Collective Salvation, Follow up

Q

I read your answer to the question on collective salvation. What about household salvation? In the scriptures and I don’t have them now, but I have read “You and your household will be saved” What does this verse/verses similar to above mean?

A

I think you’re referring to Acts 16:31. When the Philippian jailer saw how the Lord had miraculously rescued Paul and Barnabas, he wanted to know how he could be saved. So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” But then verses 32-34 explain the details.

Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

It’s clear that everyone in the house heard of the miracle and heard the Gospel as well. They all believed and were saved. If all it took was one parent to save an entire household, then the families of every believer would be saved because that’s the desire of every believer. 3 John 1:4 says, “I can have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Salvation is personal and individual. Everyone has to ask and receive for themselves (Matt. 7:7-8).