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What
Must I Do To Be Saved?
In
light of the following facts, this is a very reasonable question:
1. We all need saving. Only the most callous will argue that they
are completely free from guilt. Our own moral shortcomings and failures
are just too obvious (Romans 3:23). How many former teenagers tend
to wince when reading Romans 1:29-32? 2. The question "What
must I do" also infers that we don't possess the answer to
this question within ourselves. Such knowledge isn't instinctive
and neither has God directly communicated the answer to each member
of the human race (Jeremiah 10:23). 3. The question is also legitimate,
because the apostles never rebuked anyone for asking it: (Acts 2:37
"Brethren, what shall we do?"; Acts 16:30 "Sirs,
what must I do to be saved?") 4. "I": Infers that
someone can't take my place or be saved for me. God hasn't allowed
individuals to answer for the actions and attitudes of others. I
am accountable to God. When I was younger my contemporaries would
argue that there was nothing to that "God-stuff", or as
I recently heard a popular radio talk show host telling someone
who really confused about spiritual truths, "Ah, don't worry
about it". But how could any human opinion every override the
views of a all-knowing, eternal, all-powerful, holy and righteous
God? (Romans 3:4) 5. "Do": In earlier days I knew I had
sinned, but I thought that God had taken care of everything. Jesus
died for all men, therefore all men are forgiven-automatically.
But the apostles never said, "Don't fret about it, there is
nothing you can do." Obviously, the death of Jesus didn't unconditionally
and automatically save anyone (2 Thess. 1:8 "dealing out retribution
to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel..";
Matthew 7:21). 6. "Saved": The purpose of religion goes
far deeper than stimulating the mind, humanitarian causes, or a
massive self-improvement course. There exists a fate from which
I need to be saved! Therefore, sin (and my sins) can never be downgraded
into a mere personality disorder, problem, addiction, compulsive
behavior, disease or unconventional lifestyle. Sin is a violation
of things which are eternality right and wrong (Galatians 5:21)
7. The answer to the above question must be within the understanding
of all, for all need to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). The answer or conditions
for salvation must be something that all can give or do. 8. Therefore
we must reject all claims that the Bible has been corrupted, or
that books have been removed or lost, or even, that it isn't complete
or no longer relevant to our generation. To contend that the Bible
is not an infallible and complete guide, is to contend that there
exists no answer to the above question. And hence every person is
consigned to die hopelessly unprepared (note Paul's reasoning in
1 Corinthians 15:17).
How
Would You Inform Mankind?
Put The Answer In Many Places:
God
can get our attention by simply repeating the same truths over
and over again. In the gospels, the need to hear the word of God
is stressed (Mark 16:15; John 6:44-45; Matthew 13:23). The importance
of a faith that responds to whatever God requires (Luke 6:46),
which is much more than mere mental acceptance (John 12:42-43),
but is anchored in the conviction that Jesus is the Son of God
(John 3:16). Repentance is stressed (Luke 24:47), as a condition
which must be meet in order to obtain forgiveness (17:3-4). Jesus
also talked about the need to make a confession of one's faith
in Him as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32-33). In addition, the
gospels do not neglect to add that one must be baptized to be
saved (Mark 16:16). And this isn't some type of cultural fabric
which can be discarded, rather it applies to all nations (Matthew
28:19). Some have tried to argue that Matthew 28:19 is teaching
that one becomes a disciple prior to baptism. Actually, the passage
is teaching that baptism is included in the process by which one
is made a disciple. Mark 16:16 fully backs up this interpretation
and so does Acts 2:38 and John 3:5. One can't enter the Kingdom
of God until they are born of both water and the spirit. Baptism
is part of the process of being born again. The gospels also emphasize
that the person contemplating following Christ must be prepared
to count the cost and place obedience to Jesus as the first priority
(Matthew 10:34-39; Luke 14:25-35). Thus beware when someone tries
to sell you on the idea of an easy and convenient relationship
with God, avenue to heaven, or a way in which you can be saved
and yet still live the life that you selfishly want to live. Be
impressed that Jesus expected the same standard of dedication
from all who would follow Him. Luke 14:26ff was addressed to the
multitudes and not merely to the apostles. It seems that today
some assume that one can be far less committed to Christ than
the apostles or the early Christians and yet still end up saved.
All
of the above truths are also found in the letters written to congregations
and individual Christians: Hearing the gospel (Romans 1:16; 10:17).
Just any message won't save you, even a very religious message,
or a message which is kind of close to the truth (Galatians 1:6-9).
