{"id":4889,"date":"2025-09-11T08:51:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T12:51:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.middleburgchristians.com\/?page_id=4889"},"modified":"2026-07-31T00:31:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T04:31:49","slug":"10-articles-what-must-i-do-to-be-saved","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.middleburgchristians.com\/?page_id=4889","title":{"rendered":"What Must I Do To Be Saved?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You can view, download, or print this entire series of studies with this PDF file<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

All studies are submitted with a keen awareness of the responsibility before God to teach the true gospel (Gal 1:6-9; 2:5). Each study is authored by Jerry Crolius, an evangelist and elder serving with the local congregation of Christians that meets in Middleburg, FL. Visit www.MiddleburgChristians.com<\/a> or send an email to jerrycrolius@gmail.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This series has a narrow but extremely important focus. What do the scriptures teach one to do to receive the forgiveness of sins and ENTER the body of Christ? What are the commands of the gospel?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I hope you are determined to hear what God says, not what man says. It is this writer’s conviction that many teachers are presenting an incomplete and inaccurate gospel message, yes, a false gospel. You have probably heard their message on TV or in a church building, \u201cJust receive Jesus into your heart and you’ll be saved\u201d or \u201cJust believe in Jesus and say the sinner\u2019s prayer and you’ll be saved\u201d or \u201cJust trust Jesus as your personal Savior and you’ll be saved.\u201d Are any of these answers true?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Let the scriptures speak to this question. All of God\u2019s word is truth (John 17:17), so we can expect (and should require) a consistent answer across the entirety of the scriptures.<\/p>\n

Each study stands alone on its specific topic, but there may be a benefit to reading them in order. The bookmarks assist with easier navigation.<\/p>\n

Introduction:\u00a0 Everyone Has A Predicament<\/a><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The Great Commission: Jesus\u2019 Final Instructions<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Pentecost: How 3,000 Jews Became Christians, Acts 2:14-41<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. The Conversion of the Apostle Paul, Acts 9:1-19; 22:4-16<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. How and When Do We Die with Christ? Romans 6:1-8<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Faith and Works:\u00a0 Correcting A Serious Error<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. \u201cBelieve\u201d Sums Up God’s Requirements for Salvation<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Is Baptism Merely a Symbolic, Public Display?<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. The Conversion of the Philippian Jailer, Acts 16:25-34<\/a><\/li>\n
  9. What About the Thief on the Cross? Luke 23:39-43<\/a><\/li>\n
  10. The Gospel Plan of Salvation:\u00a0 From God or Men?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    __________________________<\/p>\n

    <\/a>Introduction: Everyone Has A Predicament<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The Bible says that sin is the transgression of the law and that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23). Adam and Eve were removed from God’s presence when they sinned (Genesis 3:22-24). What happens as a result of our sin?\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Sin separates us from God who is “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Isaiah 6:1-7). The Bible says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). Sin breaks our fellowship with God. Sin prevents us from being in an eternal relationship with God.<\/p>\n

    What is the punishment for sin? The Bible says, “the wages of sin is death,” an eternal separation from God in hell (Romans 6:23; Luke 12:4-5). Because of our sins we all stand condemned, “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). There is nothing we can do on our own to bring ourselves back into fellowship with God.<\/p>\n

    Christ, The Answer To Our Sin Problem<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us” (Ephesians 2:4), has provided a way for us to be saved from the eternal consequences of our sin. The way is through His Son, Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

    Jesus came to this earth, lived among men for about 33 years, proclaimed the good news of the kingdom, and then died for our sins. Jesus committed no sin, and was therefore qualified to pay the price for our sins. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus shed His blood on the cross that we might be saved from eternal separation from God in hell (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:19).<\/p>\n

    Is There Anything We Must Do?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Romans 1:16 (ESV) 16<\/sup> For I am not ashamed of the gospel<\/u><\/strong>, for it is the power of God for salvation<\/u><\/strong> to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Many will tell you, \u201cjust receive Jesus into your heart and you’ll be saved\u201d or \u201cjust say the Sinner\u2019s Prayer and you’ll be saved\u201d or \u201cjust trust Jesus as your personal Savior and you’ll be saved.\u201d Are any of these answers true? Paul warns us not to change the gospel lest we incur God\u2019s judgment (Gal 1:6-9). <\/strong>We must teach the gospel exactly the way Jesus and the apostles taught it. Our own salvation depends on it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    As we proceed in this study, if what we are teaching is true, it will be consistent with ALL the scriptures. God\u2019s word is truth (Jn 17:17). Truth does not contradict itself.<\/p>\n

    Let’s see how the Scriptures answer our title question, “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    _____________ \u00a0\u00a0Back to top of list<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/a>1.\u00a0 The Great Commission: Jesus\u2019 Final Instructions<\/h2>\n

    Three accounts of \u201cThe Great Commission\u201d are found at the end of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. After his resurrection Jesus commissioned his apostles to preach the gospel and tell people how to be saved from their sins.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    In Matthew<\/strong> Jesus instructs the apostles to make disciples<\/strong> of all nations by baptizing them<\/strong> and teaching them to obey<\/strong> all that Jesus commands.<\/p>\n

    Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) 18<\/sup>And Jesus came and said to them, \u201cAll authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19<\/sup>Go therefore and make disciples<\/span> of all nations, baptizing them<\/span> in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20<\/sup>teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you<\/span>. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    In Mark<\/strong> Jesus instructs his apostles to preach the gospel to the world and states that those who believe<\/strong> and are baptized<\/strong> will be saved<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Mark 16:15-16 (ESV)\u00a0 15<\/sup>And he said to them, \u201cGo into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16<\/sup>Whoever believes<\/span> and is baptized <\/span>will be saved<\/span>, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.<\/em><\/p>\n

    In Luke<\/strong> Jesus instructs them to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Luke 24:45-49 (ESV) 45<\/sup>Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46<\/sup>and said to them, \u201cThus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47<\/sup>and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins<\/span> should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    According to Jesus, becoming a disciple of Christ and receiving the forgiveness of sins (being saved) involves three commands \u2013 believe, repent, and be baptized.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    That all three commands are not found in one single verse of scripture shows us how we must handle the scriptures. We are not to ignore any scriptures. Every scripture is true. Every scripture adds information that God wants us to accept. Our job is to \u201chandle accurately the word of truth\u201d <\/em>(2 Tim 2:15). We must accept and teach all that God says about what we must do to be saved.<\/p>\n

    Truth is consistent; it doesn\u2019t contradict itself. If we are consistent, honest, and accurate with God\u2019s word, we will accept, obey, and teach all that God says about what we must do to be saved. Our conclusions will harmonize with every scripture. We won\u2019t find a few scriptures to support what we want to believe, and then twist or ignore other scriptures that go against our belief.<\/p>\n

    If we \u201ccherry-pick\u201d the scriptures to suit what we want to believe, our honesty and love of the truth should be questioned.\u00a0Jesus said we must live\u00a0\u201cby every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God\u201d (Mt 4:4).<\/em> If every Bible topic deserves such treatment, how much more so the gospel message that saves our souls? \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    After studying the three gospel accounts of Jesus\u2019 Great Commission to his apostles, please answer these questions in your heart of hearts:<\/strong><\/p>\n