The Quest for Salvation: Ask the Question, Get the Answer, Take Appropriate Action

Trevor S. Ferguson

August 27, 2011

Acts 2:37-41 (NKJV)
³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
³⁸ Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
³⁹ For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
⁴⁰ And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."
⁴¹ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

INTRODUCTION

   

 All societies have some kind of religion. This extends from the most ancient civilizations to the present post-modern era. This universality of religion is thought to be related to a subconscious desire to connect with a higher being which is present in all humans. Some writers have described this as a ‘God-shaped vacuum’, to illustrate the void that can only be filled by a meaningful relationship with God. The vast number of religions however testifies to the fact the man has not settled the question of religiosity. Mankind has diverse concepts of God and godliness and each religion suggests different ways in which man can connect with God and satisfy the innate need for communion with God.

The bible however provides an account of the origins of man, the origins of sin and how man became alienated from God. It also records God’s plan for the salvation of fallen man and how this plan was fulfilled by Jesus Christ. The problem however is that man has, by and large, rejected God’s plan and over time has set up his own religious systems. These religious systems are however destined to fail as the bible clearly shows in the final analysis Jesus will stand as victor over all the forces of darkness and all men will have to worship him.  

  

Many today are still on a quest for salvation; seeking after, searching for, looking for God; looking for meaning, trying to find purpose for living, if per chance they could find peace and fill the void.  Today I want to suggest a formula, as illustrated in Acts chapter 2: Ask the Question; Get the Answer; Take Appropriate Action!

EXPOSITION

Let’s take a look at the text and the context

Peter gave this first church sermon on the day of Pentecost in response to question posed by the Jews.  About 120 believers had camped out in the upper room, waiting for the promise of the Holy Ghost as they had been instructed by Jesus. The bible tells us that on the day of Pentecost, the Holy fell on these 120 believers and they began to speak with tongues as the Holy Ghost gave utterance.  This 'speaking in tongues' was associated with much noise so that the other Jews who were in other rooms heard them speaking and began asking questions: Are not all these Galileans? How do we hear them speaking our language? What does all this mean?
 

Peter then address the multitude and explained to them that what they now saw and heard was that which was prophesied by the prophet Joel, that God would pour out His spirit on all men. He went on to explain that God had anointed Jesus of Nazareth, who came as the Messiah (the one who will deliver Israel and restore fellowship with God), but was rejected by the Jews, delivered to the Romans, who crucified him. Peter further explained that despite the actions of the Jews and Romans, God had turned the situation around and raised up Jesus from the dead. This same Jesus whom they had crucified, God had made Lord and Christ!

 

The bible tells us that when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts, the conviction of God was upon them and again they asked the question: Men and brethren, what shall we do? They were in effect asking what must we do in order to accept Jesus as Lord and Christ? What must we do to be saved. This is the first step in our quest for salvation:  

 

ASK THE QUESTION!!  

• Somebody today is feeling the conviction of God. God is knocking at your heart door! You want to make a move, but you don’t know what to do! ASK THE QUESTION. Men and brethren, brothers and sisters, what shall I do? What must I do to be saved?

 

The good news is that GOD IS READY WITH THE ANSWER!! In fact he has already given the answer:

 

GET THE ANSWER

• The bible tells us in Acts 2:38 that Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized, everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gist of the Holy Ghost. THAT IS THE ANSWER! 

Having received the answer, its now time to take appropriate action.

 

TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION

• The bible goes on to say in verse 41 that they that gladly received the word were baptized the same day; all together they baptized about three thousand souls.  THEY TOOK THE RIGHT ACTION!! 

APPLICATION

 

Today there is often a ‘disconnect’ between question, answer and action?  

 

The first problem is that some have failed to ask the question. Despite the abundance of evidence for the existence of God and his desire to relate to man, many today have not sought after salvation. I want to remind you that it’s better to ask now rather than being forced to ask later. The bible tells us that every knee shall bow and every tongue must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I strongly suggest that it’s better to bow now than being forced to bow later. ASK THE QUESTION? 

 

The second problem is that some persons have asked the question but did not pursue an answer or pursued but got the wrong answer. Let me say today that the bible teaches only one way of salvation: repentance; water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Every recorded salvation experience in the bible uses this formula. All other formulas were developed outside of the biblical record. If you want to be saved, make sure you get it the bible way!! GET THE RIGHT ANSWER!

 

The third problem today is that some have come to the knowledge of the truth but have failed to take appropriate actions. Jesus spoke about these people in the sermon of the mount: He likens them to one who built his house on the sand; it could not stand up to the rains or the floods. Don’t let your house fall! TAKE RIGHT ACTION!!
 
CONCLUSION

 

Today you may have been inquiring after God, but have not committed your life to Jesus Christ. God wants to save you today! He has a purpose for your life and He wants you to get in line with that purpose today.  

 

Today I implore you to ask yourself two important questions: What if I should die today? What if Jesus should come today? 

 

If you can’t say with confidence, backed up with biblical support that you are ready for these events then you need to ask the question: What must I do to be saved? We have already provided the answer. TAKE THE RIGHT ACTION TODAY!!