Dr. Nilo H. Flores
October 1, 2026
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
— Acts 16:31 (KJV)
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of salvation and for the wonderful truth of the Gospel. Thank You that You have provided a way for sinful people to be reconciled to You through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Father, help me understand what it truly means to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep me from having only an intellectual knowledge about Jesus while failing to place my personal trust in Him.
Help me believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died for my sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again from the dead.
Teach me to trust Christ completely—not my goodness, my religion, my accomplishments, or my works.
Give me courage to share this simple Gospel message with others. Many people are searching for peace, purpose, forgiveness, and eternal life. Help me point them to Jesus Christ, the only Saviour.
May my faith be genuine, my testimony faithful, and my life a testimony of Your saving grace.
Thank You that salvation is found in Jesus Christ.
In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.
Amen.
Introduction
There are many things people believe.
Some believe in themselves.
Some believe in religion.
Some believe in good works.
Some believe that being a good person is enough.
Some believe that following religious traditions will bring them closer to God.
Others believe that money, education, success, or position can provide security.
But the Bible gives us a very different message.
The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas a simple but deeply important question:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
— Acts 16:30 (KJV)
Paul and Silas answered:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
— Acts 16:31 (KJV)
The answer was not:
“Improve yourself first.”
It was not:
“Earn your salvation.”
It was not:
“Perform enough religious activities.”
It was not:
“Become good enough.”
The answer pointed directly to Jesus Christ.
The Gospel calls sinners to place their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today we will consider what it means to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
What Does “Believe” Mean?
Original Greek Study
Greek Word: πιστεύω
Transliteration: pisteuō
Pronunciation: pis-tyoo’-o
The Greek word πιστεύω (pisteuō) means:
- To believe
- To trust
- To have faith
- To rely upon
- To place confidence in
- To be persuaded of the truth
Biblical belief is more than simply saying, “I know Jesus exists.”
A person may know facts about Jesus without personally trusting Him.
Saving faith involves placing one’s confidence in Christ as Lord and Saviour.
The question is not merely:
“Do you know about Jesus?”
The deeper question is:
“Have you personally trusted Jesus Christ?”
1. Believe That Jesus Christ Is the Son of God
The foundation of Christian faith is the identity of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is not merely a teacher.
He is not merely a prophet.
He is not merely a religious leader.
He is the Son of God.
John 20:31 says:
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
The Gospel is centered upon the person of Jesus Christ.
To believe on Christ means recognizing who He truly is.
He is the promised Christ.
He is the Son of God.
He is the Saviour.
He is the One through whom God provides salvation.
2. Believe That Jesus Died for Our Sins
The Gospel is not simply the story of a good man who lived a wonderful life.
Jesus Christ came to die for sinners.
Paul summarized the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4:
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Christ died for our sins.
That means His death was not meaningless.
Calvary was part of God’s plan of redemption.
Jesus willingly gave Himself for us.
Isaiah 53:5 says:
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…”
When we believe on Christ, we are trusting the One who gave Himself for our salvation.
3. Believe That Jesus Rose Again
Jesus did not remain in the grave.
He rose again.
The resurrection is essential to the Gospel.
Romans 10:9 says:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
The resurrection demonstrates Christ’s victory over death.
The empty tomb gives hope to every believer.
Our faith is not founded upon a dead religious leader.
Our faith is founded upon the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Because He lives, there is hope.
Because He lives, there is salvation.
Because He lives, believers have the promise of eternal life.
4. Believe Personally
Salvation is personal.
It is not enough to say:
“My parents believe in Jesus.”
“My pastor believes in Jesus.”
“My church believes in Jesus.”
“My family is Christian.”
Each person must personally respond to the Gospel.
John 1:12 says:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Nobody can believe for you.
Your parents cannot believe for you.
Your pastor cannot believe for you.
Your church cannot believe for you.
You must personally trust Christ.
5. Believe With the Heart
Romans 10:10 says:
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Biblical faith is not merely an intellectual exercise.
A person may memorize Bible verses.
A person may know Christian terminology.
