Have you ever been told, “Read between the line.”? Sometimes it is a subtle social cue, like not being invited to a wedding. Other times it is painfully obvious, like someone making a statement by wearing white after labor day…. Do we need to read between the lines to understand the Bible?
In Acts 16:25-33, God literally causes a jailbreak. The officer responsible for the jail is distraught, feels accountable, and nearly kills himself. Paul cries out to the jailer to stay his hand and reassures the man no prisoners had escaped. The jailer then asks an important question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul’s answer is simple, believe on the Lord Jesus. Simple answer. Then, in v. 33, the man and his household are baptized.
My question is: Why are they baptized? To read between the lines, the preaching of faith in Jesus’ name includes obedience to baptism. This doesn’t really require reading between the lines, it requires reading other lines in the book of Acts: Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12-16; 36-38; 9:18; 10:47, 48; 16:15; 18:8; 19:3-5; and 22:16. In each of these contexts, believers respond to the message of Christ by submitting to baptism. A belief that refuses baptism is not a biblical belief.
We don’t need to read between the lines to understand the Bible. See for yourself! Sit down with me over an open Bible and see the extraordinary grace of God that still saves people today. Drop drop by on Sunday morning!
Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash
