Regardless who they are, or where they live, in every walk of life, we find people who are concerned about the condition of their souls. Among those who are concerned, some ask, "What must I do to be saved?" This is a question to which we must give consideration. It deserves a Bible answer.

Unfortunately, the answer the concerned person receives depends on the one to whom he addresses the question. Men have given many different answers, but God's book, gives only one. God's answer is the correct answer. Let's consider some things this question tells us:

1. The person who asks the question must recognize that he is in a lost condition; otherwise, why would he ask the question? Could it be that he/she realizes that all are guilty of sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). Sin separates a man from God (Isaiah 59:1,2). God's word explains that the one who is living in sin is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1,2).
   
   
2. The person who asks the question recognizes that he cannot save himself. If a person could save himself, there would be no need to search for an answer to the question "What must I do to be saved?" The Bible clearly teaches that mankind does not have the answer to this vital question (Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 11:33). A person may have a lot of secular intelligence and education, but without proper knowledge of God's word, he is ignorant about divine things.
   
   
3. The person who asks the question must also recognize that, in order to be saved, he needs to meet certain conditions. If the person needs to DO something, it means that salvation is conditional and, therefore, cannot be unconditional. Jesus said that merely believing in Him is not enough (Matthew 7:21; Luke 4:46; John 14:15; James 2:17,18).
   
   
4. In each of the three times this question was asked in the Scriptures, it was accompanied by an urgency to find the answer. Notice the word MUST. Clearly, this word shows ACTION on the part of the one who asks the question. Why would there be urgency? Possibly, the person understands that time is on the Lord's side. Each of us must die and face the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Since we don't know when these two events will occur, we must prepare. Finding the answer is urgent.
   
   
5. The person who asks the question must accept accountability for himself. The one who is asking for an answer is not asking for others; he is asking for himself. Salvation is an individual matter. Each of us must stand before God on the basis of his/her own record-not the record of another person (2 Corinthians 5:10).
   
   
6. The person who asks the question must understand that God, and only God, can make salvation a reality. If others could provide a remedy, why not go to them? Sadly, many go to the wrong source to find the answer to the vital question "What must I do to be saved?" God, by sending His Son to die on a cross, made our salvation possible (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8; Hebrews 2:9, 14,15). He paid the ransom price for our sin, providing redemption and forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7).
   
   

Now that we know why some ask what they must do to be saved, let us see how God's book goes about supplying the answer:

1. Hear. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) The sinner must come into contact with God's word. His word, and only His word, is God's power to save (Romans 1:16). It provides the facts that one must acknowledge to place him in a position to accept God's answers.
   
   
2. Believe. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) Man must believe that Christ is God's only Son. Unless a person accepts Christ's deity, that person will die in his sins (John 8:24).
   
   
3. Repent. "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." (Acts 17:30) Repentance begins with a changed heart and results in changed conduct. One cannot be a believer unless he is willing to repent and turn away from the paths of sin. Repentance is godly sorrow brought on by recognition that one has sinned against God (2 Corinthians 7:7-10). Repentence results in a changed life that moves in a different direction.
   
   
4. Confess. "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9,10) Confession is public expression of what one believes in his heart. This confession is more than a one-time act; it is a statement of allegiance to make the Lord's will our will. A Bible example is found in Acts 8:37-39.
   
   
5. Be Baptized. "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans 6:3-8) In baptism, the sinner contacts Christ's blood, which gives him remission of his sins (Matthew 26:28; Acts 2:38). Baptism puts one into Christ (Galatians 3:26,27).
   
   

The Bible clearly and plainly gives the answer to the vital question "What must I do to be saved?" Man is not left in despair, thinking he cannot understand the answer. Confusion results from going to the wrong source to find the answer and then believing the answer without checking it against God's word. Salvation and eternity are words we must take very seriously. Maybe you are reading this article, but you do not agree with its conclusions. Why not check God's word for yourself? Instead of disregarding the article, have concern for your soul, and read the Bible again to be sure you have done all you need to do to prepare for the judgment.

"For He says: In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12) Take the time and make the effort. Then you can know for sure. What do you have to lose except your soul!