Studying the Bible -- What Must I Do to be Saved?

On the day of Pentecost, Peter told a group of Jews that Jesus, whom they killed, was the Son of God and the King that they were looking for. The stunned hearers begged Peter to tell them what to do (Acts 2:37). Since all have sinned, this is the most important question to ask.

The Jerusalem audience was not told to pray a "Sinner's Prayer" that you will find in many tracts and hear on radio and television. In fact, you will not find the "Sinner's Prayer" or any variation in the Bible, nor will you read of people being told to pray the sinner's prayer. So what did he tell them to do?

Peter told them to repent and be baptized in order to wash away their sins (Acts 2:38). Jesus commanded His disciples to do this when they spread the gospel message (Mark 16:15-16). In Mark 16 belief is added to the requirements of what one must do in order to be saved. We also must confess Jesus as the Christ (Romans 10:10; Acts 8:36-38). All of these are connected to salvation in the scriptures. We cannot take any of the steps out (belief, repentance, confession, or baptism) since the Bible teaches all are necessary for salvation.


References (King James version):

Acts 2:37     "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?"

Acts 2:38     "Then Peter said unto them, 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."

Mark 16:15-16     "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Romans 10:10     "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Acts 8:36-38     "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."