What About Household Salvation?

, March 7, 2006

What is your view on Household Salvation? (I am thinking of two scriptures: Acts 11:14–“…and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household” and Acts 16:31–“They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'”)

Thanks for your letter. My view on Household Salvation is that each member of the household, upon hearing the Gospel message, can be saved on the one condition of personal faith in Christ. Acts 11:14 MAY be predictive (i.e. predicting that everyone in the household would respond positively to the Gospel with personal faith in Christ). Acts 16:31 makes it clear that personal faith is the necessary condition for salvation. I think this verse is just a shorthand way of saying that whoever believes can likewise be saved. To hold that an entire household could be saved on the basis of one member’s faith in Christ would flatly contradict all the New Testament passages that speak of the necessity of personal faith in Christ for salvation.

Shalom,

Michael Gleghorn
Probe Ministries

© 2006 Probe Ministries

Dr. Michael Gleghorn

Dr. Michael Gleghorn is a research associate with Probe Ministries. He earned a B.A. in psychology from Baylor University, a Th.M. in systematic theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Theological Studies (also from Dallas Theological Seminary). Before coming on staff with Probe, Michael taught history and theology at Christway Academy in Duncanville, Texas. Michael and his wife Hannah have two children: Arianna and Josiah. As a family, they attend Frisco Bible Church, where Michael and Hannah are involved in various ministries. His personal website is michaelgleghorn.com.

What is Probe?

Probe Ministries is a non-profit ministry whose mission is to assist the church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview and to equip the church to engage the world for Christ. Probe fulfills this mission through our Mind Games conferences for youth and adults, our 3-minute daily radio program, and our extensive Web site at www.probe.org.

Further information about Probe's materials and ministry may be obtained by contacting us at:

Probe Ministries
2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 2000
Plano TX 75075
(972) 941-4565
info@probe.org
www.probe.org

Copyright/Reproduction Limitations

This document is the sole property of Probe Ministries. It may not be altered or edited in any way. Permission is granted to use in digital or printed form so long as it is circulated without charge, and in its entirety. This document may not be repackaged in any form for sale or resale. All reproductions of this document must contain the copyright notice (i.e., Copyright 2018 Probe Ministries) and this Copyright/Limitations notice.

The Reliability of Kings and Chronicles June 10, 2018
Dr. Michael Gleghorn shows how the apparent contradictions of two Old Testament historical books can be explained.
Dr. Michael Gleghorn
Christians in the World June 3, 2018
Don Closson looks at 3 recent books on how to live the Christian life in 21st century America: Radical, The Next Christians, and To Change the World.
Don Closson
The Importance of Parents in the Faith of Emerging Adults May 27, 2018
Steve Cable explores the results of Probe's survey of 18- to 40-year-old born agains, focusing on the role of parents in their faith.
Steve Cable, read by Kerby Anderson
Reasonable Faith May 20, 2018
Dr. Michael Gleghorn briefly examines some of the reasons why noted Christian philosopher William Lane Craig believes that Christianity is an eminently reasonable faith.
Dr. Michael Gleghorn
Seeing Through News Media Bias: Exposing Deception and Proclaiming Truth in an Age of Misinformation May 13, 2018
Steve Cable examines the role of deception in how we receive much of today's information, providing perspective on how to see through it to the truth.
Steve Cable
Christ and the Human Condition May 6, 2018
Dr. Michael Gleghorn looks at how God has acted in Christ to address those things which ail us most: sin, suffering, death, and our broken relationship with God.
Dr. Michael Gleghorn
Mister Rogers and the Hunger for God May 2, 2018
Sue Bohlin blogs about how Fred Rogers demonstrated the heart of his heavenly Father to millions of TV watchers through his program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Sue Bohlin
Blessings and Judgment April 29, 2018
Is God blessing America? Will God bring judgment against America? What are the biblical principles of blessing and judgment we find in the Bible concerning the nation of Israel? Do any of them apply to our nation?
Kerby Anderson
Changing Religious Affiliations From Childhood to Young Adulthood April 21, 2018
Over three-fourths of young adults claiming no religious affilation (Nones) were raised in homes of some kind of faith. Steve Cable examines the data leading to this alarming fact.
Steve Cable
The Professor: Why Are You a Christian? April 16, 2018
Dr. Ray Bohlin roleplays a hostile, atheistic professor with Christian students who are usually unable to answer the question, Why are you a Christian?
Dr. Ray Bohlin

CONTACT US

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

©2018 Probe Ministries | Designed by Dream Casters Marketing, Website Design Dallas