In today’s political climate, whether it is at the press corp briefing or the coffeehouse squabble, people press hard for the answers they say need to be answered. Some press hard on tax reform or illegal immigration as if that question is the most important – ever. Whatever we see as the most important of the day, there is always a different question that needs to be answered – even pressed – but it has nothing to do with politics. That question is, “What must I do to be saved?” This is the very question the Philippian jailer asked of the Apostle Paul after an earthquake had released his prisoners (Acts 16:30). The question today has the same answers as they had then.
We have to recognize that we are sinners. To ask the question presupposes one knows he needs salvation. Even the jailor knew. But from what? Salvation from sin. Everyone has sinned and has fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). If sin causes spiritual death, separation from God, and the need for forgiveness from God, then we need to understand this so we can be saved from being dead in our sins and transgressions (Ephesians 2:1). To be saved, we must acknowledge our sin.
We need to respond in trusting faith. We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord of Glory. The jailer was told, “Believe in the Lord Jesus” if he wanted to be saved. Yet, this is only part of our response. Biblical faith is more than just believing; It is trust, the kind of trust that takes God at His word. Faith comes through hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17). Once God has spoken His word, if we choose to believe it, we must act in obedience to it just as if God Himself was standing next to us answering the question. That kind of faith will gain access to the grace of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-2). To be saved, we must believe in Jesus.
We need to repent of sin. If we can admit our sinfulness and respond in faith to God’s word, then we must make a decision to turn from sin and strive to live holy lives. God commands everyone to repent (Acts 17:30-31) because He loves us and does not want us to continue living a life that will hurt us. If we refuse to repent, then we cannot say we trust Him. If we take God at His word, we will want to remove ourselves from a sinful life. To be saved, we must repent of sin.
We need to confess the lordship of Jesus. Paul wrote, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). This confession results in salvation because we declare who Jesus is in Heaven and in our hearts: He is enthroned. This confession demands that our faith do whatever He says. If we call Him “Lord,” then we must do His will (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21-23). If we are not willing to confess Him as Lord, then we will not be saved. To be saved, we must confess Him. But, we are still not done.
We need to be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins. In Acts 2, those Jews that gathered to hear the sermon asked Peter the jailer’s same question. Peter responded, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (vs. 38). This baptism is immersion in water (Acts 8:36) and its purpose is “for the forgiveness of sins.” In other words, our faith response demands obedience. Baptism is commanded by Jesus (Mark 16:16), Peter (Acts 2:38) and Paul (Acts 16:34). Therefore, it must be from God. If we are going to respond in faith (take God at His word), then we will obey as He commands. When we are baptized, we no more rely on ourselves for salvation than we do when we respond in faith to anything God commands: confess, repent or believe. Instead, we act in reliance upon the work of God for our salvation through faith (Colossians 2:11-13). So to be saved, we must be baptized for the remission of sins.
Finally, though, baptism is no more the end of trusting faith than it is the end of obedience. It is the beginning of a new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17) where Christ lives within us (Galatians 2:20) and we walk by faith. If we drift away from its promises (Hebrews 2:1-4), we are in danger of falling away. However, God will help us as we strive to grow (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15-16). He will forgive our sins as we confess to Him (1 John 1:7-9). So to be saved, we must live a faithful, obedient life.
The life of a Christian is worthwhile. We can live with confidence and hope because we have the hope of heaven, the help of God, the forgiveness of sins, and the fellowship of godly people because Jesus is the reason we have them all. Heaven is our aim. Eternal Life is our reward of grace. Won’t you answer this question and then follow Christ?
by Don Hooton