​By Wayne Jackson
Three times in the book of Acts the question is posed concerning what one must “do” to be saved. The Jews, on the day of Pentecost, framed the question (Acts 2:37), as did Saul of Tarsus en route to Damascus (22:10; cf. 9:6). The jailor in Philippi likewise inquired about this crucial issue (16:30).
This is a tremendously important question and every serious Bible student should carefully study the material accompanying these texts, synthesize them, and organize the “sum” of the truth on this matter (Psa. 119:160).
Another question—equally crucial—is this: What must I know to be saved?
Far too many people labor under the misguided conception that it matters very little how much one knows or understands, or whether he is precisely obedient, so long as his motive is genuine. This is a serious mistake. A “good conscience” does not validate error (Acts 23:1; 26:9).
The Nature of the Christian System
Everett Harrison began his book, A Short Life of Christ, in the following fashion: “Some Religions, both ancient and modern, require no historical basis, for they depend upon ideas rather than events” (1968, Eerdmans, 11).
Christianity is not of this nature. It is grounded in history. Did Jesus live upon this earth? Was he born of Mary, a virgin? Did he rise from the grave? If these events did not occur, then the Christian religion is a hoax.
The credibility of one’s religious persuasion, therefore, is determined by what he believes. Such is derived from his personal investigation or his confidence in a teacher who has pursued the historical evidence.
Sufficient teaching, therefore, must precede an acceptance of commitment to Jesus Christ.
Isaiah, looking forward to the Christian age, declared that those aspiring to be the spiritual children of God “shall be taught” of the Lord (Isa. 54:13). Jesus referred to this text and applied it to his own ministry.
“And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that has heard from the Father, and has learned, comes unto me” (Jn. 6:45).
There must be teaching and learning before one comes to God (cf. Mt. 11:29; Jn. 8:32).
The Great Commission
Matthew’s account of the Lord’s great commission reads as follows:
“All authority has been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatever I commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Mt. 28:18-20).
Two things are apparent from this charge. First, there is a discipling (teaching) process that is culminated by immersion into a relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This initially constitutes one as a Christian.
Subsequent to that, there is the “teaching them to observe all things” procedure that is intended to mature the new disciple in the faith. The formula thus is: teaching plus conversion plus teaching.
It is important, therefore, that one be able to separate the nature and volume of the pre-conversion teaching from the post-conversion instruction.
It should be obvious that one’s pre-conversion education is basic and compact compared to the subsequent lifelong teaching that will facilitate Christian maturity.
This is well illustrated by the fact that the auditors on the day of Pentecost heard the gospel for the first time, obeyed the commands connected therewith, and constituted the original church that very day. Perhaps even more dramatic is the fact that a pagan official was taught the truth and immersed into Christ the “same hour of the night” (Acts 16:33). Obviously only the most basic fundamental truths could have been imparted on these occasions.
Pre-Christian Knowledge
Several things are stated explicitly, or logically implied, as requirements for becoming a Christian. Since both belief and repentance are initial obligations (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38) prior to the baptism that transitions one “into” the “in Christ” relationship (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; 2 Tim. 2:10), certain conclusions necessarily follow.
First, infants are excluded; they are not sinners, hence do not need to repent, nor to acquire salvation. Second, there are factual convictions that must be embraced to qualify one for baptism.
It is a fundamental requirement that the candidate for Christianity, who believes in God already, is obliged to accept the reality that Jesus of Nazareth is to be identified as “the Christ, the Son of God” (Mt. 16:16; Jn. 20:30-31). Recognizing Jesus as “the Christ” acknowledges that he is the fulfillment of the promised Old Testament Messiah. One’s confession (Rom. 10:10; 1 Tim. 6:12-13) that he is the Son of God proclaims both his birth to the virgin Mary (Lk. 1:35) and his resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:4).
Of course, one will not fathom the full and glorious magnitude of those truths (who ever does?), but there is a threshold level of comprehension that may (and must) be embraced confidently and happily.
One’s conviction of the historical reality of the mission and message of Jesus will blossom into a loving trust and a willingness to surrender heartily to the principle of obedience (Heb. 5:9). The potential Christian needs to realize that he is yielding to Jesus Christ as the Lord of his life. The Lord accepts nothing less than priority devotion (Lk. 14:26).
