The Conversion of Crispus
By Jeremy J. Main

9/15/07

     Some describe the Book of Acts as a “Book of Conversions.” It is certainly true that Acts contains numerous examples of people becoming Christians, by hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized. One of these examples is that of Crispus.

     First, who was Crispus? We briefly read about him in Acts chapter eighteen. After Paul departed from Athens, he came to Corinth. While there, he “reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 18:4). He “testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:5). However, after some “opposed him and blasphemed” (Acts 18:6), he departed from there and entered into the house of Justus, which was next door to the synagogue (Acts 18:7). While he taught, a man by the name of Crispus heard him. He was “the ruler of the synagogue” (Acts 18:8). From the text we learn that he was very influential, leading his house and others to believe on the Lord.
      Second, how did Crispus become a Christian? The text reads that he “believed on the Lord” (Acts 18:8). Does this mean that Crispus was saved by faith only? No, the Bible teaches that we are not saved by “faith only” (James 2:24). Crispus became a Christian in the same way that the other Corinthians became Christians. The Bible says that “many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8). The phrase, “believed on the Lord” is put for the whole of the plan of salvation. Crispus first heard the word. Paul wrote, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Crispus then believed the word. Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). While the text does not specifically state that Crispus repented of his sins and confessed Christ, we know that he did both for repentance and confession are required of all men. Paul taught the Athenians that God “commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Paul also wrote that with the mouth “confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). Finally, Crispus was baptized. In a letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote how he had personally baptized Crispus (1 Corinthians 1:14). Remember, that it was Jesus who said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

     You may become a Christian today even as Crispus became a Christian. Why do you linger? We urge you to heed the Lord’s invitation today!

 

 

All scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version.