What Must I Do To Be Saved?

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Acts 16:30-33

INTRODUCTION

1. In Acts 16:30-33 we find a familiar passage...

a. In which Paul is confronted by the Philippian jailor

b. Who asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

2. This is a most important question...

a. Salvation from sin is our greatest need - cf. Romans 6:23

b. The answer must be according to the Word of God

3. The answer given is often limited to what is mentioned in Acts 16:31...

a. Without consideration of all that is said in the context

b. Without noting what is taught elsewhere in the Scriptures

[If one asks “What Must I Do To Be Saved? how should we reply? Shall we limit our response to the words of verse 31? Well, consider first of all...]

I. WHAT IS NOT MENTIONED

A. THE NEED TO REPENT OF SINS...

1. Nothing is said about the need to repent

2. Yet Jesus wanted repentance to be preached in His name - Lk 24:46-47

3. And so the apostles often preached the need to repent of sins

a. As did Peter in his first two sermons - Ac 2:37-38; 3:19

b. As did Paul in his sermon in Athens - Ac 17:30-31

-- Shall we conclude that repentance is not necessary because it is not mentioned in the conversion of the Philippian jailor?

B. THE NEED TO CONFESS CHRIST...

1. Nothing is said about the need to confess

2. Yet Jesus taught of the necessity of confessing Him before others - Mt 10:32-33

3. And so the apostles often mentioned the importance of confessing Christ

a. Confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus leads to salvation - Ro 10:9-10

b. Confessing that Jesus is the Son of God leads to abiding in God - 1 Jn 4:15

-- Shall we conclude that confession is not necessary because it is not mentioned in the conversion of the Philippian jailor?

[We would be mishandling the Scriptures to suggest that simply because repentance and confession are Snot mentioned in Ac 16:31 that they are not necessary to salvation. But now let’s consider...]

II. WHAT IS MENTIONED

A. BELIEVING ON THE LORD...

1. We are told of the need to believe on the Lord - Ac 16:31

2. This is consistent with what Jesus Himself taught

a. Believing in the Son is key to having eternal life - Jn 3:36

b. Unless we believe in Him, we will die in our sins - Jn 8:24

3. And so the apostles often proclaimed the importance of faith in Jesus

a. That one might have life in His name - Jn 20:30-31

b. That believing with the heart leads to righteousness - Ro 10:9-10

-- Without question faith is imperative to salvation, because of what the Bible says

about it

B. BAPTISM IMMEDIATELY...

1. We notice that the jailor and his family were baptized immediately - Ac 16:33

2. This is similar to what we read elsewhere in several cases of conversion

a. 3000 were baptized on the day of Pentecost - Ac 2:41

b. The Ethiopian eunuch was baptized as soon as he saw water - Ac 8:35-38

c. Paul was encouraged not to delay - Ac 22:16

3. Why were they baptized immediately, even when it was after midnight?

a. Peter said it was for the remission of sins - Ac 2:38

b. Paul was told it was to wash away sins - Ac 22:16

c. Paul later wrote that it was a cutting away of the body of sins - Co 2:11-13

d. Peter later wrote that it saves us through the resurrection of Christ - 1 Pe 3:21

-- When one sees what is revealed about baptism in the New Testament, we can

Understand why it was received as soon as possible by those who heard the gospel

CONCLUSION

1. Why does Paul only mention faith in answer to the question in verse 31...?

a. Because the answer takes into consideration one’s spiritual state or condition

b. For the jailor, he first needed to be told to believe in Jesus

c. For the 3000 on Pentecost, they already believed by the time they asked their question, so faith is not even mentioned (but implied nonetheless!)

2. What answer should we give to those who ask “What must I do to be saved?”...

a. Our answer depends upon what the state the person is in

1) If they have yet to believe in Jesus, then the need to believe in Him - Ac 16:30

2) If they believe in Jesus, then the need to repent, confess, and be baptized for the remission of their sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ro 10:9-10; Ga 3:26-27

b. Our answer should entail all found in the Word of the Lord

1) Paul proceeded to speak the word of the Lord to the jailor and his family - Ac 16:32

2) Such evidently included the need to be baptized immediately - Ac 16:33

A proper answer to “What must I do to be saved?” will take into consideration both the spiritual state of the inquirer and all that that the Word of God reveals on the subject. Have you responded to what the Bible teaches regarding salvation in Christ...?