The fledgling student will need to understand that in submitting to the “new birth” (Jn. 3:3-5) he will be uniting with Christ in a replication of the Savior’s death, burial, and resurrection. In repentance, he dies to the love and unrestrained practice of sin. He is buried beneath the water of baptism and is raised to walk in “newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4).
In this consummating act of obedience, his sins will have been washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Eph. 5:26; Heb. 9:14), and he will be esteemed as a child of God (Gal. 3:27).
Progressively, he will come to appreciate the wonderful “household of God” into which he has entered (Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 3:15) and the great and wonderful family of which he is a part.
At this point, the new Christian is a spiritual “babe” (1 Pet. 2:2), in need of instructive nourishment and growth toward maturity. Patience by his kinsmen in the Lord must be exercised constantly.
Christian Growth
The apostle Peter admonishes that children of God are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord” (2 Pet. 3:18). This will be a lifelong endeavor, and one who ceases to grow eventually will wither and die (Jn. 15:1-8).
Maturation will come from personal study of the sacred Scriptures, faithful attendance at regular assemblies where there is instruction by experienced and knowledgeable teachers, and through close association with godly and mature children of God where exemplary attitudes and rich conversations facilitate growth.
Unrealistic and Unscriptural Expectations
A problem occasionally overlooked is the fact that while one needs to appreciate certain foundational gospel truths preliminary to his initial obedience, such does not necessitate that he must have mastered an entire index of doctrinal errors common to the greater religious community. I’ve known of a number of zealous (though misguided) people who contend that if a person did not understand the various acts of New Testament worship prior to his baptism, he did not know enough to submit to the rite, hence should repeat the ritual.
If a person studies his New Testament and learns what is required to obey Christ for the forgiveness of his sins, and does so, is he or is he not a Christian?
What if, in his state of spiritual infancy, he wanders into a denominational group and becomes involved in unauthorized, sinful worship? Does his current lack of knowledge vitiate what he previously knew? In other words, does later error invalidate earlier truth? Common sense knows it does not.
When Simon the sorcerer committed his terrible post-baptism sin of trying to buy an apostolic gift with money, he was not instructed to be immersed again; rather, he was corrected and encouraged to pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:19-22).
About how many issues do you suppose Paul interrogated the jailor in Philippi? Does one need to be re-immersed if he cannot remember whether he had a complete understanding of the Lord’s supper at the time of his conversion?
What about the thousands of Christians who did not, and still do not, understand the biblical position on giving out of their income on the first day of every week (1 Cor. 16:2)? Were they not genuinely converted?
There is a desperate need for a more balanced sense of what one needs to know, and when he needs to know it—both before and after his conversion.
Scripture References
Acts 2:37; Psalm 119:160; Acts 23:1, 26:9; Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45; Matthew 11:29; John 8:32; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 16:33; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27; 2 Timothy 2:10; Matthew 16:16; John 20:30-31; Romans 10:10; 1 Timothy 6:12-13; Luke 1:35; Romans 1:4; Hebrews 5:9; Luke 14:26; John 3:3-5; Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 9:14; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; John 15:1-8; Acts 8:19-22; 1 Corinthians 16:2

​Charles Box
Sin caused a separation between God and man. The gospel is the good news of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection that makes our salvation possible. In our Bible the gospel is described this way, "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you -- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Man has a sin problem. "For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin." (Ecclesiastes 7:20) Man is basically sinful; God is holy and repulsed by sin. Because God is holy and to be revered He sent redemption to His people. "He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name." (Psalms 111:9) The writer of Hebrews knew that the only answer to man's sin problem was the sacrifice of Jesus. "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:28) God did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Does the Bible teach that we must obey the gospel? In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 we read that, "When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." The Bible teaches that vengeance will be taken on those who obey not the gospel. We know that the gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. So the Bible teaches that if we do not obey the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that God will take vengeance on us. Peter wrote, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17) The vengeance of God will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel.
How do we obey the gospel? We learn how to obey the gospel in Romans 6:1-6, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” We are baptized into His death; we are buried with Him through baptism; we are raised to walk in newness of life after baptism. There must be a death, burial, and resurrection before this new life is possible. In baptism we are transformed from death to life because we have obeyed the gospel. When people obey that form of the Lord's death, burial, and resurrection they are at the point of baptism then made free from the sin and they become the servant of righteousness. “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18)
Have you obeyed the gospel? Have you obeyed the gospel by being buried in baptism with Christ, by being baptized into His death, and by being raised up out of the grave of water with Him to walk in newness of life? The blood of Christ provides us with the hope of heaven. Paul spoke of “The hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel." (Colossians 1:5) Hope is provided “by way of the cross.” With Paul, all should say, “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14) The cross shows both God’s love for mankind and His hatred for sin. Salvation, peace, contentment and real joy comes through the cross of Calvary. God has done His part. He has provided salvation through Jesus. Man’s part, through small, is also necessary to reach heaven. Man must obey the gospel to be saved. Have you obeyed the gospel.
