
How to Be Saved According to Jesus
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30) That question, that has echoed in the hearts of men down through the ages, since the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas. It touches that universal wish in all of us to understand the meaning of our lives and to have hope for the future.
Quick View
- What Must I Do To Be Saved?
- What Does Believe Actually Mean?
- Why Do We Need To Be Saved Anyway?
- Who Are We Really Believing In?
- To Believe In Jesus Is To Believe In The One True God
- Living Faith Is Continuing To Believe
- This Is The Path To Life
- If You Truly Want To Be Saved …
- Enjoy The Journey In Your Short Stay Here
- Hopeful Thoughts
- We are here for you!
- Let us close in prayer
The response given by Paul and Silas is not complicated: “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). So, what does it actually mean to “believe in” or to “believe on”?
What Does Believe Actually Mean?
According to the bible, how is belief defined, and what are the conditions of true belief?
1. Is believing as straightforward as faith alone, affirming that He is the Son of God?
True faith is unseen, believing without a reason (Hebrews 11:1) in who Jesus said He was (2 Corinthians 9:8). Salvation is unconditional in its offering: God’s grace is available to all who wholeheartedly seek Him. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work“. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
2. Does “believe” mean that I must truly believe with all of my heart in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and confess it?
Yes, we must believe and confess wholeheartedly that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again in His resurrection. “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 19:9)
3. Does “believe” really mean I need to repent of all my sins?
Yes, we must repent of our sins to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1:15)
4. Does to “believe” mean I cannot love the world?
After we have been born again, our faith is continuous and does not stop. We must not love the world or the things in the world as commanded. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him”. (1 John 2:15)
5. Does “believe” mean that I must obey Jesus’s and God’s commands in order to remain in Jesus’ love?
Yes, after our rebirth into the Kingdom of God, we absolutely must obey God’s commands in order to remain in His love. “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.” (John 15:9-10)
Well, to really see what it means to believe in Jesus, we have to look at how he lived, what he taught, that he died and rose from the dead. The Bible teaches that Jesus was a Man of God, the Son of God sent to live among us and teach us the way, the truth and the life, the way to God Almighty and the way to salvation.
Why Do We Need To Be Saved Anyway?
According to the word of God, mankind is in need of salvation because of our rebellious sin against a perfect and Holy God. Sin is not just an act of wrongdoing, but a condition of the heart, a willful turning away from God’s righteous path.
Our sins, no matter how small they may seem, create a deep chasm between us and God, separating us from His love and presence. Sin is not only a personal failure but a rejection of the holiness and authority of God. This separation leads to the storing up of wrath upon ourselves, as God’s perfect justice demands accountability for every act of disobedience.
God’s justice manifests in the form of judgment, which ultimately results in eternal separation from God in a separating place called hell, a place of unimaginable sorrow and regret. Yet, this reveals the depth of our need for redemption and the incredible love of God in providing a way for reconciliation through His grace.
There Is A Place Called Hell
Hell is a realm designated for those who stand in opposition to God. By nature, all sinners are bound for hell, as their actions place them in enmity with Him. Hell is explicitly described as a place of unending torment, where there is everlasting burning, darkness, and gnashing of teeth — a place of unimaginable anguish. It is not a destination anyone would want to face, making the need for redemption and reconciliation with God through His grace all the more urgent.
Salvation offers us hope and provides a path to escape judgment while transforming us into a new creation. If you are curious about what the Bible says about hell, we’ve put together a detailed and insightful article just for you. Don’t miss out on this valuable resource! What Does The Bible Say About Hell?. Another great resource on the reality of hell: Is Hell Real, and Does Hell Burn Forever?
Our True Purpose While On Earth
The true purpose of salvation is to experience God’s grace, which removes the judgment we rightfully deserve. Through salvation, God makes us born again, filling us with His Spirit and empowering us to overcome the sin that once condemned us to eternal separation from Him in an eternal, everlasting hell.
Who Are We Really Believing In?
Our mission in this world is to connect with and truly know who the one true God is, the creator of all things and the source of life itself. Jesus Christ came into the world to show us the way to God the Father, offering set-apart teachings, guidance, and an example of how to live a life aligned with God’s will.
