Acts 2:38 The Full Plan Of Salvation

What really is the plan of salvation? What is required to be saved, if anything? While it seems that the Church today cannot agree on the plan for salvation. It was not so in the early days of the Christian Church. In fact, it is in the first message preached after Jesus’s ascension into Heaven that the true plan of salvation is laid out. It’s all right there in Acts 2:38.

It was the day of Pentecost and the Holy Ghost had just fallen on those gathered in the upper room. The event caused such a stir in the area that a large crowd formed to take in what was happening. Some even accused the Apostoles and the other in the upper room of being drunk.

Acts 2:5-6 (ESV)

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

Acts 2:12-13 (ESV)

12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

It seems that it was this accusation that caused the Apostle Peter to stand up and address the crowd. First by explaining that no one was drunk. And then begging to lay out the Gospel before the people.

Acts 2:14-16 (ESV)

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

Acts 2:22-24 (ESV)

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Acts 2:36 (ESV)

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Peters’s message convicted many of those that heard it. They now believed that Jesus truly was the Messahia sent into this world by God. It was their newfound faith that prompted them to ask Peter what they needed to do next. Which is where Acts 2:38 comes in and the plan of salvation is laid out in its fullness.

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.

Peter did the heavy lifting for us on the day of Pentecost and laid out the full plan of salvation. Peter used all that he had learned from His time spent with Jesus plus the knowledge given to him by the Holy Spirit. And was able to condense all the teaching of how to receive salvation into one simple and concise verse. 

This verse was conceived because of the faith shown by those who heard Peter’s message. Faith is the starting point on the way to salvation. Followed closely by the act of repentance. Then completed by baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. All of which we are shown the importance of through out the scripture.

Acts 16:31 (ESV)

31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Revelation 3:3 (ESV)

3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

John 3:5 (ESV)

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Shaking a preacher’s hand will not save you. Neither will simply believe in God James tells us in James 2:19 that even the demon believes in God. Yet we know that they will not be saved. If you truly want to receive salvation then you must obey God’s word. 

Do all that we see in Acts 2:38. Repent of your sins today and as soon as possible be Baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of those sins. Then you shall receive the Holy Ghost. Along with eternal life which is yours as long as you continue to live in repentance.

Hopefully, this article has helped you to see that there is far more to receiving salvation than just faith. If you are interested in learning even more about Acts 2:38 and the plan of salvation then keep an eye on the site. Very soon we will have a new article up that breaks down the plan of salvation shown in Acts 2:38 in even greater detail.

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