Faith is the beginning point of acceptable service to God. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) Faith is the motivation for all obedience toward God. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) Repentance is also required. Repentance is a change of mind or heart that results in a change in life. "The Lord is...not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) It is either repent or perish. Confession of faith in Jesus as Lord also plays a part in our salvation. (Romans 10:9-10) A simple confession of one's faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ is a necessary step in conversion. The final step in becoming a Christian is baptism into Christ. "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) At baptism a person contacts the blood of Jesus that washes his sins away. Every command of God is important and baptism is a command of God. (Mark 16:16) The New Testament plan of salvation is a simple plan, but salvation can be obtained in no other way!

​By Wayne Jackson
The Christians in the city of Thessalonica were apparently disturbed about several uncertainties which they entertained concerning their loved ones who had died in the Lord. Hence, Paul gave them brief instruction regarding this matter and concluded by suggesting: “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Words, especially those of the Holy Scriptures, do have the power to comfort (cf. Romans 15:4). Let us call attention to three (of the several) important points which the apostle made within the context of 1 Thessalonians 4:13ff.
First, the inspired writer referred to departed Christians as ones who had fallen “asleep.” Underline the word “asleep” and in your margin write: See Daniel 12:2; John 11:11,43,44.
In the Bible, the word “sleep,” is only used of the condition of the body in death. The soul does not sleep. The sleeping metaphor is probably employed of the body in death for two reasons.
Just as the soul does not cease to exist while we are literally sleeping, neither does it cease to exist when the physical body dies.
As the sleep of the body is temporary, so shall the death of the human body be temporary. The body will be raised from the dead (see 1 Corinthians 15). Even the wicked will experience a resurrection (John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15).
Second, Paul admonishes that we should not “sorrow, even as the rest, who have no hope.” He does not say that it is wrong to mourn when we lose a dear one. Elsewhere, the apostle implied that if his beloved friend Epaphroditus had died, he would have experienced “sorrow upon sorrow” (Philippians 2:27). The point made here is this: we do not sorrow “even as” those who are without hope.
Mark the expression “even as.” It translates a Greek word which denotes degree or extent. Make that marginal notation.
From this context we may also necessarily infer that “hope” is the possession of Christians; it does not belong to “the rest,” i.e., those who remain identified with the world. Concerning those who die outside of Christ (note the phrase “in Christ” vv. 14,16), i.e., outside of His spiritual body, the church (Colossians 1:18,24), there is no hope. But those who have died “in Christ”:
are happy (cf. Revelation 14:13, where those who have died in the Lord are said to be “blessed,” meaning happy);
are at rest (again, see Revelation 14:13);
will accompany Christ when He returns to effect the resurrection and to claim living saints (4:14b,16,17);
will enjoy a blissful reunion with their loved ones who have died in the service of God (cf. Genesis 25:8; 2 Samuel 12:23; Matthew 8:11);
shall “ever be with the Lord” (4:17).
We must add this point as well. Those “in Christ” are they who, through faith, have been immersed for the forgiveness of their sins, hence, have entered into Him (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26,27).
Third, the basis of our confidence and comfort is the fact that “Jesus died and rose again” (v. 14). If Christ was not raised, then our faith and preaching are in vain. If such is the case, our hope has been only in this life and we are therefore most pitiable (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:13-19).
Scripture References
1 Thessalonians 4:18; Romans 15:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; Daniel 12:2; John 11:11, 43, 44; 1 Corinthians 15; John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Philippians 2:27; Colossians 1:18, 24; Revelation 14:13; Genesis 25:8; 2 Samuel 12:23; Matthew 8:11; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 15:13-19

​Hear the Gospel
Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20). The Lord is inviting you into His kingdom. He also said, “I am the good shepherd,” and He is the “door of the sheep” (Jn. 10:7, 11). He invites the lost into the fold of safety, for danger is outside. For the lost, Jesus is the good shepherd that leaves the “ninety and nine” and looks for the “sheep that is lost,” for “the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost” (Mt. 18:11-14). Jesus’ sheep hear His voice and follow Him (Jn. 10:27-28) for eternal life. How do the sheep hear the voice of Jesus? We are “called by the gospel” (2 Thess. 2:14), which is “power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). It is by the word of God that faith is produced in the hearts of the lost (Rom. 10:17). Have you heard the gospel?
