That’s What Believers Do
Come to my house and stay…Acts 16:15.
Paul and Silas had arrived in Philippi a few days earlier, verse 12. And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there, verse 13.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Verse 14: Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. Paul taught, Lydia listened, God worked. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaih says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:16-17. Apparently, Paul had experience both in his ministry. Those who heard and obeyed and those who heard and did not obey.
Lydia heard and obeyed. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us. Acts 16:15. Instantly, Lydia responded with hospitality because Lydia worshipped God, verse 14.
Not all of Paul’s preaching went well for him and Silas. Later, both men are beaten and locked in the inner prison with their feet in stocks, verses 10 thru 24. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, verse 25. Suddenly there was an earthquake, verse 26. The keeper of the prison was about to kill himself, verse 27, but Paul called to him, verse 28. The prison keeper asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Verse 30.
Acts 16, Verses 31 thru 34: 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. Instantly, the jailer responded with hospitality, having believed in God!
Baptism comes after believing in God. Because that is what believers do.
