An extensive revelation deals with the theme of God’s plan for the salvation of families. The purpose of God to provide for entire households in His offer of salvation is seen in Gen. 7:1 and Acts 11:14; the words “thou and all thy house” are found in both the OT and the NT. This divine provision of deliverance for entire households extended even to children’s children, Psa. 103:17, 18.
As the program of God unfolded, the families of Abraham and Joshua were saved as the patriarchs recognized their responsibility for them, Gen. 18:19; Josh. 24:15. Households were provided for on the night of the Passover, Ex. 12:3, 4. God’s plan for ensuring as far as possible the salvation of children is revealed in Psa. 78:5-7. Rahab was given responsibility for her father, mother, brother, and others, Josh. 2:18, 19. Wives bear some responsibility for unsaved husbands, 1 Pet. 3:1, 2. The practical means whereby David sought to win his loved ones is seen in Psa. 101:2-7; that of Jacob, in Gen. 35:2-4.
Divine promises bearing on this theme are found in Prov. 22:6; Acts 2:39; and Acts 16:31. That which is implied in Deut. 5:29 is clearly stated in Acts 11:14. Such texts offer great encouragement to parents and others to pray for the salvation of members of their families, and to live with this in view.
William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible, (Chicago: Bible Institute Colportage Assoc., 1912), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 298.