A person may understand the doctrine of salvation.
But saving faith involves personally trusting Christ.
The head may understand the facts.
The heart must trust the Saviour.
6. Believe in Christ, Not in Yourself
Human beings naturally want to accomplish things by themselves.
We like to say:
“I can do it.”
“I can fix it.”
“I can become better.”
“I can earn it.”
But salvation requires us to recognize our inability to save ourselves.
Jeremiah 17:9 says:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
We need Christ because we cannot save ourselves.
Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Faith turns our attention away from ourselves and toward Christ.
Instead of saying:
“Look what I have done.”
Faith says:
“Look what Jesus Christ has done for me.”
7. Believe in Christ as the Only Saviour
Jesus Himself declared:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6
That statement is clear.
Jesus did not say that He was merely one possible way.
He said:
“I am the way.”
Acts 4:12 declares:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
The believer’s confidence is not in human religion.
It is in Jesus Christ.
8. Believe and Receive Eternal Life
John 3:16 gives one of the clearest promises in Scripture:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Notice the promise:
“Whosoever believeth in him…”
The invitation is broad.
The promise is eternal life.
God’s love provided His Son.
Christ’s sacrifice provides the basis for salvation.
Faith receives what God has graciously provided.
9. Faith Produces a Changed Life
Believing on Christ does not mean that a person should continue living exactly as before without spiritual change.
True faith affects our lives.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Salvation changes our relationship with God.
It also begins changing our desires, priorities, attitudes, words, and actions.
We begin to love what God loves.
We desire to obey His Word.
We become concerned about others.
We want to serve Christ.
We desire to share the Gospel.
We do not live a changed life in order to purchase salvation.
We live differently because Christ has saved us.
10. Faith Should Lead Us to Obedience
Jesus said in John 14:15:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Obedience is not the price of salvation.
It is a response of love toward Christ.
A believer should desire to honor the One who saved him.
When Christ becomes precious to us, serving Him becomes more than a duty.
It becomes a privilege.
11. The Philippian Jailer: A Picture of Personal Faith
Acts 16 gives us a powerful account of the Philippian jailer.
An earthquake opened the prison doors.
The jailer was terrified.
Paul told him not to harm himself.
Then the jailer asked:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
— Acts 16:30
Paul and Silas answered:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
— Acts 16:31
The jailer heard the Gospel.
He responded in faith.
Acts 16:34 says:
“And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”
The man who was trembling in the middle of the night became a man who rejoiced in God.
What a transformation!
12. Faith Is Not Merely Saying the Words
There is a danger in treating the words “I believe” as a religious formula.
A person can repeat words without personally trusting Christ.
Saving faith is not simply repeating a prayer.
It is not merely walking an aisle.
It is not merely raising a hand.
It is not merely joining a church.
It is not merely being baptized.
These things must never replace personal faith in Jesus Christ.
The object of saving faith is Jesus Christ Himself.
The sinner must trust Him.
Acts 16:31 does not say:
“Believe in yourself.”
It says:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Business for Christ
Business teaches us that trust matters.
A customer trusts a business to provide what was promised.
A business owner trusts employees to fulfill their responsibilities.
Partners trust one another.
Investors trust companies with their resources.
But there is a greater matter than financial trust.
Every person must answer the question:
Where have I placed my eternal trust?
A successful business cannot save a soul.
A large bank account cannot save a soul.
A respected name cannot save a soul.
Education cannot save a soul.
Position cannot save a soul.
Religious activity cannot save a soul.
Only Jesus Christ can save.
Mark 8:36 says:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Business for Christ reminds us that our work should never become more important than our relationship with God.
We should work diligently.
We should serve honestly.
We should treat people fairly.
We should pursue excellence.
But above all, we should remember that our greatest need is not financial success.
Our greatest need is Jesus Christ.
Practical Application
Take time today to examine your faith.
Ask yourself:
- Have I personally believed on the Lord Jesus Christ?
- Am I trusting Christ or trusting myself?
- Do I believe that Jesus died for my sins?
- Do I believe that He rose again?
- Am I trusting in Christ alone for salvation?
