“Sirs, What Must I Do to be Saved?”

“What must I do to be saved?” Never in the history of mankind has a more important question been asked. When Peter’s words pricked the Jews assembled at Pentecost, the multitude cried out, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). After a massive earthquake struck Philippi, the jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Fortunately, God has not left mankind in the dark, but He has provided clear answers.

Salvation has been initiated by God; man could never save himself. “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16); God sent His Son for salvation, something man could never have done. People are led to eternal life through the Word of God, not the word of man: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31). God has completed His part in man’s salvation; now man needs to do His part.

Some might argue with what I write about man’s part, but everything I’m about to write comes from God. God’s Word must be the standard by which we judge religious questions. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17); the Word of guide is profitable for teaching and makes God’s servant complete and equipped for every good work. Therefore, I wish to stick with the words of Scripture and Scripture alone.

1. God requires me to hear the Word of God.
   • “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
   • “Many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized” (Acts 18:8).
2. God requires me to believe in Him.
   • “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31)
   • “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
3. God requires me to repent of my sins.
   • “Unless you repent, you will . . . perish” (Luke 13:3)
   • “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
4. God requires me to confess my faith in Jesus.
   • “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).
   • “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
5. God requires me to be baptized for the remission of my sins.
   • “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
   • “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).
6. God requires me to live faithfully.
   • “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
   • “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

The child of God needs to live faithfully, for a Christian can fall from grace. “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace” (Galatians 5:4). The one who has fallen away needs to repent and pray for forgiveness: “Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22).

If you need to act on your salvation, won’t you do so this very day? “Now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

God bless!