Words of Truth
"That I might make thee know
the certainty of the words of
truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

    What Must I do to be Saved?

How one can be saved is a pressing question that should be on the minds of all men.  The
very fact that a savior was needed shows us that we are in need of being saved.  Paul
establishes for us who the savior is: “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our
Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to
light through the gospel” (II Timothy 1:10).  Jesus came into the world to save sinners (I
Timothy 1:15).  All who transgress the law of God are sinners (I John 3:4).  Thus, outside
of the innocence of children and those whose minds are childlike (Ezekiel 18:20, Matthew 18:
3, and James 4:17), all have sinned (Romans 3:23).  Without salvation sin will bring about
spiritual death (Romans 6:23 and James 1:14-15) and eternal damnation (Matthew 25:46).

Not all men will ask “what must I do to be saved”.  Many like to reject the very idea that
they are lost.  These individuals think that God will overlook any and all sins that man may
bring forth.  These individuals have obviously never picked up and read the Bible.  From the
first book to the last book of the Bible, God indicates clearly that He will punish sinners
(Genesis 6:5-7 and Revelation 21:8).  Many try to enjoy their state of ignorance.  They figure
if they know no better there is no better.  Yet, they fail to realize that ignorance will be no
excuse with the Lord (Acts 17:30 and Romans 2:6-15).  Thus, we should all seek to know
what God would have us to do to be saved.     

    The Need of the Question and the Answer

In the second chapter of the book of Acts a sermon about our Lord is recorded for us.  
During the preaching of that sermon there was a response which reads: “Now when they
heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the
apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do” (Acts 2:37)?  Before we get to the answer of
that question we need to see something else.  That something else is the fact that those who
asked the question wanted the answer.  Some people ask questions but they are not truly
looking for the answer.  A honest and good heart is required for the Gospel to be effective in
saving the soul (Luke 8:15).  

Since those on that day had a question you can rest assured that there was an answer.  That
answer was: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost” (Acts 2:38).  One cannot get any plainer than the answer that was given by the
Apostle Peter.  Those present at this sermon were “Jews, devout men, out of every nation
under heaven” (Acts 2:5).  Since they were Jews they already knew a great deal about God.  
They also knew about Jesus since they were guilty of killing Him (Acts 2:36).  These
individuals already believed in God.  Yet, this was not enough for them to be saved.  Even if
they believed that Jesus was the Son of God that would not have been enough (Matthew 8:
28-32 and James 2:19-26).  Many so-called religious men of our day would declare a plan of
redemption but it is different than what Jesus and those teaching in the New Testament
declared.

    The Need for the Answer to Be Right!

For one to truly know everything that God requires of them to be saved they must search
the Scriptures (John 5:39 and Acts 17:10-11).  There is no “one line” answer to the question
“what must I do to be saved”.  If such were possible the Bible would be a lot shorter than it
is.  Likewise, this short written piece will not answer every single aspect of this question.  
More teaching is required than the little that is written here.  The same was true when we
see that much more was said in Peter’s answer than is recorded for us (Acts 2:40).  

As we read through different accounts of conversion within the book of Acts we find that
more than just faith, repentance, and immersion into Christ are required to be saved.  We
know that there is more to it since being saved is the equivalent of being converted (Acts 3:
19).  If you are going to be converted you are going from being one thing to being another.  
For one example, being baptized into Christ requires that your life changes for the better
(Romans 6:3-6 and II Corinthians 5:17).  In the book of Acts we see that those who would
obey the Gospel would believe the preaching of it (Acts 18:8), repent of their sins (Acts 2:
38), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized [immersed] in water (Acts 2:38; 8:12-13,
35-39; 10:47-48, 16:15; 33; 18:8; 19:5).  Those who had been properly converted were then
added by the Lord to the church of Christ (Acts 2:47; cf. Romans 16:16 and I Corinthians 12:
12-13).  

As we read throughout the New Testament we find that what occurred in the conversion
accounts recorded in the book of Acts is consistent with the teaching on what one must do
to be saved.  For example, we find that faith comes through hearing the word of God
(Romans 10:17).  We know that one cannot be saved without faith in Christ and His word
(John 8:24; 32 and Hebrews 11:6).  We know that one cannot be saved if they do not
remove sin and sinful acts from their lives [repentance] (Luke 13:3; 5 and Romans 6:23).  
We find that one confesses Jesus Christ UNTO, not into, salvation (Romans 10:10).  We
also find throughout the New Testament that one cannot be saved without being immersed in
water (Mark 16:15-16, John 3:3-5, and I Peter 3:20-21).  This is contrary to the teaching of
many world religions.  Such is true because many world religions are contrary to the word
of God.

A true student of the word of God will find that none of the denominations that exist today
are found in the Bible.  Our Lord died to establish His church (Matthew 16:18 and Ephesians
5:25).  The New Testament shows us that the church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-
23) and that there is but one body (Ephesians 4:4).  By the authority of Christ the Apostle
Paul wrote condemning folks for wearing the names of men and dividing the body of Christ
(I Corinthians 1:10-13).  To make this clear, when one wears the name of Martin Luther,
John the Baptist, or any other they are committing sin.  To be part of a church which is and
never was Christ’ church is wrong!  Our Lord will save His body the church (Ephesians 5:
23), but none others (Acts 4:10-12).  So, just as the answer needs to be right so does the
group of people who give that answer!

    The Response of Those Who Want an Answer
 
We have discussed the question of “what must I do to be saved”.  We have discussed the
right answer.  We know that there are many that claim to be saved, but many who are
wrong in their claim (Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23).  Now let’s examine the proper response of a
person who has a honest heart.  The reaction of the honest one who wants to obey the
Gospel is this: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).  How difficult is that?  
One might ask: “what then?”  Well, the answer is simple.  You would do as those converted
in Acts chapter two did: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

    Conclusion

Obeying the Gospel of Christ is costly.  The cost is your life (Luke 14:25-33).  You must
truly be ready to surrender all to the Lord.  That means not only will you do such things as
attending every service of the local congregation of God’s people, but you will live Christ
every moment of your life (I Corinthians 3:1-3).  The reward is far greater than the price.  
Not only will you be saved from the fires of hell (Mark 9:43-48), but you will have an eternal
home with God above (John 5:28-29, John 14:1-3, II Corinthians 5:1, and Hebrews 13:14).

As was earlier mentioned, this article really just touches the “hem of the garment” when
answering the question “what must I do to be saved”.  Anyone reading this article, who
realizes they are not saved, needs to contact a faithful congregation of the church of Christ
to study more and find the right ways, which are of God.  Demand that the answers to your
questions be from the Bible and not from man.  There are many great minds in this world,
but only God’s word will save you (Romans 1:16 and James 1:21).  Don’t just sit back and
think that you are okay.  Too many people will do that and then find the Judgment Day to be
a day of surprise.  Let me close with this: “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that
be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto
you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” (Luke 13:23-24).
"And I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter, and
upon this rock I will build
my church; and the gates
of hell shall not prevail
against it." (Matthew
16:18).  

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