WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Perhaps the most important question a human being can ask is, “What must I do to be saved?” We can find the question in the New Testament in Acts 16:30, asked by the Philippian Jailer. Those who were convicted of crucifying the Messiah by the apostle Peter in Acts chapter 2 asked, “…what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Jesus in Acts 9:5, 6 told Saul to go into Damascus, and it would be told him what he must do. In Acts 22:10 Saul said, “What shall I do, Lord?” Have you asked that question? Are you looking in the right place, the New Testament?

When we turn to the Inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:3) to find what is involved in becoming saved, we must allow God’s Word to be the final answer, the only answer, that will guide us into that straight and narrow way to Heaven, God’s eternal home, because that is what being saved is all about;

Matthew 7:13, 14.

When you study your New Testament, you will find that there are five works from God that we must do in order to be saved from our past sins. (All that God tells us to do are ‘works’ from Him: John 6:28, 29)

1. We must hear the Gospel: Romans 10:17, but not be hearers only: James 1:22, 23.

2. We must believe the Gospel: John 3:16, but not be believers only: James 2:24, 26.

3. We must repent of our sins: Acts 17:30, 31, which means we turn away from them: I Cor. 6:9 – 11.

4. We must confess Christ before men: Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9, 10, which is the ‘good confession’ we read about in

I Timothy 6:13. See also Hebrews 4:14; 10:23.

5. We must be baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins: Acts 2:38; 8:36 – 38; 10:47, 48;

16:30 – 34; 18:8; 22:16. This is the new birth: John 3:3-5. This is where we reach the soul saving

blood of Jesus Christ: Romans 6:3-6. This is how we get into Christ: Galatians 3:26, 27, which puts

us into His body, the church: I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:4; of which He is the

Savior: Ephesians 5:23. This is the washing of regeneration: Titus 3:5. This is how our Creator has

chosen to save us through obedience to Him with a good conscience: I Peter 3:21; Hebrews 5:8, 9.

When we accomplish these works from God, He delivers us out of the power of darkness, and translates

us into the kingdom of the Son of His love: Colossians 1:12-14. This is how we purify our souls, by obeying the Truth: I Peter 1:22.

Remember, we can NEVER boast in doing the works of God! Luke 17:10.

Question, are we saved eternally at this point? Certainly not! Read Acts 14:22; II Peter 1:10, 11. We must give much diligence to walk worthily of the calling wherewith we were called…keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: Ephesians 4:1-6; II Peter 1:5-11. We must work out our own salvation: Philippians 2:12. The apostle Paul knew he could fall away from the Faith, and be rejected by God: I Corinthians 9:24-27. Some christians did fall away from Grace: Galatians 5:4, 7.

We must seek to be ‘True Worshippers’ in God’s sight: John 4:23, 24. This involves assembling with christians: Hebrews 10:25.

Five worship activities are found in the New Testament for us to do:

1. Sing together: Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16.

2. Pray together: Acts 2:42; 12:5.

3. Study God’s Word together: Acts 2:42; 17:11.

4. On the Lord’s Day, Sunday, we are to take the Lord’s Supper: Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:23-29;

5. On the Lord’s Day, Sunday, we are to give of our means: I Cor. 16:1, 2.

Are you doing these things dear reader? If not, why not? Won’t you seek to become a true worshipper in God’s sight? Yes, there are many worshippers today, but God will accept only ‘true’ worshippers.

All other worshipper’s are either ‘vain’ worshippers; Matthew 15:8, 9; ‘ignorant’ worshippers; Acts 17:23; or will-worshippers; Colossians 2:20-23. We pray that you will study these Scriptures with your Bible, and obey His Will, His way.