1. This morning we are concentrating on the most important question that a person can ask -- "What must I do to be saved?" 2. To answer this question we must go to the right source -- Jesus. a. According to Hebrews 5:9, Jesus "is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." b. His Word, the New Testament (Hebrews 9:15), answers our question. 3. We are examining 3 occasions in Acts when this question was asked. a. (Acts 2:37) The Jews in Jerusalem asked Peter and the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" b. (Acts 9:6) Saul asked Jesus, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" c. (Acts 16:30) The jailer in Philippi asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 4. We are paying special attention to the answers that were given to these questions as well as the responses of the people involved. 5. Let us begin with . . .
Discussion:
I. THE JEWS IN JERUSALEM (Acts 2)
A. What prompted these people to ask, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 1. These people were in Jerusalem to observe Pentecost. 2. Jesus had been crucified a short time earlier during Passover. 3. The apostles were given an opportunity to preach to this crowd of people. 4. Peter's sermon is recorded in this chapter -- he pointed out that: a. Jesus was "a man approved of God" (vs.22) b. the people in his audience had murdered Jesus (vs.23) c. Jesus had been resurrected from the grave (vs.24) d. Jesus is both Lord and Christ (vs.36). 5. Vs.37 shows us that the people who heard this message were troubled in that "they were pricked in their heart." 6. This led them to ask, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" B. Peter answered their question in vs.38. C. We learn from vs.41 that these people obeyed Peter's instructions. D. Notice the change that took place in the lives of these people (vs.46-47).
II. SAUL OF TARSUS (Acts 9)
A. What prompted Saul to ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" 1. (vs.1-2) He was going to Damascus to arrest Christians. 2. (vs.3-5) The Lord appeared to Saul and talked with him. 3. (vs.6a) Saul was troubled -- he trembled, and he was astonished. 4. This led him to ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" B. (vs.6b) The Lord said, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." C. We learn from Acts 22:16 what Saul was told to do. D. Saul obeyed these instructions (Acts 9:18b). E. Notice the change that took place in Saul's life (vs.19-22).
III. THE JAILER IN PHILIPPI (Acts 16)
A. What prompted him to ask, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 1. Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi (vs.23a). 2. (vs.23b) The jailer was responsible for them. 3. The jailer became very troubled -- he was ready to take his life (vs.26-27). 4. (vs.28) Paul spoke to the jailer. 5. (vs.29-30) The jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" B. (vs.31) Paul and Silas initially told him, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." C. 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). D. The jailer's response is revealed in vs.33 (compare with Acts 8:5, 12). E. 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 be saved. 2. They believed that Jesus is God's Son, they repented, and they were baptized to receive the remission of their sins. 3. They were miserable people before they obeyed the Gospel; however, they were all very happy afterward. 4. Question: Would you like to do what they did and receive the same blessing that they were given?
