For the past couple of years, I have held a weekly Bible class through an app called “Meet-Up.” One of our elders’ sons has a really big group on Meet-Up, which allows us to reach numerous people in the Dallas Fort-Worth area. I have led several different Bible studies pertaining to worry, the church, and one called Salvation Stories.
In this study, we walked through the Book of Acts and studied the different accounts that Luke, who was inspired by the Holy Spirit provides for us. There is a lot of confusion when it comes to what a person must do to be saved.
Some say:
Say a prayer and accept Jesus in your heart. However, that’s not found in any of the examples in the book of Acts.
Some teach that infant baptism is necessary because people are born with sin. However, we don’t see this being taught or done in the book of Acts either.
What we do see is what Jesus taught a man by the name of Nicodemus one night from John 3:3-7.
Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”
When you read the book of Acts (which I encourage everyone to do), what you will find are people being born again! You will find men and women, Jews and Gentiles who have heard the good news of Jesus, His life, His death, and His resurrection, and who responded with obedience to His words. Let’s consider Acts 2.
What we find is Peter and the other apostles in the city of Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Listen to what Peter preached concerning Jesus in Acts 2:22-32.
“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know – this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him, ‘I saw the LORD always in my presence; For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; because you will not abandon my soul to hades, nor allow your Holy One to undergo decay. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with your presence. Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the partriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was neither abandoned to hades, nor did his flesh suffer decay. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. " Acts 2:22-32
Peter taught Jesus after His resurrection ascended into heaven and reigns in heaven, Acts 2:33-35. Then he concluded that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, Acts 2:36.
Peter shared with them the good news of Jesus. Peter used Old Testament scripture that spoke of Jesus concerning His death, resurrection, and kingship. Many in the audience responded with a question in Acts 2:37.
“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’” Acts 2:37
If saying a prayer to accept Jesus in their hearts was necessary, Peter would have said it. But he didn’t.
If doing nothing was necessary, Peter would have said it. But he didn’t.
So, what did Peter say? Consider Acts 2:38, where he said, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
What we find is that these individuals heard the good news of Jesus! They certainly believed it because they asked what they needed to do. Now, they were given Holy Spirit inspired instructions. They were to repent (to turn away from their sins). They were to be baptized (immersed in water) and the reason given was “For the forgiveness of their sins…”
When they heeded these words, they would be born again as Jesus taught.
About 3,000 people obeyed the words of Peter, Acts 2:41. They were saved that day by the precious blood of Jesus!
This is one of many salvation stories found in the book of Acts. Have you considered these stories? Have you responded in the same manner as these people did?