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.

     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.

     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!

     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).