How to Be Saved: Essential Beliefs to Escape the Coming Wrath
The Core Message of the Gospel
He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
The Philippian jailer, overwhelmed with despair and about to take his own life, suddenly experienced a moment of clarity. Fearing the consequences if Paul and Silas had escaped, he realized the truth of the message they had been proclaiming—through their preaching, praying, and singing during their time in Philippi. In desperation, he cried out in faith, asking what he needed to do to be saved.
This question echoes through time: "What must I do to be saved?" It's essential to understand that the jailer had already heard the core aspects of Paul’s message about Jesus. He needed to know how to respond to these truths. So, what are those core truths and how do we respond?
Where Do We Learn the Message of Salvation?
The message of salvation is found in the Word of God, the Bible. Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan through history, culminating in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. It’s in God’s Word that we understand our sinfulness, God’s holiness, and the means by which we can be reconciled to Him.
Romans 10:17: "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."This verse highlights the importance of the Scriptures in building our faith. Salvation begins with hearing the truth of God's Word, which reveals our need for Him and His provision in Christ.
2 Timothy 3:15: "...from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."This passage emphasizes that the Scriptures guide us to salvation. They provide the wisdom necessary to understand our condition and God’s remedy for it.
Who is God?
God is the one and only true God, eternally existing as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—sharing the same divine essence. He transcends time, having no beginning or end, and spoke all things into existence, sustaining the universe by His powerful word.
Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."This foundational truth about God's oneness is crucial; recognizing Him as the only true God is the first step toward a relationship with Him.
Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."Here, Jesus instructs His followers to make disciples, highlighting the Trinitarian nature of God, which is essential for understanding His work in salvation.
Psalm 90:2: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."This verse underscores God's eternal nature, reminding us that He is the ultimate authority and source of all life, and our need to be aligned with Him.
Colossians 1:16-17: "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."This passage reveals Christ's divine role in creation, emphasizing that everything exists for His glory. Understanding this is vital to appreciating our purpose in Him.
God is sovereign, exercising absolute authority over all creation, and His purposes are always accomplished. His justice demands the punishment of sin, yet He is merciful, offering grace and forgiveness to those who seek Him.
Psalm 115:3: "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases."This affirms God's sovereignty, reassuring us that He is in control and that His plans for redemption are assured.
Exodus 34:6-7: "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."This description of God's character reveals His mercy and grace, essential for understanding why He offers salvation despite our sin.
When Paul preached to the pluralistic culture in Athens, he started with the nature of God because they misunderstood who He truly was (Acts 17:22-31). For someone to be saved, they must have a basic understanding of the God who created them and a desire to be made right with Him. While a person may not fully grasp all theological truths, an outright denial of essential aspects of God's nature is inconsistent with genuine faith.
Who is Jesus?
Understanding who Jesus is forms the core of salvation:
Jesus is God
John 8:23-24: "But he continued, 'You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.'"
Jesus identifies Himself as divine, indicating that belief in His identity is crucial for salvation. Denying His divinity leads to spiritual death.
Jesus is the Christ (Messiah)
Matthew 16:16: "Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"
Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah is foundational; it acknowledges His role in fulfilling God's promises and His authority to save.
Jesus Lived a Perfect Life
Hebrews 4:15: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
Jesus' sinlessness is critical; only a perfect sacrifice could atone for our sins, making His life essential to our salvation.
Jesus Died for Our Sins
1 Peter 2:24: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness."
Understanding that Jesus bore our sins is necessary for grasping the concept of substitutionary atonement, which is central to the Gospel.
Jesus Rose Again
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "...Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."
The resurrection confirms Jesus' victory over sin and death, establishing Him as the source of eternal life. Belief in the resurrection is vital for our hope in salvation.
Who Am I?
I Am Created in the Image of God
Genesis 1:27: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
Understanding our identity as image-bearers helps us recognize our inherent value and purpose in God's creation.
I Am Accountable to God
Romans 14:12: "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God."
Acknowledging our accountability emphasizes the importance of living in a way that honors God, reinforcing our need for salvation.
I Am a Sinner
Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Recognizing our sinfulness is essential for understanding our need for redemption; it prepares our hearts to receive God’s grace.
I Cannot Save Myself
Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
This passage affirms that salvation is a gift from God, highlighting the futility of self-effort in achieving righteousness.
What Must I Do to Be Saved?
Repent
Acts 3:19: "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out."Repentance is necessary for salvation, as it signifies a turning away from sin and a desire for a renewed relationship with God.
Luke 13:3: "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."This warning emphasizes the urgency of repentance as a critical step in the process of salvation.
Believe in Jesus
Acts 16:31: "And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'"This verse underscores that faith in Jesus is essential for salvation. It is through belief that we receive the gift of eternal life.
Romans 10:9: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."This passage encapsulates the essence of faith: confession and belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It stresses that genuine faith results in transformation and salvation.
Salvation involves turning away from sin and placing one's faith in Jesus Christ. It is a response to God's call, embracing the gift of eternal life offered through His Son.
Conclusion
The question "What must I do to be saved?" is answered by understanding who God is, who Jesus is, who we are, and how we must respond. When we realize our sinfulness, the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work, and God's gracious invitation, we are called to repent and believe. Salvation is not earned but received through faith in Christ. For further reading I would recommend What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert.