Some quick references (understand that there is MUCH more to it than what is here): Romans 10:17, I Corinthians 15:1-4, James 1:21-25, I Peter 2:1-2, John 8:32, Romans 1:16, Hebrews 11:6, John 8:24, Luke 13:3; 5, Acts 3:19, Acts 8:37, Romans 10:10, Luke 14:25-33, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:12, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:47, John 8:31, Colossians 1:23, James 2:10-26, and II Peter 3:10-14
What Must Someone Do To Be Saved?
By: Trevor Yeager
First, one must hear the gospel and understand it: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side” (Matthew 13:19).
Then, one must believe the gospel: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).
Then, one must repent of their sins: “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). “But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20).
Next, one must confess that Jesus is the Son of God: “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37). “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
Now, one must be baptized (immersed) in water for (unto) the remission of sins: “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). “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38).
Now, the Lord adds the saved one to the church of Christ: “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you” (Romans 16:16).
Finally, one must continue in faithful service to the Lord: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-33). “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (Colossians 1:23).
This is a lifelong commitment. I advise anyone who dares to start this journey to realize you cannot just stop in the middle of your new life. Contact me to study more about God’s plan of redemption.
trevorayeager@yahoo.com
“What Must I Do To Be Saved?”
By: Brian A. Yeager
The title question of this article should be a pressing question 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 (there are very few of us, so be CAUTIOUS - I’ll help if I can) 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).