“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” — Answering The World’s Greatest Question
Straight From the Bible
Ben Justice
The question, “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” (or its equivalent) is asked three times in the book of Acts. It
is found in Acts 2:37; 9:6; 16:30.
The Bible is so clear and plain in answering this question, we wonder how people miss it. Truly, “the god of
this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the
image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Cor.).
Do you believe that God has a plan of salvation for the saving of your soul? In Acts 2:47, this thrilling
statement is made: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Note these important
points from this scripture:
1.) A person does not “join” the church, but is “added” to it by the Lord.
2.) The church is none other than the Lord’s church — the one he promised to build in Matt. 16:18.
3.) This adding was happening on a daily basis.
4.) The text is clear concerning whom the Lord added to the church. The Lord added the “saved” to the
church. Hence, the saved are in the church. This is a tremendously important point, for some have been
known to say: “Give me Jesus, but not the church.” This is wrong, for one cannot separate Jesus from his
church. Jesus is the head of the church — his body (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18). Jesus purchased the church
with his own blood (Acts 20:28). When one makes such a statement, he is actually showing contempt for the
blood of Jesus.
The saved are in the church, because this is where the Lord puts them. The antithesis of this is true as
well: There are no saved outside of the Lord’s church. Paul declared in Eph. 5:23, “. . . and he (Jesus) is the
savior of the body.” Since the body is the church (Eph. 1:22-23), then Jesus is the savior of the church.
Doesn’t it follow that I must be in that body — church — in order to be saved? The honest and rational
person who desires to be saved will answer in the affirmative.
But, there is still a question that deserves an answer. The question is, “What did those people in Acts 2:47
do to be saved?” If I can answer that question, then why can’t I do the same thing and that result in my
salvation and the Lord adding me to his church? In order to answer this eternally important question, we
must back up in the context.
The day of Pentecost had come (Acts 2:1) and there were people “out of every nation under heaven present”
(v. 5-11). In v. 14, the apostle Peter began preaching the word of God to the people. Finally, in v. 37, the
inspired record says, “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?” Now, let’s stop right here and examine what we
have. The text tells us that “they heard this.” Heard what? Obviously, Peter’s preaching (v. 14-36). How
could anyone know what God expects of them unless they first of all hear what God expects of them. In other
words, one must learn what he must do to be saved. Jesus clearly taught this in John 6:45 — “It is written in
the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the
Father, cometh unto me.” Maybe you don’t know what to do to obey the Lord and be saved, because you have
not been taught. If you desire to go to heaven, and you are unsaved or unsure about your salvation, then by
all means learn the truth about salvation. But, let’s continue further.
Notice as well in v. 37 that the text tells us, “they were pricked in their heart.” The word “pricked” simply
means, “convicted.” In other words, they “believed” what they heard. They believed and accepted Peter’s
message. Therefore, faith is involved in God’s plan to save man. But, there must be hearing first. In Rom.
10:14, Paul taught that one cannot even believe until he first of all hears. This is the logical and scriptural
order.
Moving on in the context of Acts 2, the people asked a question in v. 37: “Men and brethren, what shall we
do?” Was there anything else to do? Note the response of Peter to their question in v. 38, “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.” Can you understand the words of Peter, in what he said to those people? The words of Peter are
crystal clear in what one must do to have the remission of sins. Peter pointed out two things that must be
complied with before remission of sins can be realized — (1) repent and (2) be baptized. Now, let’s look at
this a little closer.
“Repent” and “be baptized” are joined together by the coordinating conjunction “and.” This conjunction joins
“repent” and “be baptized” together. So, both “repent” and “be baptized” have as their goal “the remission of
sins.” In other words, you can’t have one without the other. Note what Peter did not say. He did not say,
“Repent for the remission of sins and be baptized.” He did not say, “Be baptized for the remission of sins
and repent.” The word “for” in connection with the remission of sins means, “unto," or "in the direction of”
and not “because of.” In other words, a person repents and is baptized in order to have the remission of sins.
See also Acts 22:16.
According to Peter, how many were to repent and be baptized? Peter said, “every one of you.” That left no
one out.
It was to be done “in the name of Jesus Christ.” This expression means, “by the authority of Jesus.”
Indeed, Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28:18; Acts 4:12; Col. 3:17).
But someone at this point may ask, “Just what does it mean to repent and what is baptism?” This is a great
question, and one, again, the Bible answers in very clear terms. First, the word “repent” comes from a word
that literally means, “to change the mind.” In other words, one changes his mind about the way is going to
live in this world. When a person says, “I repent,” they are essentially saying, “I am no longer going to live
after the ways of the world, but the after the ways of God.” Jesus said if we do not repent, we shall perish
(Luke 13:3, 5). See also Acts 17:30.
The word “baptism” comes from a word that literally denotes “a burial or immersion.” Indeed, baptism is
pictured throughout the NT as a burial in water. See Acts 8:38-39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12. For other scriptures
on the essentiality of baptism, see also Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27; I Pet. 3:21.
Now, let’s stop at this point and consider what he have thus far.
1.) They have heard God’s heard (v. 37).
2.) They have believed (accepted) God’s word (v. 37).
3.) Next, they asked, “What shall we do?” (v. 37).
4.) Peter then issued two specific commands — repent and be baptized. The purpose of which was for (in
order to) the remission of sins (v. 38).
The question is, "Did they comply with the terms Peter had set forth so they could receive the remission of
their sins?"
Verse 41 states, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto
them about three thousand souls.” If they were baptized, then what did Peter say this would result in? He said
in v. 38 that it was “for the remission of sins.” Therefore, they received the remission of their sins.
This brings us again to v. 47 — “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved.” “Saved” is equivalent and synonymous with “remission of sins.” They
received the remission of their sins when they complied with the terms Peter set forth in v. 38. Jesus said
in Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, . . .” Note that Jesus placed salvation after
baptism. Peter placed remission of sins after baptism. It is therefore clear that when one has received the
remission (or forgiveness) of his sins that he has been saved and vice verse.
Here is an extremely and vitally important point. The Lord added the saved to the church, but yet, the saved
are those who:
1.) Heard God’s Word (v. 37).
2.) Accepted God’s Word through faith (v. 37).
3.) Repented (v. 38).
4.) Baptized (v. 38, 41).
The very same process that results in salvation is the very same process that results in the Lord adding me
to his church. It’s just that simple.
As we read Matt. 10:32-33, Acts 8:37 and Rom. 10:9-10, confession is also a condition for salvation. The record
in Acts 2 does not say anything about their confession. No, it doesn't explicitly, but it is very much implied.
After all, some of the very ones who were present had crucified Jesus (v. 36). Of course, they confessed
Jesus to be God’s Son — the Messiah. God’s Plan of Salvation is:
1.) Hear God’s Word
2.) Accept God’s Word through faith
3.) Repent of sins
4.) Confess Christ to be God’s Son
5.) Be immersed in water
When one complies with the above, salvation is the result. And, what does the Lord do with the saved? He
adds them to his church. Therefore, the saved are in the church. Question: “What denomination did the
ones in Acts 2:47 become a member of?” The answer is, “NOT A SINGLE ONE!” There were no
denominations then. All Protestant denominational bodies in existence today had there beginning several
hundred years after the statement was made in Acts 2:47. The people in Acts 2 became members of Christ’s
one church — His one body (Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:4). What a glorious plan of salvation! Have you obeyed it?