SAVING FAITH: BELIEVING THE GOSPEL

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and cast into prison in the city of Philippi (v.19-24).  The Word says that at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to the Lord, loud enough for everyone to hear (v. 25).  Following an earthquake which released all the prisoners, the jailer, fearing he would be blamed, was about to kill himself (v. 26-27).  Paul stopped him by telling him all the prisoners were still there (v. 28).  When he had verified that none had escaped, and having heard the prayers and praises of the two men, realizing they were obviously men of God, he asked:  "...Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"  Their answer was:  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." (v. 29-30)!

Because one must hear and believe the Gospel in order to become a born again child of God (Jn. 1:12; 3:3-21; 16:7-15; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-4), one might speculate that Paul and Silas incorporated the Gospel message in their prayers and praises.  Perhaps they did, but the context tells us that they "spake unto him the Word of the Lord..." (v. 32).  Romans 10:17 says, "...faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Some are quick to point out that "the thief on the cross" did not hear the Gospel, and yet Jesus told him he "was saved," which is basically the same thing as being with Jesus in paradise (Lk. 23:43).  However, let's look at what the "good thief" knew.  He, like the Centurion, knew that the man hanging on the cross next to him, must have been the Son of God (Mt.27:54; Mk. 15:39), and there was even a sign above His head that declared it in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (Lk. 23:38)!

He basically knew the Gospel:  Jesus was dying, and based upon his statement, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom" (Lk. 23:42), he also knew Jesus would rise from His grave!  He called Jesus Lord!  He knew of His pending death, naturally followed by His burial, and that He would be resurrected - is that not the Gospel? 

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand....For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:1-4)!

Have you heard?  Do you believe?  Do you long for Christ's return? 

That is the faith which saves!