The end of this world is on the horizon. Only those who have turned to God will be saved. Brought into heaven and given life eternal without the pain and suffering experienced on earth. All those who did not turn to God will face a much harder and painful fate. Knowing this should cause everyone to ask what must I do to be saved.
This is one of life’s most important questions and one that we see asked throughout the scripture. It is by looking at the times those mentioned in scripture asked this question and the responses they received that we learn what we must do to be saved. Because the method is the same today as it was thousands of years ago.
Acts 2:37 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
The above verse records the first time this question is asked after Jesus took his place in heaven. It was the day of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit had just fallen on those gathered in the upper room. Which drew a large crown and provided the opportunity for Peter to preach the Gospel.
Peter’s message resonated with many that were in the audience and sparked their faith in Jesus as the son of God. This newfound faith caused them to ask what they had to do to ensure the would be saved. Peter did not hesitate and laid out all that anyone must do to receive the gift of salvation.
Acts 2:37-38 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “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.
Those who truly believed and heard the instructions given by Peter did not settle for just knowing what they needed to do. Oh no, the did not hesitate but we’re baptized that very same day.
Acts 2:41 (ESV)
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Peter was not the only Apostle to be asked what it takes to be saved. Once Paul was also asked this question however the circumstances were quite different. As he found himself in a jail cell with Silas still praising God. Which lead to a mighty move of God.
Acts 16:25-29 (ESV)
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.
It was that mighty move of God that caused the jailer to ask Paul and Silas what he needed to do to be saved. To which they responded and told him to believe in Jesus and he would be saved.
Acts 16:30-31 (ESV)
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Yet it did not stop with faith alone because Paul and Silas continued to preach God’s word to him. And because of the faith, the Philippian Jailer and his family had they decided to be baptized that very same night.
Acts 16:32-34 (ESV)
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
This is what anyone who wants to receive salvation must do to receive it. There is not another way to be saved other than that we see presented in the scripture it’s self. Which is to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. To repent of all your past sins and to be baptized in Jesus’ name. Which is accompanied by the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
That is the very plan of salvation. The answer to all those who ask what must I do to be saved. Don’t wait or put it off any longer respond in the same way we those in the above verses did and follow the instructions of scripture. By asking what is required of you you are showing that you believe the message of Jesus Christ. But you still must repent and be baptized as soon as you can.
Once you have done this your name will be written down in the book of life and the gift of eternal life will be yours. But you must understand those who continue to live in sin will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21(ESV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
When you take the necessary steps and do what is required to receive salvation your goal becomes to not sin anymore. Thankfully if we do sin we serve a merciful God and we can pray to be forgiven. But in order to ensure your salvation, you must not make a practice of sinning.
1 John 2:1 (ESV)
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 3:4-10 (ESV)
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Hopefully, this article has helped you see what you must do to be saved. Now all you need to do is respond to God’s word and receive the salvation that He is freely offering you.
If you would like to know more about faith, repentance, and baptism please search our site. We have many other articles about each of those subjects that go into greater detail then we can in this one article. Or feel free to email us any questions by filling out our contact form.
Help us open the eyes of even more people to what the Bible teaches they must do to be saved. Simply share this article on your social media to expose everyone you know to this truth. It could be the very thing that sparks their faith and leads to their salvation. All you have to do is click one of the social icons on this page. Thanks for your support and God Bless!
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.