HOUSEHOLD SALVATION

On our website, we laid the foundation in a previous teaching “Importance of Households” as a backdrop for this teaching on “Household Salvation”.

It is interpreted by some that the salvation of households is evidence that all those in the home were automatically/vicariously saved and baptized because the head of the household made a commitment to Christ’s Lordship for/in behalf of the whole house, apart from their own personal choice/decision.

The Scriptural evidence shows that the “whole household” (as individuals) was directly involved in the decision making process.  Where there is “silence” in some accounts, these accounts should be interpreted by the clear references that give details of both the head of the household and the whole house made personal commitments and subsequently baptized as a result of their individual decisions. 

Let us remember that the best commentary on the Scripture is the Scripture.  Now let us search the Scripture to see what the whole counsel of God is concerning this important subject.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES:

Luke 19:1-10 “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zachaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.  And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.  And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.  And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.  And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

John 4:46-54 “So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine.  And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.  When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.  Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.  The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.  Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth.  And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.  And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.  Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend.  And they said unto him, yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.  So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.  This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee.”

Acts 2:46-47 “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

Acts 10:1-11:18 (Larger Passage)

V1 “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,”

V2 “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.” 

V3 “He saw in a vision evidently about the night hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.” 

V4 “And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord?  And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” 

V5 “And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:”

V6 “He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.” 

V7 “And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;”

V8 “And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.” 

V9 “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:”

V10 “And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,”

V11 “And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:” V12 “Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.” 

V13 “And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.” 

V14 “But Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 

V15 “And the voice spake unto him again the second time, what God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” 

V16 “This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.”

V17 “Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,”

V18 “And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.” 

V19 “While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.” 

V20 “Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.” 

V21 “Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?” 

V22 “And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.” 

V23 “Then called he them in, and lodged them.  And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.”

V24 “And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea.  And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.” 

V25 “And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.” 

V26 “But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.” 

V27 “And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.” 

V28 “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”

V29 “Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?” 

V30 “And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,”

V31 “And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.” 

V32 “Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.” 

V33 “Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou has well done that thou art come.  Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” 

V34 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:” 

V35 “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” 

V36 “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all :)”

V37 “That the word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;”

V38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” 

V39 “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:” 

V40 “Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;”

V41 “Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.” 

V42 “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.” 

V43 “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” 

V44 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word.” 

V45 “And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 

V46 “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.  Then answered Peter,”

V47 “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” 

V48 “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.  Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

Acts 16:14-15 “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the thing which were spoken of Paul.  And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, if ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.  And she constrained us.”

Acts 16:22-34 (Larger Passage 16:22-40) “And the multitude rose up together against them (Paul & Silas): and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.  And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.  And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 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.  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”

Acts 18:7-8 “And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”

I Corinthians 1:12-18 “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided?  Was Paul crucified for you?  Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.  And I baptized all the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”