What Must I Do To Be Saved?

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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Acts 16:30


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From time to time we examine this statement, and we should because it has bearing on our eternity beyond this life.   The question was asked directly by a jailer in the city of Philippi, Acts 16:30).  Paul and Silas are traveling into Europe, having just entered there from Asia (Philippi is located in modern Greece in its NE region) and preaching (2nd missionary journey).  They come to the city of Philippi where at first they meet Lydia and convert her.  Then after performing a miracle by casting out a demon, they are beaten and cast into prison.  At midnight, an earthquake shakes the prison and the cell doors were opened.  The jailer fearing some had escaped draws his sword to kill himself.  Paul stops him.  The jailer calls for a light and asks the question, “Sirs, What must I do to be saved?”  Paul and Silas teach him and that night he responds.  More on the response later, which we have addressed in times past.

But today, I want to analyze this question and make some observations about it.

  1. What must I do to be saved? – Analyzing the question.
    1. What – In this question, it is a word that indicates there is an understanding that something needs to be done. An inquiry seeking an understanding of something.
    2. Must – in imperative declaration, meaning something is expected to be done. It is not an option or a suggestion (“What can I do?” or “What may I do?” or “What do you suggest?”).
      1. Hebrews 11:6, without faith… he who comes to God MUST believe that He is…
      2. John 3:5-7, “You MUST be born again”
      3. Acts 4:12 – no other name… by which we MUST be saved.
      4. Acts 5:29 – “we OUGHT to obey God rather than men” (Ought is the same Greek word).
      5. 2 Corinthians 5:10 – “we must all appear before the judgment seat…
    3. I – this is personal. It is not about what others need to do.  It is a realization that I need to do something.
      1. In scripture, God has done his part, but only YOU can do your part. There is no salvation by proxy.
      2. Acts 2:38, as Peter answers a similar inquiry (“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” – vs. 37), he notes, Repent and let every one of you be baptized… (“each of you” – NASB95, LSB).
      3. Philippians 2:12 calls for each of us to “work out your own salvation.” Everything in the NT points to personal accountability and responsibility.
      4. In judgment, we will each give an accounting of ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:10, John 5:28-29, Romans 14:10-12.)
    4. Do – while the prime factor in our salvation is the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), scripture is clear that we have a part to do.
      1. It is not about feelings, wishing or being passive – depending only someone else to act.
      2. Nor is it about setting your own terms. Recall the rich, young ruler in Matthew 19:16 where he asks a similar question.  Jesus told him to do something, and he did not do it.  The text implies he chose not to be saved.
      3. It is not about mere knowledge. Knowledge without action is fruitless. James 2:14-17, Matthew 7:21-23.
      4. Whatever God tells us to do, that we must do. Hebrews 5:9, etc.
      5. The Bible is a book calling for action. E.g., Philippians 2:12 – work out your own salvation, Ephesians 2:10, etc.   Both in obeying the gospel AND remaining faithful.
    5. To be – an expectation if we comply with what we are told. Notice also the realization that it has not yet been received and thus he is looking ahead or anticipating.
    6. Saved – rescued. This is what the jailer wanted – to be spiritually rescued from condemnation.
      1. This is the foundation of the Bible. Salvation is our goal.
      2. Titus 2:11 speaks of the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
      3. Matthew 16:26, what profit is it to a man…?
  2. What is implied by the question?
    1. That I am lost and need to be saved – there is a realization that I am lost. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of His glory.  Romans 6:23 notes that “the wages of sin is death…”
    2. That I WANT to be saved – we see that in the jailer. And it is more than just knowing he is lost.  It is a desire to be saved, with a willingness to take whatever steps are necessary.   The desire needs to be genuine (you REALLY want to be saved), or you will not take action (or it will be superficial).  Did the rich young ruler REALLY want to be saved?  Was his desire strong enough that he was willing to do anything necessary?  Sadly, his answer was no!
    3. That I am capable of knowing what that part is – if one genuinely asks the question, they know there is an answer and they are searching for that answer.
      1. The Bible was not written so that we could not figure out what God wants us to do.
