the Gospel.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the jailer's question, "What must I do to be saved?" reflect a universal human need, and how can we address this need in our communities today?

2. In what ways does the miraculous earthquake in Acts 16 demonstrate God's intervention in our lives, and how can we remain open to recognizing His work?

3. How can we apply the simplicity of the Gospel message in our daily conversations with others who are seeking spiritual truth?

4. Reflect on a time when your actions or attitudes served as a witness to others. How can you be more intentional in living out your faith?

5. Considering the transformation of the Philippian jailer, what steps can you take to allow your faith to bring about change in your life and the lives of those around you?
Connections to Other Scriptures
John 3:16
This verse emphasizes the necessity of belief in Jesus Christ for salvation, connecting to the jailer's inquiry about being saved.

Romans 10:9-10
These verses explain the process of salvation through confessing and believing in Jesus, which aligns with the response given to the jailer.

Ephesians 2:8-9
These verses highlight that salvation is a gift from God, not by works, which is relevant to the jailer's question about what he must do.
The Jailor's QuestionR. Tuck Acts 16:30
The Day that Looked Like the Day of Small ThingsP.C. Barker Acts 16:14, 15, 40
An Illustrious Triple Triumph of ChristianityP.C. Barker Acts 16:16-39
Joy in TribulationE. Johnson Acts 16:19-34
The First European PersecutionR.A. Redford Acts 16:19-40
God in the EarthquakeW. Clarkson Acts 16:26-34
A Remarkable ConversionR.A. Redford Acts 16:29, 30
A Man in Two ConditionsC. H. Spurgeon.Acts 16:29-34
The Conversion of the JailerD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 16:29-34
The Philippian JailerJ. Buchanan, D. D.Acts 16:29-34
The Philippian JailerT. Snow, A. M.Acts 16:29-34
Anxiety for SalvationJ. Angell James.Acts 16:30-31
Believe and be SavedS. Martin.Acts 16:30-31
Believing on JesusActs 16:30-31
Conditions of Being SavedC. G. Finney, D. D.Acts 16:30-31
God's Method of Saving MenJohn Burton.Acts 16:30-31
How to be SavedW. W. Wythe.Acts 16:30-31
Method of Dealing with InquirersC. Hodge, D. D.Acts 16:30-31
Salvation Through Faith in ChristActs 16:30-31
Saving FaithJ. S. Swan.Acts 16:30-31
Saving FaithB. Beddome, M. A.Acts 16:30-31
Sin and SalvationJohn Hunter.Acts 16:30-31
The All-Decisive StepT. De Witt Talmage, D. D.Acts 16:30-31
The Great QuestionW. Hay Aitken, M. A.Acts 16:30-31
The Great Question and the Plain AnswerA. Maclaren, D. D.Acts 16:30-31
The Great Question AnsweredW. W. Woodworth.Acts 16:30-31
The Jailer's QuestionStudy and PulpitActs 16:30-31
The King's Highway Opened and ClearedC. H. Spurgeon.Acts 16:30-31
The Way of SalvationW. Jones, M. A.Acts 16:30-31
People
Lydia, Paul, Silas, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Derbe, Galatia, Iconium, Jerusalem, Lystra, Macedonia, Mysia, Neapolis, Philippi, Phrygia, Samothrace, Thyatira, Troas
Topics
Bringing, Exclaimed, Forth, Leading, O, Prison, Salvation, Saved, Sirs
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 16:30

     5016   heart, fallen and redeemed
     5395   lordship, human and divine
     6632   conviction

Acts 16:19-40

     1651   numbers, 1-2

Acts 16:25-34

     6029   sin, forgiveness

Acts 16:26-30

     5828   danger

Acts 16:26-34

     8427   evangelism, kinds of

Acts 16:29-32

     2426   gospel, responses

Acts 16:29-34

     4942   fulness

Acts 16:30-31

     2324   Christ, as Saviour
     2423   gospel, essence
     6669   grace, and salvation
     8023   faith, necessity
     8410   decision-making, examples
     9240   last judgment

Acts 16:30-34

     7726   evangelists, ministry

Library
Paul at Philippi
'And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate, by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which were come together.' --ACTS xvi. 13 (R.V.). This is the first record of the preaching of the Gospel in Europe, and probably the first instance of it. The fact that the vision of the man of Macedonia was needed in order to draw the Apostle across the straits into Macedonia, and the great length at which the incidents at Philippi are
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