- Has my faith affected the way I live?
- Am I willing to share the Gospel with others?
- Does my business and daily work reflect my faith in Christ?
- Am I pointing people toward Jesus rather than toward myself?
Remember:
Faith looks away from self and looks to Christ.
Today’s Challenge
Read and meditate on:
Acts 16:25–34
John 3:14–18
John 14:1–6
Romans 10:8–13
1 Corinthians 15:1–4
Then write down three things:
1. What I Believe About Jesus Christ
Write what you believe about His identity, death, burial, and resurrection.
2. What I Am Trusting For Salvation
Ask yourself honestly whether your confidence is in Christ alone.
3. Who Needs to Hear the Gospel From Me?
Write the name of someone who needs to hear about Jesus Christ.
Then pray for an opportunity to share the Gospel with that person.
Remember
Faith is not trusting myself.
Faith is trusting Christ.
Faith is not trusting my goodness.
Faith is trusting God’s grace.
Faith is not trusting my religion.
Faith is trusting the Saviour.
Faith is not trusting my accomplishments.
Faith is trusting what Jesus Christ accomplished at Calvary.
Faith says:
“I cannot save myself, but Jesus Christ can save me.”
✍️ Quotation by Dr. Nilo H. Flores
“Saving faith is more than knowing about Jesus Christ; it is personally trusting Him as Lord and Saviour. When we stop depending upon ourselves and place our confidence completely in Christ, we discover that the One who calls us to believe is the One who is fully able to save us.”
— Dr. Nilo H. Flores
😊 Flores Faith Smile
A Sunday school teacher asked the children:
“Who can tell me what it means to believe in Jesus?”
One little boy raised his hand.
The teacher said, “Yes, Johnny?”
The boy answered:
“It means trusting Jesus.”
The teacher smiled and asked:
“Can you give me an example?”
The boy thought for a moment and said:
“Yes, ma’am. When my father says he will catch me when I jump, I trust him enough to jump.”
The teacher smiled and said:
“That is a good illustration of trust.”
Then the boy added:
“But I still look down first!”
The whole class laughed.
Lesson to Remember:
Faith means placing our confidence in the One who is trustworthy.
When we believe on Jesus Christ, we are not trusting a promise made by an unreliable person.
We are trusting the faithful Son of God.
Closing Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Jesus Christ.
Thank You for sending Your Son to become our Saviour.
Thank You for His death on the cross, His burial, and His glorious resurrection.
Father, help me never place my confidence in myself.
Keep me from trusting in my goodness, achievements, religion, position, money, or human ability.
Teach me to trust Jesus Christ completely.
Help me understand the Gospel clearly and communicate it faithfully.
Give me opportunities to tell others that Jesus Christ saves.
Help me live in a way that demonstrates genuine faith.
In my family, help me be a faithful testimony.
In my workplace, help me demonstrate honesty and integrity.
In my business, help me honor You.
In my ministry, help me point people to Christ.
When I am successful, keep me humble.
When I experience difficulties, keep me trusting.
When I am weak, remind me that You are faithful.
May my life continually point people to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank You for the wonderful promise:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
I place my confidence in You.
In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.
Amen.
Memory Verse
Acts 16:31 (KJV)
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
Today’s Prayer Focus
🙏 Thank God for Jesus Christ, the only Saviour.
🙏 Thank God for the gift of salvation.
🙏 Ask God to strengthen your faith in Christ.
🙏 Pray for those who are trusting in themselves or in religion instead of Christ.
🙏 Pray for family members and friends who need to hear the Gospel.
🙏 Ask God for courage and wisdom to share the Gospel.
🙏 Pray that your life will demonstrate the reality of your faith.
🙏 Pray that your business, work, and ministry will honor Jesus Christ.
BUSINESS FOR CHRIST
Preaching the Gospel • Equipping Believers • Making Disciples
Tomorrow — Day 15
WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”
— Acts 3:19 (KJV)
Τῷ μόνῳ Θεῷ δόξα
Tō monō Theō doxa
To God Alone Be the Glory
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