The recent earthquake in Turkey must rank among the greatest natural disasters of the twentieth century. Unfortunately for mankind, earthquakes are a feature of the times in which we live. As human history draws to a close, God has promised all kinds of natural phenomena to draw man’s attention to His purposes.
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
God has used earthquakes in the past. When the Lord Jesus was crucified, Matthew’s Gospel records, "The earth did quake, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened...Now, when the centurion and those that were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly, this was the Son of God."
In Acts 16, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi for exorcizing a demon, God brought another earthquake. The Bible describes it as "a great earthquake." How far the effect was felt we do not know; what we do know is that it caused considerable damage to the prison, including opening all the doors, and loosening the bands of the prisoners.
For the jailor, this was more than a physical disaster. The escape of the prisoners was likely to cost him both his job and his life. However, he was reassured by Paul that no prisoners had or would escape. Upon hearing this, the jailor sprang into the disciples’ cell, brought them out to freedom, and then asked them a question which has reverberated throughout the centuries, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" It is doubtful if the jailor asked the question out of deep theological concern, he was still thinking of his job and his life.
But this was an opportunity too great for Paul to miss. Whether the question had a theological basis or not, the answer certainly did. Paul knew that the jailor’s eternal future was more important than his job and his life on earth, so he replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." This answer is probably the shortest and simplest sermon on salvation found in the Bible and again it has a powerful message for today.
Reading the record of this event in the Bible does not give us an indication as to where the jailor put the emphasis on his question. Did he say, "What must I do to be saved," or did he say, "What must I do to be saved." The Bible makes it very clear that salvation from sin cannot be achieved through human efforts, however commendable they might be. It is obvious that Paul assumed that the emphasis was on the first word, "What must I do to be saved." and gave the jailor a very honest and direct answer.
Are you seeking to obtain salvation from the power and penalty of your sin? Nothing you can do will obtain it. You may attend church, you may be very kind and charitable, all of which is commendable as human traits, but they will not provide the salvation that you so desperately seek. This is found in a personal belief and faith in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, where He paid the price to obtain your salvation.
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