By following Jesus, we draw closer to the Father and understand His love and plans for us. Jesus, the chosen servant, sent by God the Father, acts as our mediator, bridging the gap between mankind and God Almighty. Through Jesus’ sacrifice (blood of the new covenant) and Jesus’ resurrection, He made it possible for us to receive the new birth (born again), establish a new relationship, and enter into covenant with the Father, the giver of all life.
To Believe In Jesus Is To Believe In The One True God
When we believe in Jesus, we are placing our faith in Jesus, in who Jesus said He is. We are putting our faith and trust in the one who sent Jesus – God Almighty, who loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that we may have the opportunity of eternal life. Believing in Jesus, is actually believing in God Almighty who connects us to a life of purpose, hope, and salvation.
And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me” (John 12:44)
Our ultimate goal in this life is to seek and discover the true identity of who our creator is: the God who is the source of all creation, even life itself! Jesus Christ came into the world to demonstrate to mankind the path to God the Father, with sanctified doctrines of truth, and as a role model for living in the perfect will of God.
We are not only placing our faith in Jesus but also trusting in God Almighty, the Father of Jesus. God loved the world (His creation) so deeply that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. To believe in Jesus, is to believe in God Almighty who connects us to a fulfilling life of hope, purpose, and salvation.
“For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure” (John 3:34)
“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me” (John 7:16)
Living Faith Is Continuing To Believe
When we believe in Jesus we acknowledge and trust Jesus as our Savior, sent by God Almighty. The Bible tells us: “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The Bible explains: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Jesus’ resurrection and victory of death, hell, and the grave provides a clear path to God the Father, offering forgiveness to us while freeing us from sin’s power to live righteously and granting us eternal life through our faith. After we have been born again, we are commanded by Jesus to dedicate ourselves entirely to God the Father and follow His commands as Jesus did while remaining faithful till we draw our last breath.
Believing in something or someone represents an ongoing process, a continuation, showing continuous faith or conviction in what we are claiming to believe in. Active faith remains alive with our dedicated obedience to God’s commands and full desire to submit to God’s will.
You have faith and I have works. ”Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18)
This distinction demonstrates how an ephemeral thought differs from a continuous faith or belief that persists in an idea, concept, or principle. The act of believing represents an unbroken, continual, faithful journey.
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead (James 2:26)
Faith in Jesus represents a lifelong, enduring journey instead of a single mental ascent (belief). Jesus guides us towards God Almighty, which creates is us an active faith where faithful believers grow spiritually and work to follow God Almighty’s commands. Our new relationship with one true God requires complete love towards Him while we study His Word to gain approval and engage in continuous prayer to God while faithfully doing the Father’s will and obeying His commands.
This Is The Path To Life:
The road to salvation, the hope of our inheritance:
Believe in Jesus
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Faith in Jesus, and faithfulness to His commands are central to in His teachings. Believing in Jesus as the Son of God means trusting in his sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and his resurrection.
Be Born Again
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’” – John 3:3
To be “born again” signifies a spiritual transformation, made possible through faith and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Repent of Your Sins
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” – Mark 1:15
Repentance involves turning away from sin and aligning your life with God’s will, acknowledging your wrongs, and seeking forgiveness.
Love God and Your Neighbor
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus emphasized that salvation isn’t just about a personal relationship with God but also about showing love and kindness to others.
Confess and Follow Jesus
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 10:32
Following Jesus means publicly professing your faith and living in obedience to his teachings.
Take Up Your Cross
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24
Following Jesus requires self-sacrifice, putting God’s will above your own, and being willing to endure challenges for the sake of your faith.
We Must Remain In God The Father
Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. I John 3:24
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. 1 John 2:3
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:6
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9
We Must Remain In Jesus
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” John 15:4
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.” John 15:5-6
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23
Abide in His Word
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
Living according to Jesus’ teachings is essential for spiritual freedom and salvation. Regularly reading and applying his words helps us stay aligned with God’s purpose.
Do The Will of God
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
Salvation is not just about words or rituals; it’s about actively living out God’s will in your life.
