Conversion on Pentecost

when they heard ‘N ow this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:37–38) Throughout the New Testament there are numerous accounts of conversion that give examples of what one must do in order to be saved. Sadly, many have used examples from Scripture and have used those examples incorrectly in order to teach a false doctrine.

Many have used the thief on the cross as an example for salvation, some have taken verses out of the context of Scripture and have applied Bible teaching incorrectly, but when the Bible is studied and rightly divided (2 Tim.

2:15), everyone can come to the same conclusions and be saved accordingly. What does the Scriptures teach that one must do in order to be saved? The greatest question that one may ask themselves is “What must I do to be saved?” and this is the question that was asked by those present in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

Jeremy Thornton Immediately after asking this question the apostles answered those that wondered about their soul’s greatest need. Let’s examine what the apostles told these on this great day.

The apostles had been chosen/selected by Jesus for the purpose of spreading the Gospel into all the world.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19–20). After Jesus ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of God, the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles, just as Jesus had promised (Acts 1). “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). After the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles and they were able to speak in different languages (“tongues”) then the apostles began preaching the Gospel to those that were present in Jerusalem, just as Jesus had commanded them to begin in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). As the apostles began speaking in different languages, those present began mocking them supposing them to be drunken, but the apostles directed them to prophecies proving this was part of the plan of God (Acts 2:14-21; Joel 2:28ff.). The apostles were the chosen spokesmen for Christ as they had been with Him, witnessed His miracles, heard Him teach, witnessed His resurrection, and watched Him ascend into heaven, and now as the qualified spokesmen (Acts 1:22) these men were doing exactly as Jesus had commanded them.

What was the message these men preached on that great day? The apostles did not comfort those present, attempting to give them a false sense of hope, but were concise with their message. The message the apostles preached was the same message that needs to be preached today, Jesus is the Christ, sent by God, He was crucified, but now He is risen! “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (Acts 2:22–24).

The ones present in Jerusalem on this great day were among some that were guilty of denying Jesus was the Messiah and were a part of the crowd that cried out to Pontius Pilate to “crucify Him.” The apostles preached the One they had slain was the Messiah sent by God.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36). As the apostles were being led in all truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) they preached the Gospel, proving that Jesus is the Christ, and in so doing convicting men of their sins. Some that heard this message responded to the preaching of the Gospel with the great question “what must we do?”. The apostles did not tell those present there was nothing to be done, they did not ask if any wanted to accept Jesus and say a prayer for them but being led by the Spirit the apostles gave them instructions from God to be saved from their sins. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:37–38). In order for those guilty of sin on that day to be saved from their sins they had to repent from sin and be baptized into Christ, and those that were baptized were added to the church belonging to Jesus Christ.

“Praising God, and having favour with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47).

Following this example, what must man do today in order to be saved? Like those present on the Day of Pentecost, everyone must hear the Gospel message.

Faith comes by hearing the Gospel (Rom. 10:17), as the Gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor.

1:18). Like those present on Pentecost that believed that Jesus is the Christ, those that desire to be saved must believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24). The apostles commanded that repentance is necessary in order to be saved (Acts 2:38) and those that desire to be saved must turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). The apostles then commanded that those desiring to be saved be immersed in baptism (Acts 2:38). Anyone wanting to be saved must be baptized in order to have their sins washed away (Acts 22:16). Being buried in baptism is not a suggestion, and it is more than an “outward sign of an inward feeling” but is obeying the commands God has given man in order to be saved (1 Peter 3:21).

Those that were saved on Pentecost were added to the church which was purchased by Jesus on the cross (Acts 20:28), which is the church/ kingdom He had promised to build (Matt. 16:18ff.; Acts 2:47).

What must one do in order to be saved? Like the examples in Scripture, hear the Gospel and obey its commands!

Jeremy Thornton is Minister of Highway 77 Church of Christ in Marion.