1. In vs.9 Jesus is identified as "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." 2. According to Luke 19:10, the Lord came for the purpose of saving the lost. 3. In reference to obeying the Lord, just before He ascended to heaven, He gave His requirements for receiving salvation (Mark 16:15-16). 4. Jesus saves those who comply with His requirements (Romans 6:17-18). 5. The extent to which the Lord saves is revealed in Hebrews 7:25. 6. In our lesson we are examining 3 occasions in Acts when people obeyed the Lord to receive the salvation He provides, including: a. Jewish people in Jerusalem (Acts 2) b. Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9) c. the jailer in Philippi (Acts 16). 7. Our study is designed to help us understand how/who the Lord saves today. 8. Let us begin with . . . Discussion: I. JEWISH PEOPLE IN JERUSALEM (Acts 2)
A. The situation: 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 about 3,000 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. The situation: 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. The situation: 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. Jewish people in Jerusalem, Saul of Tarsus, and the jailer in Philippi obeyed the Lord's requirements to receive the salvation He provides. 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 very unhappy people before they obeyed the Gospel; however, after the Lord saved them they were all very happy. 4. Question: Would you like to do what they did and receive the same blessing that they were given?