A faith which is more than an intellectual response (Romans 4:18-22;
James 2:19-26; Hebrews 10:38 "..My righteous one shall live
by faith…"; 10:39 "..those who have faith to the
preserving of the soul"). An honest person cannot read Hebrews
chapter 11 and walk away thinking that the faith that saves is the
mere mental acceptance that God exists or that Jesus is the Son
of God. Repentance is mentioned (2 Corinthians 7:10-11), and so
is confession (Romans 10:9-10). The necessity of being baptized
pops up over and over again: A. Baptism stands between one and the
death of Jesus (Romans 6:3). B. Stands between one and newness of
life (Romans 6:4). C. Stands between one and being a child of God
(Galatians 3:26-27). D. Between one and being in Christ (Galatians
3:27). E. Between one and inheriting the promise made to Abraham
(Galatians 3:28-29). F. Between one and spiritual life (Eph. 2:5).
G. Between one and the grace of God (2:5). H. Between one and forgiveness
(Colossians 2:12-13). I. Between one and being saved (1 Peter 3:21
"baptism now saves you").
Give
A Clear Pattern To Follow
In
the book of Acts God has given us a record of what people did to
become Christians. The cases of conversion which God wanted preserved
include both Jews and Gentiles, groups and individuals, men and
women, good moral people and notorious sinners. The educated and
the ignorant, upper class, middle class and bargain basement. But
all of the above people were told to do the same thing. One plan
of salvation, one set of conditions apply to all. And these conditions
were not changed or altered when the apostles and early Christian
preachers encountered different cultures, social strata's or ethnic
groups. Certain points need to be made before we examine the following
examples: 1. The same conditions required of them to be saved-are
also required today. Time and culture do not change these conditions.
Paul noted that the teaching on baptism is just as important as
the teaching concerning faith, hope, Christ, the Church or God (Ephesians
4:4-6 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were
called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all.."). 2. We can never accept the argument
that people in fall off lands don't need to be baptized to be saved.
Or, that a cultural equivalent can be substituted for baptism. Can
a cultural equivalent be substituted for faith in Jesus as the Son
of God? Or repentance? 3. In all of these examples we never find
anyone being told that one is saved at the point they mentally accept
that Jesus is their Savior. We also never find anyone being told
that prayer is the final condition before salvation. We never find
anyone being told that baptism is unnecessary or that one is saved
prior to being baptized. We never find babies being baptized, or
adults being baptized for other adults. 4. It is never argued that
Jesus may not be the only way to God (Acts 4:12). To argue that
one can be saved without becoming a Christian, accuses God of: A.
Causing needless division in the world. Being the cause for all
the religious wars and strife. B. Having His Son die a cruel death
when such was completely unnecessary. C. Having the apostles and
early Christians sacrifice their lives in preaching a message that
wasn't really that essential after all.
The Pattern
ACTS
CHAPTER 2: They heard the gospel (2:37), believed what they
heard ("brethren, what shall we do?"). They were not
told: "There is nothing you can do, don't worry you are already
saved, or pray the following prayer". They were told to repent.
Notice that repentance is linked with being baptized and both
are placed prior to the forgiveness of sins (2:38). To argue one
can be saved prior to baptism, must also concede that one is saved
prior to repentance. In fact, one would also have to argue that
one is saved prior to faith (Mark 16:16). Baptism is not suggested,
but is commanded. Neither are these people told to repent now
and then be baptized at some time in the future. None are said
to be saved-prior to baptism (2:40). Baptism is linked with accepting
the message (i.e. faith) (Acts 2:41).
ACTS
8:12: The same pattern, hearing, faith and baptism.
ACTS
8:26-40: In order to believe in Jesus, one must hear what to
believe (8:35). Which means that a corrupted gospel cannot save,
even if one happens to be immersed. As someone noted you cannot
be taught wrong and baptized right. Paul would agree (Galatians
1:6-9). Baptism is once again taught as an immediate necessity (8:36).
One hasn't preached Jesus unless one preaches what Jesus taught,
including baptism (8:35-36). An example of a confession in Christ
is found prior to baptism (8:37). The baptism commanded is in water
and it is immersion (8:38).
ACTS
10: Even religious, good moral people need to be saved (10:2;
11:13-14). Hearing the gospel (10:33); faith (10:43) are stressed.
Baptism is once again commanded (10:47-48), and the baptism commanded
is water baptism.
ACTS
16:14-15: Hearing, faith and baptism.
ACTS
16:30-34: Again, Paul never taught that salvation was unconditional,
or that the grace of God automatically covers sin at the moment
it is committed. There is something that we must do (16:30-31).
Faith in Jesus is stressed (16:31), but the Jailer needed to hear
what he must believe about Jesus (16:32). Baptism was immediate
(16:33) and is an act of faith (16:34; Colossians 2:12 "..raised
up with Him through faith in the working of God").
ACTS
9:1-19/22:16: Saul wasn't saved by an experience or even a personal
encounter with God Himself (9:5-6). Neither was he saved at the
point of extreme repentance (9:9) or sincere prayer (9:11). Here
is a man who truly believed that Jesus was the Lord, he didn't know
this by faith-he knew it by sight! And yet, his sins were not forgiven
until he met all the conditions for salvation, including baptism
(22:16).
Mark Dunagan | Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net | mdunagan@easystreet.com
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