The Simple Answer to Life's Greatest Question

Baptist Daily Devotional
Sep 22
3 min read

Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 22 2025 | Acts 16:22-34

KEY VERSE: “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’” Acts 16:31. (NIV)

MESSAGE:

In response to the jailer’s desperate cry, “What must I do to be saved?”, Paul and Silas give a life-changing, yet profoundly simple answer: “Believe in the Lord Jesus.” This shows us that salvation is not about human works, rituals, or complicated steps. It is centred on faith in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ.

The text teaches that salvation is centred on Jesus Christ alone. Paul and Silas did not point the jailer to the Law, sacrifices, or self-effort. They pointed him to Jesus. Faith in Jesus means trusting His death and resurrection as sufficient for forgiveness and eternal life (Romans 10:9-10). The text teaches again that salvation is by faith, not by works. The answer was not “try harder” or “do better” but “believe.” Human effort cannot save; only trust in the saving grace of Christ brings new life (Ephesians 2:8-9). The third lesson from the text is that Salvation extends to households. Paul and Silas promised that the same faith available to the jailer was also available to his household. God’s desire is for whole families and communities to be transformed by the Gospel (Joshua 24:15).

The way to salvation is not complicated - it is through simple, genuine faith in Jesus. Salvation is a gift, not a reward. You receive it, you don’t earn it. The Gospel has a ripple effect: when one person believes, others are drawn to the saving power of Christ.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Have you responded to life’s greatest question by believing in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord? If your answer is “no”, then do it now. If your answer is ‘yes’, then walk in the assurance of your salvation.- Don’t let doubt or self-effort enslave you again. Share the simplicity of the Gospel with others. Tell someone today that Jesus saves, and it takes only faith in Him. PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for making salvation so simple and so sure. I believe in You as my Lord and Saviour, and I rest in Your finished work. Please help me to share this good news with others and to lead my family and community into the joy of salvation. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 265 Isaiah 28–30 — Warnings to Judah

DAILY word study: BELIEVE The word "believe" in Acts 16:31 is derived from the Greek pisteuō, which means to trust, rely on, or place confidence in. Here it is joined with the phrase “in the Lord Jesus,” giving the picture of leaning your whole weight upon Him.

Believing is not only about accepting certain facts, but also about entrusting your entire life to Christ. For the jailer, confessing Jesus as Lord was bold because Kyrios (which means Lord) was a title claimed by Caesar. His faith marked a shift in allegiance. This same call runs through Scripture: John 3:16 promises eternal life to all who believe, and Romans 10:9 affirms that confessing and believing lead to salvation.

Reflect on This:

Where are you placing your trust today—on yourself, or on Jesus who saves?