What Must I Do To Be Saved?

No one verse of scripture in the New Testament contains all that is involved in God's plan of salvation. Although God's plan is very simple, one must search the scriptures diligently to understand all that is involved in the salvation process. Study the following verses and they will help guide you to a better understanding of God's will for your life.
  1. You must first hear His Word and believe it.
    1. Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
    2. Romans 1:17 "For therin is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'"
  2. You must repent of your sins.
    1. Luke 13:3 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
    2. Acts 17:30 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent."
  1. You must confess the name of Jesus Christ before men.
    1. Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."
    2. Romans 10:9 "That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
  1. You must be buried with Christ by baptism.
    1. Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death…"
    2. Acts 2:38,41 "…Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin…Then they that gladly received his word were baptized…"
    3. 1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…"
  2. These steps add you to the church or the body of Christ.
    1. Acts 2:31,47 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day were added unto them about three thousand souls. …And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
    2. 1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into the body…"
This study chart below summarizes the nine conversion experiences in the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts is a history of the Church. It contains the first gospel sermon and the first response to the question, "What must we do?" As you study these events you will find all of the important ingredients in the salvation process.

Examples of Conversion in the Book of Acts
Scripture
Preacher/ Subject
Heard the Gospel
Believed the Gospel
Repented of Sins
Confessed Christ
Baptized
When Baptized?
Promises
Acts 2:22-41
Peter – Jews of every nation
Heard
Verse 37
Believed
Verse 44
Repented
Verse 41
 
Baptized
Verse 41
Forgiven
that day
Verse 41
Forgiveness of sin
Verse 38
Acts 8:5-17
Phillip – Samaritans
Heard
Verse 6
Believed
Verse 12


Baptized
Verse 12
When they heard
Verse 12

Acts 8:26-39
Phillip – Man of Ethiopia
Heard
Verse 35
Believed
Verse 37

Confessed
Verse 37
Baptized
Verse 38
At once
Verse 36-38

Acts 22:3-16
Ananias – Saul of Tarsus
Heard
Verse 7
Believed
Verse 10


Baptized
Verse 16
Without tarrying
Verse 16

Acts 10:33-48
Peter – Cornelius
Heard
Verse 33
Believed
Verse 43
Repentance Granted
Acts 11:18

Baptized
Verse 48
At once
Verse 48
Saved
Acts 11:14
Acts 16:13-15
Paul – Lydia
Heard
Verse 14
Believed
Verse 14


Baptized
Verse 15
When she heard
Verse 15

Acts 16:25-34
Paul – Jailer at Philippi
Heard
Verse 32
Believed
Verse 31


Baptized
Verse 33
Same hour
Verse 33
Saved
Verse 31
Acts 18:8
Paul – The Corinthians
Heard
Verse 8
Believed
Verse 8


Baptized
Verse 8
On believing
Verse 8

Acts 19:1-20
Paul – The Ephesians
Heard
Verse 5
Believed
Verse 4


Baptized
Verse 5
When they heard
Verse 5

Source: The Christian Contender Magazine Download Version