EXAMPLES OF SALVATION From the book of Acts

EXAMPLES OF SALVATION From the book of Acts, we see obedience as the result of preaching the gospel. After the obedience, the rejoicing began, not before.

Introduction • One of the primary reasons why God gave us the Bible is to reveal to us His plan for our salvation. • Since the gospel is God’s power to salvation, whenever the gospel was preached in the book of Acts, there is usually some reference to being saved.

Introduction • So, the Bible generally talks about salvation, including our need for it because of sin and what God has done to make it possible. • It also records many sermons, such as Peter’s, and other teachings, such as in the epistles, that relate to salvation. • In addition, it gives a number of illustrations, especially in the book of Acts, of what people did under divine instruction to receive salvation. • Let us notice a few:

The Samaritans • Acts 8: 5 -12 The very first thing they needed to do was to hear the word, and God wants us to hear the message of His Son: • Matt. 17: 5 • Why is it so important to hear? • Rom. 5: 1, 10: 17 • But for people to hear the gospel, it must be preached: • 1 Cor. 15: 1 -4. • So, Philip preached the word and the Samaritans heard and responded to it.

The Philippian Jailor • Read Acts 16: 25 -34 • The jailor had obviously heard enough to ask what to do to be saved, and since he was a pagan idol-worshipper, he was told to believe on Christ, just as we must believe on Him: • Jn. 8: 24 • Notice that they preached to him the word of the Lord so that he might know what to believe—on what basis can we believe? • Jn. 20: 30 -31 • This is so important because we’re saved by grace through faith: • Eph. 2: 8 -9. • As a result of hearing the word, the Philippian jailor believed on Christ and expressed his belief by his obedience • That very night he and his believing household were baptized.

The Jews on Pentecost • Read Acts 2: 22 -24, 36 -38 • By the time we get to v. 38, they have already heard the word and evidently believed it, since they were cut to the heart; thus they were told to repent, just as Jesus had said: • Lk. 13: 3, 24: 47 • Indeed, the apostles did command repentance as they preached the gospel of salvation: • Acts 3: 19, 17: 30 -31 • But what motivates a person to repent? 2 Cor. 7: 10. The Jews on Pentecost, at least 3000 of them, obviously did repent and followed it with further obedience (v. 41)

The Ethiopian Eunuch • Read Acts 8: 35 -39 • The Ethiopian has heard the word as preached by Philip, obviously believed it since he says so, and repented since he now wants to obey Christ, so he is told to confess Christ, even as Jesus had said: • Matt. 10: 32 -33 • The essentiality of confession to salvation is made plain in the scriptures: • Rom. 10: 9 -10 • And the Ethiopian isn’t the only one recorded in scripture to make this good confession: • 1 Tim. 6: 12. • Thus, those today who want to be saved must follow the example of the Ethiopian and confess their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

Saul of Tarsus • Read Acts 22: 6 -16 • By this time, Saul had heard the message delivered by Ananias (maybe even before), believed on Jesus as a result of his vision, demonstrated his repentance by fasting and praying, and even acknowledged Jesus as Lord, so what was left for him to do? Be baptized; this is what Jesus taught: • Matt. 28: 18 -20, Mk. 16: 15 -16 • Saul, who became known as Paul, went on himself to teach the essentiality of baptism to salvation: • Rom. 6: 3 -4, Gal. 3: 26 -27 • Other passages in the New Testament also show the relationship of baptism to salvation: • 1 Pet. 3: 21. • Paul tells us to imitate him (1 Cor. 11: 1), so if we wish to be saved, we need to be baptized as Paul himself was.

Conclusion • These examples of salvation are included in the inspired scriptures for a purpose. • God’s word not only tells us what to do to be saved but also shows us how to go about it. • Remember that salvation follows obedience. It does not precede obedience as some would teach today. • Do you wish to be saved?