There is no question more serious, more urgent, and more personal than this:“What must I do to be saved?” This is not a question about religion, church membership, or self-improvement. It is about your soul, your eternal destiny, and where you will spend forever. The Bible records this very question being asked nearly 2,000 years ago, and God has given a clear, unchanging answer. (Acts 16:30–31, KJV) “And brought them out, and said, 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.” In this article, we will let Scripture speak for itself. We will not lean on opinions, traditions, or feelings, but on the Word of God alone. God has spoken clearly about: Why Do I Need to Be Saved? Many people think they are “basically good,” or “good enough for heaven.” But God’s Word tells us the truth about our condition. We are all sinners by nature and by choice (Romans 3:10–12, KJV) “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable;there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:23, KJV) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” God is perfectly holy. His standard is not “better than most people,” but His own perfect righteousness. To “come short of the glory of God” means that no matter how hard we try, we cannot reach His standard on our own. Sin is not just the “big” things (murder, theft, adultery); it includes every lie, every impure thought, every act of pride, every moment of rebellion against God. Sin has a serious consequence (Romans 6:23, KJV) “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” A “wage” is what you earn. Because of our sin, what we have earned is death. This includes physical death and, far more serious, spiritual death, eternal separation from God in hell. God’s Word also reminds us: (Hebrews 9:27, KJV) “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Every person will die once, and after death comes judgment. This is why the question, “What must I do to be saved?” is not a theoretical question; it is a personal appointment every soul will face. Who Can Save Me? In a world of religions, ideas, and philosophies, many claim to offer a path to God. But the Bible is clear: only one Person can save you. Salvation is in a Person, not a system (John 14:6, KJV) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus did not say He is a way or one of many ways. He said, “I am the way.” There is no other road, no back door, no alternate path to the Father. (Acts 4:12, KJV) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Notice: “none other name.” Not our name, not a church’s name, not a prophet’s name, only the name of Jesus Christ. What did Jesus do to save us? The gospel is not just that Jesus was a good teacher or example. The Bible defines the gospel clearly: (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, KJV) “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” This is how God showed His love for us: (Romans 5:8, KJV) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God did not wait for us to become better or clean ourselves up. While we were still sinners, still guilty, still unworthy; Christ died for us. Salvation Is by Grace, Not by Works Most people naturally think: “If I live a good life, I’ll go to heaven.” But God’s Word says the exact opposite. (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Titus 3:5, KJV) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” If we could save ourselves by good works, then salvation would not be a gift; it would be a wage we earned. But the Bible says salvation is entirely by grace (God’s undeserved favor) and “not of works.” No one will ever stand in heaven and say, “I am here because I was good enough.” All glory will go to the Lamb who was slain. What Must I Do to Be Saved? Now we return to the question of the Philippian jailer: (Acts 16:30–31, KJV) “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.” The answer God gives is clear: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” But what does that mean according to Scripture? You must repent Repentance is more than feeling sorry; it is a change of mind toward God and sin, a turning from sin and self to God. (Acts 17:30–31, KJV) “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Luke 13:3, KJV) “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all … Read more