Credit:

Mark A. Copeland

Textual Sermons 183

STEWARDS OF THE DIVINE FIRE- MUSA YAHAYA (REV.)

STEWARDS OF THE DIVINE FIRE

LEVITICUS 6:12-13

MUSA YAHAYA (REV.)

THE PRIESTS WERE CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KEEPING THE FIRE CONTINUALLY ON THE ALTAR AND PREVENT IT FROM GOING OUT.

ALL BELIEVERS ARE PRIEST ACCORDING THE WRITINGS OF PETER THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST

Exodus 19:6 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

 1Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

IT IS THEREFORE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL CHRISTIANS TO KEEP THE FIRE OF THE LORD ON THE ALTAR CONTINUALLY AND MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT GO OUT.

THERE IS AND INSTRUCTION IN THE SCRIPTURES THAT INSTRUCTS ALL BELIEVERS TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING AND NOT TO QUENCH THE SPIRIT

1Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,

1Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit

EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS AND KEEP IN MIND THAT, WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KEEPING THE FIRE ALWAYS ON THE ALTAR.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE LORD HAS PUT MAN IN-CHARGE OF THE FIRE AND THE INSTRUCTION IS THAT, THE FIRE MUST BE BURNING ALWAYS WOTHOUT STOPING JUST LIKE PRAYER SHOULD NOT BE CEASED.

THIS ALSO MEANS THE FIR CAN BE QUENCHED BY THOSE WHO HAVE THE STEWARDSHIP OVER IT. WHEN WE STOP PRAYING, WE WILL QUENCH THE SPIRIT, THE FIRE WILL GO OUT. WHEN WE DO NOT ADD FIREWOOD, THE FIRE WILL GO OUT.

Proverbs 26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

THIS CAN BE COMPARED TO THE BLACKSMITH FURNACE. WHEN THERE IS COAL ON IT, THE SMITH FANS IT AND THERE IS FIRE AFLAME ON THE FURNANCE. WHEN HE STOPS FANNING, ASHES EMERGE ON THE SURFACE OF THE COAL. HE RE-FANS IT AND THE FIRE COMES BACK AND THE ASHES GETS OFF. WHEN THE COAL IS FINISHED, NO MATTER HOW HE FUNS IT, THERE SHALL BE NO FIRE. THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR COAL AND FUEL. IT SHOULD THE BASIS OF OUR PRAYER TO KEEP THE SPIRIT AFLAME.

MOSES SAW THE DIVINE FIRE IN THE WILDERNESS AND TOOK A NEW TURN FROM HIS OLD ROUTE.

Exodus 3:1 - 4 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn."So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."

YOU CANNOT BE THE SAME IF YOU ENCOUNTER THE DIVINE FIRE. IT CAUSED MOSES TO TAKE A NEW TURN OF HIS LIFE. GOD NEVER CALLED MOSES BY NAME UNTIL HE FOUND THAT MOSES HAS TAKEN A NEW TURN. AND WHEN MOSES RESPONDED TO THE CALL OF THE ALMIGHTY, HIS PURPOSE OF EXISTENCE WAS MADE KNOWN TO HIM. AS WE KEEP THE FIRE ABLAZE AS WATCHMEN, WE NEED TO TAKE A TURN FROM OUR OLD WAYS OF DOING THINGS. THIS CALL FOR REPENTANCE AND CHANGE OF MIND.  

HUMILITY IS KEY

#

Humility is the acceptance of our place as dependent on God.
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. John 5:19 (ESV)
You can never have authority if you don't submit to authority.

MINING THE GOOD DEPOSIT IN YOU FOR GOD’S GLORY

MINING THE GOOD DEPOSIT IN YOU FOR GOD’S GLORY.

That good thing which was committed unto thee. Simply, "the good deposit."

Guard means protect jealously.

 As in 1Timothy 6:20. God has also made an investment in Timothy (cf. verse 2Timothy 1:12). Like any other believer in Christ Jesus.

Timothy must not let that fail. Which dwelleth in us.  It is only through the Holy Spirit that Timothy or any of us can guard God's deposit with us.

Peter was called to follow Jesus; for he shall be fishers of men. We did not see Peter fishing for souls until the Holy Ghost came upon him. On one occasion three thousand souls were won. At another time it was five thousand souls.