      2. Romans 1:16 tells us the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
      3. Hebrews 4:12 describes the word as capable of piercing soul and spirit and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart.
      4. When Peter preached on Pentecost, they understood his message and the implications. They replied by asking, “What shall we do?”
      5. Ephesians 5:17 tells us plainly that we need to understand what the will of the Lord is.
      6. This does not mean everything is easy, but we can understand what to do to be saved and to live faithfully.
      7. NOTE: This also implies that one is capable of believing which means that infants and young children are not ready (capable) to respond to this question. In the Bible, children too young to be accountable, are “safe” (not condemned, because they have not sinned).
    4. An understanding that I have a part – Ephesians 2:8-9 speaks of being saved “by grace through faith”.
      1. Grace is God’s part, “faith” is my part. This is tied to some of what we have already addressed.
      2. Too many today believe that we have no part or very little to do to be saved. But “faith” is an inclusive word.
      3. The Bible is a book of action. We will see this in a moment, concerning salvation.
    5. That understanding requires that I act. Knowledge without action still leaves what needed to be done unfinished.  Until we “obey the gospel” we are not saved.
  3. What is the answer to the question?
    1. The Jailer was told to believe in vs. 31. But as we have noted often, it was not “only believe”, but an introductory summary of what he needed to do (the word “believe” would include everything resulting from that belief that one was told to do – Hebrews 11:6, Ephesians 2:8-9 – “through faith” is the same idea).  We find FOLLOWING this that “they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.” (vs. 32).  Based upon what they taught him about Jesus, that same hour of the night the jailer washed their stripes and was baptized.   In essence he obeyed the gospel.
    2. Acts 2:37 – a similar question on Pentecost. Acts 2:38 – they were told to repent and be baptized for the remission (removal of, forgiveness) their sins.    41 notes 3000 obeyed the gospel that day.
    3. Acts 9:6 – Paul, having been struck blind on the road to Damasus realizing what he was doing against the Lord asked Him, “What do you want me to do.” He was instructed to go into Damascus where he would “be told what you must do.”  Acts 9:18 tells us that after he received his sight, he was baptized.  Acts 22:16, as Paul recounts this in Jerusalem years later we read the instruction of Ananias to him, And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
    4. Acts 10:6 – Cornelius was told by an angel to send for Peter, “He will tell you what you must” After Peter taught him and all with him, they were commanded to be baptized and they did (Acts 10:47-48).  In Acts 11:14 as Peter is retelling this he notes that he was to tell Cornelius, “words by which you and your household will be saved.”
    5. NOTE: One might ask why the answers were not exactly the same.
      1. The answer is that each situation warranted a different response.
      2. Furthermore, we are not given full details of everything said and done in any of the accounts.
      3. But in the end, they ALL did the same thing.
      4. Can anyone deny that they all believed, repented (renounced their former life), confessed Jesus (Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33)?
      5. The ONE act that was mentioned in all 4 accounts – they were baptized.
      6. And this accords with numerous passages in the NT – Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27, etc.
  4. The Follow-up question
    1. What must I do to STAY saved?
    2. Every word in this question is addressed in our first point, EXCEPT the word “stay.”
    3. Stay implies to remain where you are. Having been saved, much of scripture calls for us to remain faithful to Him – Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 10:23, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  This is developed further in vs. 36-39.
    4. When one obeys the gospel, they are beginning a new life in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 6:3-4 – raised to walk in newness of life.
    5. Much of the Bible is written to believers directing them how they are expected to live. This includes not only the instructions, but the promises and consequences based on how we do live.

The question, “What must I do to be saved?” has life altering and eternal ramifications.  It is a question ignored by most, but that does not change its importance.  Let us ask the question with a desire to reap the promised rewards if we respond in the affirmative.  What about you?  We have seen that in God’s word, there is an answer to the question.  How have you responded to that answer?  Think about it!

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