How to Secure a Prosperous Voyage
'And after [Paul] had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11. Therefore ... we came with a straight course.'--ACTS xvi. 10, 11. This book of the Acts is careful to point out how each fresh step in the extension of the Church's work was directed and commanded by Jesus Christ Himself. Thus Philip was sent by specific injunction to 'join himself' to the chariot of the Ethiopian statesman.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Riot at Philippi
'And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20. And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21. And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23. And when they had laid many
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Great Question and the Plain Answer
'He brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved.'--ACTS xvi. 30, 31. The keeper of a Macedonian jail was not likely to be a very nervous or susceptible person. And so the extraordinary state of agitation and panic into which this rough jailer was cast needs some kind of explanation. There had been, as you will all remember, an earthquake of a strange kind, for it not only opened the prison doors, but shook
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Household Salvation
To allure and encourage you to long for family religion, I have selected this text this morning. God grant it may answer the purpose designed. May many here have a spiritual hunger and thirst, that they may receive the blessing which so largely rested upon the Philippian jailer. Note in our text five things. We have a whole household hearing the word, a whole household believing it, a whole household baptized, a whole household working for God, and then, a whole household rejoicing. I. Observe, first,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Lydia, the First European Convert
WE MAY LAUDABLY EXERCISE CURIOSITY with regard to the first proclamation of the gospel in our own quarter of the globe. We are happy that history so accurately tells us, by the pen of Luke, when first the gospel was preached in Europe, and by whom, and who was the first convert brought by that preaching to the Savior's feet. I half envy Lydia that she should be the leader of the European band; yet I feel right glad that a woman led the van, and that her household followed so closely in the rear.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Cry of the Heathen
And now, beloved, having thus prefaced our discourse, we have another observation to make before we proceed to a full discussion of the text. What an instance of Divine sovereignty we have in our text! He who is wise can see sovereignty everywhere in the work of salvation, but how clearly is it present here. Bithynia must not hear the gospel; the apostle desires to go and preach it there; but as yet, it seems, God does not intend that Bithynia should be evangelised. He desires to tarry in Asia, and
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

The Heavenly Father
ACTS xvi. 24-28. God that made the world, and all that therein is, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands . . . For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. I told you last Sunday of the meaning of the days of the week; but one day I left out--namely, Tuesday. I did so on purpose. I wish to speak of that day by itself in this sermon. I told you how our forefathers worshipped
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Note
THERE is a passage in an old writer which throws so much light on some points mentioned in this paper, that I make no excuse for giving it to the reader in its entirety. It comes from a work which is little known and less read. It has done me good, and I think it may do good to others. "When a man is awakened, and brought to that, that all must be brought to, or to worse,' What shall I do to be saved!' (Acts 16:30-31), we have the apostolic answer to it: ' Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Saving Faith.
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.--ACTS xvi. 30,31. This is one of the most abused texts in the Bible, and one which, perhaps, has been made to do quite as much work for the devil as for God. Let every saint present, ask in faith for the light of the Holy Ghost, while we try rightly to apply it. Let us enquire:-- 1. Who are to believe? 2. When are they to believe? 3. How are
Catherine Booth—Godliness

Directions to Sinners.
Text--What shall I do to be saved.--Acts xvi. 30. THESE are the words of the jailor at Philippi, the question which he put to Paul and Silas, who were then under his care as prisoners. Satan had, in many ways, opposed these servants of God in their work of preaching the Gospel, and had been as often defeated and disgraced. But here, at Philippi, he devised a new and peculiar project for frustrating their labors. There was a certain woman at Philippi, who was possessed with a spirit of divination,
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Measures to Promote Revivals.
Text.--These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city and teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.--Acts xvi. 20, 21. "THESE men," here spoken of, were Paul and Silas, who went to Philippi to preach the Gospel, and very much disturbed the people of that city, because they supposed the preaching would interfere with their worldly gains. And so they arranged the preachers of the Gospel before the magistrates of the city, as culprits, and charged
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Missionary on the Sea Shore.
"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us."--Acts 16:9. "Wei schaumt so feierlich zu unsern Fuessen." [65]F. de la Motte Fouque. transl., Jane Borthwick, 1858 Dark mighty Ocean, rolling to our feet! In thy low murmur many voices meet, The sound of distant lands brought strangely near To Fancy's ear. From shores unknown comes the sweet Sabbath bell, New languages the old glad tidings tell, We hear the
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