God has deposited most good deposits in us as his children. And until the Holy Spirit comes upon you in power and fire, you cannot mine and refine it. On the day of Pentecost there was fire to refine the explosion of deposits. Like mines company, the target is on the deposit and refinery of what is mined.

From Monday till now, much deposit has been made by the hands that have been laid on you.

2Timothy 1:6 Therefore, I remind you to inflame anew the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands.

1Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the body of elders

Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1Timothy 1:18; 5:22; 2Timothy 1:6

The task tonight is to expose (unveil) the deposits in you to the glory of God. In fact, it is a commissioning service. The prophets and prophetess would come up. The evangelists would come up with power of proclamation and healings. The miracle workers and faith demonstrators would emerge. People of divine wisdom, knowledge and discernment will surface and with accurate prophetic utterances. Prayer warriors would be raised with new tongues and interpretations.

Tonight whatever has been deposited in you would be exposed by the enabling power of the Holy Ghost. And there shall be a refinery in manifestation by fire.

1Peter 4:10 each one as he received a gift, ministering it to yourselves as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as the words of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory, and the might forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 12:6 Then having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;

 7 or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching;

 8 or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who shares, in simplicity; or he

who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.

Just to expose you to few things of real life, I want to let you know that until mineral underground (gold ore, bauxite, manganese, iron ore, uranium, etc) is fine and refined for use it is not different from any soul at all. Example, the oil Ghana has discovered was not created just ten years ago. No! it has been there for a very long time. The same goes for the gold and other minerals underground. But until it has been discovered, mined and refined it has no benefit to mankind. I believe the day you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and the Holy Spirit came to dwell in you, He came along with divine deposits which when discovered would help in the advancement of the kingdom of God. Remember where mining is done, royalties are paid. Therefore, if you are a carrier of divine deposits and as there is mining taking place in you, you shall receive divine royalties (blessings).

Again, it is worth noting that, some artist have good voices to sing but are not called “stars” until they are discovered and trained. Example is “Cee” and “Isaac” discovered through the TV3 Mentorship programme. They had good abilities from childhood but when the mining begun, they were considered ‘stars’.

The famous Michael Essien is not a university graduate (only completed sssce) but a man with much wealth. Talk of Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, Asamoah Gyan, etc they are not much lettered people but because they discovered and mined their deposits they are well known than many professors in our country.

DESPIRATION

DESPIRATION

Proverbs 27:7 A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

OR

Proverbs 27:7 The full soul trampleth on a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Family Bible Notes:

A deep sense of want makes men ready to accept help upon any terms. The highest illustration of this is in the case of lost sinners, to whom Christ's salvation is offered, through repentance, faith, and daily self-denial.

In the case of no option, whatever available is considered best.

YAHAYA’S EXPANDED COMMENTARY:

In fact, where there is no genuine, fake (counterfeit) is regarded as original.

In the absence of the supernatural, trickery is spiritual.

When a man has no idea of how to prosper (through faithful tithing and sacrificial giving) in the LORD, lottery is regarded as divine.

Shadows are beautiful when real objects are behind the scene.

The blood of the lamb at the threshold of Israelites in Egypt and the scarlet piece of cloth hanged in Rahab’s window were considered POWERFUL MEANS OF DIVINE EXEMPTIONS FROM DESTRUCTION when the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HAD NOT BEEN SHED. 

 BETTER seems to be champion when BEST is out of town.

To the desperate wanderer, accommodation on the toilet appears to be a resting place for the king.

Many have tasted sweet and have no desire to further taste sweetest.

To the born-blind all colours look same.

People are chasing products while ignoring the producer.

Many people are running after deliverance while bypassing the deliverer.

Men are seeking salvation while turning their back on the savior.

People are yearning for the anointing oil but overlooking the Holy Ghost.

It is time to encounter realities than shadows.

I call on all men to tend to Jesus Christ the real savior of Human race.

Kindly welcome Jesus Christ into your life and be saved. Allow yourself to be baptized for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (The Anointing)

Stop being despirate for miracle whilest the miracle performer is desperately knocking at the door of your heart.

Only welcome Him by accepting Him to be LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOUR.

HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST.

DEAR LORD JESUS CHRIST, I WELCOME YOU NOW INTO MY LIFE. FROM NOW UPWARDS, YOU ARE MY PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOUR FOR ALL THE REST OF THE DAYS OF MY LIFE. THANK YOU MY LORD I AM BORN AGAIN. HALLELUIAH!!!!!!!!!!!