Bible Question:
I have two questions. Where in the Bible does it say, “Call those things which be not as though they were? ” and where does it say that God promises to save me and my household?
Bible Answer:
The two passages you are looking for are found in Romans 4:17 and Acts 16:31. Here are the passages in several different translations.
Romans 4:17
Romans 4:17 is talking about Abraham who was an old man when God promised to make him a father of many nations.
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (KJV)
(as it is written, “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. (NASB)
As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. (NIV) Romans 4:17
Both he and Sarah were nearly one hundred years of age. They were beyond the age of having children. That is the reason Sarah laughed when she heard that God had promised them a child when they were old (Gen. 18:12). She did not believe it was possible. But God miraculously gave them a child and he was named Issac (Gen. 21:3). This is the reason for the comment that Romans 4:17 says, “gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.” God gave them Isaac when that should not have been possible.
Acts 16:31
Acts 16:31 was spoken to a jailer who had just asked the Apostle Paul how to be saved. Here is Paul’s answer,
. . . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (KJV)
. . . Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. (NASB)
. . . Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved– you and your household. (NIV) Acts 16:31
We see later in Acts 16:34 that the jailer and his entire family did believe. Paul was not saying that the jailer’s family would be saved if the jailer believed. All family members had to believe in Jesus Christ on their own, and they did. As a result they were all saved.
Conclusion:
Both passages are all about having faith in God. God wants us to believe Him and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. You may want to visit the page Searching for God to see what it means to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.