We Must Remain In Jesus’ and The Father’s Love
“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.” John 15:9-10
Partake in Baptism
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” – Mark 16:16
Jesus highlighted baptism as a significant act of faith and obedience, symbolizing the washing away of sins and new life in God.
Trust In God’s Word
“Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” – John 5:24
We Must Be Perfect
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). In this powerful verse, Jesus sets an extraordinary standard for those who seek salvation, calling everyone to be perfect. This is not a casual suggestion but a direct command that challenges believers to reflect the character of God in every aspect of their lives.
The supreme goal for every born-again believer is to pursue this perfection with all of their heart, which encompasses living in obedience to God’s will and obeying His commandments as His children. It is an invitation to be set-apart, grow in holiness, love, mercy, and righteousness, aligning our lives with the commands of God Himself.
Jesus is the ultimate example, showing us through His words, actions, sacrifice, and victorious resurrection what living in perfect harmony with God’s will means. By studying His life and seeking to emulate His character, we can better understand how to walk the path of righteousness and reflect God’s perfection in our own lives. This call to be perfect is not about achieving flawlessness but about continually striving to live in faithful devotion, drawing closer to God each day.
We have some wonderful articles that explore the concept of being perfect, offering insights, hopeful thoughts, and thoughtful perspectives to help you navigate the pursuit of excellence in biblical perfection:
What Does “Perfect” Really Mean in the Bible?
Understanding Biblical Salvation and Perfection
If You Truly Want To Be Saved …
To attain salvation, we must have faith by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and be born-again. This saving faith is a steadfast anchor, deeply rooted in our unwavering trust and wholehearted belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father. Our new faith will face seemingly unbearable testing, trials, doubts, and challenges; yet, we must remain strong in the faith, enduring till the very end of our journey. It is through our faithfulness that we draw closer to God’s grace and the promised hope of eternal life.
- According to Jesus, salvation comes through faith in Him, a commitment to take up your cross, steadfastly abide in His teachings, and persevere faithfully until the end. (Matthew 24:13)
- John the Baptist taught that we must repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.
- Paul taught that we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
- Jesus stated that we must remain in His love and the Father’s love by keeping His commandments.
Salvation is a process, a journey involving keeping the faith, officially repenting by turning away from sin, doing God the Father’s will and obeying His commandments. So, if you truly want to be saved, then you must believe, by faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, and from there, you must faithfully keep the faith by remaining in the Father’s love.
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Acts 16:30-31)
Enjoy The Journey In Your Short Stay Here
We must cherish and use our God-given time wisely by seeking the Father’s guidance in all choices while following His Word for direction during both favorable and difficult periods and trusting His promises with courage until our journey ends. Our daily life should radiate purpose and gratitude while we remain committed to fulfilling His will through our heart’s desires.
Hopeful Thoughts
According to Jesus, salvation is based on faith, which should produce faithfulness, enduring till the end. Our salvation is a new birth (born-again), complete regeneration met with repentance (turning from any sins), always seeking and doing the will of God the Father and obeying the Father’s commands.
Faith is not just believing, set it and forget it type of approach. Living faith, truly believing, is choosing to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, repenting of all sin is to turn away from all sin, to actively choose to live according to Jesus’ teachings. Faith is trust in God Almighty’s plan and belief in the promise of eternal life by entering the narrow gate, and faithfully continuing till the end.
If you are looking to go deeper in your faith, meditate on these truths and how they effect your relationship with God. Read and ponder over scripture that highlights these elements of salvation, and ask God for the spirit of wisdom and revelation as you walk in your spirituality. Just remember that faith is something that grows over the course of a lifetime, and God is always there to lead you through the way.
We are here for you!
We commit our lives to God the Father and His Son – the Lord Jesus Christ! We are in the business of spreading the good news, to inspire hope, share the message of deliverance, and ultimately plant the seed of saving faith.
Our desire is to extend and share with others the love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness of God, which are available to all through faith in Him. Our goal is to encourage others to hold on to this message, enjoy the peace that comes from His promises, and find the pathway to life as we learn the Father’s ways and live by them.
If you need prayer, encouragement, or assistance of any kind, please contact us. It would be our pleasure to help and bless you in any way we can!
you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
Let us close in prayer:
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)