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How is salvation obtained?


Introduction. This question reminds one of several questions asked in the first century. When the gospel was first preached in its fullness, the respondents asked Peter, "...Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Act 2:37.) About 20 years later the question was posed of Paul and Silas, "...Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30).

Peter had convinced some of his auditors that they had crucified the Messiah (Acts 2:23, 36). Hence, they wanted to be saved. In answer to their question, Peter states, "...repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (vs. 38). These people had already been told to believe (vs.36), and we necessarily infer they were told to confess Christ's deity (Rom. 10:10, Acts 8:37, KJV). They were not disobedient (vs. 41). Therefore, the "Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (vs. 47, see Gal. 3:26,27).

The case of the jailer at Philippi (Acts 16) is consistent with the teaching in Acts 2. The jailer was told to believe (vs.31). Paul and Silas then "spake unto him the word of the Lord..." so he could believe (vs.32, Rom. 10:17). The jailer "washed their striped," indicative of repentance (vs. 33). Again, we necessarily infer his confession of Jesus. We are also told, "...and was baptized, he and all his, straightway" (vs. 33). Notice, they were immediately baptized. They were promptly baptized because baptism which is preceded by faith, repentance, and confession is for "remission of sin" (Act 2:38, 22:16).

People do exactly the same thing today to be saved. Belief, repentance, confession and baptism are all shown to be required for initial salvation (John 8:24, Acts 17:31, Rom. 10:10, Mk. 16:16).
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