Read the articles below and answer the questions.

The following studies were written by our former minister, Bob Prichard.

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(Study #1)

What must I do to be saved?

    No more important question can be asked than, "What must I do to be saved?" Each of us will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and each of us is responsible for obeying the Lord. Salvation has two parts; God's part, and man's part. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God, because of His great love for mankind, has done his  part in sending Christ to die for our sins. Paul calls this "grace," the gift of God. "For by grace are ye saved  through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Paul reminds us that we cannot save ourselves, and must rely on God "through faith." "Through faith" means that man must also do his part, because no one can benefit from a gift until it is received.

    To find what man's part in the plan of salvation involves, one must go to the right place, the book of Acts, that explains the examples of conversion. There are eight specific accounts of conversion in Acts: the conversion of the Jews on Pentecost, chapter 2; the Samaritans, chapter 8; the Ethiopian eunuch, chapter 8; Saul of Tarsus, chapters 9 and 22; Cornelius, chapter 10; Lydia, chapter 16; the Philippian jailer, chapter 16; and the Corinthians, chapter 18. In each example, certain common actions, or steps of obedience, were taken by those who became Christians.

    Upon hearing the pure gospel message, each believed in Jesus as the Son of God. Though belief is not explicitly stated each time, it is implied. The Jews at Pentecost, having heard the message, "were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Their question, "What shall we do?" showed that they believed the message, but realized that they needed to do more than have simple belief to obtain salvation. As James wrote, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). Following their confession of faith in Christ, Peter told the Jews at Pentecost, "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 2:38). Thus we understand that repentance must accompany faith in Christ. One must also confess faith in Christ, as the Ethiopian did (Acts 8), because Christ will not confess us unless we are willing to confess Him. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33). Baptism is the only step toward salvation explicitly mentioned in every conversion account. Each of the accounts of conversion in Acts shows that baptism is necessary for obedience to Christ. Hearing the gospel message, believing in Christ, repenting of past sins, confessing Christ, and being baptized into Christ makes one a Christian, and brings salvation. Then one must serve the Lord faithfully.

^(c) 1998 by Bob Prichard, P. O. Box 532, Morristown, TN 37815

1. Why is this such an important question?

2. Why would we turn to the book of Acts to learn how to be saved?

3. In reading through the eight accounts of conversion, what common patterns do you see in their conversions?

4. Why is simple belief not sufficient to please God?

5. Why is baptism the only step toward salvation that is mentioned in every conversion account in Acts?

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(Study #2)

How do we know that Jesus is the Son of God?

    While there is ample historical evidence that there was a man named Jesus of Nazareth who lived in the first century, some question if we can believe His claims to be the Christ, the Son of God. The best record of His life, the Bible, gives more than enough evidence that His claims are true, because of the fulfilled prophecies, the record of His miracles, and the testimony of His followers.

    The fulfilled prophecies of the Old Testament, accomplished in the life and ministry of Jesus, are a major reason to believe His claims. The prophet Micah predicted, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). Although Mary and Joseph were residents of Nazareth, through the providence of God, they went to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus, in fulfillment of the prophecy. The birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy that "The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus fulfilled many prophecies in His death. Psalm 22:16-18 predicts of the Messiah, "The assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." John 19:23-24 describes the parting of His garments and the casting of lots at the crucifixion, "that the scripture might be fulfilled." Even the price of His betrayal, thirty pieces of silver, was prophesied over five hundred years before. "And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver" (Zechariah 11:12).

    In addition to the fulfilled prophecies, the signs and miracles that Jesus performed show that He is the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus showed his power over nature by turning water to wine and calming the sea. He showed His power over sickness by healing the lepers and giving sight to the blind and making the lame walk. He showed forcefully His power over death by raising Lazarus and others from the dead. His own resurrection from the dead proved conclusively His authority over death. Peter, speaking for the apostles, told Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). When threatened by the opponents of Christ, Peter and John replied, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). The apostles at first had trouble believing in Christ's resurrection, but they soon had opportunity to risk their lives for their faith. Peter said, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16). They were eyewitnesses of His majesty, and spoke truly.

^(c) 1998 by Bob Prichard, P. O. Box 532, Morristown, TN 37815

1. What does the title "Son of God" mean?

2. Why is Isaiah 7:14 such an important prophecy?

3. Can you find other prophecies of the Messiah in Psalm 2, not cited in this article?

4. How do the miracles of Jesus show He is the Son of God?

5. What does the faith of the apostles tell us about the truth of Christ's claims?

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