Our age is filled with questions and questioners. Human knowledge and technology have brought
us a better understanding of many age-old questions. But the proper question, the one of eternal
significance, is not being asked. No, it is not the standard question like, "What is my purpose
in life?" or, "Why do I not have any money?" or even, "Why did he/she wrong me?" All of these
shrink from the sterling question: "What must I do to be saved?"
WHO MUST ASK THIS QUESTION?
We hear this question first asked on the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts. In
Chapter Two some of the apostles' audience, after coming to the correct conclusion that
they had helped to murder the Son of God, exclaimed, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
(Verse 37). It is important to note that they came to this realization after the dynamic
preaching of the apostles. They were brought to this point not by some inner prompting of the
Holy Spirit (i.e. The Calvinist doctrine of "irresistible grace") but by the words of the Holy
Spirit, the word of God, proclaimed by the apostles. "For whosoever shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not heard? And
how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:13,14).
Another case in point occurred years later in the city of Philippi. Paul and Silas had
been imprisoned unjustly for preaching the gospel. At midnight while singing praises to God they
were freed by an earthquake from God. The fearful jailer after having had his suicide prevented
by Paul fell before them and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30).
What prompted his question? Several factors enter in:
- The jailer may have heard Paul and Silas preach in Philippi;
- He may have witnessed Paul casting the demon out of the slave girl;
- He may have been at their trial before the magistrates;
- He may have heard Paul and Silas singing in prison; and,
- The terror of the earthquake and his fear of punishment for any escaped prisoners.
Whatever the reason, Paul and Silas answered him succinctly, "Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:31). Many stop reading
their New Testaments at this point: "faith-only" adherents who do not want to grasp the
significance of the term "believe". For the narrative records that:
- "The word of the Lord" was preached to this man and his family (Verse
32);
- At the same time the jailer washed the apostles' wounds (a sign of repentance) and
they were baptized "straightway" (Verse 33); and,
- After baptism the jailer and his family "rejoiced" (Verse 34).
In both of these examples there is a common link in the question and its answer:
- Both needed someone to lead them to the truth of the gospel. Some Christians seem
to think people can absorb the gospel by osmosis (i.e. "my good example" or "my love and
concern"). This is not the case. "Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can
I, except some man should guide me" (Acts 8:30-31).
- Both came to the realization that they were in a spiritually lost state. The
Pentecostians after hearing Peter and the apostles and the jailer and his family when they
heard Paul and Silas speak "the word of the Lord". All are spiritually lost,
destined for Hell unless they obey the gospel (Romans 3:23). We need to lovingly explain
to our friends and neighbors this principle so they can ask the right question.
- Both realized there was something they had to "do" in order to be saved. In both
cases it was baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 26:33). Both groups of people
rejoiced AFTER they were baptized (Acts 2:41; 16:34). They had had their question
answered in the fullest sense by obedience to the Lord's command (Mark 16:16).
WHO ELSE MUST ASK THIS QUESTION?
Not only should the unsaved ask this question but the fallen Christian as well. Whether he
realizes it or not he is spiritually lost, doomed to Hell, unless he repents. But thanks be to
God, He has a Plan of Salvation for the fallen Christian as well.
- Realization of his lost state (2 Peter 2:20-22).
- Repentance of his sins (Acts 8:22-23; 17:30).
- Ask God's and his brethren's forgiveness.
- Return to full fellowship (Luke 16:20-24).
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).
Are you making sure your neighbor knows enough to ask the right question? Have
you shown him "the word of the Lord"?
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to
every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter
3:15).
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