Chrysostom Evades Election to a Bishopric, and Writes his Work on the Priesthood.
About this time several bishoprics were vacant in Syria, and frequent depositions took place with the changing fortunes of orthodoxy and Arianism, and the interference of the court. The attention of the clergy and the people turned to Chrysostom and his friend Basil as suitable candidates for the episcopal office, although they had not the canonical age of thirty. Chrysostom shrunk from the responsibilities and avoided an election by a pious fraud. He apparently assented to an agreement with Basil
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood

The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
PHILIPPIANS i. 21-30 He will be spared to them--Spiritual wealth of the paragraph--Adolphe Monod's exposition--Charles Simeon's testimony--The equilibrium and its secret--The intermediate bliss--He longs for their full consistency--The "gift" of suffering Ver. 21. +For to me, to live is Christ+; the consciousness and experiences of living, in the body, are so full of Christ, my supreme Interest, that CHRIST sums them all up; +and to die+, the act of dying,[1] +is gain+, for it will usher me in
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

The Martyrs of Lyons and vienne (Ad 177)
Many other martyrs suffered in various parts of the empire under the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Among the most famous of these are the martyrs of Lyons and Vienne, in the south of France (or Gaul, as it was then called), where a company of missionaries from Asia Minor had settled with a bishop named Pothinus at their head. The persecution at Lyons and Vienne was begun by the mob of those towns, who insulted the Christians in the streets, broke into their houses, and committed other such outrages against
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Scotland and Ireland
The only thing which seems to be settled as to the religious history of Scotland in these times, is that a bishop named Ninian preached among the Southern Picts between the years 412 and 432, and established a see at Whithorn, in Galloway. But in the Year of St. Ninian's death, a far more famous missionary, St. Patrick, who is called "the Apostle of Ireland," began his labours in that island. It is a question whether Patrick was born in Scotland, at a place called Kirkpatrick, near the river Clyde,
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Whether Since Christ's Passion the Legal Ceremonies Can be Observed Without Committing Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that since Christ's Passion the legal ceremonies can be observed without committing mortal sin. For we must not believe that the apostles committed mortal sin after receiving the Holy Ghost: since by His fulness they were "endued with power from on high" (Lk. 24:49). But the apostles observed the legal ceremonies after the coming of the Holy Ghost: for it is stated (Acts 16:3) that Paul circumcised Timothy: and (Acts 21:26) that Paul, at the advice of James, "took the men,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Pædobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and the Nature of the Sign.
1. Pædobaptism. The consideration of the question necessary and useful. Pædobaptism of divine origin. 2. This demonstrated from a consideration of the promises. These explain the nature and validity of Pædobaptism. 3. Promises annexed to the symbol of water cannot be better seen than in the institution of circumcision. 4. The promise and thing figured in circumcision and baptism one and the same. The only difference in the external ceremony. 5. Hence the baptism of the children
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Children Devoted to God. Gen. 17:7,10; Acts 16:14,15,33.
Children devoted to God. Gen. 17:7,10; Acts 16:14,15,33. [For those who practise infant Baptism.] Thus saith the mercy of the Lord, "I'll be a God to thee; I'll bless thy num'rous race, and they Shall be a seed for me." Abram believed the promised grace, And gave his sons to God; But water seals the blessing now, That once was sealed with blood. Thus Lydia sanctified her house, When she received the word; Thus the believing jailer gave His household to the Lord. Thus later saints, eternal King!
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
[9] "Now, while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry." Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him." --Acts 17:16-17. PERHAPS the reader of this paper lives in a town or city, and sees more of bricks and mortar than of green fields. Perhaps you have some relative or friend living in a town, about whom you naturally feel a deep interest.
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Conversion, Its Nature and Necessity.
Closely related to the doctrine of the power, or efficacy, of the divine Word--as considered in the last chapter--is the doctrine of conversion. It is the subject of conversion, therefore, that we now purpose to examine. It is an important subject. It deserves a prominent place in treating of the Way of Salvation. It is also an intensely personal subject. Each one who desires to be in the Way of Salvation is personally interested in it. The eternal destiny of every one who reads these pages is closely
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Law Established through Faith
Discourse I "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: Yea, we establish the law." Romans 3:31. 1. St. Paul, having the beginning of this Epistle laid down his general proposition, namely, that "the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" -- the powerful means, whereby God makes every believer a partaker of present and eternal salvation; -- goes on to show, that there is no other way under heaven whereby men can be saved. He speaks particularly
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

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