“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved -
In the preceding Bible passage a jailer asked Paul and some fellow believers what must he do to be "saved" by God like they were. Paul's answer, fully inspired by God, was recorded for all to read, understand and apply to their own lives; the key to being "saved" is to "believe".
What's critically important for us to understand however is the full understanding of what it is to "believe". The word used for "believe" in the original Greek text of the Bible (pisteuo) communicates much more of an idea than merely recognizing the existence of something or someone. The word "believe" additionally implies: to yield to, to agree with, to commit to, to entrust to and perhaps most importantly, to obey.
It's one thing to believe that God exists; it's an entirely different thing to obey God. Simply believing that God exists does not bring about salvation, for even Satan and the demons believe that God exists. The belief that produces a surrendering of one's will to God is the belief that God is looking for in us. The Bible teaches that only with complete belief in Him, can He begin and continue a personal saving relationship with us.
To "believe" is more of a rational decision in life rather than an awareness of or emotional feeling regarding something or someone. We are all born as free agents in the choice to "believe" in God. In the Bible, Jesus teaches that there is no middle ground of belief; either we fully believe in God or we don't really believe in Him at all.
The following list of "believe" items gives the practical understanding and application to the answer of the age old question: "What must I do to be saved?"
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and all that He says:
... God does exist.
... Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.
... God does love you.
... that as a sinner you do deserve God’s judgment.
... that while Jesus was being crucified,
He was receiving God’s punishment for all of your sins.
(Being God, Jesus was sinless.)
... that after Jesus was crucified and died,
He bodily rose from the dead.
(This illustrates that His sacrifice for our sins was complete.)
... you must want and ask God for His forgiveness.
(You can’t earn it, God gives it freely!)
... you must repent (turn from / abandon your sins),
and live a holy life, practicing God’s holy ways.
(He will enable and empower you to do this!)
... you must receive God’s Spirit into you
and start a new life with Him.
(Become born again: no longer living for yourself,
but rather living a Christ-
Abandon this world, forsake its ways of sin;
grow in God’s holiness and be transformed,
... You must love God fully
and love all fellow humans as God loves them.
... You must lovingly tell others about Jesus,
His love for them and their need to be saved by Him.
(It’s impossible to truly love God
and not desire to share Him with everyone!)
Become a soul-
The Bible contains many more truths that believers need to know; however, those that were previously listed are the key “believes” that are essential for being saved. If you do truly believe these spiritual truths, make the decision now to be saved! Simply ask God to save you! Surrender yourself to Him and He will save you from judgment all the while giving you a new life: serving Him by sharing His love and message of salvation with those still lost. Once you've accepted Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, tell your family! Tell your friends! Tell your neighbors! Tell everyone you meet! Tell the whole world! Renew your thinking by reading God's own word, the Bible. Join with other true believers in the cause of serving God. Send us an email about your decision! (ibngbc@outlook.com)
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. -
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. -
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. -
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. -
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” -
“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” -
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved -
Is it “of the World?”
“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” John 15:19
Is it to the glory of God?
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Can God’s blessing be upon it?
“The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” Proverbs 10:22
it an offense to others?
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. Romans 14:21
Has it the appearance of evil?
Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Is it a “Besetting Sin?”
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
Has it a wholesome atmosphere?
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."
2 Corinthians 6:14, 15, 17
Source: “Ready References For Your Pocket Testament”, The Pocket Testament League.
HOW TO GE SAVED