"WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?"

• Introduction 
  1. Examples Of The Question  
     1. Acts 16:16-30
        The Philippian jailor asked it when he was convinced that he had done wrong to the men of God.
     2. Acts 2:22-37
        Jews from all over the world asked a variation of this question when they were convicted of murdering Christ Jesus.
  2. Validity Of The Question 
     1. Mankind needs salvation.
        1. All sin.
           1. Ecclesiastes 7:20
              None are without sin.
           2. 1 John 1:8, 10
              To claim otherwise is a sin.
           3. Romans 3:23
              When we commit sin, we fall short of God's glory.
        2. Sin demands punishment.
           1. Romans 6:23; James 1:13-15
              Sin earns death.
           2. Revelation 21:8
              This death is the second death in the lake of fire.
           3. Ezekiel 18:4, 20
              Sin is repaid on an individual basis.
        3. God wants to save you.
           1. 2 Peter 3:9
              He delays ultimate judgment for our sakes.
           2. Romans 5:6-8
              He loves us so much that His Son died for our salvation.
           3. Revelation 22:17
              This salvation is freely available to all.
     2. Mankind bears responsibility in receiving salvation.
        1. Hebrews 5:9
           Jesus is the Savior of the obedient.
        2. Philippians 2:12
           Every soul is responsible to work toward salvation.

1. Learn The Gospel  
   1. The Necessity Of Learning.  
      1. John 6:45
         The gospel is a taught religion.
      2. It is neither inherited by birthright, nor mysteriously zapped into the heart by the Holy Spirit.
   2. The Nature Of Learning.  
      1. What must be learned is the gospel.
         1. Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18
            The gospel, or the message of the cross, is God's power to save man from sin.
         2. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
            The essential facts of the gospel are these:
            1. Christ died for our sins.
            2. He was buried three days.
            3. He arose from the dead.
      2. Faith can be gained by reading the scriptures.
         1. John 20:30-31
            The acts of Christ were recorded in order to produce saving faith.
         2. 2 Timothy 3:15
            The scriptures can impart wisdom as to how to be saved.
      3. Similarly, faith is achieved by hearing the word of God proclaimed.
         1. Romans 10:14, 17; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 15:11
            Salvation cannot occur without preaching.
         2. Acts 2:36-38; 4:4; 8:12; 19:5
            There are several recorded instances in which hearing produced faith.
   3. The insufficiency of learning alone.  
      1. Hebrews 4:2
         It is unprofitable to hear the gospel, but not believe it.
      2. Luke 8:15
         Hearing must be done with a noble heart that fruit may result.
      3. Matthew 7:24-27
         Those who hear the Lord's teaching, without obeying it, are foolish.
      4. James 1:22-25
         To hear, but not obey, is self-deceptive.
      5. Romans 2:13
         Learning the gospel cannot justify those who do not obey it.
      6. John 5:24
         To avoid judgment, one must hear and believe.
      7. Matthew 28:19
         Learning must be accompanied by baptism.
2. Believe On GOD In CHRIST  
   1. The Necessity Of Faith.  
      1. Hebrews 11:6
         God will not be pleased without it.
      2. John 3:16, 18; 8:24
         Failure to believe will result in condemnation.
   2. The Nature Of Faith.  
      1. Hebrews 11:1
         Faith is confidence in that which cannot be seen.
      2. 2 Corinthians 5:7
         Faith should replace the physical senses.
      3. John 20:24-29
         Jesus blesses those who will believe without seeing.
      4. 1 Peter 1:3-9
         Faith is genuine that endures tribulation, though its object is unseen.
      5. 2 Corinthians 4:18; Romans 8:24
         That which is unseen is permanent; it is eternal.
   3. The Insufficiency Of Faith Alone.  
      1. James 2:14-26
         "Faith without works is dead."
      2. Hebrews 3:18-19
         Unbelief equals disobedience. Therefore, belief requires obedience.
      3. John 1:12
         Notice that one does not become a child of God at the point of faith; rather, he receives the right to do so at that time.
      4. Mark 16:16
         Belief must be accompanied by baptism.
3. Confess CHRIST  
   1. The necessity of confession.  
      1. Romans 10:10
         The natural product of faith is confession of that which is believed.
      2. Romans 10:13
         Salvation is available to those who will call on the Lord's name.
      3. Philippians 2:9-11
         To confess His name is to glorify God.
      4. 1 John 4:2-3; 2 John 7
         Failure to confess Him is antichrist.
   2. The nature of confession.  
      1. The confession commanded for salvation is not an admission of sin, but a profession of faith.
         1. Romans 10:9
            Salvation comes from believing that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing such.
         2. Acts 8:36-38
            A qualified candidate for baptism must express his belief in Jesus Christ.
      2. Confession is no private matter.
         1. Matthew 10:32-33
            Christ demands that one name Him publicly, or He will deny that person before His Father.
         2. John 12:42-43
            To receive the praise of God, one must be willing to publicly confess the name of Christ, regardless of the sacrifice.
         3. Mark 8:38
            Those who are ashamed to confess Christ now, Christ will be ashamed of in the future.
   3. The insufficiency of confession alone.  
      1. Matthew 7:21
         To simply call on the Lord's name is not enough to be saved. Obedience is demanded, as well.
      2. Acts 22:16
         Confession must be accompanied by baptism.
      3. Hebrews 10:23
         The confession must be adhered to persistently.
4. Repent Of Sin  
   1. The necessity of repentance.  
      1. Luke 13:3, 5
         Failure to repent will result in destruction.
      2. Acts 17:30
         Repentance is universally required. Ignorance will not be excused.
   2. The nature of repentance.  
      1. 2 Corinthians 7:10
         Repentance is the product of godly sorrow. Because it is its result, repentance is not the same as remorse.
      2. Acts 3:19
         Repentance is conversion - a change in behavior.
      3. Matthew 12:41
         Jesus said that those in Nineveh repented when Jonah preached to them.
      4. Jonah 3:5-10
         The Ninevites' repentance involved genuine expression of remorse, followed by "every one turn[ing] from his evil way."
   3. The insufficiency of repentance alone.  
      1. Matthew 3:8
         Repentance is not an end unto itself.
      2. Acts 2:38
         Repentance must be accompanied by baptism.
5. Be Baptized  
   1. The necessity of baptism.  
      1. Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-6
         In baptism, one puts on Christ.
         1. 2 Corinthians 5:17
            It is only in Christ that one becomes new.
         2. Ephesians 1:3
            All spiritual blessings are found in Him.
      2. 1 Peter 3:21
         Salvation is available in baptism.
      3. Acts 2:38
         Baptism accomplishes remission of sins.
         1. Acts 10:43
            Therefore, it is no less important than faith.
         2. Matthew 26:28
            Sinners need to be baptized for the same reason Jesus shed His blood.
   2. The nature of baptism.  
      1. Baptism requires water.
         1. John 3:5
            Jesus taught the need for a rebirth in water.
         2. Acts 8:35-36
            The presence of water enables baptism.
         3. Acts 10:47
            Baptism could be prevented by withholding water.
         4. 1 Peter 3:20-21
            The salvation of baptism corresponds to the watery salvation Noah's family received during the flood.
      2. Baptism is immersion.
         1. This is verified by the Greek word from which it is translated.
         2. Acts 8:38-39; Matthew 3:16
            Baptism involves going "down into the water" and coming "up out of the water."
         3. Colossians 2:11-12; Romans 6:3-6
            Baptism is described, more than once, as a burial. To bury a person demands more than sprinkling or pouring; rather, it requires a total covering.
         4. John 3:23
            John chose to baptize where he did because of the abundance of water in that location.
      3. Baptism is more than a bath.
         1. 1 Peter 3:21
            A physical cleansing is not the object of baptism. Its purpose is to clean the conscience.
         2. John 3:5
            Water without Spirit is useless.
   3. The insufficiency of baptism alone.  
      1. A lifelong commitment to God's service is necessary.
         1. 1 Corinthians 15:58
            Christians are required to always be busy with the Lord's work.
         2. Revelation 2:10; 2 Timothy 4:7-8
            A great reward awaits those who remain faithful until death.
      2. Baptism requires a commitment to the church.
         1. Acts 2:40-41, 47
            Baptism is necessary to be saved, and those who are saved are added by the Lord to the church.
         2. 1 Corinthians 12:13
            Baptism puts one into the body.
         3. Ephesians 1:22-23
            The church is Christ's body.
         4. Ephesians 4:11-16
            Every member of the body is responsible for its edification.

