1. In these verses we read about the special High Priest in Christianity. 2. In our lesson we are concentrating on another important role that this High Priest fulfills -- He is "the author of eternal salvation." Discussion: I. LET US FIRST IDENTIFY "THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION"
A. These verses identify Jesus, the Son of God, as "the author of eternal salvation." B. Let us also consider: 1. the Lord's mission (Luke 19:10) 2. the fact that salvation can be found in no other name (Acts 4:12) 3. the extent to which Jesus is able to save (Hebrews 7:25). II. LET US ALSO IDENTIFY THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE ETERNAL SALVATION THAT JESUS PROVIDES
A. (Hebrews 5:9) He is the author of eternal salvation "unto all them that obey Him." B. To help us understand what is involved in obeying the Lord, let us examine people in the Bible who asked and learned what they needed to do to be saved. 1. (Acts 2:37) Jewish people in Jerusalem asked what they needed to do. a. Jesus had been crucified a short time earlier during Passover. b. The apostles were given an opportunity to preach to this crowd of people. c. Peter's sermon is recorded in this chapter -- he pointed out that: 1) Jesus was "a man approved of God" (vs.22) 2) the people in his audience had murdered Jesus (vs.23) 3) Jesus had been resurrected from the grave (vs.24) 4) Jesus is both Lord and Christ (vs.36). d. Vs.37 shows us that the people who heard this message were troubled in that "they were pricked in their heart." e. This led them to ask, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" f. Peter answered their question in vs.38. g. We learn from vs.41 that these people obeyed Peter's instructions. h. Notice the change that took place in the lives of these people (vs.46-47). 2. (Acts 9:6) Saul of Tarsus asked what he needed to do. a. (vs.1-2) He was going to Damascus to arrest Christians. b. (vs.3-5) The Lord appeared to Saul and talked with him. c. (vs.6a) Saul was troubled -- he trembled, and he was astonished. d. This led him to ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" e. (vs.6b) The Lord said, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." f. We learn from Acts 22:16 what Saul was told to do. g. Saul obeyed these instructions (Acts 9:18b). h. Notice the change that took place in Saul's life (vs.19-22). 3. (Acts 16:30) The jailer in Philippi asked what he needed to do. a. Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi (vs.23a). b. (vs.23b) The jailer was responsible for them. c. The jailer became very troubled -- he was ready to take his life (vs.26-27). d. (vs.28) Paul spoke to the jailer. e. (vs.29-30) The jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" f. (vs.31) Paul and Silas initially told him, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." g. We learn from vs.32 what Paul and Silas did so this man could believe on the Lord -- they taught him "the word of the Lord" (Romans 10:17). h. The jailer's response is revealed in vs.33 (compare with Acts 8:5, 12). i. Notice the change that took place in the jailer's life (vs.34). Conclusion:
1. The Jews in Jerusalem, Saul, and the jailer in Philippi asked what they needed to do to receive the salvation that the Lord provides. 2. After learning that Jesus is God's Son, they believed it, they repented, and they were baptized to receive the remission of their sins.