Believe
As the gospel story is read (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), Jesus is shown to be the Son of God (Jn. 20:27-31). Our faith rests in Him. We must believe that He is the Son of God, sacrificed for our sins (Mt. 16:13-16; Jn. 8:24). Do you believe?
Repent of Sins
All of us have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and have died spiritually because of sin (Rom. 6:23). We must face our sins and repent. Repentance is a change of mind, followed by a change of life, as illustrated in Matthew 21:28-31. The son “repented” (changed his mind) and “went” (changed his life). This repentance is required before one can be saved (Lk. 13:3-5; Acts 2:36-38). Have you repented?
Confess the Name of Jesus
Jesus warned that we must have the courage of our faith to openly confess Him with the mouth, an oral confession (Rom. 10:10). If we do not have this courage, Jesus will not confess our name as brethren (Mt. 10:32-33). People in the New Testament times confessed Jesus’ name (Acts 4:10-12; 8:37). Have you confessed that Jesus is the Son of God?
Be Baptized
Yes, baptism is a Bible doctrine, commanded by Jesus (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:48). Baptism is not administered as a “rite of the church,” as a work of human righteousness or merit, but as an act of faith (Mk. 16:16; Jas. 2:17, 18, 20, 24). Regardless of the animosity toward baptism in the denominational world, and in spite of their denial of its place in salvation, it is administered by the authority of Jesus for the remission of sin.
Baptism is a burial (Rom. 6:1-7; Col. 2:12) in water (Jn. 3:1-5; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:38). It is for (unto, toward) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) and is viewed in scripture as involved in “washing away sins” (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). It is understood by Bible students that forgiveness is not in the water, but in the blood of Christ (Mt. 26:26-28; Rom. 6:1-7). However, Jesus has placed the opportunity of reaching that blood in the act of baptism. It is at baptism that the sinner meets the blood of Christ, that the old man of sin dies, and the new birth takes place (Rom. 6:1-7; Jn. 3:1-5).
Baptism is a re-enactment of the sinner for what Jesus did for him (death, burial and resurrection, (1 Cor. 15:1-4). The sinner obeys, in baptism, a “form of the gospel” (Rom. 6:16-18) in that he becomes dead to sin as he repents, is buried in baptism, and arises to a new life in Christ (Rom. 6:1-7). There is no other act of obedience in the New Testament that so fittingly portrays the gospel in our life as baptism. It is an act of faithful obedience (Rom. 1:5; Jn. 6:28-29; 8:39), not an act of merit or of human righteousness (Tit. 3:5). At the time of baptism, Jesus forgives our sins by the power of the blood and adds us to His church (Acts 2:38, 47). Have you been baptized?
Now That I’m A Christian
Disciples of Jesus wear no denominational names or support denominational doctrines. You are not Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc. No such names or denominations existed when Jesus built His church, and you now belong to that church (Mt. 16:18; Acts 2:47). The name of “Christian” is given for you to wear, and you glorify God in that name (Acts 11:26; 4:12; 1 Pet. 4:14-15).
As a Christian, you will meet with other Christians for worship and service (Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:42; 9:26-28; Eph. 4:11-16).
Christians begin as “babes” in Christ, having been born again (Jn. 3:1-5; Rom. 6:1-7; 1 Pet. 1:22-23; 1 Pet. 2:1-2). Each grows toward being a mature Christian (Eph. 4:11-15). They no longer live in sinful lifestyles as in the past (Col. 3:1-17; Gal. 5:19-24). A Christian grows by adding the attributes of grace (2 Pet. 1:2-11). Are you a Christian?

Here is a copy of material that can be used to have in home Bible study with friends and neighbors.  Feel free to copy the material for those in your Bible classes.
Back to the Bible Introduction
Back to the Bible Lesson 1
Back to the Bible Lesson 2
Back to the Bible Lesson 3
Back to the Bible Lesson 4
Back to the Bible Lesson 5