• Conclusion 
  1. The accompanying chart (page 12) illustrates the need to combine every step in God's plan in order to receive His salvation.
  2. Having been informed of God's plan for man's salvation, it is important not to respond impulsively, but to deliberate with all due consideration for the serious commitment it involves.
     1. Luke 14:25-33
        1. Jesus requires total, sacrificial commitment to Him and His cause (26-27, 33).
        2. Thus, the cost must be measured prior to commitment (28-32).
     2. Luke 8:4-15
        Before submitting to the gospel plan, one should resolve to keep the word in his heart, refusing to allow the devil to take it away.
     3. Ecclesiastes 5:5
        God prefers that no commitment be entered into, than that one commit without fulfilling his obligation.
  3. Knowing the gospel plan and determining to obey it, there is no cause for delay.
     1. Acts 16:30-33
        Upon hearing the word of the Lord, the jailor of Philippi and his whole family, were immediately baptized. Baptism does not need to be scheduled and it must not be postponed.
     2. Acts 22:16
        Having been sent by the Lord to convert Saul of Tarsus, Ananias asked him why he hesitated, then commanded him to be baptized.
     3. 2 Corinthians 6:2
        There is no time like the present to be saved!
        1. James 4:13-17
           1. There is no guarantee of tomorrow (13-14).
           2. That being so, may we never fail to do that which we know is right (17).
        2. 2 Peter 3:10-14
           Because the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, it is necessary to be always prepared.