Section Three

Baptisms of Whole

Households

There are four examples in the New Testament of entire households being involved in stories that include baptisms. Cornelius (Acts 10) Cornelius plays a key role in confirming to Simon Peter that the Gentiles were a part of God’s plan because they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verse 2 says that his family were also God-fearing. When Peter visits, Cornelius has gathered his friends and relatives. Peter speaks to them and then orders that they be baptised. Lydia (Acts 16) Paul visits Philippi and while he is there he speaks to a group of women who had gathered. Lydia was likely rich (she traded in purple-dyed cloth) and had a large house. Paul’s message resulted in Lydia and members of her household being baptised. Jailer in Philippi (Acts 16) Paul and Silas were imprisoned whilst in Philippi. They pray and sing and then an earthquake opens the doors in the prison. The jailer rushed to Paul and Silas and asks what he must do to be saved. As a result, the jailer and everyone in household came to believe in God and were baptised. Stephanas (1 Corinthians) Paul writes to the church in Corinth. He recalls that he baptised someone called Stephanas and his household.