|
"Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.'"
(Acts 16:29-31)
One of the most moving, powerful, and action-filled stories in the Bible is the conversion of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16. Elvis Presley did not have Acts 16 in mind when he recorded the hit single Jailhouse Rock in 1957, but this phrase describes the scene in today's biblical text. God quietly and profoundly opened Lydia's heart and she was saved earlier in Acts 16. But at this point in the chapter, God saves this Roman jailer, and there is nothing quiet or calm about the events surrounding his conversion. This speaks to me of the power and glory of God and how He works in various ways in different people's lives to bring salvation to souls and glory to His name.
Like the Philippian jailer in Acts 16, Bruce Plummer also had a dramatic conversion experience. He was a Native American with a chip on his shoulder the size of a mountain. He told me in his own words that he despised white people. He was homeless and living in Portland, Oregon. He had been drinking since he was 16 years old and was an alcoholic already at the age of 21. He fell asleep one night under a tree and awoke the next morning to discover he had slept all night beside a church. He watched the people going into church and wanted to go over and see what was happening. He finally got the courage after most everyone had left the church building. He spoke to the Lutheran pastor, and the pastor asked what he could do for Bruce. Bruce said he had some questions. The pastor said that was fine, but first he was going to eat some lunch, and he invited Bruce to join him. They ate and talked for quite some time. Then the pastor allowed Bruce to take a shower and rest in his home. Bruce said if there is one thing a homeless person wants, it's a shower. He said as he was taking his shower, he felt the Holy Spirit ask him, "How would you like to be clean on the inside?" He told God that he believed in Him but did not believe in Jesus. He wanted to believe, but God would have to help him. He said he prayed, and when he stepped out of the shower, something miraculous happened. (At this point when he was sharing this with me, he began to weep.) Bruce said he was immediately healed of his alcoholism and the shakes that went with it. He said he went through no rehab or treatment—God just supernaturally healed him! Bruce Plummer surrendered his life to Jesus and serves as a pastor today.
Yes, God still moves in dramatic ways, and there is no one beyond the reach of the extended arm of God's grace. He can reach the alcoholic, the jailer, the prostitute, the murderer, and anyone else. Yes, God can reach and save all who call upon Him in faith.
Kent Hughes, on page 220 of The Church Afire, succinctly summarizes Acts 16 in the following way: "Some meeting! Some church! Some life! Some gospel!"
God is mighty to save all who believe in Him and call out to Jesus for salvation. Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ? If not, today is a great day to be saved! Do it now. |
Apple
Spotify
Stitcher
YouTube
