The Most Important Question

The Bible contains many different examples of people asking questions of Godly teachers. These questions are recorded for examples of what God wants us to do today. But of all these questions, none are as important as the question asked, “What must I do to be saved?”

When Peter was preaching in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost he reasoned from the scriptures about Jesus being the Christ and Messiah. Peter stated, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified” Acts 2:36. The people, after hearing this great condemnation, were terrified for what they had done. Peter had convinced them that they were guilty of crucifying the Lord! Fully believing in Jesus and in the fact that they had done wrong, they asked the question, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37.

Saul of Tarsus decided to travel to Damascus in order to persecute Christians. The Bible reads, “And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Acts 9:3-4. In the following verses, Saul learns that he is persecuting Jesus himself. Fully believing in Jesus and that he was Lord of all, Saul asked, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Acts 9:6.

Paul the Apostle was traveling on a missionary journey through Philippi. After being persecuted and thrown in prison, the Lord miraculously opened the prison so Paul could escape. Thinking the prisoners had escaped, the jailor decided to kill himself. Paul shouted out, “Do thyself no harm: for we are all here” Acts 16.28. The jailor, realizing that Paul was preaching for the living God asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16.30.

The answer to these questions is always the same. Peter told the people “Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:38. Jesus told Saul, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” Acts 9.6. The prophet of God in the city asked Paul, “And now why do you wait? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name” Acts 22:16. Paul told the Jailor “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”, Acts 16.31, and in verse 32 it is reported that he “was baptized”, fulfilling the command of Jesus, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” Mark 16:16.

God clearly demonstrates that in order to be saved one must hear about Jesus, believe in him, and then be baptized. The answer was never “Just believe”, “Accept Jesus into your heart”, or “say the ‘Sinners Prayer’”. True belief in God means accepting God's word for what must be done in order to be saved.