What must I do to be saved?

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). How convenient and clear to find this particular question asked and answered in the Bible! It is found in the story of one event in Philippi on Paul’s second preaching trip. Read Acts 16:11-40 to get the whole story. This beautiful story of conversion deserves to be read carefully.

What is the answer to this question asked by a jailor? Note carefully the full answer in the story: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. you and your household.” That is how people are saved. Faith is the fundamental condition of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Too many people stop at this statement and conclude that this mental acceptance of Christ is the whole story. NO! The story continues: “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house” (Acts 16:32). Salvation by faith means one must hear and be taught the word of God. What was the result of the teaching? “And he (jailor) took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes” (Acts 16:33). The gospel converted the punishing jailor into a kind, healing man. The change of ways is repentance – to stop sin and do right. That is what true believers do. That is what they must do.

“And immediately he and all his family were baptized” (Acts 16:33). Can we leave this fact out of the salvation plan of faith? It cannot be pushed aside as unnecessary because of the next statement: “Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household” (Acts 16:34)

This salvation story begins and ends by declaring salvation by faith. Saving faith changes a person. It humbles and moves people to respond to God in faith. See the harmony of these principles in God’s plan. Do not make the mistake of turning repentance and obedience (baptism) into an enemy of or competitor with faith. This man did all those things “having believed.”

Let me know if you would like to study this subject some more.